5 of the best places for Autumn colour in Nottinghamshire

Autumn is a beautiful time of year; a full-on sensory experience and a great time to explore the Nottinghamshire countryside. Here are some of our favourite places to visit during the autumn months – be sure to bring your camera!

Clumber Park

Clumber Park is a true window to the seasons, and one of the best places in the county to experience autumn. This National Trust site comprises almost 4,000 acres of parkland, heath and woodland.

During the autumn months, the woodland is particularly beautiful, echoing with birdsong and carpeted in hues of red, orange and brown – and you might spot the odd mushroom or several! A walk around the lake is also captivating and bracing during the cooler months.

Find out more about Clumber Park here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park

Colwick Woods and Colwick Country Park

Just a mile out from the Nottingham city centre, Colwick Woods is a stunning combination of vast open grassland as well as ancient woodland, full of deciduous native trees that create a spectacle of colour in autumn.

Colwick Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR), and so is bursting with life all year-round. In autumn, you might spot flocks of Tit birds or Jays burying acorns for storing (some of which may end up germinating!)

Colwick Country Park is just a short drive from Colwick Woods and is equally beautiful during the autumn, with two vast lakes providing a dramatic reflection of the turning foliage.

Find out more about Colwick Woods here: http://www.wildlifeinthecity.org/green-space/colwick-woods/ 
Find out more about Colwick Country Park here: https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/colwickcp

Sherwood Forest

Perhaps the most well-known green space in Nottinghamshire, Sherwood Forest is a huge expanse of ancient woodland and and is extremely rich in wildlife. It’s also of course believed to be the home of Robin Hood.

The forest is also home to a 1,000 year old oak tree – the Major Oak, along with around 1,000 more oak trees as well, which provides an incredible canopy of golden hues in the autumn.

Find out more about Sherwood Forest here: https://www.visitsherwood.co.uk/

Newstead Abbey

A veritable haven of trails, gardens, parkland and oases! Newstead Abbey’s 300 acres of parkland is a sight to behold whatever the season, but feels very atmospheric in the cooler months.

If you’re looking for autumn colour, check out the Japanese oasis with its gnarled, bright red Acers, stroll around the walled gardens or take a wander along one of the woodland trails.

Find out more about Newstead Abbey here: https://newsteadabbey.org.uk/gardens-and-park

Gunthorpe

The River Trent runs across Nottinghamshire, from the North East down to the South West. It provides the backdrop for wonderful walks all over the county. But, a walk along the Trent at Gunthorpe is particularly lovely.

If you’re after a specific walk, check out this fabulous circular walk which takes in Hoveringham and Caythorpe, with loads of interesting sights along the way and plenty of autumn splendour: https://www.walkingenglishman.com/midlands12.html