Top 10 woods to enjoy autumn colour

Autumn is in full swing and the woods that were filled with lush green hues in summer are now ablaze with a rich palette of russet reds, bold yellows and dazzling oranges. It’s the ideal time to visit your local woodland and marvel at all this glorious season has to offer.

Head out on an early morning stroll in the autumn sunshine or go for an afternoon wander in the crisp air. No matter what time of day you choose to stop by, we have you covered when it comes to the best woods to visit for autumn colour.

1. Hainault Forest, Essex

Steeped in history and cloaked in autumn colour, this vibrant ancient woodland makes a perfect day out.

Just a stone's throw from London, this urban oasis has a long and important history. A remnant of the Forest of Essex once protected by the crown, it has provided wood to fire the capital’s bread ovens and venison for the king’s table. Admire autumnal colours along four miles of surfaced paths, which meander through the ancient woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and pasture. Look out for stately ancient hornbeams and oaks, magical fungi including fly agaric and jade-green elf cup, and birdlife such as hawfinch flitting between bare branches.

2. Fingle Woods, Devon

On the fringes of Dartmoor, Fingle boasts a mosaic of habitats and rare species.

While Fingle is a fantastic wood to visit all year round, there’s no denying it truly comes alive during the autumn. This untouched woodland is a wonderful place to experience the rainbow of colours that this season has to offer, with a wealth of trails to follow. Wildlife spotting here is particularly exciting, as the river is home to playful otters and darting kingfishers, while 12 species of bat shelter among the trees. 

3. Coed y Gopa, Wales

This haven for bats and birds was a busy mine during the Roman period and beyond. 

Walk along Coed y Gopa’s waymarked trail to discover relics of the site’s ancient past, from Medieval mines to Iron Age hillfort remains, all while enjoying the dappled autumn sunshine spilling through the trees. A Site of Special Scientific Interest, Coed y Gopa is a must visit for wildlife lovers. Unusual species including lesser horseshoe bat call this wood home, roosting in the old mine workings across the site.

4. Credenhill Park Wood, Herefordshire

A treasure trove of striking wildlife and beautiful views.

Just a few miles northwest of Hereford, Credenhill Park Wood is a Special Wildlife Site steeped in history. Take in the views of the Black Mountains and wander through the areas of ancient woodland. It’s the perfect time of year to hear noisy young tawny owls and to spot unique fungi – scarlet elf cup is known to grow here.

5. Cabin Wood, Killymoon

A historic riverside woodland with a vibrant tapestry of flora and fauna.

On the outskirts of Cookstown, this tranquil riverside woodland was once part of the Killymoon Castle estate. Follow the circular stone path through the ancient woodland and new plantings, where vibrant shades of gold, amber and crimson create a spectacular seasonal display. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the countryside and the castle, originally from 1671 and rebuilt in 1803. The river is rich in wildlife, with opportunities to spot Daubenton’s bat, deer from the neighbouring parkland, kestrel and stonechat. Keep an eye out for jays busily burying acorns in preparation for the winter months ahead.

6. Glen Finglas, Scotland

Discover mesmerising autumnal vistas and iconic wildlife, from red squirrels to golden eagles.

Among our largest estates, Glen Finglas is in the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The autumn colour here is truly breathtaking, and with nine waymarked routes and a wealth of wildlife to discover, it's the perfect place to visit at this time of year. You might be lucky enough to spot a red squirrel scurrying along the forest floor or a golden eagle soaring overhead.

7. Green Castle Woods, Wales 

Wander through these peaceful Welsh woods and experience the magic of the waterfall. 

To experience a wealth of autumn colour along an extensive network of paths, head to Green Castle Woods, located a few miles from Carmarthen in Wales. Stroll slowly among the ancient woodland, listen to the calming sound of the stream and marvel at the waterfall in full flow. Keep an eye out for hidden fungi and delicious blackberries during the autumn months.

8. Drumnaph Wood, Northern Ireland 

Admire the autumnal canopy in this beautiful ancient woodland, home to Irish hare.

A truly timeless woodland located in County Derry-Londonderry, Drumnaph Wood has a mix of habitats and a wealth of wildlife to discover. Take a walk along one of the three waymarked footpaths through the reserve and see if you can spot its historical features, nature sculptures and varied wildlife. Irish hare have been seen along the wood edges and surrounding fields here.

9. Tring Park, Tring

The secret follies, open vistas and forest gardens at Tring are especially breathtaking in autumn.

Once part of a sweeping aristocratic estate that was home to the Rothschild family, Tring Park offers a magnificent mix of woodland and parkland that was landscaped in the 17th and 18th centuries. Sitting in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tring Park is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rare chalk grassland. Along four waymarked routes, admire the autumnal woodland and the parkland’s specimen trees including mature beech, horse chestnut, lime, copper beech and a regimented square of Scots pine. Scan the forest for signs of wildlife including red kite, long-eared owl and edible dormice.

10. Crinan Wood, Scotland

Experience Scotland's rare rainforest in all its autumnal glory.

Head to Crinan Wood and experience Scotland’s very own temperate rainforest, a magical world bursting with endless ferns, mosses and fungi, and twisted trees dripping in lichens and bryophytes. Admire autumnal hues as you gaze across Loch Crinan to Duntrune Castle and keep an eye out for fascinating wildlife, including red squirrel and red deer.