Autumn in West Yorkshire is extremely hard, as it makes me want to go everywhere, but stay beneath a blanket at exactly the same time. Luckily, there are pumpkin patches, dramatic ruins, misty moors, museums and plenty of cafés for recovering afterwards. Whether you fancy a full day out or one small reason to leave the house, here are 20 cosy things to do across West Yorkshire this autumn.
Things to Do in West Yorkshire This Autumn
1. Pick the wonkiest pumpkin at Farmer Copleys, Pontefract. (Until 1st November)
2. Find Pikachu hiding among the artwork at Nostell
3. Take a leaf-crunching art walk through Yorkshire Sculpture Park
4. Escape the rain and explore The Hepworth Wakefield
5. Venture underground at the National Coal Mining Museum
6. Brave the Halloween Hauntings at Temple Newsam. (24th October–1st November)
7. Follow the Spellbound trail at Lotherton. (24th October–1st November)
8. Take an autumn photo walk around Roundhay Park
9. Wander through the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey
10. Spend a rainy afternoon at the Royal Armouries (check out the floating bookshop on the docks while you are there)
11. Browse Haworth’s Yorkshire Creatives Makers Market. (24th–25th October)
12. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum on a suitably gloomy day.
13. Ride a heritage train through the Worth Valley
14. Browse Hockney artwork, books and independent shops at Salts Mill
15. Take a windswept walk across Ilkley Moor
16. Explore Hebden Bridge’s bookshops, cafés and creative little shops
17. Wander around The Piece Hall and join an autumn heritage tour
18. Crunch through the leaves around Shibden Hall and Park
19. Look for autumn colours across Marsden Moor
20. Have a slow day exploring Holmfirth’s cafés, shops and cobbled streets
You do not need to turn this into another list to complete. Choose the thing that sounds nicest, wear something warm and let that be enough. I will probably save all 20, spend three weeks deciding and eventually try to do more than one in one weekend. Don’t be like me, try to space them out if you want.
Have I missed your favourite autumn place in West Yorkshire? Let me know in the comments.
Last updated: 18 October 2026. Please check dates and booking information before travelling
