What's on in Hampshire this Autumn

Autumn in the New Forest is a particular favourite for many of our guests; a quieter season, witness the changing leaves as the forest floor transforms into a glowing carpet of amber and crimson. There’s nothing quite like the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet on a crisp autumn morning walk or a drive along winding forest roads with the afternoon sun shimmering through the dancing tawny branches.

If you’ve enjoyed your short getaways and weekend breaks during the summer, now is the time to plan your autumn escapes. We’re certainly not wishing away the beautiful summer days, we’re merely suggesting that you look ahead to the next season to ensure you have a short New Forest break to look forward to. There’s always so much going on in the New Forest National Park, you wouldn’t want to miss out!

We’re looking ahead at September onwards so you can start planning your perfect autumn break at our New Forest hotel. There’s lots on this autumn, whether you’re planning a visit to the Southampton International Boat Show or hoping to take the family to the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, for one of its many rallies or events.

Providing a wonderful day out year-round, the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu is always a good choice during your weekend break but there are also specific events for motoring enthusiasts, like the impressive, ever-popular International Autojumble. This year it’s running on the 6th and 7th September, an iconic event and an entire weekend devoted to classic cars and parts.

If we had you at ‘motoring enthusiasts’ you might also like to know that the museum has its ‘Simply’ rallies, so if you’re passionate about Italian cars or BMWs, for example, look out for the next Simply event that catches your eye and drive yours into the museum for the day.

Simply Italian is coming on Sunday 28th September and your tickets include entrance to the rest of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Little Beaulieu, Beaulieu Abbey and its grounds and gardens.’

What better time of year to enjoy Exbury Gardens than betwixt the seasons. As a RHS Partner Garden, Exbury Gardens are offering RHS members free entry during September, whilst they also have plenty of speciality events in their autumn calendar.

Ever wanted to try weaving willow? Now you can at the Willow Seed Heads Workshop on the 18th September with Hampshire Basketmaker, Louise Arthur. The workshop is from 10am to 1pm, tickets are £45 and include refreshments.

Autumn is also a special period in the forest, as it’s the time of the pannage; an ancient tradition dating back to the time of William the Conqueror, during which the New Forest pigs are let out to roam free around the forest to forage for acorns, beechmasts, chestnuts and other nuts that are harmful to the ponies.

Typically beginning in September, the start of the pannage season depends on the weather and when the acorns fall. The official start time is set by Forestry England and the verderers (forestry officials), whom also agree the end date.