Share a tip on a great autumn day out in the UK

Whether your perfect autumn day involves a invigorating forest walk amidst a canopy of changing leaves, a brisk bike ride along scenic trails, or engaging in seasonal activities such as the quiet thrill of foraging for wild edibles, the awe-inspiring beauty of stargazing under darkening skies, or the patient excitement of wildlife spotting, we want to hear about it. Perhaps you have a favourite garden or arboretum that truly comes alive with a dramatic display of colour, or a hidden gem that offers a unique autumnal charm. This is your chance to inspire fellow travellers and showcase the very best of what the UK has to offer during this golden season.

The competition offers a truly enticing reward for the most compelling tip. The best submission of the week, meticulously chosen by Tom Hall, the esteemed Vice President of Experience at Lonely Planet, will win a £200 voucher to indulge in a stay at a Coolstays property. Coolstays is renowned for its curated collection of over 3,000 unique and stylish accommodations worldwide, offering everything from charming boutique hotels and rustic cabins to luxurious glamping pods and historic manor houses. This voucher provides a wonderful opportunity for the winner to experience another exceptional UK getaway, perhaps even a cosy autumn retreat, further enhancing their appreciation for domestic travel. The winning tips, alongside other noteworthy entries, will gain significant exposure, being featured prominently in our widely-read Saturday magazine and on our popular Travel website, reaching a broad audience of enthusiastic explorers.

To ensure fairness and a level playing field, and to give every entrant a clear understanding of the expectations, we have set a few straightforward guidelines for your submissions. Your tip should be concise and impactful, ideally kept to approximately 100 words. This word limit encourages entrants to distil the essence of their experience, focusing on vivid descriptions and key information without unnecessary verbosity. While we welcome and encourage you to send in a relevant photograph to accompany your entry, please remember that the competition’s judging criteria will primarily focus on the quality of your written words. It is your narrative, your ability to convey the magic and practicality of your chosen autumn day out, that will ultimately determine the winner. The photograph serves as a delightful visual aid, but the strength of your prose is paramount.

For legal and logistical reasons, participation in this competition is exclusively open to residents of the United Kingdom. This ensures compliance with various regulatory frameworks and simplifies the prize distribution process. The deadline for all submissions is strict: entries must be received by Monday 14 September at 10am BST. We advise all prospective entrants to plan their submissions accordingly to avoid missing out on this fantastic opportunity.

For those seeking inspiration or curious about the calibre of previous entries, we encourage you to explore our archive of past winners and other reader tips. This section provides a rich tapestry of travel experiences shared by our community, offering insights into what makes a winning submission. Furthermore, a comprehensive set of terms and conditions for this competition is available for your review. Familiarising yourself with these terms will provide full clarity on all aspects of the contest, from eligibility to prize details.

To participate, simply share your travel tip using the dedicated online form provided below. We kindly request that all participants be 18 years of age or over. You have the option to submit your story anonymously if you prefer, ensuring privacy while still contributing your valuable insights. For more detailed information regarding how your data is handled, please refer to our terms of service and privacy policy, which outline our commitment to protecting your personal information and maintaining transparency.

The submission form is designed to be user-friendly, guiding you through the required information. You will be asked to "Enter your tip (maximum 100 words), including details of location, price and website." This structured approach ensures that all essential practical information is included, making your tip genuinely useful for other readers. A field is also provided to "Add a photograph if you wish (but it’s the words we’ll be judging)," with a note on the maximum file size. You’ll also need to provide "Your name" (first name only if you prefer), "Where do you live?" (reiterating the UK residency requirement), and your "Email address" for communication regarding the competition.

Should you encounter any technical difficulties while using the online form, a direct link is available to an alternative submission portal: guardiannewsandmedia.formstack.com/forms/readers_travel_tips_ending_on_14_sep_26. We strive to make the submission process as smooth as possible, and this alternative ensures that all interested readers can submit their entries without hindrance. Your responses, whether anonymous or not, are handled with the utmost security. The form is encrypted, and only the Guardian editorial team has access to your contributions. We are committed to using the data you provide solely for the purpose of this feature and will promptly delete any personal data once it is no longer required for this specific purpose. For those who prefer alternative secure methods of contact, our tips guide offers further options.

Autumn in the UK is a season of unparalleled beauty and diverse experiences. From the ancient woodlands of the New Forest, where wild ponies roam amongst golden bracken, to the dramatic Scottish Highlands, ablaze with russet and gold, the landscape offers endless inspiration. Consider the sensory richness of a visit to Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire, famous for its magnificent collection of trees that put on a dazzling autumn show, or a peaceful cycle through the Forest of Dean, where the crunch of leaves under tire is the only sound. For those inclined towards foraging, areas like the South Downs or Dartmoor can offer a bounty of wild mushrooms (with proper identification, of course) or late-season berries, providing a tangible connection to the land. Stargazers might seek out designated Dark Sky Reserves such as Galloway Forest Park or the Brecon Beacons, where the lack of light pollution reveals the Milky Way in stunning clarity. Wildlife enthusiasts could witness the spectacular deer rut in Richmond Park or discover migrating bird species at coastal reserves.

Tom Hall’s role at Lonely Planet underscores the importance of authentic, reader-generated content in the travel industry. Lonely Planet has built its reputation on providing practical, insightful, and often unconventional travel advice, making Hall an ideal judge for discerning genuinely valuable and inspiring tips. His expertise ensures that the winning entry will not only be beautifully written but also genuinely useful and evocative for potential travellers. The £200 Coolstays voucher is more than just a prize; it’s an invitation to further explore the unique character of the UK’s accommodation landscape, fostering a deeper connection with local environments and independent businesses. Coolstays’ philosophy revolves around curating properties that offer memorable experiences, from quirky treehouses to historic lighthouses, each promising a distinctive stay.

To maximise your chances of winning, consider not just what you did, but how it felt and why it was special. Did the sunlight filter through the golden leaves in a particularly magical way? Was there a specific moment of tranquility or exhilaration? Providing practical details like parking availability, accessibility, or a charming local pub nearby can significantly enhance your tip’s appeal. Remember, your words are your canvas; paint a picture that transports the reader to your favourite autumn day out. We eagerly anticipate reading your inspiring stories and discovering the myriad ways you embrace the enchanting beauty of autumn across the United Kingdom.