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6 of the best autumn walks to enjoy across Beds, Herts, and Bucks
With the leaves changing colour and the weather certainly having taken a turn for the worse, there’s no doubt that summer came to an abrupt end at the end of September and we’ve transitioned quickly into autumn.
Of course, there’s plenty to look forward to in the colder, wetter months, from lunches out in pubs with roaring fires to cosy nights in under a blanket.
But perhaps most important of all is embracing the elements and heading out for an autumnal walk. Getting out into nature in the fresh air and cool sun while marvelling at the impressive array of colours you’ll see at this time of year can be an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon – not to mention the benefits it can offer for your physical and mental health.
Among all the other great aspects of living in one of Beds, Herts, and Bucks, the three counties are home to incredible views, interesting landscapes, and some challenging trails that make for perfect autumn walks.
Discover two trails from each county to explore this year.
Bedfordshire
1. Whipsnade circular walk
With its hilly terrain and location right in the heart of the countryside, the Whipsnade area is ideal for walking at this time of year, and there’s an excellent circular route that takes you across heathland, chalk quarries, and grassland.
Starting from Dunstable Downs, you’ll explore 4.5 miles of Bedfordshire countryside. The route takes you down past the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, over Whipsnade Heath, up through Kensworth, before coming back round to the northern part of the Downs – and hopefully back where you started!
The walk takes approximately two and a half hours. You can read more details about it on the Central Bedfordshire Council website, including maps to guide you around the route.
2. Rushmere Country Park circular walk
A significant part of the appeal of walking at this time of year is the shades of colour on the trees and in woodland areas, and the circular walk at Rushmere Country Park provides a quintessential autumn route.
You could in theory start from any of the many car parks dotted across Rushmere, but this particular walk starts from the Herons View visitor centre. From here, you can head either clockwise or anticlockwise as you practically circumnavigate the entire plot of the park.
This walk is four miles long and will take approximately an hour and a half. Alternatively, if the weather turns on you and you want to make a hasty exit, or you have children who might find four miles a bit much to traverse, there’s an optional shortcut along the Woodpecker Trail that turns it into a simple, mile-long walk lasting around 30 minutes.
Maps and details for this walk are also available from the Central Bedfordshire Council website.
Buckinghamshire
3. Ivinghoe Beacon
You’d be forgiven for mistakenly thinking that Ivinghoe Beacon was in either Bedfordshire or Hertfordshire. Being so close to all of Tring, Aylesbury, and Leighton Buzzard, the iconic location has become associated with all three counties over time.
But, Ivinghoe Beacon does in fact stand in Buckinghamshire, right at the northern tip of the county.
There are many different walks you can take around this area. You could choose to simply take the circular walk up to Ivinghoe Beacon itself, round the fields that lie beneath it, and back up to the car park.
Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you could expand your remit to one of the many villages nearby. For example, this 6.9-kilometre walk from AllTrails suggests heading to the Rose & Crown pub in Ivinghoe for some well-earned rest and recuperation as part of the trail, before picking back up again to your starting point.
Wherever you decide to go, this area has numerous trails and points of interest to explore, making it ideal for a windy walk before a warm pub lunch.
4. Willen Lake
There’s no debate to be had about which county Willen Lake falls into – it sits proudly in Buckinghamshire on the edge of Milton Keynes.
The Willen Lake website suggests a figure-of-eight loop across both the north and south lakes, starting from the car park that sits roughly between the two.
Lasting roughly two hours, this four-mile route takes you around all the highlights of the two lakes, including the Peace Pagoda, Labyrinth, and Medicine Wheel.
This trail is perfect for all users, as its surfaced paths are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs alike – just be aware that there are some slopes.
Dogs are also welcome, although must be on a lead.
Hertfordshire
5. St Albans and Childwick Green
St Albans is one of the most picturesque cities in the UK, yet alone Hertfordshire, so it had to feature in at least one of the best autumn walks in the county.
This particular route from Walking Britain actually takes place on the edge of the city, exploring around four miles of the surrounding countryside and villages. It’s graded as “easy” and only ascends by 200 feet in total, so is suitable for walkers of most experience levels.
You’ll see some fantastic sights on this trail, from the impressive 18th-century Batchwood Hall to fantastic views of St Albans Abbey, both of which will look idyllic bathed in autumn sunshine (or rainfall, if you’re unlucky!)
After you’ve finished the route, why not head into St Albans for something hot to eat or drink as a reward for your efforts?
6. Tring Park
The 264 acres of Tring Park are ideal for walking at this time of year. Once a sweeping estate home to the Rothschild family, the park is now a sprawling area of grasslands, woodlands, and open vistas, each one boasting stunning views of a different kind.
Tring Park features five main walking trails for you to choose from:
- Walter’s Wander, a 1.8-mile vigorous climb that takes you from the Natural History Museum to the Rothschild family estate. There is a steep downhill section, potentially making it challenging for certain walkers.
- Battcock Walk, the latest addition to Tring Park. Allow 40 minutes for this mile-long walk as you admire the newly planted trees and meadows grazed by sheep.
- Ridgeway National Trail, a mile walk along wide and mostly smooth paths that takes around half an hour to cover. This a section of the full 87-mile ridgeway, passing along King Charles Ride, and on clear days you might even be able to spot Ivinghoe Beacon.
- Parkland Walk, a relaxed walk across the parkland’s edge. It takes around 30-45 minutes to cover the 1.5-mile route, and it features moderate slopes and chalk grassy surfaces that may be slippery at this time of year.
- Woodland Walk, a long circular walk that takes you into the woodlands of Tring Park. Allow up to two hours to explore the 2.5-mile route as you take in the sights of the Summer House, Obelisk, and King Charles Ride.
The Woodland Trust website has details of all the routes, including maps and reminders of what to look out for as you explore.
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Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.