While it may seem hard to believe, summer has been and gone and the nights are again drawing in. As we enter the last quarter of 2021, trees are beginning to offer up rich autumn colours before their leaves fall.
As temperatures drop, there’s never a better time to go out for a walk through the glorious autumn landscape and escape from it all. And, where better to do it than in Leicestershire and Rutland, both of which are rich in magnificent landscapes, thanks to its abundance of open countryside, waterways and wildlife?
Read on to discover 10 fantastic places to enjoy a walk in autumn.
1. Market Bosworth Country Park
This historic park offers has lots to explore, including:
- Arboretum with many exotic trees, including vibrantly coloured Japanese maples
- Flower meadows
- Bow Pool, which is home to ducks and swans.
With a network of paths, some of which lead to Bosworth Battlefield and beyond, it’s a superb destination if you want to enjoy a bracing walk in nature.
2. Willesley Wood
With its abundance of trees, flower meadows and a lake, the 42-acre site that sits within the National Forest offers wonderful views thanks to its mosaic of flora, fauna and wildlife.
You can choose one of many different paths that will allow you to take in the joys of autumn as you walk through the wood, allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle of life.
3. Rutland Water
Covering 4,200 acres of open countryside, the man-made reservoir is one of the largest in Europe.
It’ll come as no surprise to learn there are many wonderful walks for you to enjoy around the water’s edge and beyond, whether you want to embark on the full 24-mile circuit around the reservoir or go for a gentle stroll. Feast your eyes on the fantastic views, which include bird life, wildfowl, stately homes, and pretty villages.
4. Foxton Locks
With its 10 locks and Canal Museum, there is plenty to see at Foxton, aside from the brightly coloured narrowboats.
As part of the Grand Union Canal, you can enjoy a gentle stroll along the towpath taking in the surrounding scenery, or venture further afield and head towards the historic town of Market Harborough. Alternatively, there are plenty of surrounding fields along the way that you could escape into.
5. Martinshaw Wood
This ancient woodland covers more than 250 acres and can be traced back to the 13th century. With at least 39 different species of bird, the wood is a wonderful destination for an autumn walk among the trees and fauna. Steeped in history, you can walk along the wood’s extensive path network, which weaves between a diverse range of habitats and wildlife.
6. Seaton and Harringworth Viaduct
While based in Northamptonshire, the viaduct is a stone’s throw from Uppingham in Rutland. The 4.5-mile walk starts and finishes in the nearby village of Seaton and crosses open countryside that showcases the awe-inspiring Harringworth Viaduct.
Also known as the “Welland Viaduct”, it’s the longest masonry viaduct in the UK, with 82 arches. This, together with stunning scenery surrounding it, makes for a magnificent view.
7. Swithland Wood
This 170-acre ancient woodland, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, offers a myriad of footpaths and bridleways for you to enjoy.
The routes extend throughout the wood and link to Leicester’s popular Bradgate Park, providing trails that takes you past mature oak, birch, alder, and lime woodland. Adjoining the wood is a traditional wildflower meadow, and you could also walk around the nearby reservoir, which has ample bird life and other wildlife to look out for.
8. Beacon Hill
If you want stunning views, this 330-acre park has it in spades. Thanks to its walks, which cross many elevated vantage points, you can look across vast areas and enjoy truly spectacular countryside views.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, visit the wood carvings located along the park’s main pathways.
9. The Leicestershire Round
As this long-distance circular route is around 100 miles in length, it’s probably better to do what most people do and walk it in stages.
The route starts in Newtown Linford and passes through stunning countryside, weaving through Mountsorrel, Hallaton, and Frolesworth along the way. You can choose from one of 32 short walks that use various parts of the round, details for which can be downloaded for free.
10. Bradgate Park
It’s easy to understand why this 830-acre park is so popular, with its wild vista that is home to hundreds of resident deer. There is plenty to explore thanks to the park’s dramatic rocky outcrops, historic ruins, 500-year-old oak trees and the park’s landmark Old John’s Tower.
Whether you decide to hike up the hills to enjoy the breathtaking views, or opt for a gentler walk, the park is the perfect to blow the cobwebs away.
Get in touch
We hope you have found this blog useful, and if you do enjoy one of the above walks, please let us know on Instagram. We can be found on @tiltonconway and would love to hear your thoughts.
If you would like to discuss your wealth or ways to improve your financial wellbeing, please call us on 0116 262 1414. At Tilton Conway we aim to help you find financial peace of mind, so that you achieve the life you dream of both now and into the future.
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