- Remote sites offer unbeatable sunset views on 22nd September
- Ancient hillforts, rugged cliffs, and hidden moorlands accessible only by car
- Shorter daylight hours make golden hour easier to enjoy this season
As the autumn equinox approaches, Turo has highlighted some of the UK’s most remarkable but little-known sunset locations. While the summer solstice is associated with sunrise festivities, 22nd September marks the last sunset of summer and the onset of longer evenings, offering a special chance to witness golden hour far from the crowds.
From windswept Cornish clifftops to secluded Scottish lochs, each location chosen provides breathtaking views for those who are willing to seek them out. These handpicked spots capture the beauty of autumn skies while offering moments of solitude and reflection.
Rory Brimmer, UK Managing Director of Turo, says: “There’s something magical about the autumn equinox – that moment when day and night find perfect balance. It marks the beginning of autumn and the end of what for most has been a fantastic summer.
“These hidden viewpoints represent some of Britain’s best-kept secrets. They’re places where you can watch the sun set in complete solitude, with nothing but the sound of wind and waves or moorland silence. The catch is that most are completely inaccessible by public transport – you need the freedom of your own wheels to reach these extraordinary spots. Whether it’s a rugged 4×4 for moorland tracks or a comfortable estate for romantic evening drives, having the right vehicle opens up sunset experiences that most people never even know exist.”
Turo’s Top 5 Hidden Sunset Spots for Autumn Equinox 2025
Zennor Head, Cornwall
This remote clifftop near St Ives offers some of Cornwall’s most spectacular sunset views, but requires a winding drive through narrow lanes that defeat most tour groups. The ancient landscape, dotted with Bronze Age settlements and the mysterious Zennor Quoit, provides a mystical backdrop as the sun sinks into the Atlantic.
Park near the Tinners Arms and follow the coastal footpath for five minutes to reach viewpoints that offer unobstructed western horizons. On clear autumn evenings, the sun appears to set directly into the sea, creating the classic Cornish sunset experience.
Autumn equinox bonus: The balanced day-night timing means sunset occurs around 7pm – perfect for an evening drive with dinner at the historic pub afterwards.
Pen Hill, Somerset
Rising dramatically from the Somerset Levels, this Iron Age hillfort provides 360-degree views across some of England’s most atmospheric landscapes. The narrow, winding road to the summit passes through ancient woodlands before emerging onto exposed grassland with breathtaking sunset views westward across the Bristol Channel.
The drive requires confidence on single-track roads, but rewards visitors with one of the West Country’s most spectacular elevated sunset viewpoints. On clear evenings, you can see the Welsh mountains silhouetted against the sunset sky.
Perfect timing: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to explore the ancient earthworks and choose your ideal viewing spot from multiple vantage points around the hilltop.
Cairn Gorm, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Accessible via the winding single-track road through Glenmore Forest, the car park near the base of Cairn Gorm provides access to some of Scotland’s most dramatic sunset viewpoints. A short walk from the car park reveals panoramic views across the Spey Valley towards the distant peaks of the Western Highlands.
The autumn equinox timing is particularly special here, as the sun sets directly between distant mountain peaks, creating a natural amphitheatre for the evening spectacle. The remote location means you’re likely to have this wilderness sunset entirely to yourself.
Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor, Somerset
As Exmoor’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon offers unparalleled sunset views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. The approach via narrow moorland roads through heather-covered landscape creates a sense of complete isolation that’s impossible to achieve on Exmoor’s more accessible spots.
From the beacon, autumn sunsets paint the entire western sky in brilliant colours, with the dark silhouette of Wales providing dramatic contrast. The position also offers views inland across the wild moorland, creating a sense of being on top of the world.
Moorland magic: Time your visit for late afternoon to experience the changing light across the heather moorland before the main sunset event.
St Catherine’s Point, Isle of Wight
The southernmost tip of the Isle of Wight requires a scenic drive through rolling countryside before reaching this dramatic clifftop location. While the lighthouse is well-known, the secluded viewing areas along the cliff path offer private sunset experiences with views across the English Channel towards France.
The autumn equinox provides perfect timing here, with the sun setting over the Needles in the distance, creating one of the UK’s most iconic coastal sunset scenes. The location’s elevation and exposure create constantly changing cloud formations that enhance the sunset colours.
Why Autumn Sunsets are Special
The autumn equinox marks the beginning of the UK’s most spectacular sunset season. As the sun’s angle lowers and atmospheric conditions change, autumn sunsets often display more intense colours and dramatic cloud formations than summer’s higher, harsher light.
The cooler air and increased moisture create the perfect conditions for those brilliant oranges, deep purples, and golden yellows that make autumn sunsets so memorable. Additionally, the earlier timing – sunset now occurs around 7pm rather than summer’s 9pm – makes these spectacular displays more accessible for evening adventures.
About Turo
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