The UK’s Best Autumn Walks
With autumn in full swing, new research has revealed the UK’s best spots for an autumnal walk. Autumn is one of the best seasons to explore the outdoors. With milder temperatures and beautiful scenery as the leaves change colour, it’s the perfect time to head out and explore the UK.
Photo by Paul Macallan
Here at GO Outdoors, we have analysed woodland coverage and average rainfall to reveal the best spots for a walk this autumn.
The UK’s best autumn walks
|
Rank |
Walk |
County |
Total woodland within 1km |
Broadleaved-dominant share of woodland |
Average autumn rainfall total (mm) |
Overall score /10 |
|
1 |
Ashridge Estate |
Hertfordshire |
59.7% |
96.1% |
239.4 |
9.53 |
|
2 |
Wendover Woods - Hill Fort Trail |
Buckinghamshire |
63.9% |
71.0% |
224.9 |
9.41 |
|
3 |
Savernake Forest |
Wiltshire |
44.0% |
99.3% |
259.5 |
8.67 |
|
4 |
Rhinefield Forest |
Hampshire |
89.3% |
41.5% |
288.1 |
8.29 |
|
5 |
Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest |
Kent |
67.4% |
43.7% |
268.7 |
8.18 |
|
6 |
Bolderwood - Jubilee Trail |
Hampshire |
74.5% |
43.2% |
297.2 |
8.05 |
|
7 |
Wyre Forest |
Worcestershire |
41.2% |
38.4% |
204.6 |
7.80 |
|
8 |
Great Wood - Red Walking Trail |
Somerset |
88.5% |
31.9% |
321.9 |
7.55 |
|
9 |
Dalby Forest - Dalby Beck Trail |
North Yorkshire |
65.4% |
24.1% |
256.2 |
7.43 |
|
9 |
Holystone Wood - Lady's Well Walk |
Northumberland |
74.34% |
20.2% |
268.1 |
7.43 |
Taking the top spot as the best autumn walk is Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, with a score of 9.53 out of 10.
The estate boasts 59.7% woodland coverage within 1km of the walking route, with an impressive 96.1% of this woodland being broadleaved-dominant. This makes it an especially scenic destination during autumn, when the changing leaves create a colourful backdrop. After exploring the trails, visitors can also make use of the National Trust’s visitor centre, café and plant shop.
Following in second place is Wendover Woods’ Hill Fort Trail in Buckinghamshire, scoring 9.41.
Almost two-thirds (63.9%) of the area within 1km of the trail is covered by woodland, with 71% of this being broadleaved-dominant. The trail also records the lowest average autumn rainfall of the top three, at 224.9mm. With a predominantly flat route, it’s a suitable option for walkers of varying abilities looking to enjoy an autumn stroll.
Rounding out the top three is Savernake Forest in Wiltshire, with a score of 8.67 out of 10.
44% of the area within 1km of the route is woodland, and an impressive 99.3% of this is broadleaved-dominant, making for a beautiful setting as the leaves change colour. The forest is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and registered historic park, making it a great mix of natural beauty and history.
Top tip: Depending on the day, autumn can bring warmer temperatures or drizzly rainfall, so being prepared ahead of your hike will help make you more comfortable. Opt for comfortable, sturdy walking boots and a waterproof jacket to keep you comfortable and dry, and remember to check the forecast before setting off!
Methodology
-
A seed list of recommended autumn walks across Great Britain was compiled, and the start point was noted for each walk.
-
We used the National Forest Inventory GB 2024 to measure two factors within a 1km radius of each start point:
-
Total woodland coverage is the woodland area as a percentage of the 1 km buffer.
-
Broadleaved-dominant share of woodland is the area classified as "Broadleaved" or "Mixed mainly broadleaved" as a percentage of the total woodland area.
-
For rainfall, Met Office data of rainfall totals from September-November 1991-2020 were collected from each walk's start point.
-
Each factor was converted to a normalised 0-10 score. All three factors were equally weighted and averaged to calculate the overall score out of 10
Natalie Wolfenden
Author & Outdoor Enthusiast An outreach and content marketing specialist with over a decade’s experience in related marketing roles, Natalie is lucky enough to work with outdoor specialists, ambassadors, charities and brands on exciting projects all centred around inspiring and equipping people for life outdoors. Natalie’s active interests include hiking, particularly around the Peak District, camping in the summer, and getting out for regular fresh air with her family dog, Dougie. A novice skier with a brave approach, Natalie has taken on the Ellecôte glacier in the French alpine resort of La Plagne, located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. Not one to back away from a challenge, she also completed a skydive over Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah.
