Autumn walks

Autumn might be a bit colder than summer, but the visual transformation presented by the change of colours in the autumn leaves more than makes up for it. Below are a few autumn walks in England where you can stroll among spectacular colours - all recommended by visitors to this website.

Views on the Surrey Hills

Our first suggestion is a beautiful walk through woodland that leads to a view from the highest point in the South East at Leith Hill. You’ll find leaves of every colour and if you're there at the weekend, try the tea and home-made cake, which can be bought from the lovely ladies in Leith Hill Tower.

Autumn walks in London

There are some lovely autumn walks in London too. At Hampstead Heath you can't hear traffic, and could be forgiven for forgetting that you are in the city. You'll also find ldazzling seasonal colours and great pubs such as The Spaniards (where Dick Turpin used to drink).  At Richmond Park ancient oaks and more modern species show off their magnificent colours, dazzling with their changing hues, and in Kew Gardens you’ll find an enchanting place where you can truly grasp the enormous change in season.

More city strolls

London is not the only city offering some great autumnal walks. On a stroll through Tatton Park in Knutsford, you'll find beautiful colours in the trees, deer walking close by and crisp clean countryside air – you’ll forget you’re only twenty minutes outside of Manchester. For a great offer on nearby accommodation click here.

At Calderstones Park, Liverpool the colours of the leaves are breathtaking in the autumn. The misty weather gives the park an ethereal atmosphere, enhanced by the history of the mysterious, ancient Calder Stones. If you stay at the Arinza Apartments you'll get 10% off the price of your stay.

Durham is a beautiful city in itself, and even more so in the autumn. The leaves are falling and the cathedral looks magical. A stroll along the river and a walk across the ancient bridge will definitely put the colour into your cheeks on a bright autumnal day. The range of colours along the river is fabulous - gold and yellow leaves pave your walk. We also have special offers on a fabulous range of accommodation in Durham - self catering, guest accommodation and a Marriot hotel, which boast a central location in the city.

Autumn forests

Not too far from here, in Northumberland, you’ll find Kielder Forest, where the contrast between the green colours of the fir trees and the pockets of oak and beech trees with their ever-changing colours makes a spectacular sight, especially when reflected in the lake’s water.

Winlatter Forest in the Lake District offers russets and golds that create a fiery reflection on the water. The undulating hillsides are ablaze with colour. Smoke rises from one of the villages nestled in the valley, infusing the air with the oaky smell of autumn. Purple heather clings to the moorland and adds to the rainbow.

Autumn walks in Yorkshire

Heading south, there are lots of great autumn walks in Yorkshire. The northern foothills of the North York Moors are clad in an eclectic mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. In autumn, the riot of colour and shades is further enhanced by the constantly changing light. Red, orange, 20 shades of green, purple and pink can all be seen - forget New England drive down the A172 from Stokesley to the A19 for a truly rainbow experience. If you need somewhere to stay nearby we have an offer that will get you three nights for the price of two at a small hotel in Pickering and another for a self catering property in Guisborough.

Haworth is at its best in the autumn, with beautiful heather on the moors. Take a trip on the Worth Valley Railway or a walk down the cobbled main street. Stop off for a cake at coffee treat at Coffee House No. 10 on the Main Street, where you can sit by a roaring open fire. Fountains Abbey is also a beautiful place in the autumn (and most other times of the year too) and there is also, at Studley Royal, a lovely deer park and some beautiful old trees.

South West England

In the South West, you’ll find lots of interesting and beautiful autumnal walks. Stourhead is a lovely National Trust house and gardens where you can have a walk around the lake and see all the different tree colours and shades. At Old Sarum, Salisbury there is a circular walk, which you can do twice - going around both the inner and outer rings. You’ll find wonderful views over the city towards Salisbury Cathdral, down to the water meadows and the River Avon and towards Old Sarum Airfield. Need somewhere to stay? Try our special offer on a nearby B&B and get three nights accommodation for the price of two.

At the Blackdown Rings, South Devon you're really on the highest ground for miles around, and you can see the autumn trees stretch into the distance, snaking around the valleys below, and on a clear early sunny autumn morning the mist rises and coils around the valleys too. The blazing autumn colours encircle you every which way you turn.

At Westonbirt Arboretum there are some really outstanding colours - a kaleidoscope from nature, and at Cheddar Gorge, the colours of the autumn plant life are set against a beautiful and historically important gorge, giving it a luminosity, which is enhanced by a trip into the caves. Check out the views from Jacob's Ladder.

Beautiful Sussex

At Leonardslee, in Sussex, South East England, you’ll also see some stunning autumn colours that will make you glad to be alive. Take a walk around the gardens in the morning and enjoy tranquillity in the crisp morning air. Sheffield Park Garden is another perfect setting for an autumn walk, with colourful trees and foliage, with easy walks set around the lakes. There is plenty of wildlife here and it is always beautifully kept. It is an ideal place to relax and soak up the colours of autumn in the Sussex countryside. If you're looking for a place to stay in Sussex we have a special offer giving you the third night half price when booking two nights. 

Two different views

In the East Midlands, Stanage Edge offers amazing views. As you stand on the windblown edge of the rocky outcrop, you’ll see the world in reds, vermillion, bronze, gold and sunlight. Stay at Shatton Hall Farm Cottages.

Symonds Yat, in the Forest of Dean also offers a fantastic viewpoint, this time to look over the River Wye and into the distance with the trees changing colour.

Mousehold Heath, Norwich

Finally, in the East of England, Mousehold Heath, Norwich is an astonishing open space, with rolling, wooded landscape just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of the city. There are fabulous views over the cathedral, castle and the city centre, wonderful autumn and a lot of history; the landscape was created by Anglo-Saxon flint mining. We have two special offers for you if you're looking for a place to stay in or near Norwich - one at the Dairy Barns, a farmhouse, and the other at Edmar Lodge, guest accommodation.