From a botanic garden stroll in London to a route through ancient woodland in Nottinghamshire, these autumnal walks are a great way to see the season in screaming colour.
Surrounding the magnificent Loch Tummel in Scotland, Strathtummel is one of the most scenic parts of Perthshire’s ‘Big Tree Country’.
Like clockwork, warm weather slips away and autumn begins its descent on the Northern Hemisphere, bringing with it rich amber and ochre hues that transform forests, woodlands and parks. Make the most of the changing seasons with a scenic walk at one of these spectacular sites across Britain.
1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew houses one of the most diverse collections of living plants of any botanic garden on the planet, including around 14,000 trees. Every autumn, its 500 acres of woodland deliver an extraordinary spectacle of vibrant red and yellow as leaves of oak, chestnut, maple and hickory trees begin to change. Visit before 30 November to join a guided trees tour and learn how different species are coping with the changing seasons and adapting to climate change.
2. Brechfa Forest, Abergorlech
Brechfa Forest covers some 16,000 acres in Carmarthenshire, Wales, making it easy for walkers to immerse themselves in woodlands transformed by autumn’s finest colours. Follow the three-and-a-half-mile Gorlech Walk, which tracks the river Gorlech and passes Californian giant redwoods and eucalyptus from Australia that become a blend of red and purple in November. After your walk, drive to Carmarthen, one of the oldest towns in Wales, for lunch and a visit to the castle. Some say that the town was named after King Arthur’s wizard, Merlin, as its Welsh name — Caerfyrddin — means ‘Merlin’s fort’.
3. Batsford Arboretum, Cotswolds
More than 1,300 different trees, shrubs and bamboos are showcased at Batsford Arboretum, near the picture-perfect town of Moreton-in-Marsh. This private arboretum covers 60 acres, providing outstanding colours between late October and November. Highlights include sorbus, with its large clusters of berries and leaf shades ranging from red to purple, and ornamental vines trailing through yew trees in shades of crimson, yellow and red. Pre-booking tickets during autumn is recommended to avoid the crowds.
(Discover more autumn hikes in Europe.)
4. Catbells, Cumbria
The Lake District is dotted with many viewpoints, but the sights from the Catbells walking route are a particular standout come autumn. Setting off from Hawes End, the three-and-a-half-mile trail zigzags up Skelgill Bank and winds its way through woodland before reaching a viewpoint that offers an unforgettable outlook across Derwentwater to Keswick and Skiddaw. Once you’ve walked back down, take a leisurely ferry ride to the quaint market town of Keswick, seeing epic views of autumnal hills reflected in the water on the way.
5. Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
There’s over 3,800 acres of parkland to explore at Clumber Park, a beautiful spot carved out of Sherwood Forest that reveals a kaleidoscope of colours come autumn. With over 20 miles of trails, there’s plenty of ground to cover, so consider bringing your bike or hiring one from the Cycle Hub. Keep an eye out for the park’s resident birds, which include the great spotted woodpecker, grey heron and — a main attraction for birdwatchers — the hawfinch.
6. The Hermitage, Dunkeld
Home to some of the tallest trees in Scotland, The Hermitage is a stretch of Perthshire Forest that was once a pleasure ground for the Dukes of Atholl in the 18th century. A one-and-a-half-mile trail through golden woodlands follows the rushing waters of the river Braan to Ossian’s Hall, a restored 18th-century folly. As you follow the river’s path, keep your eyes peeled for salmon leaping from the Black Linn waterfall, a totem pole carved from a Douglas fir by people from the Squamish Nation in Canada, and red squirrels darting about in the treetops.
7. Queen’s View, Perthshire
Surrounding the magnificent Loch Tummel and made up of swathes of forest and countryside, Strathtummel is one of the most scenic parts of Perthshire’s ‘Big Tree Country’ in autumn. For one of the finest views of the area’s red and golden leaves, hike two-and-a-half miles from the Allean Forest car park through lush woodland filled with goldcrests, siskins and Scottish crossbills to Queen’s View. It’s said Queen Victoria thought this vantage spot — which is one of the most famous in Scotland — was named after her when she visited in 1866, but local theory suggests it was actually Queen Isabella, the first wife of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, who inspired it more than 500 years earlier.
