Autumn is such a special season. The colours are beautiful, we still get some sunshine and it’s the perfect time to get out and explore the best of our region. If you’re looking for the ideal location for an enjoyable walk this autumn, these are the top picks to stretch your legs from across the North and Scotland.
The Cleveland Way has been called “the best walk in the UK”, and it’s easy to see why. The full walk is 109 miles and takes in beautiful and ever-changing landscapes and scenery. While we’re not suggesting you go the whole hog from the coast and across the North York Moors National Park, a walk from Scarborough along the coastal path towards Robin Hood’s Bay is a real autumn treat. You’ll have the stunning ocean on one side and the beautiful colours of the Moors on the other.
And if you fancy refuelling after your walk, why not head down to the beach and enjoy some fish and chips on the sand? You may even get lucky with some sunshine too.
Edinburgh is a beautiful city in autumn. You can stroll along Princes Street, walk the Royal Mile and enjoy a tea or coffee in one of the many independent cafes dotted around the city. But for an idyllic autumn walk, the trip up to Arthur’s Seat is one not to be missed.
Located in Holyrood Park at the end of the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat is a large grass covered hill and the remains of an extinct volcano that erupted 350 million years ago. Some people also claim it may have been the location of the legendary Camelot, due to Edinburgh’s connections with King Arthur. Today, it offers wonderful views right across the city. You’ll find a variety of walks to the top – most will take you around a two hour round trip – but one of our favourites is a gentle stroll along Salisbury Crags. And once you get to the summit, the beautiful autumnal light across the city is truly awe-inspiring.
The Hadrian’s Wall Path is an 84 mile long National Trail that stretches from coast to coast across northern England. And you can pick up the path along this ancient Roman wall from Carlisle.
From here, you have a couple of options. You can head west towards Walton if you fancy gentle gradients as well as views of the woodlands changing colours in autumn. Heading east towards the coast and Bowness-on-Solway, you can enjoy the stunning vistas across to Scotland and the wonderful sounds of birdlife.
On the southern outskirts of Durham, you’ll find Durham University’s 10 hectare botanic gardens. It’s home to tropical rainforest glasshouses, a carboniferous garden created by students from the university, and has plenty of artwork dotted around the grounds.
But the real jewel in the crown at this time of year is the native woodland at the centre of the gardens. The peaceful woodland shelters the gardens from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. You can pick up a woodland trail that leads from the gardens to the wildflower meadow, following a calm stream and across small bridges. Or alternatively you can simply enjoy nature as the woodland’s deciduous trees showcase their beautiful autumnal colours.
The autumnal oranges, golds and reds are always on show in autumn at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park. Located in the West End of the city, the park promises 85 acres of parkland packed with deciduous trees and native plants. Its setting on the banks of the River Kelvin makes it a beautiful location to while away your time in the city.
And once you’ve had enough of the crisp autumn air, you can head inside the world-renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Here you can learn about natural history, Ancient Egypt and see many artworks by world famous artists including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Salvador Dali.
Built in 1892, the Castlefield Viaduct is a real relic of Manchester’s industrial heritage. It was recently used as a key part of the set for the final series of Peaky Blinders, but has now had a National Trust green makeover as a new sky park in the middle of the city.
Parts of the viaduct are kept as the ‘Naked Viaduct’ and have been left untouched to provide a sense of how nature has reclaimed the space since the site was closed in the ‘60s. Autumn is the perfect time to appreciate it as existing species like Sorbus and Cotoneaster create great swathes of red and gold. The ‘Secret Garden’ is also at its best from mid-summer until late autumn with a variety of textures and colours on show. If you fancy a sky high garden walk in the middle of the city, this one’s for you.
Ready to see the best of our region this autumn? Remember to check before you travel and book your tickets in advance on our website or using the TPExpress app.
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