Autumn Gold: Now Is the Best Time to visit your Local Woodlands

Anton Baskerville of woodlands.co.uk, shares why autumn is the best time to visit Britain’s woodlands and 3 of his favourite forests.

As the nights draw in and the days get chillier, it can be tempting to retreat to the sofa and settle in for the evening. But you could be missing one of the most fascinating times of year in Britain’s woodlands.

Autumn is peak activity time, says Anton, and now is one of the best times of year to get outside and see nature preparing for winter.

The colour is spectacular but look beyond the autumn display and you will see a woodland full of activity, from fungi breaking down fallen material to squirrels and jays gathering acorns and seeds being dispersed by wind and wildlife.

Right now, the trees are preparing for winter. As daylight hours shorten and temperatures fall, deciduous trees begin to withdraw nutrients from their leaves. Chlorophyll breaks down, the green disappears and the yellows, oranges and reds that have been there all along become visible. Eventually the leaves fall and become part of the woodland's natural recycling system, providing food and shelter for insects and other small creatures before returning nutrients to the soil.

Autumn is also one of the best seasons for spotting fungi. Look around tree stumps, fallen branches and the woodland floor and you may see mushrooms appearing. What we see above ground is only the fruiting body; much of the fungus exists beneath the soil or inside wood, quietly breaking down dead material.

Wildlife is busy too. Squirrels and birds such as jays are collecting acorns and storing them for later. They don't find every one, of course, and some forgotten acorns will eventually germinate, helping create the next generation of oak trees.

Look closely and there are signs of autumn activity everywhere. Nibbled nuts, disturbed leaves, tracks, feathers and holes can tell you that animals have been busy even if you never actually see them.

That is the magic of woodland. You can walk through it at any time of year, but in autumn you can really see the woodland changing gear.

Three of my favourite autumn woodland walks

If you want to experience autumn for yourself, these are three of my favourite places to head for:

Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

A wonderful place for an autumn walk, with ancient woodland, open heathland and plenty of wildlife. The mix of beech, oak and birch creates beautiful autumn colour, with miles of paths to explore.

Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire

Set within the North York Moors, Dalby is a fantastic place to experience woodland in autumn. The changing colours are spectacular, with miles of trails through a mixture of native broadleaf and conifer woodland.

Rothiemurchus Forest, Cairngorms

For something really special, head into the Cairngorms. Rothiemurchus is part of the ancient Caledonian Forest, and the combination of Scots pine, mountains, lochs and autumn light makes it an extraordinary place to walk.

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Editors notes

Founded with a mission to make woodland ownership accessible and enjoyable, Woodlands.co.uk offers private woodlands for sale across the UK. The company provides resources and guidance for new owners to explore creative ways of managing their woodlands for personal and community benefit. Whether for conservation, leisure, or environmental education, Woodlands.co.uk empowers individuals to steward and protect their woodlands for generations to come.