September marks the beginning of autumn in the UK, and with it comes the most breathtaking displays of golden-hued foliage. Are you longing for slow, aesthetically pleasing walks, the likes of which are typically seen on your favourite cosy movies? We’ve found some of the best locations where you’ll be able to connect with nature in all of its beauty this season, and believe it or not, you won’t have to travel outside of the UK to experience them.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year, but even more so in autumn. Tracy Archer, owner director at StayCotswold has a few firm favourites. Tracy tells Sussex Fields: “Some of our favourite woodland walks in the Cotswolds are through Lineover Woods, Castlett Wood near Guiting Power, Woodchester Park and Laurie Lee Wood in Slad. Or you can climb to a viewpoint like Cleeve Common, Bredon Hill or Dumbleton Hill to see the autumn colours from above. For even more beautiful Cotswold autumn colour, visit Batsford arboretum.”
According to Tracy, the peak times to experience the Cotswolds stunning autumn colours are typically from late September to mid-November.
October and November are particularly vibrant months, showcasing a spectacular display of gold, orange, and red hues across the canopies."
The Yorkshire Dales
Cat and Oli Barker, owners of Catgill Farm in the Yorkshire Dales tell Sussex Fields: “Autumn is probably one of our favourite times to get out walking in the Dales. Around Catgill, you can’t really beat Strid Wood at Bolton Abbey when the leaves start to turn. You’ve got the woodland bursting with colour, the River Wharfe running alongside you and plenty of different routes depending on how far you want to go. It’s one of those places that looks completely different with every season, but autumn is pretty special.”
The couple recommend visiting Simon’s Seat and Trollers Gill from Appletreewick from late September onwards for autumnal colours. They explain: “It’s a proper Dales walk with a bit of everything, open countryside, woodland, streams, big views and some beautiful autumn colour along the way. If you want something gentler, walking along the Wharfe towards Burnsall is lovely too, particularly on a crisp autumn morning."
The Lake District
Famous for its rugged fells and glacial lakes, The Lake District is also home to some of the most impressive autumnal colours. Jo McGovern, owner of The King’s Arms in Hawkshead recommends Tarn Hows, just a few miles from Hawkshead, which is particularly beautiful during autumn when the surrounding woodland turns shades of gold, copper and red and the colours are reflected across the water.
Jo tells Sussex Fields: “Autumn is one of my favourite times of year in the Lake District and Tarn Hows is always spectacular. The combination of woodland, water and the surrounding fells means you get layer upon layer of autumn colour, and on a still day the reflections in the tarn can be incredible. I’d recommend going early in the morning when it tends to be quieter and there can be a little mist hanging over the water. It’s magical.”
“Hawkshead itself is also lovely at this time of year. You can spend the morning walking through the autumn landscape and then head back into the village for a pub lunch and a drink by the fire. It’s that combination of being outdoors and then getting cosy afterwards that makes autumn in the Lakes so special.” adds Jo.
Jo and her family have longstanding connections to the Lake District and recently restored and reopened The King’s Arms, a historic 17th-century coaching inn in the heart of Hawkshead.
Westonbirt National Arboretum, Gloucestershire
For a vast, spectacular display of colours and incredible walking trails, visit Forestry England’s Westonbirt National Arboretum in Gloucestershire. With over 200 hectares of colour to explore, Westonbirt Arboretum is a must if you want to capture the perfect autumn photo and witness a kaleidoscope of colour. Home to one of the most important plant collections in the world, it boasts 15,000 specimens, and 2,500 species of tree from all over the world.
Westonbirt tells Sussex Fields: “Head for Acer Glade or Maple loop to see the national collection of Maples and Maple cultivars. Autumn is the time to see them in all their breathtaking glory.”
Precisely when does autumn start in the UK?
According to the Met Office there are a couple of ways that the start of autumn is defined. These are meteorological and astronomical. They state that Meteorological autumn begins on 1 September and ends on 30 November. This fixed date system is used by meteorologists to ensure consistency in seasonal statistics and forecasting. Whilst Astronomical autumn is determined by the Earth’s orbit around the Sun and its axial tilt. This begins with the autumn equinox, typically falling on 22 or 23 September. You can use these as a guide when it comes to planning your autumnal walks in and around the UK this season.
