Places to Go in Autumn

Autumn is my favourite season, with spring a close second. Everyone or almost everyone, likes to jet off on holiday in the summer. But why not get away in the autumn when everything is less packed and places are bursting with colour? You don’t necessarily have to go on holiday but there are definitely places where you could have a day out.

1. Gruyeres, Switzerland

You can do a hike that is free of the summer bustle. View the alpine slopes which are draped in colour. Why not try the Chemin du Gruyere which is a three hour trail between the chocolate factory and the legendary cheese making centre of Gruyeres?

2. Snowdonia, Wales

Slip on your raincoat for a cracking adventure. Now, doesn’t the concept of a long chilly walk through a mountain surrounded by vivid colours - with a drink in front of a roaring fire afterwards - sound so much more appealing than hiking in the heat? Sure, you can have a picnic on the way in the summer and everything is very green, etcetera, but there is something really unique and calming about doing it in autumn.

3. Stourhead, Mere, Wiltshire

This place has been described as ‘a living work of art.’ You will see a whole palette of autumn colours and textures. The army of trees include beech, oak, sycamore, chestnut, ash, holm oak and birch. And to add to the beauty, the trees are reflected in the lake. It almost seems like I am describing a watercolour painting come to life.

4. Batsford, Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

This is Britain’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs. And no points for guessing the best time of year to see them in action. There are a multitude of colours to be viewed, I will name a few: flame red, crimson, salmon pink, sunshine yellow, maple and cherry. The liquidambar trees contain deep purple, flame red and pale gold on a single leaf.

5. New Forest, New Hampshire

This a pretty unique experience to have in autumn. Explore the heath, grassland and woodland whilst being surrounded by a rainbow of trees. The trees are redwoods, beech, alder, sweet chestnut, holly and many more species. Follow the walking or cycling trails. Don’t miss the New Forest Walking Festival which is on the 15th-30th of October. A great idea, as the event coincides with annual explosions of colour. See the famous ponies and pigs roam the forest in autumn as they feed on green acorns. This is known as ‘pannage.’

6. Cardinham Woods, Bodmin, Cornwall

This has been called a ‘hidden gem.’ It has 650 acres of mixed woodland including oak, alder, rowan and willow. There are also colour buzzards, dippers, kingfishers, deer and families of exclusive otters. There are several tracks and trails to explore, so get exploring!

7. Transylvania, Romania

It is no surprise that the beautiful autumn breaks Count Dracula’s spell. Check out the Transylvania legend and quality imagery. Be enchanted by the sepia toned medieval castles in the hazy moonlight. Feeling extra adventurous? Why not try the 56 mile drive through Fagaras Mountains? Spot the hairpin curves and autumns finest foliage.

8. Felbrigg, Norfolk

I am a Norfolk gal and my family and I always visit this place in autumn. Obviously, I am biased, but I am completely honest when I say it is one of the most beautiful and unique places to go to in the autumn. Pick the chestnuts, which are forever tumbling from the trees - I will add that they do not taste all that bad. There are a few different walking trails, short, medium or long. Go around the shimmering lake or explore the vibrant woods. The trees are gorgeous with warm colours such as amber, yellow, orange, purple, brown, red or gold. There are fir trees and holly. You may spot a squirrel and see some birds, too. It is also just the right temperature, just pop a body warmer on.

9. Sheringham Park, Norfolk

I'm obviously biased (again) but it is still very true: this is a great place to go in autumn. There are trees coloured bright yellow, red, brown, orange, gold or purple. There are a lot of different trees, including fir trees. When I went last October the fir trees had turned yellow. When you come to a gap in the trees, from a distance you can see the deep blue sea on Sheringham beach. And there are, of course, a few chestnuts on the ground.

10. Blickling, Norfolk

Blickling has a Parkrun at 9.00am every Saturday, so why not have an early start and run through the leaves as the countryside passes you by? The trees are dipped in brown, yellow, red, orange or gold. Last November I visited Blickling and the leaves had all turned a deep purple.

11. Horsey, Norfolk

I would recommend visiting in November or early December. I went last year in mid to late November and I saw several seals that had recently given birth, cuddled up with their new-borns. In December you see a lot of pups, which have grown a little by then. That is the main difference, but both months are great times to go. The sea is cool and pale blue. You can feel the strong and crisp wind. The grassland behind the dunes is different colours, mostly burgundy, purple or brown. I find the warm, fading colours very beautiful and calming. In the car park there are also hot drinks and hot food you can buy to warm you up after the exciting adventure.