With autumn now underway, we could all do with getting some fresh air and feeling the leaves rustle beneath our feet.
Thankfully, the British countryside has a huge amount of glorious sites to choose from, where you can see the bright rustic colours of orange, red and yellow.
And what’s more, there’s a range of difficulties to choose from, from relaxed rambles to more challenging terrains that will ensure you reach your step count.
This list is by no means exhaustive but brings together 12 of the very best spots to make finding that ideal route a stroll in the park.
1. Heddon Valley to Woody Bay Walk, North Devon
This route follows a 19th-century carriageway to provide some truly unparalleled views of coastal cliffs in England. It’s little wonder this walk proved a favourite for the Romantic poets such as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
READ MORE: English village steeped in history crowned most ‘idyllic’ autumn destination
2. Gruffalo’s Child Trail, Thorndon Country Park (near Brentwood)
If you’re looking for a way to keep your children both entertained and active, Gruffalo’s Child Trail is just the place. Based on the popular children’s book, this route has lots of Gruffalo-themed activities en route, so your child won’t be dawdling at the back.
3. Rhinefield Forest, Hampshire
Winding through the heart of the much-loved New Forest National Park is Rhinefield Forest. This pine-scented walking trail boasts some of the tallest trees in England and has oak, ash, 55 metre-tall redwoods, and some impressive Douglas firs that were planted by the Victorians in the 1850s.
4. Ullock Pike, Skiddaw, and Little Man, Lake District
For those wanting a more challenging hike, this adventurous trail starts at Ravensbourne Hotel and finishes at Latrigg Car Park via England’s fourth-highest mountain: Skiddaw. This might not be for the faint-hearted but will certainly satisfy thrill-seekers.
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5. Tarn Hows, Lake District
Conversely, if you wanted a Lake District walk that allows you to take in the scenery – rather than trying to catch your breath – Tarn Hows might be the one for you. It’s accessible for all, including those with a pushchair or wheelchair, and ensures you can enjoy some truly breathtaking views.
6. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent
Another easily accessible walk for all comes in the form of Bedgebury National Pinetum, which gives you the chance to soak in a tree collection of international significance, with a world-leading collection of conifers and over 12,000 specimen trees.
7. Teign Gorge, Devon
Few walking routes on this list can match the beauty of Teign Gorge – especially in the autumn. Starting at Drogo Castle (the last castle to be built in England), this walk truly puts the ‘gorge’ in ‘gorgeous’, taking you along waterways with crooked oaks and beautiful beech trees. It’s also home to one of the largest woodland restoration projects in the country.
8. Knightwood Oak, New Forest
This walk is best thought of as a pilgrimage to see the most famous tree in the New Forest: the Knightwood Oak, endearingly nicknamed ‘Queen of the Forest’. Thought to have been planted in 1600, the tree is still growing to this day, and with a reasonably smooth walking route towards it, it’s definitely worth paying a visit.
9. Derwentwater Lakeshore Route, Lake District
Another Lake District route on the list, as recommended by the outdoor experts at GO Outdoors, this five-mile route is worth packing a picnic for, with plenty of benches for you to sit and admire the view en route – with a sandwich or two in hand.
10. Birchover, Derbyshire
From the Lake District to the Peak District, this walk in the picturesque village of Birchover offers a dramatic landscape of burial mounds and Bronze-Age stone circles. For history lovers, and those with a keen interest in mythology, this might be the ideal spot: the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and is understood to once have been the meeting place for druids.
11. Moors Valley, near Bournemouth
For a truly peaceful getaway, Moors Valley offers 1,000 acres of country parks and footpaths. There’s also plenty of fun to be had for the kids, with a play trail, adventure golf and model steam railway among the host of entertaining offerings.
12. Broughton Railway, Lake District
And last, but by no means least, is this gentle walk along the old, disused Broughton railway line. But instead of the sound of trains honking their horns, it offers a real respite for nature lovers looking to indulge themselves in a bit of peace and quiet.
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