Autumn colour in the East of England

Why not take a walk through an incredible landscape of colour this autumn? From beautiful browns and blazing reds, to vibrant oranges and golden yellows, here's our top places to witness nature's colour palette in its full glory.

Statue in the foreground, surrounded by autumn colour

Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire 

Rich colours breakout throughout the gardens in the autumn, especially around the Temple and Pilgrim’s Lawns and along tree lined avenues planted by Lord Fairhaven, who made Anglesey Abbey his home. Both the riverside and circular walks visit these vibrant areas - look out for swathes of cyclamen and delightful dahlias along the way.

Explore Anglesey Abbey's garden
Autumn colours on Ashridge's trees

Ashridge, Hertfordshire 

The whole of the Chilterns area is renowned for its beech woods and Ashridge is no exception. No wonder then that our main attraction in autumn is the beeches turning from green to orange to pure gold.

Download Ashridge's autumn colour trail
Lady in a red coat taking a photo of the autumn colour

Blickling Estate, Norfolk 

The dazzling displays of autumn colour are abundant throughout the gardens and estate at Blickling from the oak, beech, lime and sweet chestnut trees. Enjoy a walk around the lake to see their colour reflected in the calm waters, or head to the Great Wood in search of weird and wonderful fungi.

Enjoy a walk around Blickling
Autumn leaves with the sunshine lighting them up

Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire 

The view across the Vale of Aylesbury is what makes a walk here so special, with stunning views of five counties on a clear day. Watch the vast expanse of the landscape change before your very eyes – from the mists and storms sweeping in, to the woodland turning red and golden.

Download the Whipsnade and Dunstable Downs walk
Deer in the distance on Dunwich Heath

Dunwich Heath, Suffolk 

Tucked away on the Suffolk coast, the heathland at Dunwich changes colour all year round and in the autumn takes on a new glow. With fungi emerging in all shapes and sizes, keep your eyes peeled too for red deer, you might even hear them as we head into rutting season.

Enjoy a walk by the coast at Dunwich this autumn
A road lined with trees full of autumn colour

Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk 

Possibly one of Norfolk's best kept secrets. The Great Wood at Felbrigg, with its eye-catching autumn foliage is quite the spectacle. Walk down the beech-lined tree avenue on the Victory V walk, where the magnificent trees tower above, creating tunnels of colour. Even the narrow winding lane aptly named 'Lion's Mouth' surely hints at the colourful treat that awaits you.

Explore Felbrigg this autumn
People standing on the bridge at Flatford

Flatford, Suffolk 

The walks from Flatford open up vistas of reds and golds, as the trees start to change colour ahead of winter. The inspiration for some of John Constable's most famous landscape paintings, we'd recommend walking along the purple trail in the autumn, taking in the changing colours at Orvis Wood.

Walk in the footsteps of John Constable
A view of Ickworth rotunda with trees full of autumn colour in the foreground

Ickworth, Suffolk 

For the best of the autumn colour, head for the Albana walk where the maples, chestnut, beech and oak trees range from bright yellow to deep red at this time of year. Alternatively follow the red route and enjoy a walk through Lownde Wood for great views back to the house, taking in the colours or the park.

Explore one of Ickworth's many trails
Sunset at Blakeney with boats in the foreground

Norfolk Coast 

With the changing colours of the saltmarsh, the morning and evening flights of the pink-footed geese and the autumn light, a walk along the Norfolk Coast Path is a real feast for the senses. The sunsets here are also at their best in the autumn, turning the landscape golden.

Enjoy a walk along the Norfolk Coast
Autumn Orford Ness

Orford Ness, Suffolk 

With dramatic autumn skies and wildlife abound, a visit to this former military testing area is never dull. After a short boat ride from the mainland, walk from the River Ore estuary to the North Sea across this peninsula of vegetated shingle and marshland, where you'll find yourself captivated by the view.

Plan your autumn walk at Orford Ness
Oxburgh Hall with the trees in autumn colour

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk 

Come and appreciate the changing of the seasons at Oxburgh and the colour of the estate at this time of year. Walk to our stunning copper beech tree on the South Lawn and contemplate it's beauty from the bench below, or stroll through the Wilderness and its colourful tree lined avenue.

Walk around the estate at Oxburgh Hall
A visitor walking through the grounds of a National Trust site in the autumn

Sheringham Park, Norfolk 

Wander through Sheringham Park to discover its ancient and remarkable specimen trees, such as the golden larch and smooth Japanese maple. Scattered through the leaf litter, weird and wonderful fungi grow in abundance - the un-sung heroes of autumn.

Autumn amble around Sheringham Park
Wicken Fen - Sunset over Sedge Fen

Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire 

A unique landscape formed by nature and shaped by people. Witness the ever-changing dramatic skies in this flat landscape and the stunning fenland sunsets. At Sedge Fen you'll find acres of sedge gradually turning shades of russet, the colour of which is enhanced even further as the sun slowly sets.

Head out on Wicken Fen's Adventurers Trail
Wimpole Hall glimpsed through the trees in autumn

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire 

The woodland belts on the Wimpole Estate were designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown as a frame for the gardens and are home to an array of wildlife. With the colours of the trees ever-changing here, meander beneath the branches on a circular walk of the estate taking in the lakes, Chinese bridge and 18th-century folly.

Enjoy the Wimpole folly and woodland belt walk
Thank you

We couldn't do it without you

Thanks to you we can create a healthier, more beautiful natural environment, for ever, for everyone.