7 Budget-Friendly Day Trip Ideas for Autumn

This is a collaborative post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Autumn is the cosy season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and try something new! I love going for Autumnal walks and fun day trips at this time of year.

Day trips are a lot less expensive than big holidays – and you can tailor them to your interests. For me, that usually means a historical day out alone or with my friends and family.

For you, it might mean getting active or exploring a local nature spot. It’s all about looking for fun and easy ways to enjoy the darker seasons.

So, how can you make the most of Autumn without breaking the bank? Let’s take a closer look.

7 budget-friendly day trips for Autumn

Are you heading out on a solo adventure? Or maybe you’re looking for family-friendly Autumn activities? Let’s take a look at some budget-friendly day trip ideas for Autumn.

1. Go for an Autumn picnic

Get out for an Autumn picnic to make the most of the beautiful Autumn sunshine. You could take a hamper of food or pick up something warm along the way.

It’s easy to think of picnics as a Summer activity, but there are lots of opportunities to visit the park in the colder months, too. Just make sure to bundle up warm!

2. Go for a creative date

I love creative dates. They’re such a great way to find inspiration and get your creative juices flowing. You could go for a solo date to an art gallery or take your partner to the cinema.

It’s all about finding small ways to try something new and get a bit of perspective. I guarantee it will help you come up with your next big passion project.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out my list of creative Autumn activities for the new season. There are plenty of free ones to get you started!

3. Visit London for the day (or make it into a weekend)

If you’re based in the UK, London is always a fun place to visit for a day or weekend trip. It’s not as expensive as a holiday abroad, but there’s still lots to do.

You could organise a cultural day of museums or go to a play in the evening. Many of the big museums and art galleries are free, so you’ll only need to buy food while you’re there.

4. Explore local nature

Take an Autumn nature walk to explore your local area on a budget. I live near the Peak district, so I regularly go for walks in Derbyshire and the surrounding areas.

You can often pick up cheap train tickets to big woodlands, or you could drive out to a nearby nature reserve. Make sure to pick up temporary one-day car insurance beforehand.

Going for a nature walk is a fun (often free) way to take in the stunning Autumn colours that come out at this time of year. Treat yourself to a hot chocolate when you get home!

5. Visit a pumpkin patch

Pumpkin patches are a big deal at the moment. They provide the perfect opportunity for an Autumn Instagram post – and I’ve noticed a lot of my friends going to pumpkin patches with partners or friends.

However, don’t forget that pumpkin patches can be quite bad for the environment. To combat this, go to a place that actually grows their own pumpkins. You can also eat your pumpkin after Halloween to save on food waste.

6. Tour a stately home

For my birthday this year, I visited Chatsworth House with my boyfriend. We walked around the house, checked out the beautiful architecture and explored the (very wet) gardens for hours.

Visiting a stately home is a great way to escape the rain and enjoy a bit of history. You can get to know how past generations used to live – and check out some artwork or interesting exhibitions.

Once you’ve bought your ticket, you can typically stay as long as you want, so pick up some lunch and make a day of it.

Wherever you’re based, there’s bound to be somewhere local you can tour. There might even be specific events for Autumn, such as Halloween film screenings, half-term activities or early Christmas markets.

7. Look out for local festivals

Many cities host festivals for Autumn, so keep your eye out for any affordable, fun Autumn activities. For example, my local community has an Autumn family fun-day coming up. These kind of events are often run by community centres for free or for just a small charge.

If you’re looking for something a bit more adult, check out an event like Oktoberfest. This beer festival started in Munich, but it’s often celebrated by pubs worldwide. That means cool new drinks and plenty of special offers.

Do you have any Autumn day trip ideas? What is your favourite Autumn activity? How can you make the most of Autumn on a budget?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x