I’ll never forget the drive down to Devon last autumn – leaves turning that gorgeous coppery gold all along the A38, but of course, I managed to hit a massive puddle just outside Exeter, soaking the windscreen and turning my careful packing into a soggy mess. Still, as the satnav finally beeped us into Cullompton, the anticipation built; I’d been dreaming of cosy firesides and crunchy walks, perfect for October’s crisp nip in the air.

Pulling up to the holiday lodge felt like stumbling into a hug from an old mate. It’s one of those quaint wooden retreats tucked amid farmland, all warm and inviting with its veranda overlooking rolling fields – first impressions? Spot on, especially with the low sun casting long shadows and that earthy scent of damp leaves everywhere.

Autumn shaped every minute of our stay, turning what could’ve been a standard break into something properly magical. Mornings started with mist clinging to the hedgerows, so we’d wrap up in scarves and wellies for a gentle stomp around the nearby ponds. Ponsford Ponds, right on the doorstep, were a riot of colour – russet ferns and berries popping against the glassy water, ducks quacking away as if auditioning for a nature documentary. I even spotted a kingfisher darting like a jewel; made me feel like we’d gatecrashed paradise.

No two days were the same, thanks to the season’s whims. One afternoon, a sudden shower sent us scarpering back for hot mugs of tea on the veranda, watching rain patter on the roof while steam rose from the fields. It was pure bliss, that forced slowdown – none of your summer rushing about. Evenings, we’d light the wood burner (logs provided, bless ’em), and rustle up stews with veg from the local farm shop in Cullompton. The air had that fresh, bonfire-tinged chill that makes everything taste better.

We wandered the quiet lanes to Willand’s old church, leaves crunching underfoot, and picked windfalls for a lazy afternoon crumble. Humour crept in when I slipped on a slick chestnut – landed on my bum, laughing like a drain while my other half snapped a photo for posterity. “Proof you’re autumn’s clown,” she teased.

Reflecting on it now, that seasonal shift was the real star. Summer might buzz with beaches, but October stripped it back to essentials: woolly jumpers, golden light, and that quiet contentment of shorter days drawing you inwards. It reminded me how we rush through life; a damp Devon week forced a pause, and boy, did it recharge the batteries. If you’re after a proper unwind, chase those autumn vibes here – you won’t regret it.