Autumn has officially begun in the UK – this is what the editors of Condé Nast Traveller are reading, watching and buying, as well as (of course) where they’re going.
Preshita Saha, director of content, global video
I’ve spent most of the last couple of months in the UK. My Trainline app was working hard as I crisscrossed the country: Cornwall where evenings at Scarlet Hotel were spent in a clifftop hot tub overlooking the ocean; Edinburgh where my stay at Gleneagles Townhouse was defined by one unforgettable detail: the cheese trolley; Brighton where the Pearly Cow served up Sting Like A Bee, a cocktail made with fermented hot honey that I’m still thinking about. But my favourite train route in the country remains in North Wales, with the sea on one side and ruins on the other. I also took my first Eurostar this year, a milestone that quickly turned into three mini museum and beach-filled trips. Summer was generous this year, and yet, the sight of the first brown leaf had me sketching plans for a solo trip to Australia before the year is out.
Having said that, this is one of the best times to be in London, thanks to the upcoming events. The Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park remains one of the most influential showcases of contemporary art globally. And the BFI London Film Festival, which has such an exciting lineup this year (The History of Sound, Wake Up Dead Man, Hamnet, Blue Moon – oof!). I’m also looking forward to getting together with friends to celebrate Diwali and our dinner reservation at Bibi.
The last few weeks in the city have been defined as much by what I’ve eaten as by where I’ve been. Cycene was an absolute treat – every dish chef Taz Sarhane creates celebrates local seafood and game, elevated with considered technique, making the whole experience feel both thoughtful and effortlessly indulgent. I honestly don’t know what I loved more at Rambutan, the setting with an open fire kitchen overlooking Borough Market or the kottu roti with Devon crab and chilli butter. And I finally tried Bubala, which is now firmly on my list of city favourites (the baklava semifreddo alone is worth making the trip). I’ve also been curating little pantry treats, sourced from the many local markets across the city: Sueperlicious Bakery’s kaya spread (they do a few flavours, but my favourite is pandan infused with ginger) has become a go-to, and while I’ve long loved their pandan blondies, the spread takes it to another level. And for some of us who like it hot, Badger’s Scorpion Chilli Oil, made from cold-pressed rapeseed oil infused with Trinidad Moruga Scorpion chillies, brings serious flavour (and serious heat!).
In the spirit of Second Hand September, my shopping bag on Vestiaire Collective has been looking particularly full (and ready to embrace the imminent cold snap). It includes this brown leather woven tote from Dragon Diffusion, this wool coat and these suede ballet flats from Totême. Meanwhile, the transitional pieces on repeat in my wardrobe are these sneakers from END, this floaty dress from Cord Studio and this gorgeous short trench from Sezane.
Lucy Bruton, social media manager
Despite considering myself the biggest summer devotee, after an unprecedentedly busy season of raucous thirtieths, weddings and festivals, I’m ashamed to say that even I am looking forward to slowing down a bit this autumn. That being said, October is my birthday month, so there are a few little plans on the horizon to keep me from becoming a total Netflix-bingeing hermit.
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