Signs of Coming Autumn in the English Countryside: 3 Weeks to September

“…but Adriana, it’s Summer!”… are you sure? There is no hard line between the seasons, and Mother Nature shifts fluently from one to another. The first signs of coming Spring appear in the midst of Winter, and the first whispers of Autumn arrive at the height of Summer.  Neither of the seasons “starts” on a particular day, and you know it if you pay closer attention to the natural world around you. Currently, we are closer to the Autumn Equinox than to the Summer solstice, so although the official calendar says summer, the English countryside is steadily descending towards Autumn.

📅 Saturday, August 7th, 2026
3 weeks until Autumn!

Today I want to share with you all the signs of the changing seasons I noticed in recent days while walking in the villages, fields and woods. I’d love to hear from you - what signs did you notice where you live?

1. Blackberry season. Brambles are a hallmark of the English countryside, and they are incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem. Last year, I dedicated a whole post to them - you can find it here. Wherever I go these days, I see hedgerows heavy with black fruits - a sure sign that Summer is ending.

2. Orchards full of fruit. I will soon be collecting the first pears of the year from our little pear tree in the garden. We recently visited Barrington Court, which maintains beautiful orchards, and its trees are also abundant with apples. The sweet smell lingered in the air, whispering of coming Autumn!

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3. Pumpkins swelling. If you are not into gardening, allow me to share that pumpkins start green and turn orange later in their growth, as the weather turns colder. Although it’s still early, I've already spotted some pumpkins that are green but growing every week, and it makes my heart sing! Only a few more weeks until early varieties begin to turn colour. 

4. Abundant vegetable patches. Aside from pumpkins, myriad other vegetables are currently in season, including tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, and peppers. Another sign from Mother Nature that summer is coming to an end, and it's time to get serious about autumn and winter preparations.

5. Burrs are falling, Autumn is calling. Beech trees are very popular in the English countryside, and now, in August, their burrs are ripening and falling to the ground - a key signal that autumn is not far away. I found so many of them in recent days on our usual walks!

6. Autumn leaves. Fallen leaves in August are no longer a novelty; some are falling even in July. Although sometimes it might be due to the dry spells, the fact is that it’s nature deciding its time to let go of them. It’s not unusual for entire trees to begin changing colour (usually from the tips, so look up!) in August, and I’ve spotted lots already in Somerset and the Cotswolds. During our recent visit to Wales, Andrei expressed that it almost feels that it's even more "Autumnal" there than closer home - so many fallen leaves on the roadsides!

I'm delighted to announce that we've added a brand new scent to our Autumn Collection: Apple Orchard, inspired by the fragrance of freshly picked apples on a crisp autumn day. I hope you'll love it as much as we do and that it will become the perfect companion for many cosy evenings at home.

Shop brand new "Apple Orchard" candle here

7. Ferns turning copper and gold. One of my favourite signs of coming autumn in the woods, and it’s already happening. Ferns are the true gift to autumn lovers as their colours are just gorgeous.

8. Purple hills. Common heather blooms from mid-summer through early autumn, usually peaking in August and September. There is no better time to wander your local heathland than at golden hour during these months - the colour is spectacular! For me, heather, like sunflowers, is one of these "in-between" symbols of the end of summer and the beginning of Autumn. 

9. Mushroom appearing in the woods. This is a very dear sign to me. I shared a blog post a couple of years ago about our family tradition of foraging mushrooms in the woods in September. I can always smell the fungi in the woods, especially after the rain, and this year, despite how dry it is, I already sensed them, bringing back childhood nostalgia. Yes, Autumn is well on its way.

10. Evening drawing in. These days, it’s getting dark just after 8 pm, especially when it's gloomy. Only a month and a half ago, it was 10 pm. The nightfall definitely comes earlier, ushering us back to our warm homes and beds

11. Misty mornings. The English countryside will be waking up to a mist covering the villages and farmlands more often as temperatures drop in late August, as we transition from Summer to Autumn. A lot depends on where you live, but here on the Somerset Levels, fog is a common guest. I really love misty weather and how cosy it makes me feel inside my little home. 

The wheel of the years never stands still, and in August you can truly notice its motions. Halfway through this month, the change is very visible in the English countryside - some may cling to Summer, but no one can deny it. Bountiful gardens and orchards, farm shops offering the best of locally grown produce, and woods so lush and full of life.

And among all of it, the first shades of orange, gold and copper begin appearing, reminding us that the cold winds of Autumn are on their way and it will soon be time to retreat into the warmth of our cosy homes. With only 3 weeks until September, Autumn is around the corner.

Until next week,
Adriana x