I spent an autumn weekend in gorgeous UK coastal town | UK | Travel

Autumn is now well under way across the UK, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The evenings are already drawing in, yet every year I’m determined to make the most of the daylight hours while still embracing the season’s comfort.

This means heading out to explore more of the beautiful locations Britain has to offer, refusing to let gloomy weather dampen my mood. There’s one particular destination I’ve visited countless times since childhood that thrives during summer, yet tends to be forgotten come winter. Following a rain-drenched weekend there, I can confirm its appeal is still equally powerful – perhaps even more so.

Largs, a charming seaside town on Scotland’s west coast, roughly an hour’s drive from Glasgow, is that place. Famous for its Viking museum, traditional amusement arcades and ferry crossings to the Isle of Cumbrae, it’s a location many Scots will have undoubtedly been to during the warmer summer period.

My family has long loved Largs, meaning whenever the weather forecast looked promising, we’d head to the car for a visit. It’s one of those destinations that held such treasured memories for me that I felt certain it couldn’t truly match what I recalled – particularly not once the skies darkened and the temperature dropped. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Last year, during a family getaway, we enjoyed plenty of seaside walks, ate some delicious food, and even saw a handful of Vikings – even though the sun didn’t appear once.

This delightful town, positioned along the Firth of Clyde, has everything you’d want from a seaside destination, including numerous excellent hotels and dining spots. We stayed at the Old Rectory, a lovely holiday property that sleeps up to 14 people and features a hot tub and plenty of room to unwind.

What makes Largs particularly special is its proximity to the seafront, wherever your accommodation might be. The Victorian-era promenade boasts numerous attractions, along with exceptional food and drink options, from classic fish and chips to delectable Thai dishes.

Largs is famous for hosting a pivotal battle in 1263, which marked the conclusion of a substantial Viking presence in Scotland. Visitors can explore this heritage at the Vikingar museum, or experience the drama first-hand at the annual Largs Viking Festival.

By chance, the festival coincided with our stay, showcasing combat re-enactments, live performances, and some fascinating period dress.

Besides its Viking connections, another major attraction in Largs is its art deco ice cream parlour, which has drawn crowds for decades. Nardini’s, lovingly known as Scotland’s most famous cafe, is a firm favourite thanks to its welcoming, cosy atmosphere and utterly delicious ice cream.

Much like Vikingar, it enjoys an enviable seafront position, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a scoop or two of your preferred flavour.

The cafe also offers an extensive range of cakes and lighter options, ideal for lunch or a quick bite while strolling along the beach.

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Head towards the town centre, and you’ll find charming, narrow lanes packed with independent gift boutiques, restaurants and additional ice cream parlours. One morning, we chose to have brunch at Perk, a lively cafe filled with greenery and books, with an excellent menu.

The vanilla matcha was delightful, and I couldn’t resist ordering the decadent feta and avocado waffles listed on offer. And if you still have room following your meal, there’s a cake display overflowing with pastries and other delights ready to take away.

While Largs might be without major high-street chains, it certainly compensates with a huge array of independent traders displaying their distinctive wares.

There’s a large market hall filled with vendors selling everything from organic dog food to wooden lamps, jewellery, soaps, and even tarot readings—I could have happily spent the whole day browsing.

For anyone wanting a touch more excitement, a brief ferry journey from the harbour will transport you to the Isle of Cumbrae, where you’ll find the town of Millport. The island is small enough to explore by bicycle in just a few hours, with a refreshing pint awaiting before the brief 10-minute ferry journey back to shore.

Close by stands the magnificent Kelburn Castle, an impressive park and estate which hosts its own summer music festival. It is perfect for families, featuring multiple playgrounds, cascading waterfalls and plenty more to explore – all within 10 minutes of Largs.

But to be honest, Largs itself provides more than enough entertainment for a day trip or weekend break. Don’t allow the characteristic Scottish drizzle to put you off – it simply adds to the bracing coastal strolls and makes the ice-cream parlours all the more inviting.