Golden Autumn

As featured in The Los Angeles Times, Discover Britain Magazine, The Independent, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Australian, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet Magazine, The Huffington Post and many more!

The story of autumn slowly unfolds in South West England with the changing colours of the trees, fungi, that cool chill in the air and the story always has the most spectacular finish with that vibrant array of reds, rusts and yellows. Come and explore from September to November on a Foot Trails autumn walking holiday.

NEW – Complimentary Seasonal Guide

For more advice on the best time of the year to walk in England, request your copy of our new, complimentary Seasonal Guide to Walking in England. Just email enquire@foottrails.co.uk or call David Howell on +44 (0) 1747 820 626

Read our pick of the best Autumn walking breaks and our most favourite things about autumn.

Pick one of our fabulous seasonal Autumn independent walking breaks

• Stonehenge, Bath & Wiltshire

  Walking & Touring, Wiltshire & Bath

  This incredible experience gives you the opportunity to use our local expertise and walk at two UNESCO world heritage sites, that of Stonehenge, and the Georgian city of Bath (Foot Trails HQ home) and enjoy the marvellous countryside both surrounding Bath and found in Wiltshire. Read more
• Complete Cotswolds, Chipping Campden to Bath

  Inn to Inn, The Cotswolds

  Using our lifetime of local knowledge we created this new trail, Complete Cotswolds, using local paths, villages and market towns. We have mapped every mile. You can choose to walk every day, or perhaps have rest days or sight seeing days built in. This is an option that is far removed from mass tourism, coaches and package trips. One less well known but more varied in scenery. Read more
• English Country Houses and Gardens New for 2018, you can walk and visit the region's most impressive country houses and gardens. From stately homes to wandering down long meandering driveways, see the South West's greatest gardens with a memorable Foot Trail. Stay for several nights in multiple locations of up to 6 different counties of South West England. Read more
• Somerset Knights Quest

  Staying in one place, Somerset

  Luxurious and peaceful walking. Discover south Somerset, land of the summer people, an area steeped in myth and legend. You'll enjoy stunning castles, beautiful stone villages and hill forts with legends of King Arthur. Read more
• Thomas Hardy’s Dorset

  Inn to Inn Walking & Hiking, Dorset

  Walk in the footsteps of Hardy's Tess D'Urbervilles and follow her story through north Dorset. You'll take in Shaston (Shaftesbury) and Marnhull (Marlett) with plenty of Dorset countryside and hand-picked country inns and pubs. Read more
• Knights Medieval Castle

  Staying in one place, Wiltshire

  A walking holiday where you can escape the trappings of the modern world. Idyllic rural countryside and stunning varied walks filled with adventure and discovery. As the name suggests you'll find a strong medieval feel with a stunning castle and knights tales on route. Read more

Because we live and work in the region of south west England itself, we have the knowledge only a local can, to help you to enjoy walks and walking holidays suited to each season. Autumn is no different. Our autumn walking trips focus on the best places for autumn colour, earthy textures, charming villages and country pubs with real log fires.

Our top ten favourite things about walking in autumn…

By Founder Alison Howell

1) The atmosphere created by those early morning mists which hover over rivers, lakes and countryside.

2) The great variety of weather. Autumn can be cool, a little breezy or it can produce vivid blue skies and clear days. Sometimes all in one day! We’ll provide suggested clothing lists to ensure you’re all prepared.

3) The emergence of funghi. There are said to be 8 times as many funghi as flowering plants in the UK. That’s a lot!

4) The fun of jumping in piles of leaves, making piles of leaves, trying to catch a falling leaf! Need we say more.

5) Legitimate reasons to wear scarves, mittens and big woolly jumpers.

6) Knowing you are doing something which is fantastic fun but also great for your mental and physical health. Walking.

7) A mug of hot chocolate.

8) Having spent the day in the elements, kicking back by a log fire and having nothing more to do than relax and listen to it hiss and crackle.

9) Roasts and stews! They make a welcome return to British menus in the autumn. Along with bangers and mash (sausages) and fruit crumbles.

10) The smell of woodsmoke. Nothing beats its evocative scent in the country air.