Top five things to see or do in England this autumn

As England leaves behind a lovely summer, many people are more inclined to spend the days indoors. The days may be shorter and the evenings cooler, but that doesn't mean you can't travel around England to explore some of its best attractions.

There are still plenty of great festivals and sights to see around England in autumn. You just need to book one of DriveNow's great car hire deals from Heathrow Airport and be prepared to get up a little earlier in the morning.

Here are our top picks for things to see or do in England this autumn.

See the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

It doesn't matter what month you visit, there's the iconic Changing of the Guard outside the Queen's palace every morning at 11.30. This colourful display of marching and music is always popular with tourists. You can also join a tour of Buckingham Palace, which includes a walk through the Queen's Gallery, State Rooms and afternoon tea.

Check out the London Design Festival

You may not have thought about visiting this festival before, but if you're around London in autumn then it's worth having a look. Events for the eight-day festival are held at different locations across London. Explore some of the best and latest in craft and design as local artists show off their creative exhibits. Their talent will blow your mind.

Visit Avebury

Avebury is a two hour drive west of London and it also isn't far from the famous ancient site of Stonehenge. The real shame is that Avery's massive stone circle is just as interesting as Stonehenge, but so few international travellers actually know about it. Construction of these stones began around 2900 BC. There are also other mysterious monuments like Silbury Hill and an ancient tomb within walking distance.

Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival

This is possibly one of the funnest festivals you'll ever attend! During the last weekend of September, the seaside city of Portsmouth comes alive with traditional English and American folk music. Learn about the nation's proud history of exploring the high seas. Celebrate the local seafaring and maritime heritage throughout pubs, cafes, churches and even the streets of New Hampshire.

Explore the Museum of London

More than a million visitors decide to take a journey through London's museums every year. Learn about the city's history, from prehistoric to modern times. The museum particularly focuses on social history and the people who lived in this great city over the years. It boasts the world's largest urban history collection, featuring more than six million objects.