Three very different ways to enjoy the outdoors this autumn

Getting outdoors is good for us. As well as helping to improve our physical fitness and providing that all-important vitamin D, a healthy dose of fresh air helps to relieve stress and ward off depression, and studies have shown it can even improve our short-term memory and boost our immune system. With the nights drawing in and the weather getting colder, it can be tempting to hibernate until the spring. To help tempt you outside, Isle of Wight specialists Red Funnel Ferries have shared their top tips for how to enjoy the outdoors this autumn.

Go Stargazing

When our day-to-day worries start to feel insurmountable, it can help to remember how tiny we are in the grand scheme of things. Stargazing is a great way to slow down and de-stress. Believe it or not, now is the perfect time to take in the beauty of the universe: there are several meteor showers taking place over the Autumn months.

• The Draconid meteor shower will be visible on 8 October 2019 and is expected to produce 10 meteors per hour. As the Draconids are best spotted in the early evening, this is a good child-friendly event to share with the family.
• The Leonid meteor shower peaks on the night of 17–18 November 2019 and produces on average 15 meteors per hour.
• Producing up to 120 multi-coloured meteors per hour at its peak, the most extraordinary celestial event of the year is, without a doubt, the Geminid meteor shower. The best time to see it is after midnight from 13–14 December 2019.

The Isle of Wight is one of the best places to see meteor showers in the UK, with dazzling ‘Dark Sky’ sites around the south of the island revealing thousands of stars on crisp clear nights. For insider tips on what to bring, where to go and how to stay safe while stargazing, check out Red Funnel Ferries’ stargazing guide.

Make pre-historic discoveries

The beach might be the last place you’d think of visiting in the winter months, but there’s nothing like a helping of salty sea air to make you feel really alive – and there’s plenty to do on British shores that don’t involve sunbathing.

Like fossil hunting, for example. We humans are relative newcomers to planet earth, and The UK coastline is full of evidence that dinosaurs inhabited our soil long before us.

The Isle of Wight has the most substantial number of dinosaur remains in the UK – and significant fossil discoveries have been made by children as young as six years old. Together with GO Outdoors, Red Funnel has put together a Guide to Fossil Hunting on the Isle of Wight, which features the best fossil beaches on the island along with preparation tips and a list of guided fossil walks.

Get on your bike

Cycling is fantastic exercise and a perfect way to take in the outdoors whatever the season.

The Lonely Planet has recently named the Isle of Wight as one of the 10 best cycling destinations in the world. With cycling trails for all levels of rider, it’s a great way to see the Island whether you’re a family or a pro rider.

Cycle hire is available from a choice of local companies on the Island who have a wealth of experience.  Most have modern mountain, hybrid or road bikes available to hire and will include locks, pumps, puncture repairs kits and maps.  Some hire companies also offer child seats, tag-a-longs, trailers and more.

Quiet country lanes and scenic off-road cycling routes make the Isle of Wight an ideal destination for a UK cycling holiday or short break. Red Funnel have put together 12 exciting cycle routes for you to try.

Escape to the Isle of Wight this autumn from £47.50 return and enjoy spectacular beaches, cosy country pubs, delicious local food and drink, top attractions and miles of unspoiled coastline.