If you’re hunting for autumn colours this October, here are some of our suggestions for places to visit in and around Bath.
Stourhead – from North American maples to Japanese acers and much more, Stourhead is absolutely packed with autumn hues and the landscape gardens here are regarded as one of the worlds finest at this time of year. Daily autumn guided walks are on offer twice a day, the story leaf trail will keep the kids occupied and make sure to stop off at the Gothic Cottage to warm up with a hot chocolate on your way round the lake. 23 miles south of Bath via the A36 and B3092
Tyntesfield – home to hundreds or rare and beautiful trees, including over forty county champion trees (the tallest, oldest or widest of their species) next to a spectacular Victorian Gothic Revival mansion. Ideal for guided tree walks, willow crown making and a fabulous pumpkin display in the Kitchen Garden. 20 miles west of Bath via the A4 and A370.
Dyrham – with 270 acres of parkland around the 17th century house with its wonderful walled garden, there’s no shortage of autumn colour to admire. You might also encounter some of the estate fallow deer herd and October is the time of the annual deer rut. Other events in the month include a mindfulness trail and a harvest festival exhibition showcasing produce from the estate. 8 miles north of Bath via the A46.
Westonbirt – a truly spectacular autumn show is a nailed down guarantee at the National Arboretum, with over 15,000 trees (including 2500 species and 142 champion trees) to see bursting into colour at this time of year. Autumn trails are on offer, including family oriented ones, as well as a tree top walkway to really get you up into the leaves. 20 miles north of Bath via the A46.
Prior Park – leafy paths with spectacular views, berries aplenty and fungi spotting will keep you busy in this 18th century wonderland on the southern slopes of Bath. If that’s not enough for you, there’s a new fern walk to explore and the garden houses the UK’s champion Norway maple for a serious blaze of autumn red. 1.5 miles south of Bath city centre via Prior Park Road.
Bath Skyline – six miles of woodland and hedgerows to explore all along the ridgelines and hilltops surrounding the city. Pick your spot to join the trail and discover hundreds of ever changing autumn views across Bath or take the shorter Family Discovery two mile route for fairy forays, geocaches and a woodland play area. Smallcombe Down trail 1.2 miles southeast of Bath city centre via Bathwick Hill.
As well as the well known sites above, our team suggestions for really local spots include Newton Park (Bath Spa University campus), the Two Tunnels cyclepath from Midford to Wellow, the Kennet & Avon canal around Dundas Aqueduct, Browns Folly nature reserve above Bathford, Royal Victoria Park Botanical Gardens and Sydney Gardens.
If you have any other suggestions, contact us via our website or or our Facebook page
