At this time of year, there’s a palette of colors waiting to be discovered across breath-taking landscapes. Discover woodlands of golden leaves, glistening blue lakes, green flora and if you’re lucky some red squirrels along the way. From bracing hikes over windswept moorlands to gentle woodland walks, there are trails to suit all tastes. Here are some of our most colorful walks to inspire you this autumn.
Stourhead, Wiltshire National Trust Images / Arnhel de Serra
Stourhead, Wiltshire
This 5 mile walk takes you up through beautiful woodlands to King Alfred’s Tower, a 160ft high folly designed for Stourhead’s owner Henry Hoare II in 1772. It is believed to mark the site where King Alfred the Great rallied his troops in 878. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy the spectacular views across the lake in the landscape garden, with the deep autumnal hues of red, russet and yellow from the surrounding trees.
Don’t miss Speke Hall’s golden yellow autumn display National Trust Images / Mark Bolton
Yellow at Speke Hall, Liverpool
The Clough is Speke Hall’s ancient beech and oak woodland, which turns to vibrant shades of yellow and russet during the autumn months. Even the shrubs are dotted with bright spots of colour, from red haws and rosehips to crab apples. If you visit on a crisp autumn day you might get to experience the heightened glow of the leaves as the low light shines through the trees.
The woodland at our places in Snowdonia turns a riot of orange in the autumn National Trust Images / John Millar
Nant Gwynant, Snowdonia
The woodlands at Nant Gwynant are mostly ancient oak and ash, which turn a lovely orange in the autumn. As autumn moves on the bracken above the treeline also turns to shades of russet, set off by the glow of sunsets in the early evening.
How many red squirrels can you spot on Brownsea Island? National Trust Images / John Millar
Brownsea, Dorset
Brownsea’s unspoiled landscape provides a peaceful haven for visitors seeking a bit of autumn colour. From sweet chestnuts and beeches to hazel trees and scarlet oaks from North America, there are a whole range of bright hues to enjoy. Even the local wildlife adds to the vibrant atmosphere, with migrant redstarts and the local population of red squirrels as the stars of the show. This easy walk will take you round the island to enjoy all the delights of the season, with sweeping coastal views thrown in for good measure.
The seven million trees at Cragside, in Northumberland, stay green in autumn National Trust Images / John Millar
Green at Cragside, Northumberland
The Cragside estate has over seven million evergreens, which really stand out from their surroundings during autumn when other trees are losing their leaves. The Pinetum is a really special place at this time of year, and the perfect spot for an atmospheric wander.
See vibrant colours at Winkworth Arboretum National Trust Images / John Miller
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
During the autumn months the splendour of Winkworth Arboretum really comes to life with rich, blazing colour from the Japanese, American and Norwegian maples. This 2.5 mile walk weaves its way through the woodland to the top of Hydon’s Ball, where you can enjoy spectacular views across the Surrey landscape. From here the route carries on to the charming village of Hambledon where you will discover Oakhurst Cottage, a delightful 16th-century labourer’s home which has remained largely unchanged for the past hundred years or more.
Enjoy the beautiful colour on a gentle autumn walk around Wicken Fen National Trust Images / Paul Harris
Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
Wicken Fen may not have any woodland, but it’s still possible to see stunning autumn colour on a walk around the reserve. In September the sedge turns an amazing russet colour, which becomes golden in the evenings as the setting sun illuminates the leaves. During the Second World War Dig for Victory campaign, the war office turned the fen into arable land. Restoration of the area is now being carried out, and every visit you make to Wicken Fen helps the National Trust to care for the plants and wildlife that have made a home here.
The devil’s-bit scabious flowers in Divis make for a purple-hued autumn stroll National Trust Images / Peter Welsh
Divis, County Antrim
In autumn the landscape of Divis turns purple, covered in swathes of devil’s-bit scabious which flowers from September to October. The curiously-named plant benefits from the rich mosaic of grassland heath and bog, which also plays host to a wide range of birdlife including red grouse, stonechats, and peregrine falcons.
