AUTUMN is now well and truly here, and although you can almost feel your senses start to tingle with the cooler air, it’s not quite time to enter into a winter hibernation just yet.

October is one of the most beautiful times of year to take a step outside and immerse your senses, so wrap up warm and enjoy the bite of fresh air on your face and the sounds of freshly fallen leaves underfoot.

Here at East Riddlesden Hall, a drop in the early morning temperatures creates a magnificent sight as low lying mist slowly creeps across the lower fields before wrapping itself around the house.

These lower fields are a great place to take a morning walk, and dogs are more than welcome to come along and stretch their legs across the fields too.

A fresh autumn walk wouldn’t be complete without a heart-warming lunch, and this October we have two special seasonal recipes to sample – the brie, cranberry and apple toastie (delightfully called a Brapple by the team) is sure to get you in a festive mood in the run up to Christmas, and the Chilli non Carne is guaranteed to warm every corner.

Drinks are available to take away so there’s no need to miss out on a hot drink if your dog’s come along or if you’d simply like one to take on your relaxing stroll beside the river.

New stock has arrived in the shop and we’re pleased to offer a wonderful selection of Christmas cards on sale as well as the new seasonal range of homeware – Winter Twilight.

This range, which includes reed diffusers and candles, is inspired by winter mist and has a fresh winter fragrance reminiscent of fresh evergreen blue spruce and frosted pine with hints of Eucalyptus and Patchouli.

In October we begin to get ready for a haunted half-term and with its blackened walls and tales of tragedy, East Riddlesden Hall is the perfect place to spend Hallowe’en.

Are you brave enough to listen to spooky stories in a dimly lit barn this Hallowe’en? Dare you take a walk through a 400 year old haunted house and follow a revolting remedy trail?

When you join us this half-term you can also spot coloured pumpkins in the garden and create masterpieces with fallen leaves.

The Discovery Garden is a family favourite at this time of year, and the combination of children enjoying natural play surrounded by a multitude of autumn colours is wonderful sight.

Children can join in with nature weaving and follow a colourful stick trail. Making mud pies, building dens, running through a willow tunnel are just a few of the other things that can be enjoyed.

The lower fields at East Riddlesden Hall are open every day between 9am and 5pm. The house, shop and tea-room are open between Saturdays and Wednesdays, 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Entry is free for National Trust members and under-fives, otherwise general admission prices apply. Please see our website for full details of the events nationaltrust.org.uk/riddlesdenhall.