I’ll never forget the drive down to Oxfordshire last autumn – leaves turning that perfect coppery gold, the kind that makes you pull over just to snap a photo, which I did, twice. But typical me, I took a wrong turn near Banbury thanks to a cheeky sat-nav glitch, ending up looping through some narrow lanes with hedges brushing the car mirrors. Heart in mouth for a minute, but it added to the adventure, didn’t it? By the time I spotted the Heath Farm Estate sign, I was buzzing with that proper holiday anticipation – imagining cosying up as the days drew in.

Pulling up, the first impressions were spot on. It’s one of those lovely cottages on the estate, sleeping four with your own private hot tub, ideal for couples or a small family like ours. Or you could team it up with another for a bigger group. The autumn light was filtering through the trees, casting this warm glow over everything, and the air had that crisp, earthy scent you only get in October.

We wasted no time settling in. First stop was the hot tub – oh, what a treat after the drive. Bubbling away under a canopy of turning leaves, steam rising into the chilly evening air, it felt like our own little spa in the countryside. We cranked up the jets as the sun dipped low, sipping mulled cider I’d picked up from a farm shop en route. The seasonal shift made it magical; no sweaty summer crowds, just us and the rustling woods.

Next morning, we wandered over to Swerford, barely a mile away, for a proper autumn ramble. The paths were carpeted in crunchy leaves, perfect for kicking through – I felt like a kid again, though my other half teased me for getting one stuck in my hair. We spotted deer in the fields, their coats blending with the bracken, and paused for blackberries, fat and juicy from the season’s bounty. Back at the cottage, we rustled up a roast with veg from a nearby honesty box – pumpkin and squash shining like mini lanterns.

Evenings were the highlight, shaped entirely by that autumnal cosiness. We’d light the fire (it roared to life first go, phew), play board games till late, and step out for stargazing. The sky was ink-black, Orion popping early, with no light pollution to spoil it. One night, rain pattered softly on the roof, turning the world misty – we watched from the hot tub, hoods up, laughing at how daft we must’ve looked.

Reflecting on it now, that trip was a gentle nudge to slow down. Life’s rush can make you forget these simple joys, especially when autumn wraps everything in its mellow hug. No grand plans, just being present amid the falling leaves. If you’re after a seasonal getaway that hits different this time of year, Heath Farm’s your spot – we’re already plotting a return for next harvest. Pure bliss.