County Cork’s Dunmanus Bay has us charmed, whether basking in the brisk autumn sun or for a blustery walk along the cliffs.
Why go?
The humped backs of whales rising above the surf, fresh Atlantic winds billowing in, whitewashed granite cottages with peat crackling in the hearth; Ireland’s West Cork is the stuff of autumnal dreams. And that’s where we want to be this month. Ideally, after enjoying the acclaimed Mediterranean garden at Kilravock (pictured top), we’ll tuck in to a spread of delicious local seafood. Then we’ll pull on our fleeces and wander down to a nearby cove. With the beach to ourselves, we’ll fashion the white sand into a mini fort, complete with shell-encrusted balustrades, and maybe even dip a toe in the water.