Colder days and reducing daylight may affect some outdoor sports and opportunities, but there are some activities that thrive in autumn. It may help too if they are part of a group – a little extra accountability to join in, and a nice way to connect with others. Here are some to try, including examples for North West England (and a few beyond).

Dark Skies Experiences

In Issue Two, I was introduced to the world of night walks and a Dark Skies Experience when I interviewed Alison Goodwin of Adventures for The Soul. In partnership with Fabian of AFS Mountaineering, they run group walks from September to March in selected locations across Yorkshire. Alison and Fabian only run these events in autumn and winter, when nights are longest and darkest. Find out more about these events on Alison’s website here. If you live elsewhere, it is worth knowing that six National Parks have Dark Sky Reserve status, and several have Dark Sky festivals and events. Exmoor Dark Skies Festival has activities taking place from 16 October to 1 November 2026. There are also workshops and activities in Brecon Beacons Dark Sky Reserve, a Dark Skies Observatory at North York Moors, and a public observatory at Kielder, Northumberland.

Join a Fungi Hunt

While fungi of all kinds of colours and sizes pop up in UK habitats throughout the year, certain species peak in autumn. The annual UK Fungus Day takes place in October (10th) and their website has an events list for activities around the country across the month of October. Look out too for Fungi Fests, Fungi Forays, and other fungi walks and talks sprouting across autumn in your area. For example, in October there are Fungi Forays at Wythenshawe Woods with Lancashire Wildlife Trust and a Fungi Fest at Armitt Museum in Ambleside, Cumbria. Always worth checking too if your region has a Fungus Group. Here in Lancashire, North West Fungus Group has public events like beginner forays, while their members’ events range from February to November.

Biofluorescent Walks

Fungi feature in some of Reveal Nature’s biofluorescent walks this autumn season. The owner and walk leader David Atthowe chatted with me for an interview in Fresh Air Issue Two all about the extraordinary experience of a biofluorescence walk where nature glows. While David runs these walks throughout the year, this is a great group experience where you can embrace autumn’s longer nights and seasonal species. Visit Reveal Nature for more information about David’s walks. His work also featured in a BBC article about the biofluorescent world of Celtic rainforests.

Join a Group hike

Walking or hiking in autumn may offer the beautiful colours of the changing leaves as well as the quieter routes outside summer’s peak tourist times. Hike Club founder Adam Collins also notes the feel-good factor of joining a group and achieving a hike in the changeable autumn weather – see Issue Two for more of this interview. Also, see Hike Club’s website for more information about their free group hikes in Northern England.

Birding Groups Thrive over Winter

Back in Issue One, we spoke to Birds and the Belles ambassadors to learn more about this free all-female birdwatching network. Since then, the Birds and the Belles network has expanded, with new groups in London, the South West, and Central England. Their monthly events continue over autumn and winter – some groups may see some mass seasonal bird migrations in their local reserves. Plus – with fewer leaves on certain trees, it’s easier to spot some of the birds! For men and women alike, you can also check out BTO volunteering or RSPB’s local group maps. Alternatively, search for independent bird clubs that may be either for your city/town or district. For example, here in Lancashire there is an independent bird club covering a district of West Lancashire: Fylde Bird Club. Some reserves also have independent birding or photography groups, so look out for posters in bird hides on reserves.

Cold-water Swimming

Choosing to start swimming outdoors in autumn can be a way of embracing the change in seasons and finding wellbeing benefits from it too. Some of the swimming venues featured in Issue One (and located around the country) remain open in winter. Meanwhile, here in the North West, these are a few examples of supervised winter swimming: Salford Watersports Centre offers swimming in Salford, Greater Manchester; Attitude Swim Coaching runs supervised sessions at certain venues in Lancashire; and Wild Shore Delamere runs supervised swimming in Cheshire.