Autumn brings a fresh energy to the season, making it the perfect time to seek out unusual ways to spend a day.
Crisp air and golden leaves create a backdrop that turns even the most unexpected adventure into something memorable.
From exploring hidden corners to trying activities you might never have considered before, autumn offers countless opportunities to step outside routine.
It’s not just about the classic walks or cosy cafés - quirky experiences can mean hands-on workshops, curious cultural encounters, or stepping into places you wouldn’t usually go.
The season itself makes everything feel a little more magical, whether it’s the colours in the trees or the hint of mystery in shorter evenings.
With a mix of indoors and outdoors, active and relaxed, there are plenty of unique ways to enjoy autumn while discovering something new.
Think of it as a season for curiosity, adventure, and stories worth telling.
Take a trip to one of these local wonders during October half-term:
1. Warstone Lane Cemetery Catacombs
Warstone Lane Cemetery Catacombs or Brookfield Cemetery has a secret catacomb. It was established in 1848 and burials took place until 1982. It looks like a semicircle just like a Roman amphitheatre. (Photo - Tony Hisgett/Wikimedia Commons) | Wikimedia Commons
2. Peace Pagoda, Edgbaston
The Peace Pagoda or the Dhamma Talaka Pagoda in Edgbaston opened in 1998. It was planned by scholar and meditation teacher, Aggamahapandita Rewata Dhamma to enshrine the Buddha relics of the former Burmese royal family. (Photo - Google Street View) | google street view
3. Birmingham Back to Backs
The Back to Backs is a carefully restored, atmospheric 19th-century courtyard of working people’s houses. It has a second-hand bookstore as well. (Photo - NotFromUtrecht / Wikimedia Commons) | NotFromUtrecht / Wikimedia Commons
4. Archaeological remains at Sutton Park
Sutton Park has a number of previously unrecorded archaeological features, spanning prehistory to the present day. The park is home to Bronze Age burnt mounds (associated with hot-stone technology), and one of the best-preserved Roman roads in the country (part of Ryknield Street). (Photo - Getty Images/iStockphoto) | Getty Images/iStockphoto