The 10 best autumn walks from National Trust across the UK | UK | Travel
Walking in November is all about the autumn hues – and this year the season of colour is expected to last longer. From fiery reds and burnt oranges in quiet woodlands to majestic tree-lined avenues and formal gardens displaying a riot of vibrant shades, there is no doubt the English countryside comes into its own at this time of year.
Thanks to plentiful sunshine from a record-beating summer, the colours are expected to last well into November and beyond in 2025, which is being called “a mast year” – a phenomenon in which certain tree species produce unusually high numbers of nuts and berries.
National Trust experts are tipping long, beautiful autumnal displays at many of the charity’s gardens, parklands and woodlands.
John Deakin, who is the organisation’ s head of trees and woodland, said: “In recent years, with the climate becoming more unpredictable, it has become trickier to forecast autumn colour.
“However, this year, with the combination of reasonably widespread rainfall in September and a particularly settled spring, we should see a prolonged period of trees moving into senescence. This is the gradual breakdown of chlorophyll in leaves – which leads to the revealing of other pigments that give leaves their autumn, as well as a bounty of nuts and berries.”
Here, we take a look at some of the best National Trust walks for enjoying all the pre-winter colours.
Precise routes are available online. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk and search for the individual sites. Entry fees may apply but members go free.
10. Kingston Lacy
THE WALK: THE WOODLAND TRAIL. DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY: 2.9 MILES, EASY
Autumn at Kingston Lacy is bright, bold and beautiful. Visit the Acer Glade for fiery reds, the Lime Avenue for eye-popping yellows and the Japanese tea garden for a glorious riot of colour.
A circular route, it starts at Kingston Lacy car park in Wimborne and leads you through beautiful woodland, which has something to offer across all seasons, and along historic carriage drives used by the former owners, the Bankes family. There are stunning views of the house and parkland, while wildlife fans will enjoy spotting the resident herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle.
(Image: ©National Trust Images/James Dob)
9. Gibside, Tyne & Wear
THE WALK: WONDERS OF NATURE TRAIL. DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY: 5.5 MILES, CHALLENGING
Gibside’s Avenue is lined with 200-year-old oaks, glowing in rusty oranges and golden hues. Squirrels are often seen scurrying from tree to tree at this time of year. Walking through the woodlands you will see a huge variety of berries, fungi and changing leaves. For sweeping views, head up to Snipes Dene, where the track does get a lot steeper.
This bracing walk, starting at Visitor Reception takes you through woodlands, meadows, wetlands and along the River Derwent, one of the best rivers in the UK for seeing otters. Look out for foxes and deer that also live in the woodlands.
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8. Bodnant Garden, Conwy
THE WALK: WINTER GARDEN TRAIL. DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY: 0.5 MILES, VERY EASY
This garden walk is a firework display of crimson, amber and gold during this season, as the glowing leaves of trees and shrubs, ripening berries and late flowering plants put on their best show of the year.
Plants such as rhododendrons and dogwood – known for their striking colours – are all here in abundance. Other plants that provide autumn and winter interest include heathers, sarcococca for scent, hellebores, cyclamen and various maples and willows for coloured foliage and stems.
This gentle circular walk, beginning at Bodnant Garden’s visitor centre, takes you through 250 years of horticultural history that’s suitable for all the family to enjoy. Parts of the formal upper garden are accessible to all, including wheelchair users.
(Image: Shared Content Unit)
7. Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
THE WALK: WAYMARKED. DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY: 5 MILES, EASY
Hard to beat for Autumn colour, Clumber Park is one of the best places in the East Midlands for a leaf-kicking walk with a whopping 3800 acres of beautiful parkland, lake and woodland to roam. The lake is framed by trees in full autumn colour, their reflections shimmering in the water.
Dogs are particularly welcome – the Clumber Spaniel breed was developed here. In fact, Clumber Park has a three pawprint rating making it one of the best National Trust places to visit with your dog. This easy and varied walk, starting in the main car park, follows clear paths with views over parkland, heathland and the lake. The route is marked with orange waymarks in one direction and olive in the other. The walk takes in Lime Tree Avenue, which was planted in the 1840s and is the longest double lime-tree avenue in Europe, continuing for just over two miles.
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6. Studley Royal Park, North Yorkshire
THE WALK: FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL ESTATE BOUNDARY WALK. DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY: 5 MILES, MODERATE
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers dramatic autumn views, with reflective pools and tree-lined avenues glowing in shades of red, yellow and brown. Top viewing spots include the Octagon Tower and Tent Hill, from where you can look across the water garden, and the slow reveal of the Fountains Abbey from Anne Boleyn’s Seat.
This circular walk covers the highlights of the estate, including the abbey ruins, Studley Royal Water Garden and the deer park. Starting at the Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre, you will walk around the estate boundary, giving some of the best views of the estate to enjoy. Watch out for some steps and steep gradients as well as cows grazing in fields you will pass through on this route.
(Image: ©National Trust Images/Chris Lac)
