The season offers a host of opportunities to spot wildlife such as rutting deer and migrating birds as well as being a good time to see forest fruits and fungi.
There are many places to experience autumn’s colour and bounty in forests and woodlands across England – here we have highlighted some of the best forests, events and walks to try this season.
The Forestry Commission’s Active Woods campaign aims to help people to explore the physical and mental health benefits of exercise in woodland, reflecting the campaign’s three themes of naturally active, naturally stimulating and naturally relaxing. Walking is a form of exercise that combines physical activity and mental relaxation. And where better to start than a walk in a beautiful autumnal forest!
Bedgebury Pinetum, Kent
A walk down Dallimore valley takes you past the Liquid Amber collection. This includes the tulip tree, ginkgos, oaks, the black birch and the recently-planted nyssas - all planted for their autumn colour. The walk will also take you around Marshal's Lake where the deciduous conifers - larches, dawn redwoods and swamp cypresses - all turn various shades of golden red before shedding their needles. These trees attract birds such as crossbills and siskins that feed on the cone seed. If you are very lucky, you may spot the rare hawfinch as Bedgebury is one of the best places in the country to spot this shy bird.
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Taking in 180 feature trees, the 0.6-mile Cyril Hart Arboretum Path, named after a local historian and tree expert, is designed for all abilities. Several finely carved sculptures including a bench and sundial can be found amongst the trees. A series of Braille signs have been installed for the visually impaired and an audio tape is available on request. Stop at the bird feeding station to watch tits and other birds.
Grizedale, Cumbria
Try the three-mile Bogle Crag Trail. Look out for the mellowing colours of ancient beech trees and some inspiring sculptures such as Andy Goldsworthy's "Taking a wall for a walk". Pitsteads and a potash pit will take you back to a time when the oakwoods were used extensively for iron smelting. Look out for woodcocks and nuthatches, which may be seen in the ancient beech forest.
Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire
From around mid-October into November, Westonbirt’s Japanese maples - Britain’s largest collection - are a riot of colour and the Persian ironwoods and American smoke bushes put on an equally colourful show. At this 600-acre tree garden, a world of trees and shrubs has been brought together in one glorious place to be enjoyed all year around.
Holystone Wood, Northumberland
See the changing colours of ancient, semi-natural oak woodland in the Coquet Valley in the heart of the Northumberland National Park. This area is one of the last bastions of the red squirrel in England. The four-mile Red Walk (Dove Crag) will take you through this woodland and on to Holystone Common, both Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Flocks of redwings stopover in oak woodland and may be seen scratching in the oak leaf litter for insects and worms en route to pasture land further west.
Hazelborough Woods, Northants
This wonderful ancient woodland, with its gently sloping paths is the perfect place for an autumn stroll. As part of the ancient Whittlewood Royal Hunting Forest, Hazelborough Wood has a long and fascinating history, and has been used by kings throughout the ages. Visitors can follow King Richard's Trail, a two-mile walk through some of the loveliest areas of the woodland, and on a quiet morning they may catch a glimpse of the shy roe and fallow deer.
The New Forest, Hampshire
The way-marked Knightwood Oak Trail is a short circular route (1/4 mile) which guides you through an area of ancient woodland around the Knightwood Oak, which is believed to have been planted before 1600. The oak is a great example of the ancient practice of pollarding. This was a traditional way to harvest wood sustainably for fencing and firewood, as it allowed new growth out of the reach of grazing animals. The trail is suitable for all users - the path is flat with a fairly smooth gravelled surface and has frequent resting places and no gates. Podcasts are available for visitors to download so they can have their own 'personal ranger' while they visit.
Cannock Forest, West Midlands
Cannock Chase is Britain's smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) known for its open heathland - a beautiful purple colour in the autumn - and its pine forests. Try the one-mile Route to Health Sculpture Trail. The unique art pieces are themed around health issues and are designed to generate interest in areas such as exercise, relaxation, mental health and a healthy heart.
Wendover Woods, Buckinghamshire
Boddington Bank Trail circles Boddington Hill, which was once the site of an ancient Iron Age hill fort. The deciduous trees in this part of the wood include huge ancient beech trees at the start of the trail. The one-mile trail offers spectacular views over Wendover village and beyond. Listen out for the distinctive “chick-a-dee-dee” call of the marsh tit – one of a small number of bird species that remain in the same wooded area all year round.
Cardinham Woods, N'r Bodmin, Cornwall
The Lady Vale Walk is a gentle all-ability trail following the river, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Cardinham is a mixed wood, with areas of native woodland including oak, rowan, alder, and willow, and stands of beech. Autumn is a good time of year to spot deer, watch birds, ranging from the tiny treecreeper to the majestic buzzard, find hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts on the ground and discover weird and wonderful fungi. The trail is two miles long and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
