I’ll never forget the drive down to Bridgnorth last autumn – the leaves were turning that glorious mix of gold and rust, carpeting the Shropshire lanes like someone had scattered a million fivers. Me and the family piled into the car from Birmingham, kids buzzing in the back with crisps and iPads, but about halfway there, disaster struck: a rogue pheasant decided to play chicken with our windscreen. Thump! Feathers everywhere, heart in my mouth, and the littlest one wailing like it was the end of days. Pulled over, checked the damage (just a feather-stuck grille, phew), and carried on, laughing it off as our official holiday mishap. By the time we trundled into town, the anticipation was electric – that crisp October air promising cosy nights in after days of crunchy walks.

Pulling up to our ground-floor apartment in the heart of Bridgnorth, right in a former pub no less, we were smitten from the off. It’s this beautifully presented spot, all warm and inviting, with an open-plan living area bursting in vibrant colours and top-notch furnishings. Stepped through the door and bam – instant holiday glow. The well-equipped kitchen had everything for rustling up a stew with the glut of seasonal squash we’d nabbed from a roadside stall, and the dining table for four was perfect for our little crew. Later, we flopped on the plush sofas, fired up the big Smart TV for a pumpkin-spiced movie marathon. First impressions? Spot on for families dodging the summer crowds.

Autumn in Shropshire is pure magic, isn’t it? That time of year shaped every bit of our stay. Mornings started with mist rolling off the River Severn, just a stone’s throw away – we’d wander down to the quayside, kicking through fallen leaves, watching narrowboats chug along under a low sun. The town’s market was in full swing midweek, stalls heaving with apple pies, local cider, and fat pumpkins that begged to be carved. We grabbed chestnuts to roast back at the flat, the scent filling the air like a hug from Nan. Days out were short and sweet, thanks to the cooling temps – a brisk hike up to the castle ruins overlooking the cliffs, where the wind whipped the trees into a fiery dance. No sweaty treks like summer; instead, that golden light made everything feel like a painting. One afternoon, we hit the Severn Valley Railway nearby, steaming through woods ablaze with colour, sipping hot chocolate that steamed up the windows. Bliss.

Evenings were the real treat, all shaped by the season’s embrace. As dusk fell early, we’d light up the flat’s lamps, cook hearty spag bol with foraged blackberries (okay, bought from the market), and play board games till bedtime. The kids loved it – no endless playground hours, just quality time wrapped in that autumnal hush. I had a quiet moment one night, staring out at the twinkling town lights, cuppa in hand, reflecting on how rushing through life back home robs you of this. Shropshire in October? It slows you down, makes you notice the crunch underfoot, the spice in the air. We left feeling recharged, already plotting a return for next year’s leaf-peeping. If you’re after a proper seasonal escape, this is the ticket.