Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/00-sherborne-castle-561258049_1397788895686515_1469322370071030880_n.jpg" alt="Autumn Colours at Sherborne Castle" class="wp-image-112990" style="aspect-ratio:1.4970059880239521;width:641px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/00-sherborne-castle-561258049_1397788895686515_1469322370071030880_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/00-sherborne-castle-561258049_1397788895686515_1469322370071030880_n-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/00-sherborne-castle-561258049_1397788895686515_1469322370071030880_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/00-sherborne-castle-561258049_1397788895686515_1469322370071030880_n-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/11/00-sherborne-castle-561258049_1397788895686515_1469322370071030880_n-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Autumn Colours at Sherborne Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p>Nature’s setting off its own fireworks on these autumn walks in Somerset, Dorset and beyond.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="http://www.sherbornecastle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sherborne Castle</a>, Sherborne</h2>



<p>Paths and trails around 42 acres of spectacular grounds at Sherborne Castle, the Tudor mansion built by Sir Walter Raleigh (for whom we have to thank for chips and fags) in 1594, including a Grade 1 listed landscape garden designed by Capability Brown. The reflections of the autumnal trees on the lake are simply stunning. There are<a href="http://www.sherbornecastle.com/downloads/Sherborne-Castle-Gardens-Map.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> two walks,</a> each of around 45-50 mins, which can be combined to take in the whole garden if you fancy. Refreshments at the Walled Garden Café and Restaurant in the Castle Gardens Centre right next door. Sat 25 &amp; Sun 26 Oct is their Autumn Colours Weekend, where entry  is reduced to £7 adult/£2.50 child. There&#8217;s a kids&#8217; pumpkin trail, too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brownsea-island-poole">Brownsea Island,  Poole</h2>



<p>Spot a red squirrel amongst the autumn leaves. The National Trust island is one of the few places in the UK where you&#8217;ll see the native red squirrel and autumn&nbsp;– when they&#8217;re foraging for nuts to store for winter – is the best time. This easy <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island/brownsea-island-lakes-and-heath-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one-hour lakes and heath walk</a> will take you around the multi-hued heathland and woodland and has lovely coastal views, then enjoy a fresh crab sarnie or a jacket potato at The Villano Café.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leigh-woods-bristol">Leigh Woods, Bristol</h2>



<p>Have a little woodland wander around the Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve on the slopes of the Avon Gorge, near Brunel&#8217;s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge.  There are waymarked trails all over – here&#8217;s an <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/leigh-woods/leigh-woods-woodland-wander-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">easy one-miler</a>&nbsp;with dramatic views – or you could just see where the paths take you. Head to the cosy woodburners and pub grub at the 17th century <a href="https://thegeorgeal.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Inn</a> in Abbots Leigh when you&#8217;re done.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tarr-steps-exmoor">Tarr Steps, Exmoor</h2>



<p>Tarr Steps, the ancient clapper bridge dating back to around 1000 BC,&nbsp; crossing the river Barle in a wooded valley is one of Somerset’s most magical places. This is a <a href="https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/walks/walk-tarr-steps-exmoor-national-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">four and a half hour walk</a> through a landscape of steep-sided fields on Exmoor but as you can start and finish at the fantastic <a href="https://www.tarrfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tarr Farm Inn,</a> you probably won’t mind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Porlock Woodland Walk, Porlock</h2>



<p>In just over <a href="https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/230/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">four miles,</a> you can take in Porlock Bay, the wooded hills above Porlock Weir, the pebbly Porlock beach and the marshy pastures behind. Poet Samuel Coleridge who lived at nearby Nether Stowey, often strolled around Porlock with his mate William Wordsworth. Wonder if they ever had a pint in <a href="https://www.shipinnporlock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ship Inn</a>?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Godlingston Heath, Studland</h2>



<p>Say hello to the Devil’s Anvil (aka the huge sandstone Agglestone rock) on an <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach/trails/godlingston-heath-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">easy three-mile walk </a>over heathland with breathtaking views of Little Sea and Studland Bay. Then over to the super laidback <a href="https://www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pig-on the beach</a> for a drink in the bar or lunch in their sea-view conservatory restaurant, where everything is grown, foraged or produced by their own kitchen garden or within 25 miles around.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.hestercombe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hestercombe Gardens</a>, near Taunton</h2>



<p>There are three centuries of garden design including work by Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens here but it’s the Georgian landscape gardens with its follies and little view points – including a brand new wooden seat in the shape of a giant clam&nbsp;– set around a lake that comes into its own in the autumn. Nosh on brunch, lunch and afternoon tea in The Stables restaurant and sweet and savoury stuff in Caffe + Gelato.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thorncombe Woods, Higher Bockhampton, near Dorchester</h2>



<p>Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Hardy –&nbsp;literally (he grew up here) – with these <a href="https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/35024/284537/Thorncombe+Wood+Walkabout+2+2021+PRINT.pdf/ffb5ca5a-3653-45c9-8555-dfb60db3f759" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two walks of three and five miles</a> around Thorncombe Woods, Puddletown Forest, Duddle Heat and Black Heath. Good for conkers, den-building and squirrel and wild pony spotting. Look out for swallet holes (like sink holes created by water erosion), Bronze Age barrows and a Roman road. It’s a skip and jump back into Dorchester to <a href="https://thekingsarmsdorchester.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The King’s Arms</a> in time for lunch.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tyntesfield</a>, Wraxall</h2>



<p>There are some spectacular trees in the grounds of Victorian Gothic Revival house Tyntesfield, overlooking the Yeo valley just outside Bristol, and the maples, Chinese rowan and Japanese zelkova all turn to reds and golds in autumn. This <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/tyntesfield/tyntesfield-woodland-walk">circular 2-miler</a> will take you around the best places to see the estate’s Autumn colour. The Cow Barn and Pavilion Cafe serve drinks and basic grub.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kingston Lacy, near Wimborne</h2>



<p>This<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/trails/walk-at-the-beech-avenue-and-droves-kingston-lacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> moderate four-miler </a>will take you around the network of droves, along the Beech Avenue –&nbsp;where the leaves will be turning a rich red – and then around the edge pf National Trust’s Kingston Lacy parkland in around an hour and a half. Head back into Wimborne to <a href="https://www.thewimbornepig.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wimborne Pig</a>, a Modern British restaurant and one of Dorset&#8217;s best.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Commoners’ Way, Corfe Castle</h2>



<p>This <a href="https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/35024/283293/Commoners_ways_leaflet.pdf/b88a9fee-7a0b-412e-82af-d014f80553e3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circular and rather hilly walk</a> of just over five miles starts and finishes at the church in Kingston, taking in fab views of the Purbeck landscape along the way. Very handily, the village of Corfe Castle is about half way, so re-fuel at <a href="https://greyhoundcorfe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound</a>, where the menu looks as impressive as the pub’s setting in the shadow of the castle ruins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stourhead Gardens</a>, Stourton</h2>



<p>OK, it’s just over the border in Wiltshire but the world famous landscape garden at Stourhead, with its lake reflecting classical temples, grottoes and rare and exotic trees, is a must-see in the autumn. A footpath takes you all around the lake in a leisurely hour or so, allowing for time to peer into the fistful of follies and take lots of pix en route. Other walks through the woods will take you up to the 160ft King Alfred’s Tower, with spectacular views from the top. Lots of refuelling options: <a href="https://www.spreadeagleinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spread Eagle</a> pub near the entrance to the gardens, a National Trust cafe by the car park and converted horse box, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thealpinecoffeeco" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alpine Coffee Co</a> in the woods near King Alfred’s Tower.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/pick-your-own-pumpkins-dorset-somerset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Golden globes: The pick of the pumpkin patches in Somerset, Dorset &amp; Bristol</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/winter-walks-with-pubs-somerset-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20 wonderful winter walks with pubs on the way or nearby</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/things-to-do-rainy-days-somerset-dorset-bristol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">50 places to go and things to do when it’s raining in Somerset, Dorset and Bristol</a></li>
</ul>


Glorious autumn walks – with pitstops – in Dorset, Somerset & Bristol

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