Nights drawing in. Cloud-hugged cityscapes. 13 different types of rain. Wearing two different autumn wardrobes designed to match both the capricious weather on ground floor and the subterranean heat of the tube below. Vigilantly attempting to avoid the scourge of companions the world over (i.e. the common cold and flu virus). These are just a few of my not-so favourite things about autumn (that’s “fall” to you, US/Canadian readers).

But while autumn in the UK might not be my favourite season it’s definitely one of my top four,  purely on account of the multitude of sensory pleasures that this time of year offers. For instance, the opportunity to sport nails and clothes in colours along the autumn spectrum of Joseph’s Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Moss, fern, claret, jelly cherry red, pumpkin orange, chocolate brown and latte. Or getting to wrap myself in plush, fluffy woollens, smooth pleather, silken slips and stockings. Lots of stockings.

And I love the different texture that autumn dates take on, too. A special feeling of cosiness and togetherness, temporary temporal hibernation and hygge. For my lovers, current and short-term future (!), here are a few date ideas for this season. 

Rooftop bar dates

Rooftop bar. Warming drinks. Fire in our throats and chests, a warm buzz rising. Blanket across our laps. One blanket, two laps. Closing our eyes under the scorch of overhead heaters and resurrecting fading memories of being kissed by the summer sun whilst simultaneously trying not to worry about the possibility of being cremated alive. Autumn hovering beyond our canopy and an inky night advancing closer to us. Warmth and cosiness inside and out but we take the excuses the season presents and snuggle in closer to each other. So the only question remaining is where we take our rooftop bar fantasy. Need some inspiration? Then click here. 

Chaise longue at the cinema dates

The lights dim around us as we settle onto our chaise longue. Shrouded by darkness, we cuddle in closer and sink into the plush velvet. Or should that be velveteen? Chocolate orange velveteen would be a great name for a dessert, don’t you think? Ensconced in cushions while snuggling and watching a movie together and ordering the equivalent of room service to our seat. Let’s go hide away for a time in one of these cinemas and, in the meantime, go listen to The Satsuma Complex if you haven’t done so already!

Rural escapes

Let’s leave the city behind us and escape to the country. Think long rural walks; autumn leaves in shades of burnt orange, russet and vermilion floating around us like overgrown confetti in slow motion; stopping in at country pubs; warming ourselves by a crackling fire; escaping under the sheets together while the wind howls outside in the world beyond the one we’ve created for ourselves. I’ve curated a list of the most gorgeous places we can visit just outside London. Ask me and I’ll share with you these secrets.

Polar nights

This one has been on my bucket list for a good long while now. Travelling to as far north as common sense dictates and seeing for ourselves the true meaning of short days. Blanketed by thick and endless polar nights. Skies studded with stars and ribboned across by aurora borealis. Ice hole swimming and sauna lounging. Snow shoeing surrounded by pine forests coated white. Sleeping in a glass igloo and looking at celestial skies above while being rooted by more earthly pleasures below. Come escape with me here.