I’ll never forget the drive to Blakeney last autumn – leaves turning that glorious copper and gold all along the winding roads through the Forest of Dean. Me and the family piled into the car from Gloucester, kids buzzing in the back with crisps and iPads, but about halfway there, disaster struck: a massive flock of starlings decided to swoop right across the windscreen. I swerved like a startled pheasant, heart in my mouth, and we ended up with a comedy bird poo splatter that took half a bottle of screen wash to shift. Still, it broke the ice with some daft laughter, and by the time we trundled into Blakeney, the anticipation was electric. What a first impression – the air crisp with that proper autumn nip, woodsmoke drifting from chimneys, and the Forest of Dean looking like a painting in russet and amber.

Pulling up to our holiday apartment on the edge of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty felt like stumbling into a cosy hug. It’s one of those stylish spots perfect for a gang like ours – family and mates – with a spacious open-plan living area that just invites you to kick off your wellies. The emerald green décor glowed against the fading light filtering through the windows, and that private balcony? Pure magic for sipping a mulled wine as the sun dipped low, painting the shared gardens in fiery hues. Those lush lawns and four ponds were dotted with fallen leaves, ideal for the kids to crunch through on a treasure hunt, though we had to fish out a soggy welly from one after a particularly enthusiastic splash.

Autumn shaped every minute of it, really. Mornings started in the massive walk-in power shower – nothing wakes you up like steaming water when there’s a chill in the air – then we’d rustle up porridge and bacon in the well-equipped kitchen, spilling over to the big dining table with steaming mugs of tea. The plush sofa became our film-night haven, huddled under blankets with the wall-mounted telly flickering as rain pattered outside. Bedrooms were spot-on too: the king-size for me and the missus, all colour-coordinated and cosy with extra blankets for those frosty nights, and the twin for the lads, plenty of storage for muddy boots.

Venturing out was all about that seasonal vibe. A short stroll into Lydney’s town centre – just down the road – meant pubs dishing up hearty pies and real ales to warm the cockles, or grabbing self-catering bits from the shops while dodging piles of crisp leaves. The harbour was stunning for evening walks, the water glassy under orange skies, perfect for a bit of hand-holding romance amid the briny breeze. We hit the Royal Forest of Dean trails, carpeted in crunchy foliage, spotting deer and fungi that had the kids wide-eyed. Puzzlewood was a misty wonderland of twisted trees, like something out of a fairy tale, and the Dean Forest Railway chugged us through woods ablaze with colour. Even Offa’s Dyke Path nearby offered gentle hikes with views that stopped you in your tracks.

Looking back, that little mishap on the road was a reminder to slow down and savour it all – autumn’s fleeting beauty, the laughter, the warmth inside against the world turning chilly. It was one of those trips that recharges the soul, making you grateful for simple joys like a log fire crackle and family close. Can’t wait to go back next leaf-fall.