Blow away the cobwebs and take inspiration from a wealth of autumn walks where you can appreciate flora and fauna in dazzling shades of burnt orange, warm yellows and deep burgundies. Here are some of the country’s best autumn garden walks.

9 spectacular autumn walks

1. Killerton, Devon

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Autumn walk Killerton, Devon
An avenue of autumnal beech trees at Killerton (Clive Nichols/National Trust/PA)

Admire the pallet of colours offered in this garden, including the deep orange berries of the Chinese scarlet rowan, the red berries and furry leaves of the Cotoneaster lacteus, and the Zelkova carpinifolia turning a deep, buttery yellow.

2. Crarae Garden, Argyll

Autumn walk Crarae Garden, Argyll
Crarae Garden (National Trust For Scotland/PA)

A spectacular 50-acre woodland garden in a dramatic setting, Crarae has a wonderful collection of woody plants centred on the Crarae Burn, which is spanned by several bridges and tumbles through a rocky gorge in a series of cascades. The lush, naturalistic planting and rushing water gives the feel of a Himalayan valley.

3. Felbrigg, Norfolk

Autumn walk Felbrigg, Norfolk
Felbrigg (James Dobson/National Trust/PA)

The Great Wood on the Felbrigg estate is full of interesting fungi in the autumn. After inspecting these, look up to see the bright copper leaves of the Victory V beeches. It’s worth taking a detour (at point 6 on the route) down Lion’s Mouth in autumn. The route feels like you are walking into the jaws of a lion with the tunnel of colour provided from the trees.

4. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire

A herd of deer at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
A herd of deer at Fountains Abbey (Chris Lacey/National Trust/PA)

The sweeping landscape of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is full of autumn colour at this time of year. One of the rangers has designed a deer park walk through the estate which gives you the chance to see the deer rut as well as the beautiful autumn colours.

5. Gibside, Tyne and Wear

View from the Long Walk towards the Column to Liberty at Gibside, Tyne and Wear. Stunning 18th-century landscape garden and haven for nature.
Gibside (Chris Lacey/National Trust/PA)

Buzzing with wildlife, Gibside is home to red kites, roe deer and many other rare animals. During the autumn months, you can see the colours changing on the trees below as you rise out of the Derwent Valley on this circular skyline walk offering plenty of opportunities for panoramic views.

6. Mount Stewart, County Down

The lake in autumn at Mount Stewart, Count Down
Mount Stewart (Chris Lacey/National Trust/PA)

Voted one of the top 10 gardens in the world, Mount Stewart reflects a rich tapestry of design and planting artistry bearing the hallmark of its creator – Edith, Lady Londonderry. There are walks for everyone, from a short stroll around the gardens to longer walks around the lake and woodlands. The lake is particularly beautiful in autumn with gorgeous red and gold foliage. The banks are lined with primulas, irises and large-leaved gunneras.

7. Dinas Island, Pembrokeshire

View on the east side of Dinas Head looking south-east over Newport Bay; Needle Rock is visible in the middle distance.
Dinas Head (Joe Cornish/National Trust/PA)

This circular walk on Dinas Island boasts some of the finest views anywhere on the Pembrokeshire coast. In early autumn, the coastal slopes are cloaked with the yellows and browns of fading bracken, while on the headland, the pinks and purples of common heather are just coming in to bloom, alongside the yellow gorse flowers.

8. Dunster, Somerset

Dunster Castle, Somerset, in October with a circular flowerbed in the foreground.
Dunster Castle (David Snellman/National Trust/PA)

A walk to the keep of the castle rewards visitors with a 360-degree view taking in Dunkery Beacon (the highest point on Exmoor) and the Bristol Channel. The south terrace offers views across the former deer park which will be full of colour and the opportunity to spot red deer. The area has a Mediterranean feel due to its microclimate which enables tender plants to thrive, including a row of Chusan palms.

9. Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Winkworth arboretum has now been maintained by the National Trust for 60 years and has built up a collection of more than 1,000 different shrubs and trees, many of them rare.
Autumn foliage at Winkworth (John Miller/National Trust/PA)

During the autumn months, the splendour of Winkworth Arboretum comes to life with rich, blazing colour from the Japanese, American and Norwegian maples. The 2.5-mile walk to Oakhurst weaves its way through the woodland to the top of Hydon’s Ball, where you can enjoy spectacular views across the landscape.

Visit www.nts.org.uk and www.nationaltrust.org.uk for more details about the gardens.

Read more: How to keep your garden going in autumn

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