Autumn colour in the North East

Explore an incredible tapestry of colour this autumn. From late blooming flowers in a rainbow of shades to trees clothed in beautiful browns, flaming reds, vibrant oranges and golden yellows, here are the top places in the North East to take in the changing autumn colour.

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 dahlias, asters, salvias and rudbeckia blooming in the borders in the Walled Garden too until the first frosts.

Crunch through the autumn leaves at Wallington
Families enjoying the Parterre in autumn

Find seasonal colour at Seaton Delaval Hall  

Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy a trip to Seaton Delaval Hall, the grounds are still packed with colour and seasonal autumn planting and you can enjoy the golden views of autumn with the low sunlight highlighting the architecture of the Hall. Dust off your coat and wellies, enjoy a peaceful wander around the grounds then enjoy a warming soup or hot chocolate in the new Brewhouse café.

Emjoy an autumnal trip to Seaton Delaval Hall
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
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 and colourful 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
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
Visitors walking along path to Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

See the changing colour of the coast at Souter Lighthouse  

Take a seasonal coastal stroll along The Leas or through Whitburn Coastal Park to take in autumn colour on the coast. Enjoy meadows spotted with autumn blooming wildflowers, dramatic cliffs and sea stacks where seabirds wheel and cry, and bask in the changing autumn light. You might also see colourful sea buckthorn, rowan and rosehips in berry.

Soak in the seasonal colour at Souter Lighthouse