10 Outstanding UK Autumn Walks
Autumn brings with it many things – cooler temperatures, shorter daytime hours, a return to routine after the frivolities of summer, Strictly Come Dancing…! But the most prominent feature of autumn is the vibrant colours of the countryside, along with the crisp, fresh climate.
For many, it is the favourite time of year to go walking. Swishing your way through the autumn leaves whilst breathing in the fresh air is invigorating; the ideal tonic at the end of a busy working week.
At BCH Camping, we’re all keen walkers. When talking to our customers, we love to hear their walking stories, and recommendations for new destinations. We therefore decided to put together a list of 10 outstanding autumnal walks around the UK. The list is in no particular order of preference!
Winkworth Arboretum to Oakhurst, Surrey
On this walk, you take in the fabulous Winkworth Arboretum with its Japanese, American and Norwegian maples, along with beautiful woodland up to the top of Hydon’s Ball. Here, you can enjoy spectacular views over the Surrey landscape. Oakhurst Cottage, located in the quaint village of Hambledon is a delightful place to rest. The cottage is a 16th century labourers home which has remained largely unchanged for over 100 years. This is a beautiful walk with many features of interest.
Autumn Colour Trail at Ashridge, Hertfordshire
This walk does exactly what it says on the tin! If it’s beautiful autumnal colours, spectacular scenery and wildlife in abundance that you’re after, this walk delivers on all counts. The best is saved until last as you walk through the stunning colours of the beech, oak and lime trees on the final stretch of the trail.
Speke Hall, Liverpool
Yellow is the theme of this walk, which seems almost designed for autumn. The trail takes you through ancient oak and beech woodland with its yellow leaves, and meadow where some grasses will be turning yellow and brown at this time of year. Migrant birds fly above the yellow sands of the estuary, making this a unique walk that shouldn’t be missed as a memorable part of a family day out.
Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds
The 600 acre Westonbirt Arboretum is widely considered to be the most valued and significant collection of trees in the United Kingdom. Home to 15,000 specimens of trees, the trails take you through a succession of bright, golden and burnished tones during the autumn period. There are two trails available, one through Silk Wood (dog-friendly) and the other through the Old Arboretum (dog free).
Dinas Island, Pembrokeshire
This circular walk which takes in the stunning views of the Pembrokeshire coast, offers colourful gems in autumn such as the yellow and brown fading bracken, pink and purple common heather, and yellow gorse flowers. The walk includes areas of steep ascent and descent, but whilst it may test your fitness, the reward is worth the effort.
Railway Trail, Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire
West of Halifax, the Hardcastle Crags offer stunning riverside views, along with the vibrant autumnal colours of the oak, beech and pine woods. There are hilltops and rocky paths to climb, along with a peaceful 400 acres of countryside to explore. The stepping stones and footbridges add to the charm of this spectacular area of beauty.
Belton Park Walk, Belton House, Lincolnshire
Belton Park boasts a rich array of wildlife. Of its 1,350 acres, 750 are designated deer park. This trail passes through the key features of ancient woodland, wildlife habitats and even offers a view of a deserted medieval village. Autumn reds, yellows and browns can be found throughout, complementing the golds and yellows of the lime trees along the cobbled drive. Near Belton House, there are ruby and russet creepers on the coloured walls of the West Courtyard.
King Alfred’s Tower Walk, Stourhead, Wiltshire
King Alfred’s Tower is believed to mark the site where King Alfred the Great rallied his troops in 878. This circular 5 mile walk takes you through the stunning woodlands to the tower, a 160ft high folly constructed in 1772. There are spectacular views across the lake in the landscape garden. The tranquil garden of the South Lawn, the shaded banks running down to the lake and the Grotto all create a striking walk within magnificent and historic surroundings.
Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd walk, Gwynedd
If you’re looking for a waterside walk, the Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd walk certainly fits the bill. The trail takes you alongside the River Gamlan and past the magnificent Rhaeadr Ddu waterfalls. You can visit this walk again and again, because chances are it will look different each time you go depending on rainfall, weather and light.
The Hermitage, Perthshire
This woodland trail leads through towering Douglas firs which are amongst the highest trees in Britain. When you reach the folly of Ossian’s Hall you are rewarded with a view of the imposing Black Linn Falls. In autumn, salmon fish are often seen leaping up these magnificent falls as they head to spawning grounds, further along the river. There is a totem pole hidden in the woods, and red squirrels scampering around the trees, making this walk ideal for a family day out.
We hope you’ve found this guide useful – the ideal places to go that are on your doorstep, or worth travelling to, are not always obvious. There are so many beautiful colours on display at this time of year, it would be a shame to miss out.
BCH Camping supply clothing and equipment to facilitate your walks, and we’re happy to offer any advice you may need. Please do get in touch, we’d be delighted to help!
For many, it is the favourite time of year to go walking. Swishing your way through the autumn leaves whilst breathing in the fresh air is invigorating; the ideal tonic at the end of a busy working week.
At BCH Camping, we’re all keen walkers. When talking to our customers, we love to hear their walking stories, and recommendations for new destinations. We therefore decided to put together a list of 10 outstanding autumnal walks around the UK. The list is in no particular order of preference!
Winkworth Arboretum to Oakhurst, Surrey
On this walk, you take in the fabulous Winkworth Arboretum with its Japanese, American and Norwegian maples, along with beautiful woodland up to the top of Hydon’s Ball. Here, you can enjoy spectacular views over the Surrey landscape. Oakhurst Cottage, located in the quaint village of Hambledon is a delightful place to rest. The cottage is a 16th century labourers home which has remained largely unchanged for over 100 years. This is a beautiful walk with many features of interest.
|
Winkworth Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4AD |
|
|
Length: |
2.5 miles (4km) |
|
Terrain: |
Moderate |
|
Time: |
1hr 30 min |
|
Starting point: |
Winkworth Arboretum car park |
Autumn Colour Trail at Ashridge, Hertfordshire
This walk does exactly what it says on the tin! If it’s beautiful autumnal colours, spectacular scenery and wildlife in abundance that you’re after, this walk delivers on all counts. The best is saved until last as you walk through the stunning colours of the beech, oak and lime trees on the final stretch of the trail.
|
Ashridge Estate, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LT |
|
|
Length: |
5.9 miles (9.4km) |
|
Terrain: |
Moderate |
|
Time: |
3 hours |
|
Starting point: |
Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre |
Speke Hall, Liverpool
Yellow is the theme of this walk, which seems almost designed for autumn. The trail takes you through ancient oak and beech woodland with its yellow leaves, and meadow where some grasses will be turning yellow and brown at this time of year. Migrant birds fly above the yellow sands of the estuary, making this a unique walk that shouldn’t be missed as a memorable part of a family day out.
|
Speke Hall, The Walk, Liverpool L24 1XD |
|
|
Length: |
1.8 miles (2.9km) |
|
Terrain: |
Moderate |
|
Time: |
1 hour |
|
Starting point: |
Home Farm Courtyard, outside reception |
Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Cotswolds
The 600 acre Westonbirt Arboretum is widely considered to be the most valued and significant collection of trees in the United Kingdom. Home to 15,000 specimens of trees, the trails take you through a succession of bright, golden and burnished tones during the autumn period. There are two trails available, one through Silk Wood (dog-friendly) and the other through the Old Arboretum (dog free).
|
Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS |
|
|
Length: |
Silk Wood 4.75 miles (7.8km) / Old Arboretum 2 miles(3.3km) |
|
Terrain: |
Easy |
|
Time: |
Silk Wood, 2 hours / Old Arboretum 1 hour |
|
Starting point: |
Leighterton, GL8 8UY |
Dinas Island, Pembrokeshire
This circular walk which takes in the stunning views of the Pembrokeshire coast, offers colourful gems in autumn such as the yellow and brown fading bracken, pink and purple common heather, and yellow gorse flowers. The walk includes areas of steep ascent and descent, but whilst it may test your fitness, the reward is worth the effort.
| Dinas Island, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0SE | |
| Length: | 3 miles (4.8km) |
| Terrain: | Moderate |
| Time: | 2 hours |
| Starting point: | Pwllgwaelod car park |
Railway Trail, Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire
West of Halifax, the Hardcastle Crags offer stunning riverside views, along with the vibrant autumnal colours of the oak, beech and pine woods. There are hilltops and rocky paths to climb, along with a peaceful 400 acres of countryside to explore. The stepping stones and footbridges add to the charm of this spectacular area of beauty.
| Hardcastle Crags, near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7AS | |
| Length: | 2 - 3 miles (3.2 - 4.8 km) |
| Terrain: | Moderate |
| Time: | 1 - 2 hours |
| Starting point: | Gibson Mill |
Belton Park Walk, Belton House, Lincolnshire
Belton Park boasts a rich array of wildlife. Of its 1,350 acres, 750 are designated deer park. This trail passes through the key features of ancient woodland, wildlife habitats and even offers a view of a deserted medieval village. Autumn reds, yellows and browns can be found throughout, complementing the golds and yellows of the lime trees along the cobbled drive. Near Belton House, there are ruby and russet creepers on the coloured walls of the West Courtyard.
| Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LS | |
| Length: | 3.2 miles (5.1km) |
| Terrain: | Easy |
| Time: | 1. 5 hours |
| Starting point: | Belton House main car park |
King Alfred’s Tower Walk, Stourhead, Wiltshire
King Alfred’s Tower is believed to mark the site where King Alfred the Great rallied his troops in 878. This circular 5 mile walk takes you through the stunning woodlands to the tower, a 160ft high folly constructed in 1772. There are spectacular views across the lake in the landscape garden. The tranquil garden of the South Lawn, the shaded banks running down to the lake and the Grotto all create a striking walk within magnificent and historic surroundings.
| Stourhead, Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 6QD | |
| Length: | 5.5 miles (8.8km) |
| Terrain: | Moderate |
| Time: | 2 hours |
| Starting point: | Stourhead Visitor Reception |
Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd walk, Gwynedd
If you’re looking for a waterside walk, the Rhaeadr Ddu and Coed Ganllwyd walk certainly fits the bill. The trail takes you alongside the River Gamlan and past the magnificent Rhaeadr Ddu waterfalls. You can visit this walk again and again, because chances are it will look different each time you go depending on rainfall, weather and light.
| Ganllwyd, Gwynedd | |
| Length: | 2 miles (3.2km) |
| Terrain: | Moderate |
| Time: | 1.5 hours |
| Starting point: | Ganllwyd car park |
The Hermitage, Perthshire
This woodland trail leads through towering Douglas firs which are amongst the highest trees in Britain. When you reach the folly of Ossian’s Hall you are rewarded with a view of the imposing Black Linn Falls. In autumn, salmon fish are often seen leaping up these magnificent falls as they head to spawning grounds, further along the river. There is a totem pole hidden in the woods, and red squirrels scampering around the trees, making this walk ideal for a family day out.
| The Hermitage, Dunkeld, Perthshire PH8 0JR | |
| Length: | 4 miles (6.5km) |
| Terrain: | Clear waymarked paths, tracks and minor roads |
| Time: | 2 hours |
| Starting point: | The Hermitage car park off the A9 |
We hope you’ve found this guide useful – the ideal places to go that are on your doorstep, or worth travelling to, are not always obvious. There are so many beautiful colours on display at this time of year, it would be a shame to miss out.
BCH Camping supply clothing and equipment to facilitate your walks, and we’re happy to offer any advice you may need. Please do get in touch, we’d be delighted to help!
