Autumn is here, the weather is up and down, and after a bit of a wait, the leaves are finally turning to the familiar red and gold colours that mark the season.
We have compiled a list of local places and events to visit that will have something for everyone this autumn.
1Alice Holt Forest, near Farnham is a year-round favourite boasting 247 hectares of forest. It’s packed with walking/running trails, a wellbeing trail, cycling routes and bike hire, Go Ape Tree-Top adventures, and an Activity Centre.
The Activity Centre hosts a range of fitness and wellbeing ventures, including Outdoor Yoga, Forest bathing and Inclusive cycling. There are also plenty of spots to have a leisurely picnic or barbecue to take the time to enjoy autumn with friends and family.
The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI) will hold a Forest Bathing and Mindfulness in Nature event this season. It will run on Saturday, November 4 and Saturday December 2 from 10am to 12pm. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/forest-bathing-mindfulness-in-nature-at-alice-holt-forest-apr-dec-tickets-504365048437
For more information visit https://www.forestryengland.uk/alice-holt-forest
2Ramster Garden, Chiddingfold is a hidden gem within the Surrey Hills and was recently shortlisted for the Nation’s Favourite Garden by The English Garden Magazine and The National Garden Scheme.
The garden has reported that Autumn colours are now showing, and there’s plenty of it to see through its renowned flower displays alongside rare and unusual trees and flowering shrubs. A Tea House onsite serves locally roasted coffee and various foods, including cakes with gluten-free options, scones, and afternoon tea.
The garden and Tea House are open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm (last entry 4pm, last orders 4.30pm) until November 12, 2023.
Adults £9, children (5-16 years) £3, children (under 5) free, registered disabled £4 (free for carers) and £25 for professional photographers.
For more information visit https://www.ramsterevents.com
3The Sculpture Park, Farnham if you want to experience something different this autumn. It’s filled with over 650 sculptures from numerous artists, and everyone is guaranteed a sculpture to enjoy.
The park sits along a 2-mile woodland trail with 10 acres of fantastic greenery and wildlife and a serene water garden. If a particular piece catches your eye, you may be able to buy it, as many of the park’s sculptures are on sale and attract collectors from all over the world.
The park is year-round from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Adults (18-65 years) £15, concessions £10, children (3 years and under) are free and senior rates are available for 65 years and over and students, carers or disabled also eligible as concessions.
For more information visit https://www.thesculpturepark.com/
4Bourne Wood, near Farnham offers a woodland walk through beautiful pine forests if you want to combine autumn with a touch of Christmas. The sand soil makes it an ideal walking ground for everyone, and there are plenty of paths to choose from.
The wood is famous in its own right, being used as a filming location for various media since 1999. Films such as Robin Hood and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator took part there. It provides a chance for families to have some fun by recreating scenes from famous films while surrounded by all the colours of autumn.
It’s also located next to Farnham Heath, an RSPB reserve showcasing a range of spectacular birdlife, including Crossbills, Nightjars, Woodcocks and Tree Pipits.
For more information visit https://www.forestryengland.uk/bourne-wood-farnham and https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/farnham-heath
5Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield is a ‘must do’ this autumn; everyone can enjoy themselves with over 2,000 acres of downland and woodland.
From taking a stroll along one of the trails, taking in the changing scenery, enjoying a scenic cycle, or getting a spike of adrenaline on a mountain bike, there is no shortage of options. Children can have fun by tackling the adventurous assault course or the mini-course and play areas, and there is a free interactive Dragon of Butser Hill story trail.
Dogs can run like the wind in the park’s dog field, learn a new trick or two at the canine activity course or accompany their owners on their walk. Visitors can take a break at the Beechwood Kitchen to warm up with locally sourced food and drink.
Plenty of events are happening at the park this autumn, from foraging for wild flora to add to your next meal, celebrating Peter Rabbit, guided health and wellbeing walks and more!
To find out more information visit https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/qecp
6Hogmoor Inclosure, Whitehill & Bordon cannot be missed as it’s the third largest nature reserve of its kind in the UK. It has plenty of space to take in the fresh air and explore the natural beauty of nature, with over 54 hectares of woodland and heathland waiting to be discovered.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy this site, including public art, picnic areas and planned activities in the Beehive Education Room. Nature enthusiasts can expect to see a wide variety of fauna, and wildlife spotters can keep their eye out for the reserve’s hidden inhabitants.
To find out more information visit https://www.princephilippark.co.uk/community/spaces/hogmoor-inclosure/ and https://www.deadwatervalleytrust.co.uk/hogmoor-inclosure
7Selborne Common, near Alton, features the best that the countryside has to offer, filled with beech woods and valley meadows and woodlands to the east. The National Trust owns it, and its stunning natural beauty was home to 18th-century naturalist Reverend Gilbert White.
Gilbert White’s House & Gardens are a short walk from the common, and it is a charming place to visit for some time to learn about White and take in the delightful gardens that span the house.
Butterfly enthusiasts can take The Lythe butterfly walk, where visitors can come face to face with various butterflies, including silver-washed fritillary, white admiral, brown argus, and purple and brown hairstreak. The walk provides a further chance to take in the sprawling flower-filled meadows and see if there is any other wildlife.
For more information visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/selborne-common/selborne-common-and-the-lythe-butterfly-walk and https://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/
8Shipwrights Way, Hampshire & Surrey is definitely for those who seek a challenge while experiencing autumn in a variety of places all at once. It’s a 50-mile long-distance path, and horse riders can use it, too.
The Way connects two counties and highlights the beauty of Alice Holt Forest, the South Downs and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
Twelve sections make up the route; those wanting to do only part of the journey can look at the places in these sections and do parts of the route at a time. For example, you could start in Petersfield and walk to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which is only 5 miles.
Lucky walkers might spot The purple emperor butterfly, which is the emblem of Alice Holt Forest or a Roe Deer and even bats, depending on when you decide to do the walk. There are even orchids in the open chalk downland south of Petersfield, and against the colours of autumn, they would be quite the sight to see.
For more information visit https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/walking/shipwrightsway
9Winkworth Arboretum, near Godalming, is a true autumnal spectacle that shouldn’t be missed. Nestled in the heart of the Surrey Hills, this National Trust gem boasts a mesmerising display of fiery hues as the leaves change their wardrobe.
The arboretum, with its collection of rare and exotic trees, becomes a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and golds during the autumn months. Stroll along the winding paths, crunching through the fallen leaves underfoot, and immerse yourself in the symphony of colours that paint the landscape.
For photography enthusiasts, this is a prime spot to capture the essence of autumn. The play of light through the vibrant foliage creates a stunning backdrop that will make your snapshots Instagram-worthy.
Before you visit, check the National Trust website https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkworth-arboretum for any special events and to plan your visit.