Morning Ritual
Wake slowly, rich coffee steams beside a stack of Sunday papers/books. A chunky knit throw is draped over your shoulders, soft cashmere socks on your feet — the kind of little luxuries that make you feel cocooned.
Mid Morning Dog Walk
Crisp air, golden leaves, and the scent of woodsmoke on a countryside trail. You pull on waxed boots, a wrap wool coat and cable jumper tucked underneath, the sort that feels both practically warm and quietly stylish. The trees are aflame with auburn, copper, and gold; there’s a moment where you just pause—hands wrapped around a takeaway cup of spiced latte, scarf tucked close—taking in the stillness and beauty of the season.
Returning home, cheeks flushed from the walk, the house greets you with warmth. A log fire has been lit, crackling softly – its time for mellow Sunday playlists and a glass of wine. In the kitchen, preparations begin for a slow, luxurious roast dinner. Herb-rubbed beef or chicken, honey-glazed root veg, crisp potatoes, a rich red poured generously.
Afternoon Entertaining
Change into a luxe co-ord before friends or family might arrive, coats hung by the door, voices rising in cheerful greeting. Perhaps it’s just the two of you, with that intimacy of carving the roast together. Plates are laid on a heavy oak table dressed with linen, candles, and a small vase of autumn foliage gathered from the morning walk.
Dusk arrives early — A meaningful close to the day
The evening drifts into soft conversation, a film under blankets, dog curled up by the hearth. The day closes with that unmistakable autumn contentment: a sense of having indulged and restored, body and soul—where nature, food, and comfort wove together into something quietly opulent.
Friday Evening –Arrive & Unwind
Check in at Heckfield Place for an intimate start: The Georgian manor glows against its sweeping parkland, fires crackling in every room. Check into your suite — heritage features, roll-top baths, and views across the misty grounds — before a pre-dinner cocktail in the Moon Bar. Supper is slow and seasonal at Marle, where Skye Gyngell transforms estate-grown produce into refined seasonal dishes.
Saturday Morning: Woodland Wanders & Market Town Charm
Wake slowly to the golden light across Heckfield’s grounds. After a breakfast of pastries, sourdough, and orchard juice, wander the estate’s woodland trails with the dog or head into Alresford, a Georgian market town alive with antiques, cafés, and riverside walks along the River Itchen. By lunchtime, you’re in Long Barn, a lifestyle store and café serving seasonal light lunches — roasted squash
salads, homemade quiche, and artisan cakes. Or head to The Wellington Arms, a stylish country pub with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Saturday Afternoon: Slow Living
Choose between a spa treatment at the Little Bothy Spa, or a visit to Jane Austen’s House in nearby Chawton. Alternatively, venture into Winchester to explore its medieval streets, the magnificent cathedral, and boutiques filled with autumn fashion and homeware.
Saturday Evening — Candlelit Dining & Firelit Drinks
Discover The Black Rat a short drive in Winchester. A Michelin-starred restaurant in a 16th-century pub, with creative, seasonal tasting menus. While The Purefoy Arms, offers an award-winning gastropub dining experience in a chic rustic setting. Return to Heckfield for a nightcap in the drawing room, sinking into a deep armchair by the fire.
Sunday Morning – Rituals & The Roast
Enjoy coffee in bed, then one last stroll across Heckfield’s parkland as leaves drift from the oaks. If you wish to stretch the morning further, drive into the South Downs National Park for a short hike and breath-taking views of rolling hills in autumn colour.
Return for a hearty Sunday roast at The King’s Headin Hursley while you cosy up in front of the open fire.
Saturday Morning —
Wake naturally, no alarm. Light a softly scented candle — sandalwood, amber or fig — and open the curtains to the city washed in golden light. Move through a slow Pilates flow, either at Blanc Space Studios in Notting Hill or via a streamed class at home on your mat.
Late Morning — The Lazy Breakfast
Afterwards, slip into a floaty transitional dress, layered with a fresh jumper and Head to Granger & Co, Notting Hill to meet friends for a lingering breakfast — go for their legendary ricotta hotcakes.
Afternoon — Home Spa Rituals
Transform your bathroom into a sanctuary: run a bath with salts laced in lavender and eucalyptus, add a nourishing mask to hair and face, and let the steam do its work. Layer in a body scrub, an oil massage, and a rich moisturiser to finish. For an extra dose of indulgence, book an at-home facialist or manicure service — the kind of detail that elevates a day from ordinary to decadent.
Evening — Cocooned Comfort
As dusk arrives, home is bathed in soft lighting: lamps, flickering candles, perhaps fairy lights draped casually. Curl up on the sofa in a double soft tracksuit that feels like cashmere against the skin, dog on blanket at your side. Dinner is simple but nourishing — roasted vegetables with tahini, a glass of red, or your favourite comfort food elevated with a seasonal twist.
Sunday — A Reset Of Rituals
Sunday calls for slowness: a walk through Richmond Park or along the Thames in your favourite chunky knit, coffee in hand, watching leaves scatter. Back home, refresh your space with autumnal touches — a new diffuser, a freshly made bed with crisp linen, perhaps a stack of books waiting on the nightstand. End the weekend with journaling, a sleep mist spritzed on pillows, and the luxury of an early night.
For young families, autumn weekends are all about creating moments that feel both magical for children and indulgent for parents.
Morning adventures —
Start with a crisp walk somewhere that feels enchanting for children yet restorative for adults. Throw on the Brackley Cord Puffer lined with Borg for extra warmth, and head to Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire which is spellbinding in autumn - with trails perfect for little explorers. Kew Gardens in London offers the Children’s Garden for play, while parents can enjoy the beauty of glasshouses and fiery autumn colour. Wrap up in the Noel & Lindsey check knit set.
Play & Pause -
Choose lunch somewhere chic yet family-friendly. Daylesford Organic Farm in the Cotswolds is a favourite: children love the farm animals and gardens, while parents linger over seasonal menus and shop artisanal homeware. In Somerset, The Newt offers a woodland adventure playground and treetop walk for children, paired with cider tastings and exquisite dining for adults. In London, Petersham Nurseries is a sanctuary — little ones explore the gardens while parents enjoy seasonal plates under twinkling glasshouse lights.
Afternoon Moments —
Layer up in fairisle knits with the Marcie Jumper to embrace a true autumn feel, and head to a pumpkin patch or harvest festival. Crockford Bridge Farm in Surrey and Cotswold Farm Park offer tractor rides, animal encounters and pick-your-own fun — joyful for children, yet aesthetically charming enough to feel like an autumnal treat for adults too. Alternatively, Chatsworth House in Derbyshire pairs grand interiors and landscaped gardens with a fantastic playground and farmyard for children.
Evening Cocooning —
Back home, the pace slows. The house is warm, filled with the aroma of a Sunday roast — crisp potatoes, caramelised parsnips, rich gravy. Children help set the table with mini pumpkins and candles, while adults pour a glass of velvety red. Evenings are simple: hot chocolate for little ones, wine or a soothing bath for parents once bedtime arrives. Blankets, a film, and the flicker of candlelight bring the weekend to a close.
Looking for the perfect family weekend away?
Discover the Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk, where cosy cottages, barns, and manors offer the perfect retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. Exciting ranger-led activities for families and adventurers, cater to all ages and interests, ensuring fun and unforgettable memories. After an exciting day at Wilderness Reserve, unwind in heated pools, and indulge in luxurious spa treatments while soaking in the stunning countryside views. Fully equipped with BBQ, grill, and kitchen for self-catering, or opt for their private chefs who are on hand to treat you to a gourmet experience.