Summer may be in the rear-view mirror but there are still some fantastic festivals taking place across England and Wales. Here are six autumn festivals to hitch a trip around.
Bath Children’s Literature Festival
When? 27th September – 3rd October
This 10-day celebration of children’s literature is the largest festival of its kind in Europe, drawing some of the biggest names in the industry to Bath for a series of talks, workshops and other book-related fun and games. Speakers on this year’s bill at Bath Children’s Literature Festival include Cressida Cowell, Harry Hill, David Baddiel and Greg James, and events take place at some of the city’s most impressive venues. YHA Bath offers accommodation a short distance from the centre.
Norfolk Walking  & Cycling Festival
When? Throughout October
A salty-aired Norfolk is always a bracing spot for outdoor immersion but it holds a special allure in October, when the summer crowds have receded and the clocks are yet to go back. This annual autumn festival, returning for the fifth time, serves up walking and cycling events across the county. The focus this year is on the coast, making YHA Wells-next-the-Sea and YHA Sheringham – both open during October – all the more appealing.
Bristol Circus City
When? 17th October – 2nd November
The mammoth biennial circus festival returns this autumn for the first time since 2017, bringing a fortnight’s worth of spectacular live performances to the city. Bristol Circus City is held across eight venues, it combines circus with dance, theatre, spoken word, hip hop, film and – because the last evening in October can hardly pass unnoticed – Halloween thrills. The festival draws some of the best circus acts in Europe, and this year hosts two world premieres. Stay at YHA Bristol.
Swˆn Music Festival
When? 18th – 20th October
Bringing some of the best names in alternative music to the Welsh capital since 2007, Swˆn Music Festival – which translates as ‘noise’ – is Cardiff’s answer to the major Texas festival SXSW. Taking over a range of venues across three days, it gives the chance to check out longstanding local icons such as Gruff Rhys as well as up and coming acts such as She Drew The Gun and The Murder Capital.
London Film Festival
When? 2nd – 13th October
Film nut? Head for the big smoke. Now in its 63rd year, this major London festival – held in cooperation with the British Film Institute – features hundreds of ticketed events and award-winning films from around the world. This year’s Closing Night Gala is Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, with Scorsese himself and cast members Robert de Niro and Al Pacino expected to attend. YHA has hostels in and around London.
Kendal Mountain Festival
When? 14th – 17th November
A fixture in the calendar for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, this yearly mountain festival shines a light on some of the world’s most incredible real-life adventures. Film screenings are its cornerstone – expect heart-stopping footage from remote parts of the globe – but it also features speaker sessions, a literature festival, a 10k trail run and various social events. There’s some accommodation on site, but our nearest hostel to the action is YHA Windermere.
