The best autumn forest walks around the UK

Autumn is upon us, which can mean only one thing: leaf peeping. With our quarantine-free holiday abroad options dwindling by the day, now is an ideal time to take in the colours of the UK.

There are 1.40 million hectares of forest between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, leaving plenty of space for roaming wanderers. Whether ancient, lesser-known woodlands or well-trodden destinations like the New Forest, these are your best options.

1. New Forest, Hampshire, England

Featuring 150 square miles of ancient woodlands, the New Forest has always been a popular choice for Britons looking for a nature fix. Easy walks are plentiful, but one of the best for autumn leaf peeping is Bolderwood, which lies along the Ornamental Drive.

Three well-signposted circular walking trails lead from Bolderwood car park, all of which offer prime views of the red coloured leaves and the forest deer. Expect native Beech and Great English Oaks, as well as some of the New Forest’s tallest Redwoods.

2. Afan Forest Park, Port Talbot, Wales

Running from Bwlch yr Afan to the sea at Aberfan, 15-mile-long Afan Valley is one of the narrowest valleys in South Wales – and also one of the region's most beautiful. The 48-square-mile Afan Forest lies within it, with nine walks on offer to visitors and miles of public rights of way. Thanks to its position in the valley, many walks are hilly, giving sensational views to those who undertake them. Those strolling among the trees will be able to spot fallow deer, woodpeckers and redstarts, as well as abandoned tramways, railways and mines.

3. Kielder Forest, Northumberland, England

The skies of this Northern forest are said to be the darkest in England – and the largest expanse of protected dark skies in Europe – making it a top destination for stargazing enthusiasts. As well as stars, keep an eye out for red squirrels: over half of England's population lives among Kielder's trees.

The two-mile Duchess Trail is a good easy option for families, following the the Kielder Burn upstream past a maze. The more adventurous should take on the eight-mile hike up to the summit of Deadwater Fell, which offers stunning views over the forest.

4. Tollymore Forest, Down, Northern Ireland

Lying at the foot of County Down's coastal Mourne Mountain Range, Tollymore Forest has gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and the sea. Spanning 630 hectares, four waymarked trails are available, ranging in length from half-a-mile to five-and-a-half miles. The former, Arboretum Path, goes through one of the oldest known arboreta in Ireland, while the latter, Mountain Trail, goes through Beech woodland, running parallel with the Shimna River, and has some staggering views. 

Those visiting may recognise the forest from Game of Thrones – the woods saw characters build campfires, locate direwolf pups and generally walk about in sweeping cloaks amongst its tall trees.

5. Galloway Forest, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

The biggest forest in the United Kingdom, Galloway Forest is also known as 'The Highlands of the Lowlands', thanks to the huge amount of dramatic hills and woodlands here. The park was also granted 'Dark Sky' status in 2009 (and is Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park), so makes for excellent stargazing. So large is the park, it has three visitor centres. Visit Kirroughtree is the gateway centre for Galloway Forest Park and best for more active guests, while Glentrool is history-focused and Clatteringshaws best for loch views.

6. Fineshade Wood, Northamptonshire, England

Located north of Corby in the Midlands, Fineshade Wood has a good mix of both flat and hilly trails. Deep thick woodland makes for good exploring, should you choose to leave the paths, and red kites, squirrels and deer can all be seen amongst the trees. The Dales Wood Trail is a particularly good option for leaf peeping walkers: three-miles-long, it takes between one to two hours to complete and conventiently starts at the top of the car park.

7. Birks of Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland

These Birch woodlands are so scenic, when Robert Burns visited Aberfeldy in 1787 he wrote a poem about them. Titled simply 'The Birks of Aberfeldy' ('Birks' being the old Scots word for birch trees), it speaks of spending lightsome summer days amongst blythely signing birds and crystal streamlets. The forest and its 'hoary cliffs crown'd wi' flowers' are thankfully just as beautiful outside the summer season, and make for a great walking spot come autumn too.

8. Ashridge, Hertfordshire, England

The Autumn Colour Trail at Ashridge is one of England's best autumnal walks, with a collection of beech, oak and lime trees on the final stretch of the trail; a fantastical array of red and gold colours. During the autumn rut, the park's fallow deer and bucks are more easily glimpsed among the trees, while on weekends visitors are able to climb the 172 steps up Bridgewater Monument for grand views across the forest.

9. Gwydir Forest Park, Snowdonia, Wales

Blend autumnal colours with art in this historic forest, which is home to the Llwybr y Ceirw Sculpture trail. The sculptures are mainly inspired by the 'Welsh Robin Hood', Dafydd ap Siencyn, who during the War of the Roses made his base in the woods. Unfortunately rather than stealing fom the rich to give to the poor, he and his green-garbed men instead went to the main Yorkist stronghold in North Wales and burned down the garrison.

Autumn visitors should make time to take the single track down to Llyn Crafnant, a beautiful lake surrounded by fiery beech woodland.

10. Coille Coire Chuilc, Argyll, Scotland

Set across from the River Cononish is Coille Coire Chuilc, one of Argyll's most beautiful ancient pinewoods. Munro-baggers – 'munro' being mountains over 3000ft in Scotland and 'baggers' being those who like to climb them – are frequently found here, making their way over the (new) bridge across the Allt Gleann Auchreoch river and through the forest to Beinn Dubhchraig mountain. Those who choose to remain in the woods will find 'fairy places', fells and gnarled pine trees clinging to rocks.