Romanticism is both a state of mind and a habit. Having just arrived back from a year abroad in Australia, it’s the only thing getting me through the shorter days and bleaker weather. However, I’ve always appreciated how well Sheffield honours autumn, from the shades of orange and crunching leaves in the parks to the cosy independent coffee shops sprinkled around. This is the only guide you’ll need to lean into the spirit of the season!
Warm Drinks on a Budget
With coughs and snuffles creeping around campus, I constantly want hot drinks, but they’re far from budget friendly. My fix is coffee and hot chocolate sachets for a quid or two, plus a flask for the library. Just add hot water and it’s a decent coffee for pence. There are plenty of warming autumnal flavours to try, think pumpkin spice, toffee, chai and apple & cinnamon.
Collecting Autumn Spots
On your walks around town, make a little list of the spots and routes that capture the season, and the coffee shops that catch your eye. If you’re unsure where to start, try Weston Park, Crookes Valley Park or Endcliffe Park. Build these pit stops into your routine so even a long study day holds a touch of autumn.
A Day in the Peaks
Try to carve out a day every week to explore the Peak District, Padley Gorge is my favourite autumn walk. Starting right by Grindleford station, the five-mile circular route is a patchwork of red, orange and yellow leaves underfoot and overhead, with twisted trees forming archways and Burbage Brook babbling past moss-covered boulders and wooden bridges. If you’re lucky you’ll spot deer, cows, sheep and even the occasional stag, though you’re more likely to see them on a quiet weekday. Whatever the weather, these walks are my highlight of Sheffield and are made all the better by having a cosy place to return to.
Making Your Room a Hideaway
Make your room as cosy as possible, starting with warm lighting. Warm bulbs in your existing lamps are cheaper than a new lamp, and handmade paper chains, blankets and candles all help. Pinterest is great for finding inspiration that feels like your style.
Cinema Evenings and Cosy Nights In
You might spend most of your time indoors, so find small ways to celebrate the season. Reading is a wonderful escape from doomscrolling, and Sheffield’s charity shops and bookshops offer plenty of worlds to get lost in. Autumn is also big for film releases, just this month we’ve got a brand new Hunger Games film to look forward to! Local cinemas like the Odeon and Light Cinema offer unlimited student memberships for around £15 a month which means you can find a comforting form of escapism and an easy way to leave the house without spending money every time.
Earlier Nights and Brighter Mornings
Much like the sun after our long summers, take the dark evenings as a cue to go to bed earlier. This time of year is busy and it’s easy to exhaust yourself, so give yourself some grace and catch up on sleep when you can. You’ll wake with more energy to catch the early morning sunshine.
Autumn doesn’t last long, so soak it up while you can.
