October in Winchester is all about embracing the best of autumn, from fields full to the brim with pumpkins ripe for the picking, crisp country walks under trees of russet and gold, and cosy pubs serving up hearty food and local ales. Whether you’re here for a family adventure complete with wheelbarrows and wellies, or a grown-up getaway with friends, Winchester in October has something to make your stay beautifully seasonal and equally as special.
Is there anything that says October more than a day out pumpkin picking? Little ones racing between the rows to find the perfect orange globe, grown-ups comparing sizes for carving competitions, and everyone enjoying the fresh air and pretending to be dragons as your breath condenses in front of you. Just a short drive from your lodge you’ll find Pickwell Farm or Sunnyfields Farm where you can fill a wheelbarrow with pumpkins, squashes, and gourds of every shape and colour. It’s the kind of wholesome outing that warms you from the inside out with the thought of delicious soups, stews and of course intricate works of art – and makes decorating your lodge for Halloween feel that much more personal.
Our lodges are happily situated amongst abundant countryside just perfect for family strolls, dog walks and selfies, made all the more special by the picturesque changing of the season. A perfect day begins with pulling on your boots, donning your almost-winter coat and setting out beneath a canopy of gold and copper leaves. The South Downs Way offers sweeping vistas across patchwork fields, and following the Water Meadows takes you on gently undulating meanders along the River Itchen, with cathedral spires peeking through the trees. Children can run ahead collecting conkers, dogs can splash in the shallows, and by the time you return you’ve earned a hearty pub lunch.
Speaking of which, we love discovering a cosy pub, stopping for lunch and then feeling so comfortable and content that lunch turns into dinner and before you realise it, you’ve had the perfect day relaxing with loved ones. Winchester’s pubs are more than places to eat – they’re autumn havens. Think low-beamed ceilings, roaring fires, and the clink of glasses filled with local ales, teas and warming tipples. Stop by somewhere like The Wykeham Arms or the Bishop on the Bridge for hearty, seasonal fare like game pies, sticky toffee puddings, and homemade.
There’s something uniquely rewarding about retreating to your lodge after a day of autumn adventures. While the wind whirls through the trees outside, inside is a cocoon of warmth with logs crackling in the burner, the trickle of the filter in the hut tub, and of course the dog snoring peacefully curled up on the rug. Unlike a hotel room, there’s no need to share space or keep to a schedule. Just you, your loved ones, and the freedom to sink into autumn’s slower rhythm.
Winchester in October, in our option, is autumn at its best. However you chose to fill your days during your visit, your lodge is waiting to wrap you up in comfort and provide your haven from the cold.
Check our availability for your next getaway here: https://www.southwinchesterlodges.co.uk/contact/