Things to do in the South West this autumn

From exciting new openings to festivals and pop-ups, we’ve curated delicious to-dos for your autumn diary

Check out Somerset’s most interesting new launches

There’s been a flurry of new openings in the county which include the relaunch of Roth Bar at Hauser & Wirth in Bruton. The bar is an integral part of the gallery experience and been reworked as a functional artwork by artist Oddur Roth.

Also in Bruton, Former River Cottage chef Sam Lomas opens his first restaurant in September. Find Briar on the site previously occupied by Osip, which chef Merlin Labron‑Johnson has just moved to a nearby rural location.

In Frome, The Walcot Group opened Little Walcot, sister to Bath’s Walcot House and one of a burgeoning brood of South West siblings. Check out Inoshishi Izakaya in the town too, which launched at the end of 2023 and is doing good work with Japanese‑inspired food and cocktails.

Explore east Devon’s edibles

The Taste East Devon Festival takes place from September 14‑22 and comprises a line‑up of top‑drawer events that range from tours of Pebblebed Vineyard (pictured) with wine, cheese, and charcuterie chomping to long-table feasts at River Cottage and apple picking at Whiteways’ ancient apple orchard. Get the low‑down on the whole smorgasbord of food and drink‑related happenings on the Taste East Devon website.

Eat Japanese and do karaoke at Robun

The Bath restaurant is already the city’s go‑to for Japanese and Asian‑inspired sharing plates, teishoku set meals and themed nights, but it’s just added another reason to visit: karaoke and Tokyo tapas with cocktails. Make ours a Jasmine Highball with salmon hosomaki and chicken karaage and an opportunity to hog the mic …

Feast on seafood

Many native species of fish and shellfish are abundant in autumn, and in prime position on menus across the South West.

One spot where the seafood is front and centre is The Salutation Inn in Topsham near Exeter which comprises a smart restaurant with rooms and a fishmongers shop – Salt – at the front. Owner Tom Williams‑Hawkes has long crafted fabulous dishes from the day’s catch, but in lockdown created an onsite fish shop to support local fishermen. It gave Tom and team such incredible access to fresh fish and shellfish that it became a permanent fixture.

The Grade II-listed property’s atrium and restaurant have just been given a beautiful refurb. Visit to feast on the pick of the catch in a setting filled with artwork and trailing plants. On Thursday September 19, The Salutation is holding a Devon Seafood Supper, which will see Tom and head chef Luke give a talk about their passion for seafood and serve a four‑course dinner showcasing the fruits of the local waters.

In Padstow, Prawn on the Lawn is running its pop‑up seafood bar Little Prawn until the end of October. Visit for frozen margs and locally caught seafood prepped in chef owner Rick Toogood’s signature Mediterranean and Asian style. In Truro, The Alverton is holding a Lobster On The Lawn evening on Friday September 6. Visit to scoff locally caught lobster with all the trimmings and sip glasses of chilled fizz on the outdoor terrace in the leafy garden.

Hunt out the Tartan Fox

Adam Handling has just opened his second pub (he also owns award‑winning The Loch & The Tyne in Windsor), and his second venture in Cornwall. The Tartan Fox joins Adam’s restaurant and bar Ugly Butterfly at Carbis Bay in St Ives.

Experience the chef’s highly inventive cooking at the quintessentially British country pub, which is located between Newquay and Truro. The team have given the trad building a refurb to create a cosy environment that includes a bar, wine room, restaurant, two private dining rooms and a garden.

Enjoyed reading our round-up of things to do in the South West this autumn? Discover the best places to eat, drink, sleep and shop in the region via our city and town curations.