Lancaster students, here are the 11 things you should have on your autumn checklist

Who doesn’t love October and November in Lancaster? The trees become orange-toned and themed drinks start popping up in all the cafés. With Halloween creeping up on us, we’re also reminded of the dark witchy history in this area…

To make the most of these months, here’s a checklist of all the fun things to do, see and eat around the city.

1. Get a pumpkin spiced latte or hot chocolate from Coastal & Co

Everybody knows how Coastal makes a top-notch toastie and very delicious drinks. As it gets colder, nothing is more comforting than walking to your lecture, sipping on one of these warming beverages.

Not only do they have pumpkin spice flavouring, but also maple and cinnamon, sticky toffee or an alcohol-free Baileys caramel hot chocolate or latte.

Don’t forget whipped cream too.

2. Visit Penny Street Collectables for autumn trinkets

With the start of the new term and settling into a new home, you deserve to buy yourself a little something to make it your own. From crockery to woolly socks – or even a miniature squirrel in an orange jumper holding an acorn (yes they sell this) – this shop will make you feel very autumnal.

The staff are always super welcoming and friendly too, which is a bonus.

3. Visit Williamson Park and gather conkers

From Lancaster city centre, Williamson Park can be reached by taking buses 8A, 8C, or 18 from the bus station or Common Garden Street, though there are no services on Sundays. The journey takes between five to 20 minutes by bus, or around 20–25 minutes on foot.

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The views are breathtaking, with 54 acres of beautiful parkland that lead you into winding forest paths. Here, you can pick up some conkers to put in your house, which can repel spiders according to an old wives’ tale (there’s no scientific evidence it works, but it makes for a good tradition).

Williamson Park currently has cabin stalls open opposite Ashton Memorial selling hot drinks, spuds, sandwiches, and even ice cream if you fancy it.

I also recommend taking a trip to the grand Butterfly House and Zoo with your friends to make some memories this autumn, which is open Monday to Sunday from 10am till 4pm.

4. Buy a pumpkin from the supermarket and carve it with your friends

With Halloween fast approaching, set a date in the diary with your friends and flatmates to start a tradition of carving pumpkins in the kitchen. Take a look at Pinterest for inspiration, and whether you go for a classic spooky face, ghost, cat, or something unique, make it your own.

If you live on campus, SPAR is selling pumpkins too (as no one wants to carry one home from town).

5. Take a trip to Waterstones and pick up a new book

As it’s getting colder, cosying up with a new book at home under a blanket is essential. Waterstones in town is currently doing a buy one get one half price deal on lots of popular reads, which includes Coco Mellor’s Blue Sisters (can’t recommend this one enough). There’s also a table of new autumn books for you to browse.

I’ve been enjoying The Secret History by Donna Tartt, which is a dark campus novel set in a New England college that’s full of secrets. It’s beautifully written and completely immersive, with that academic, candlelit aesthetic.

You can find it at Waterstones, as well as the Library on campus.

6. Start binging Harry Potter with your mates

With all of the films available on Netflix, once you begin with The Philosopher’s Stone, you can’t help but get lost in this witchy world. Although with eight films in total, it’s certainly a commitment, so watching one a night works well. If you want to pace yourselves, choosing one night a week that becomes your movie night is a solid plan.

7.  Lancaster’s Autumn Litfest

From the 17th to 21st October, Lancaster is holding the annual literary festival, which includes a variety of events, such as novel readings, poetry and graphic novel discussions.

The festival is welcoming Sarah Hall on 17th October, holding an international fiction lecture featuring Xiaolu Gio on the 21st, and a post-festival talk from Simon Armitage on 18th November.

To learn more and download the full programme, see the website here.

8. Light Up Lancaster

The anticipated Light Up Lancaster will return this year on November 6th, 7th and 8th. Around the city, we’ll see stunning artworks, projections and installations that have the theme of impermanence, titled In The Blink of an Eye.

See what’s on this year here, including a sound and laser show in the Lancaster Castle Courtyard. All installations start from 5pm – 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Explore Week takes place from the 27th to the 31st of October, which will include workshops and hands-on activities “celebrating light, art and science”. You can see the schedule here.

9. Halloween clubbing in Sugar

Although Sugar’s Halloween night event is currently sold out, please do not fear. You can still queue as normal for entry after midnight.

Rally your friends, plan a pres and a group costume, and have a fun night out on the town or in your flat. With the range of bars and pubs in town, it’ll be easy to find a great spot – and if clubbing is your go-to, hopefully the lines aren’t too long…

10. Get creative with some pottery

Located on Moor Lane, Lancaster Pottery Studio is a beautiful new shop that holds classes and workshops where you can make your own creations from clay – the perfect weekend activity to do with friends. It’s a five minute walk from the bus station and situated close to The Dukes Cinema & bar.

You can book Halloween Pottery Workshops from £15 here.

11. Have a cosy meal in Merchants 1688

Located by the Castle, Merchants 1688 is a converted 17th century wine cellar that’s now a historic pub selling locally sourced dishes. The warm and intimate atmosphere makes this place very special, and the quality of the food is incredible.

For the weekdays, we recommend the £11 French onion soup; it’s so filling and delicious, with loads of melted cheese on top and comes paired with house baked focaccia.

If you have any of your budget left for the month, the Sunday roasts are served with duck fat roast potatoes, Yorkshire puds, ale gravy and seasonal vegetables and start from £20 for the chicken option. See the menu here.

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