Wolsey Lodges B&Bs for Autumn colours

The changing seasons are at their most visual in the month of Autumn. Landscapes across Britain and Ireland are transformed, as greens give way to a dramatic palette of browns, reds and golds, shrouded by morning mists and gently cooling temperatures.

This is a great time to take a trip to a Wolsey Lodge. The summer crowds have long gone but the days are still a good length. After a long period of unusually hot weather the countryside breathes a sigh of relief before winter sets in.  Here are just some suggestions for making the most of your travels in Autumn.

Bossington Hall B&B

The great thing about Exmoor is that it is great at any time of year, but there’s something special about Exmoor in Autumn. And there’s no better place to stay but in the park itself, at Bossington Hall B&B. This fantastic property has views of the sea and land: it’s not just in the National Park, it’s also in the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate, which curates 12,000 acres of Exmoor. From Bossington Hall it’s a ten-minute walk to Bossington Beach and the South West Coast Path.

After a day in Exmoor Bossington Hall is a great place to stay. The property is set in eight acres of informal gardens, in which you’ll find a millpond, a river, tennis and badminton courts and a Grade II listed squash court. Bossington Hall was built in 1911 by one of the last 19th century ship owners and has been decorated in period style. There’s an honesty bar stocking artisan Exmoor gins and a wonderful terrace for sundowner drinks. These come earlier in Autumn, leaving you plenty of time to relax in the stately guest sitting room or the private cinema – with leather seats.

 

Bullocks Horn Cottage B&B

Rather than wandering the grounds of your chosen lodge, there are parts of England that attract international visitors to admire the Autumn Colours. One of the most impressive is Westonbirt Arboretum. With five separate tree gardens housing 2,500 specimens from every corner of the globe this is at its absolute best in Autumn: it’s easy to spend a whole day here.

A good lodge to choose near Westonbirt is Bullocks Horn Cottage B&B. This friendly little B&B is just outside Malmesbury, within easy reach of Westonbirt in the southern Cotswolds: though it has three guest bedrooms generally you’re likely to have the place pretty much to yourself. This is a pretty rural property, with a cosy sitting room warmed by an open fire in the Autumn, and a delightful garden of its own. As well as visiting Westonbirt take time to look around Malmesbury. This market town has a lovely high street with a range of independent shops and restaurants. Malmesbury is the oldest borough in England with our first King (Ethelred) buried in the grounds of the 12th-century Malmesbury Abbey – though no-one has quite worked out where.

Whichever Wolsey Lodge you choose for Autumn, you’re sure to find a B&B that suits your taste and budget. Just take a look at the range on offer.