Autumn colour in the North East

Explore an incredible landscape of colour this autumn. From beautiful browns and flaming reds to vibrant oranges and golden yellows, here are the top places in the North East to take in the changing autumn colour.

A burn and coniferous forest and its reflection in a lake

Discover Cragside's green woodlands 

The Cragside estate has over seven million trees and shrubs, many of which are evergreens that really stand out from the crowd during autumn when other trees are changing colour and losing their leaves. Don't miss the Pinetum, full of towering conifers - it's a special place at this time of year and the perfect spot for an atmospheric wander.

Explore the woodland at Cragside this autumn
Visitor walking towards the chapel at Gibside in autumn

See a kaleidoscope of colour at Gibside  

Explore the woodland and parkland at Gibside and see a kaleidoscope of autumn colour. Wander through the garden to the orangery, crunch through the leaves on a stroll towards the atmospheric ruins of the hall and admire the shades of orange, yellow and red as you walk along the tree-lined Avenue.

Stroll through autumn colour at Gibside
Enjoy a crisp walk through the woods at Wallington

Enjoy an autumn walk at Wallington  

Walk beneath the changing colours in the woods at Wallington and see them reflected in the still ponds as you soak up the autumnal sunshine. Don't miss the vibrant red, yellow and orange maples tucked away in a quiet corner of the East Wood. Look out for red squirrels playing in the trees too - they're easier to spot when the leaves start to fall.

Crunch through the autumn leaves at Wallington
Allen Banks in autumn

Soak up the colours of autumn at Allen Banks  

Take in the spectacular colour of the autumn leaves at Allen Banks and look out for the huge range of rare fungi that grow there - it's one of the best places in Northumberland for fungi spotting. The walk to Staward Pele gives stunning views over the gorge and you might catch a glimpse of animals preparing for hibernation amongst the trees.

Enjoy autumn colour at Allen Banks
Visitors in the grounds at Washington Old Hall

Explore the autumn colour at Washington Old Hall  

Take in the spectacular Virginia Creeper covering the hall as it turns from green to a fiery red in autumn. In the nuttery, the trees turn a vibrant mix of browns, reds and oranges, while the fruit, fungi and nuts all begin to make an appearance. Stop by the bird hide and watch the feathery residents stock up for winter months.

Explore the changing seasons at Washington Old Hall
Two walkers under Sycamore Gap

Enjoy autumn colour along Hadrian's Wall  

Head out along a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy stunning sunsets with colourful autumnal backdrops along Hadrian's Wall. Take a stroll from Housesteads along to Sycamore Gap, looking out for wildlife, fungi and wild flowers as you go. Forget about the time as you enjoy the peace and quiet and far-reaching views.

Discover autumn colour at Hadrian's Wall
Sunrise over Fox Holes near Easington Colliery, County Durham

Discover colour on the Durham Coast  

With gentler sunlight, autumn is a a great time of year for photography on the Durham Coast, while autumn sunrises are often stunning. Head a couple of miles inland to Hawthorn Dene and you'll find colourful mushrooms and spectacular green moss along the branches of the trees, against a backdrop of evergreen Hart's Tongue Fern and Broad Buckler Fern.

Discover colour on the Durham Coast
Two ladies looking at alpacas in a field at Cherryburn

Take in the changing colours at Cherryburn  

Stretch your legs at Cherryburn and witness the changing colours along the Tyne Valley. Watch the progress of autumn as the leaves of the huge beech tree on the lawn gradually change colour, say hello to the friendly animals in the farmyard and take in the oranges, reds and browns of autumn all across the valley.

Soak up the autumn atmosphere at Cherryburn