Where to stay

The Great British staycation rush meant that many places were bursting at the seams in September, so it was slim pickings when it came to availability at the UK’s hottest hotels. But October means some of the coolest places in the country have more availability. Case in point: Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk, which opens its new exclusive-use Chapel Barn at the end of September.

This is the perfect countryside-luxe escape for highly-strung Londoners, many of whom flock here to boat on the lake, explore its cycling trails and generally gad about the 5000-acre private estate. You’ll find country houses, luxury farmhouses and cosy cottages for rent here, but it’s the brand new Chapel Barn that’s the real blow-out property.

This traditional Suffolk barn – which sleeps a whopping 42 people – has been painstakingly refurbished and features a lower-level pool and hot tub. But given current government guidelines, it’s more likely you’ll want to bed down in one of the surrounding restored worker’s cottages and barns, which include two new and undeniably romantic one-bedroom boltholes – perfect for squirrelling yourself away as the weather gets colder.

The best UK staycations for October: 5 destinations to visit according to our travel editor