Cozy Cities, Historic Castles & Views Across the UK

There is something about the UK in the fall that feels straight out of a movie. Moody skies, changing leaves, centuries-old buildings, cozy pubs, castles, countryside drives and all the oversized coats I can possibly fit into my suitcase lol.

After falling in love with traveling throughout Europe, John and I knew we wanted to experience more of the UK beyond simply checking off the major tourist attractions. Fall feels like the perfect time to do it. The summer crowds begin to disappear, the weather turns cooler, and cities like London and Edinburgh somehow become even more charming.

This trip is all about slowing down a little and experiencing a mix of iconic landmarks, historic neighborhoods, scenic countryside and cozy evenings.

Of course, there will also be plenty of outfit content, travel vlogs, coffee stops and shopping along the way.

Here is everything on our UK fall travel itinerary!

Places We're Exploring:

• London
• Westminster
• Notting Hill
• Covent Garden
• Windsor
• Edinburgh
• Scottish Highlands
• Glencoe
• Loch Lomond
• Small countryside towns and villages

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London, England

Summary: London is one of those cities where you could spend weeks exploring and still feel like you barely scratched the surface. Between royal history, beautiful architecture, markets, shopping, pubs and some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, there is always something to do.

Fall might be one of my favorite times to visit because everything feels slightly cozier. Give me a trench coat, coffee and a walk through London with orange leaves everywhere and I am happy lol.

Our London Itinerary:

• Visit Buckingham Palace
• Watch the Changing of the Guard
• Walk through St. James's Park
• See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• Visit Westminster Abbey
• Walk across Westminster Bridge
• Explore Covent Garden
• Shop along Oxford Street and Regent Street
• Visit Borough Market
• Walk along the South Bank
• See Tower Bridge
• Visit the Tower of London
• Stop at a traditional English pub
• Afternoon tea
• Evening cocktails with a London skyline view

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A Cozy Day in Notting Hill

Perfect for: Colorful streets, boutiques, cafés and fall photos

Notting Hill is definitely one of those areas I could spend hours wandering around with absolutely no real plan.

Between the pastel houses, little shops, cafés and famous Portobello Road Market, this is such a cute neighborhood to dedicate part of a day to.

Things We Want to Do in Notting Hill:

• Walk Portobello Road
• Browse vintage shops
• Stop inside local boutiques
• Photograph the colorful homes
• Grab coffee and pastries
• Visit Portobello Road Market
• Wander the residential streets
• Find a cozy pub for lunch

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Covent Garden

Summary: Covent Garden combines shopping, restaurants, street performers and beautiful historic architecture right in the heart of London.

I love destinations where you can simply walk around without needing an exact itinerary, and this seems like one of those places.

Our Covent Garden Plans:

• Explore the market
• Shop local boutiques
• Visit nearby Seven Dials
• Stop for coffee or cocktails
• Walk through Neal's Yard
• Grab dinner nearby
• Explore the surrounding streets at night

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Windsor Day Trip

Perfect for: Royal history, castles and a slower day outside London

One thing I love doing on European trips is adding at least one day outside the major city.

Windsor makes such an easy escape from London and gives you the opportunity to explore one of the world's most famous royal residences.

Our Windsor Day Trip:

• Visit Windsor Castle
• Explore the State Apartments
• Walk through Windsor town
• Grab lunch at a local pub
• Walk along the Thames
• Browse shops before heading back to London

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Scotland in the Fall

After London, we are heading north to one of my favorite European destinations: Scotland.

Scotland already looks dramatic year-round, but add fall foliage, cooler weather, castles and misty mountains and I am completely sold.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Summary: Edinburgh feels like stepping into another world. The medieval architecture, narrow streets, castle views and dark stone buildings make it one of the most atmospheric cities in Europe.

As a huge Harry Potter fan, Edinburgh is especially exciting for me. I could honestly spend an entire afternoon walking around looking for bookshops, historic closes and Harry Potter-inspired stops.

Our Edinburgh Itinerary:

• Walk the Royal Mile
• Tour Edinburgh Castle
• Explore Victoria Street
• Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard
• Stop by The Elephant House area
• Explore Dean Village
• Walk through Princes Street Gardens
• Visit Calton Hill
• Browse Scottish shops
• Stop for afternoon tea or coffee
• Find a cozy pub for dinner

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Scottish Highlands Day Trip

Perfect for: Mountains, castles, lochs and dramatic scenery

This is probably one of the days I would be most excited about.

There is just something about the Scottish Highlands that looks completely unreal.

Highlands Stops:

• Glencoe
• Rannoch Moor
• Scenic mountain viewpoints
• Traditional Highland villages
• Loch Lomond
• Highland cows
• Historic castles
• Waterfalls and streams
• Cozy countryside lunch

I definitely want this day to feel scenic rather than rushed. I'd rather spend more time at a few incredible stops than try to fit twenty places into one day.

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Glencoe

Summary: Glencoe is one of the most famous landscapes in Scotland and is surrounded by dramatic mountains, valleys and waterfalls.

This is exactly the kind of destination that makes me want to rent a car, wear a giant coat and stop every five minutes to take pictures.

What We Want to See:

• Three Sisters viewpoint
• Glencoe Valley
• Waterfalls
• Mountain overlooks
• Scenic roadside stops
• Historic village areas

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What I'm Packing for the UK in Fall

Naturally, half the fun of planning this trip is figuring out what I'm wearing.

Fall in the UK is giving:

• Trench coats
• Knee-high boots
• Loafers
• Sweaters
• Neutral layers
• Plaid
• Midi skirts
• Dark denim
• Tights
• Scarves
• Leather bags

Basically my dream wardrobe.

Because the weather can change quickly, I plan to pack pieces that can easily be layered throughout the day.

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Why Visit the UK in the Fall?

There is something incredibly romantic about traveling through the UK during autumn.

You get the history and energy of London, the medieval streets of Edinburgh and the peaceful landscapes of the Scottish Highlands all within one trip.

Add cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, cozy pubs and fewer peak-summer crowds and it feels like the perfect fall getaway.

I already know this trip is going to result in way too many photos, travel vlogs and probably several new coats coming home with me.

Stay tuned. ♡

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