The nights are drawing in and the woods are starting to turn. Good week for boardwalks and museums.
Around the autumn equinox the Lakes can go from bright and crisp to wet and windy within a day. Check the MWIS Lake District forecast before you go, and look at the lowland outlook too if you're heading for the coast.
The autumn equinox is this week, so the days are about as long as the nights. Below is a boardwalk that Cumbria Wildlife Trust says ospreys pass over in September, plus museums, a train, and two things to book.
About 1.5km (1 mile) of boardwalk from the car park
I'd allow an hour or so
Start: Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, off the A590 near Witherslack LA11 6SN
It's a restored raised bog, with boardwalks across it to a viewing platform. Cumbria Wildlife Trust lists ospreys passing through in September and heather in flower, and red deer rutting in autumn. The first weeks of autumn are a good time to look for them.
The car park is small and limited, with no minibus parking. The trust warns that ticks and adders are present in large numbers, that the ground off the boardwalk is very soft with areas of deep water, and that dogs must be on a lead. Tuesday to Thursday should be quietest.
West Strand, Whitehaven CA28 7LY Check the website, Adults
The Carboniferous Monsters exhibition runs until 11 October. The Howling Wolf Artisan Bakery and Cafe is on site, and there's a Harbour and Town Trail with a GPS app if the weather holds. Phone 01946 592302. Details and booking
Near Watermillock, Penrith CA11 0JS Car park £7 for 2 hours, £10 all day at the time of writing, Adults
A 65-foot waterfall in an 18th-century pleasure ground, with walks of 1.2 to 4.5 miles. The steep and rugged ground means the waterfall isn't wheelchair accessible. There's a tearoom, toilets at the main car park, and the Stagecoach 508 runs from Penrith, about 30 minutes. Details and booking
A short woodland walk of 1.2km beside the River Petteril, with a red sandstone gorge, and in autumn red squirrels, jays and fungi. There's steep ground and steps, and a temporary footpath closure near the broken footbridge at Scalesceugh Hall entrance, so check the trust's page. Details and booking
An 800-year-old priory church, with a VR experience, tours you can arrange, and a gift shop. I'd pair it with a wander round the village. Details and booking
Appleby is the main Cumbrian stop on the scenic line, in a sandstone station in a market town. The Settle-Carlisle Railway site has the timetable downloads and a guide to what's near each station. Details and booking
The Eden Rivers Trust lists it as a 3-mile, 1 hour 30 minute easy walk. The trust says volunteers are still rechecking its routes, so go with a map. Details and booking
Sizergh, near Kendal LA8 8DZ Free (car park is pay and display), Adults
A guided walk through farmland and ancient limestone woodland, ending at a mural in St John's Church. Booking is essential on 015395 69818, and it's about two hours of walking in stout footwear. Details and booking
Brantwood, Coniston LA21 8AD Check Brantwood for tickets, Adults
Listed on Brantwood's website. I don't have the time or price, so ring 015394 41396. Details and booking
Evening
Book ahead
Tip. Sunset is about 7.15pm on Monday and just after 7pm by Friday, so a walk that starts at 4pm still finishes in daylight. Take a torch for anything near dusk.