It has been said that autumn “carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons”*. We think it is the perfect time of year to combine the beautiful red and gold colours outside with keeping warm and cosy inside. As we reach October, here are our top 10 things to do to celebrate autumn in East Sussex.

Kick your way through autumn leaves

Nothing says autumn quite like piles of autumn leaves that are just waiting for little (and big) feet to stomp through!

Why not visit some of our wonderful woods and green spaces such as the Ashdown Forest, Brede High Woods, Friston Forest and Hastings County Park to enjoy a bracing autumn walk.

Get cosy by a fire and watch a heart-warming film

There is no denying it, autumn can bring some wet and windy weather. On days when the weather doesn’t play ball, snuggle up inside instead.

Get cosy by a fire or snuggle under a blanket while you drink hot chocolate and watch a favourite film. Some of our favourites include Matilda, Bambi, Little Women, Fantastic Mr Fox and Hocus Pocus.

Attend a Bonfire Night celebration

Bonfires are big in East Sussex! Many towns and villages celebrate with torchlit processions, bonfires and firework displays throughout the bonfire season which runs from early September through to end of the November.

Isfield and Little Horsted, Seaford, Hailsham, and Hastings will be celebrating later in October, while Rye, Battle, Barcombe, Chiddingly and East Hoathly and Halland hold their events in November.

Most bonfire societies raise money for local charities and good causes, so whichever event you attend please take along some small change to throw in their collection buckets.

Make toffee apples

Toffee apples are a classic Bonfire Night treat, loved by kids and adults alike.

Why not try different flavours such as salted caramel or, while still warm, dip the toffee-coated apples in sprinkles or marshmallows. Delicious!

And if you want something a bit more grown up, try toffee apple crumble.

Create a Halloween costume

Autumn wouldn’t be autumn without Halloween and of course that means putting on your best fancy dress outfit.

Halloween costumes don’t need to be expensive shop bought items. Making your own is half the fun!

Think an old sheet with holes for eyes for a ghost, painted cardboard boxes for cars or robots, stuff an oversize orange t-shirt for a pumpkin or paint bones on a black t-shirt and leggings for a skeleton. Check out our tips for getting creative on a budget.

Head to the BBC CBeebies site for ideas like Hey Duggee masks, Octonauts hats, or a Tree Fu Tom belt.

Have a go at apple bobbing

Halloween parties when I was a child always included apple bobbing. It’s a great excuse to get wet and messy, something all children love!

The origins of this traditional game are said to date back to the Roman times, when the Roman army merged their own celebrations with traditional Celtic festivals.

During an annual celebration, young unmarried people tried to bite into an apple floating in water and the first person to bite into the apple would be the next one to be allowed to marry.

Grab a large bowl, fill it with water, throw in some apples and watch the fun commence!

Go on a ghost walk

As autumn is the season for ghosts and spirits, what better time to take a ghost walk around one of East Sussex’s picturesque towns.

The Rye Town Crier two-hour guided ghost walk will take you around some of Rye’s spookiest spots, as you hear about some of the town’s most notorious paranormal tales. Tours include admission to the 18th century Town Hall.

Ghost walks are not recommended for under 12’s, subject to parental discretion. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Pick your own pumpkin

Pumpkins are in abundance in the autumn. Rather than buy one off the shelf this year, why not head to one of the many local farms and pick your own?

Local pumpkin patches include:

Once you’ve picked yours, you can carve it into a jack-o’-lantern to display on Halloween.

Don’t forget that pumpkin is great to eat too, which leads onto our next suggestion –

Bake an autumnal pie

Certain flavour combinations invoke autumn and what could be better than a warm, autumnal pie. Think pumpkin and pecan, apple and cinnamon, or autumnal berries.

Try these recipes for starters:

Snuggle up with your favourite book or the new best seller

As the days get shorter and the nights draw in, snuggle up with your favourite book.

If you need some inspiration, check out our monthly Good Books articles, which provide a regular list of books to try.  Or visit your local library for ideas – our friendly library staff are always happy to give recommendations.

Whatever you chose to do this autumn – enjoy!

*Jim Bishop, American journalist and author