Autumn walks

It’s really the most interesting time of the year to go on a walk. Here are some of my favourite places to visit with the family.

Painshill Park at Autumn

The beautiful landscaped gardens of Painshill Park (which you may have glimpsed during the Bridgerton series!) have a host of attractions at any time of year. There’s the Gothic Temple, the Turkish tent, a 14-acre lake, the Temple of Bacchus, the fairytale crystal grotto and the Gothic tower, to name a few.

Autumn only adds to its charms. There are a number of walking routes you can follow, which take in the Painshill sights. Additionally, it’s running “Into the Woods: Parent & Child Forest School Autumn Special” and “Home Education Outdoor Learning Sessions.” Both are on from October, 3rd to December, 12th, 2025.

Find out about all of Painshill Park’s activities here: https://www.painshill.co.uk/events-at-painshill/

Leith Hill (Dorking)

We’ve had some lovely walks around here. The Woodland trail is a route of 2.5 miles (takes up to two hours), which takes you through woodland, up to Leith Hill Tower, where you can grab a cuppa and a sweet treat, and Leith Hill Place. This was home to Josiah Wedgwood III (of pottery fame) who was married to Caroline Darwin sister of naturalist Charles. It was more recently the childhood home of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

In season, there’s a huge array of mushrooms (for fungi enthusiasts, this is a great spotter book) and there as loads of great trees, including sweet chestnuts, which offer bountiful foraging opportunities.

Here are the details of the different routes: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/leith-hill/leith-hill-woodland-walk

Claremont Landscape Gardens (Esher)

This is another National Trust favourite of ours near Esher. There are lovely landscaped gardens but with plenty of wild areas, and a big lake complete with plenty of wildlife an opportunities for boating. You’ll also find a very nice children’s play area (Queen Victoria used to play at Claremont when she was a child).

This year, Claremont invites you to its We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt Halloween Adventure, based on the bestselling children’s books. From Wednesday, 15th October to Sunday, 2nd November, children can find the ghosts hidden around the garden whilst playing Halloween hoopla, racing their broomstick, and avoiding warty toads along the way, all before joining the celebration party and collecting a sticker prize. The trail is free with normal admission.

Find out more about what you can expect to see at Claremont this autumn: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont-landscape-garden/features/autumn-colour-at-claremont-landscape-garden

Winkworth Arboretum at Autumn

What better place to witness autumn’s splendour than at an arboretum? Winkworth Arboretum comprises of 121 acres of wild woodland with over 1,000 species of trees and shrubs. It is wonderful at any time of year, but it is renowned for its displays in autumn. We were there at the start of October as the leaves were starting to turn.

This year, children can join Cyril and Bruce, two greedy squirrels, as they learn to share on this rhyming adventure trail through the arboretum. Based on the bestselling children’s book by Rachel Bright, and running until November 2nd, this interactive trail is free with normal admission.

There’s plenty on for adults too, including a foray into fungi, photography and forest bathing.

More details about what is on at Winkworth this autumn can be found below.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/winkworth-arboretum/winkworth-arboretum-autumn

Wisley in the Autumn (Woking)

RHS garden Wisley is vast and boasts a wide range of flora. As well as an arboretum, there’s Seven Acres with its wide open lawns, ponds and fine specimen trees. Oakwood is a hot spot for autumn foliage. You’ll be able to see many autumn-flowerers in the Rock Garden, Alpine Display House and in all the borders.

Pumpkins are front and centre stage at Wisley this year. The pumpkin garden trail runs Saturday, 25th October to Sunday, 2nd November (weekdays 10am – 4.30pm and weekends 9am – 4.30pm).
There will be an array of seasonal surprises including the pumpkin banquet table, pumpkin decorated trees and spooky scarecrows keeping guard over the autumn crops. There’s also Sow and Grow, Pumpkin Power with Jean Vernon, Pumpkin Palooza with Zoolab and the Pumpkin Buffet. Find out more here: What’s on October Half Term.

For full details of what’s looking good at Wisley right now, visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/explore-wisley/looking-good-now

Autumn at Polesden Lacy (Great Bookham)

From the South Lawn at Polesden Lacey, you can take in the lovely views of Ranmore Common. The ancient woodland has a diverse range of trees, so it is awash with striking colours until late October. Perserve Copse has a variety of Acer trees. These provide a lovely display and there’s plenty to see in the Sunken Garden. There are many trails to explore too.

This autumn, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt has arrived Polesden Lacey (6th, September to 9th, November). Get ready to swish, splash and squelch your way through the new sensory trail to find the bear.

Find out more, here.

Discover the other autumn highlights here.

Enjoy your autumn walks and please share your favourites.

The post Six Surrey Spots for a Great Autumn Display appeared first on The Parent Social.