Find the best Autumn Woodland Walks near you!
As Summer slowly disappears and Autumn begins to take over its time to get out your wellies, big knits & jackets and head for the forest!
Nothing beats a good autumnal woodland walk taking in the changing colours, the smell of damp leaves underfoot and a hearty meal by a fire as a reward.
So here are some of the best woodlands and arboretums that you can walk through and enjoy doing some wildlife spotting en route.
And of course it’s a great time to go foraging for blackberries, hazelnuts, chestnuts, crap apples and mushrooms – but only do that with a guide!
Many have marked trails with special routes for the children, and you, to enjoy.
Let’s go!
Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Bedale, Yorkshire
Google Review Rating – 4.6
Thorp Perrow Arboretum really is an ideal family day out with so much to do to entertain and educate! In Autumn there is a Faith and fungus foray and a Halloween Trail!
Set in 100 acres Thorp Perrow is currently home to 5 National Plant Collections and 51 Champion Trees. And do see the birds of prey display! More Details here
Painshill Park Gardens, Cobham, Surrey
Google Visitor Review Rating – 4.6
Painshill Park is an 18th Century garden with lots of great walks, loads to see and do and is dog friendly. Great for Instagram photos!
There are lots of trails for you to follow taking round lakes, past the Grotto with 10 thousand crystals in it, by follies and over bridges and into a vineyard!
More Details here
Arduaine Garden, Oban, Scotland
Google Review Rating – 4.6
Great views from the sound of Jura with plenty of woodland trails ranging from 15 minutes to 1 hour and it will take about 2.5 hours to walk throughout the garden. Dog friendly!
The gardens an surrounding countryside are a haven for wildlife where you may be able to spot red squirrels, kestrels and badgers. And seals & porpoises in the sea! More Details here
Arley Arboretum, Upper Arely, Worcestershire
Google Review Rating – 4.7
Arley Arboretum & Gardens is ‘home to some of the most stunning gardens found anywhere in the UK‘. Watch out for the vibrant Red Acers in the Acers Glade in Autumn!
It also has a great Tea Room and is super dog friendly. And it is als0 pretty much all accessible for power wheelchair users. Win! More Details here
Powys Castle and Garden, Powys, Wales
Google Review Rating – 4.7
If you are looking for dramatic Castles and ornate Italian terracing with fountains & huge yew bushes then Powys is the place for you! Shops, cafe and dog friendly from 1 November to 28th February. More Details here
Markshall Gardens & Arboretum, Coggeshall, Essex
Google Review Rating – 4.6
Markshall Gardens & Arboretum are an ideal day out for families & keen gardeners. Plenty to do & see including the Arboretum, woodland Walks & kids trail & a Tearoom!
The Asian garden has been specifically planted with Autumn, winter and early Spring in mind. More Details here
National Trust Gardeners Almanac 2026
Month by month information & tips to get the most from your garden!
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The Yorkshire Arboretum, York, Yorkshire
Google Review Rating – 4.6
With 120 acres, 7,000+ trees, wildflower meadows, a red squirrel enclosure & abundant wildlife & a great cafe! A special place to visit ideal for families & dogs. More Details here
Hotel Endsleigh Gardens, Dartmoor, Devon
Google Review Rating – 4.7
Hotel Endsleigh Gardens is set in 108 acres overlooking the Tamar River and into Cornwall.
There is an amazing mix of formal gardens, an arboretum, woodlands, follies, grottos, a rose walk, yew walk, dairy, quarry, arbour, rockery, brewery and parterre. More Details here
Kingston Lacy Garden, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Kingston Lacy has lots to see with a Formal Garden, Japanese Garden (with an Autumnal Acer stamp trail event), Kitchen Garden, Parterre, Woodland walks, Play Areas, Shops, Cafe & is mostly dog friendly. Find out more! More Details here
Dunham Massey Gardens, Altringham, Cheshire
Google Visitor Review Score 4.7/5 Stars
Dunham Massey Parkland has a herd of Fallow Deer for you to observe. There are easy walks around the parkland with all routes flat, fine for buggies & strollers and are dog friendly too, always on a short lead.
Plenty of shops, cafes, play area, is dog friendly with good wildlife spotting. The Christmas lights are excellent! More Details here
Titsey Place & Gardens, Oxted, Surrey
Google Visitor Review Rating – 4.6
Titsey Place & Gardens has 500 acres of woodland walks for you to enjoy. So pack your wellies & dog! Probably best to take an OS map if you one as some routes are marked.
There is a walled Kitchen Garden, Rose Garden & Glass House and a Tea House for some tasty refreshments! More Details here
Upton House & Gardens, Banbury, Warwickshire
Google Review Rating – 4.5
Upton House & Gardens are a 1930’s design with herbaceous boarders, an orchard, an amazing mirror pool and lovely woodland walk. Keep an eye out for their Social Walks.
Also a Shop, The Pavilion Café and a Book Store. More Details here
Check opening times as these do vary throughout the year!
More Resources
You can find a woodland near to you here using our interactive map!
The Woodland Trust have some great walks & events and is cheap to join!
And Forestry England also has some superb walks for you to enjoy.
