Experience autumn in the Surrey Hills - a season for all the senses

Pick blackberries and discover conkers on an autumn nature walk

Geese flying over Bookham Commons Surrey — Geese flying over the Commons

fungi growing next to a stone — Fungi at Box Hill

Engage all your senses this autumn to enjoy its full glory. The glorious ambers, reds and golds of trees present a magnificent kaleidoscope of colour. Sniff the air and savour the aroma of wood smoke, damp pasture and the earthy mouldiness of leaf litter.

The season's bounty produces wonderful tangy foods from fruits, nuts and berries. Think apples, hazelnuts and blackberries. Experience the textures of woolly scarves, prickly conker cases and crinkly leaves. Listen to the unique peacefulness of autumn - a quiet tranquillity as nature relaxes after the efforts of summer. An evening sunset, owls calling, the cry of migrating geese.

It's time to get out and drink in the fullness of autumn across the Surrey Hills.

We've highlighted some of our favourite autumnal delights. Many of the them can be found across all of our special places in the Surrey Hills. Wherever you go for a walk, keep your eyes peeled and see what you can find.

Foraging fruits of the forest

Gorgeous blackberries

The ultimate multi-purpose autumn fruit - crumbles of course, but also pies, cakes, pastries and drinks. The best fruits are in the sunshine, if the birds haven't got there first!

Sumptuous sloes

Found in hedgerows and woodland edges, blackthorn berries can be cooked. That autumnal sharp sweetness is perfect for jellies, jam or, most especially, sloe gin.

Sweet chestnuts

Sweet Chestnuts are traditionally roasted at Christmas. They have prickly shells containing 3-4 smallish nuts and the trees can be found in woodland.

Fascinating fungi

Fungi - Dead man's fingers found in the woodland at Sheringham Park

Blackened bumps of the King Alfred's Cake fungi on dead wood

Shaggy Inkcap

This fungus appears by paths or on recently disturbed ground. It oozes a sinister black liquid and when it matures, turns black and then dissolves. Fungal magic!

Razor strop fungus

A very hard fungus and historically was used by barbers to sharpen their razors. Found on birch trees it's a bracket fungus and can grow up to a size of 25 cms across. Monster!