10 Beautiful UK Destinations to Visit this Autumn

The end of summer brings a feeling of sadness and longing to a lot of people. The days start to get shorter again, and those long sun filled days are quickly taken over by the rain and chilly evenings. But it is hard to deny that autumn is also a wonderfully beautiful time of year. From mid-September to the end of October, the landscape is full of crimson and golden yellow colours from the leaves that fall from the trees, and there are plenty of autumn treasures to find on woodland walks. It's a great time to get those wellies on and get exploring! In this post I'm going to share 10 fantastic spots from all over the UK, that I think you should try and explore this Autumn.

Faskally Wood, Perthshire, Scotland

Perthshire is famous for it's huge trees - having around 25 species including the Scots pine - and you can find lots of these whilst enjoying a walk in Faskally Wood. It is a charming destination for autumn as the colours and the natural landscape offers visitors an unforgettable experience, while the bright lights and musical performances, make the nights take a magical form.

Marbury Country Park, Cheshire, North West England

Located in the heart of the Northwich Community in woodland part of the Mersey Forest, Marbury Country Park has plenty of explore and enjoy. The blonde shades that the unique autumn landscape of the area will give you will force you to photograph it a dozen times till you get that perfect shot.

New Forest, Hampshire, Southern England

The ancient woodlands of New Forest National Park cover over 50 acres. You can discover the impressive sequoias planted in the late 1850s, as well as elder, beech, chestnut and many other varieties of trees. Take the path with the tall trees under the iconic conifers on the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive - one of the most beautiful places to experience the image of vibrant autumn shades, which are at their best at the New Forest Hiking Festival in October. Make sure to always keep an eye out for the famous New Forest ponies too!

Richmond Park, London, England

Escape the city and enjoy the rich autumn colours by cycling or walking in Richmond Park, at a time when the old oaks seem to be painted in bright orange. Richmond is one of the largest royal parks in London and is actually three times larger than Central Park in New York! You will likely discover wild animals living among the autumn leaves too, since Richmond has been a deer park since 1637.

Bodnant Gardens, Colwyn Bay, Wales

Bodnant Gardens boast a magnificent location overlooking Snowdonia's Carneddau Mountains, with its most impressive sites being the majestic chestnut trees, a waterfall and a deep valley with tall trees. October is the best month to enjoy the shades of the season and find plenty of autumnal treasures amongst the leaves..

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent, South East England

Located in the 'Garden of England', Bedgebury is the place to find the finest coniferous trees in the world. Most of these species come from all over the world, and you will see trees from California, Scotland and even Taiwan along your walk. If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, you can climb, balance, and zip the treetops at Go Ape Bedgebury, or if you're visiting with little ones, there is a fantastic play trail, easy bike paths as well as the Gruffalo Spotters Trail to enjoy. 

Mount Stewart, County Down, Northern Ireland

The majestic house is surrounded by one of the National Trust's most unusual gardens. The warm climate of Strangford Lough lagoon favours the growth of exotic plants, which has led parts of the garden to look very much like parts of the Mediterranean. In October, Mount Stewart guides take guests on an autumn walk in the bronze colours of the garden.

Stourhead, Wiltshire, South West England

The world-famous 18th-century Stourhead Gardens, which include classic temples, a pond and a vaulted cave, were described as a 'living work of art' when they first opened in 1740. The reflection of the trees in the lake with all their golden glow is an incredible spectacle and something not to be missed in the autumn months.

Kew Gardens, London, England

Just 20 minutes from the city centre, Kew Gardens is home to some of the rarest plant species in the world. If you wish to learn more, then why not sign up to enjoy one of their organised excursions and tree identification courses - perfect for budding gardeners or plant lovers!

Westonbirt National Arboretum, Gloucestershire, South West England

The Westonbirt Arboretum was created in the mid-19th century and is home to around 15,000 species from around the world. The serene oasis is perfect to explore from late September to November; however, October is generally the best time to visit the place when maple is at its best. There are 17-mile trails along the 600-acre area, which is divided into three main areas: the Old Arboretum, the ancient Silk Wood Forest and Downs Meadow. 

Of course in order to be able to enjoy all these incredible autumn landscapes, you will need to have a reliable car to get you there. If however, you don't have a car of your own, then the ideal choice for you is to focus on choosing a rental car from a reputable company such as Enjoy Travel, that will transport you safely and comfortably all over the UK. Let me know if you get to enjoy any of these beautiful locations this autumn!

This is a collaborative post.