Autumn is officially here and it brings with it the magical sight of seeing the leaves change. You don’t need to travel to Japan, the USA or Canada to see the glory of autumnal nature. In this blog post, we will take you through some of the best places to see autumnal colours in the UK. You may be surprised at how close some of these places are to you!
Bodmin Moor, one of Cornwall's designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a remote, bleak heather covered upland granite moorland still grazed by moorland ponies. The moor is home to a plethora of plants and some rare and protected wildlife such as otters, Marsh Fritillary butterflies, bats and songbirds.
Wild, open moorlands and deep river valleys, with a rich history and rare wildlife, Dartmoor is a unique place to see the leaves change in autumn. Dartmoor National Park is one of the last great wildernesses in the UK with an inspirational landscape of heather clad moors and rugged tors.
A Palladian house with a world-famous landscape garden, Stourhead is the ideal place to take in a magnificent autumnal landscape. While you are there you can make the most out of the fabulous woodland and go on a nature walk.
If you are looking for a village setting that is offset by gorgeous autumnal colours then Castle Combe is the place you want to visit. It is nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Natural Beauty in Wiltshire and is definitely worth a visit at any time of year, but autumn especially.
A magical tree garden, where you can explore trees from all over the globe! The diversity and vibrancy of leaf colours to be found at Westonbirt are unsurpassed in Britain creating a botanical experience like no other.
The Forest of Dean is a timeless landscape of woodlands, rivers, hills and valleys, lending itself to outdoor pursuits from walking and hiking to canoeing and kayaking. Amongst the unique landscape of forested hillsides, rocky outcrops and unspoilt villages you will find castles, museums and cathedrals aplenty, foodie spots to satisfy, and gorgeous places to stay from log cabins, cute cottages to stylish boutique hotels and quirky glamping spots.
Autumn in Snowdonia is magical. Situated on the west coast of Britain covering 823 square miles of diverse landscapes. As well as being the largest National Park in Wales, Snowdonia boasts the highest mountain in England and Wales, and the largest natural lake in Wales, as well as a wealth of picture perfect villages.
Richmond Park, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is a top UK site for ancient trees and supports a range of rare species including fungi, birds, beetles, bats, grasses and wildflowers. Richmond Park is one of London’s eight Royal Parks and covers an area of 2500 acres.
London's Little Venice is a tranquil canal area, home to waterside cafes and pubs. It can be found just to the north of Paddington, positioned where the Grand Union and Regent’s canals meet. A picturesque neighbourhood which is home to quirky waterside cafes, cosy pubs and charming restaurants.
Picturesque villages, drystone walls, flower filled hay meadows and the characteristic rolling hills of the Dales are a beautiful sight during autumn. When autumn arrives in the Yorkshire Dales, the greens of the summer are replaced by a stunning array of rustic browns, golds and reds.
England's largest National Park and now a World Heritage Site, Lake District National Park is in the northwest corner of England, in the county of Cumbria. Full of mountains, valleys, villages, towns, coastline and of course lakes, it is truly a stunning place to visit during Autumn.
Glen Affric is a glen south-west of the village of Cannich in the Highland region of Scotland. A magical mix of native woods, glistening lochs and haunting moorland. It features over 30 miles of ancient pinewoods and is one of the largest ancient Caledonian pine woods in Scotland.
Made famous for its starring role in the Harry Potter series, Glenfinnan Viaduct is the ideal backdrop to take in the changing seasons. Glenfinnan is situated at the head of Loch Shiel which stretches south west for 20 miles to Acharacle.
Mount Stewart is a 19th-century house and garden in County Down, Northern Ireland that has been voted as one of the top ten gardens in the world. Located on the shores of Strangford Lough, Mount Stewart reflects a rich tapestry of design and planting artistry bearing the hallmark of its creator.
We hope you have been inspired to visit some of these stunning spots across the UK. To discover our other interesting blog posts, please click here.
