As the leaves begin to change colour and the cold weather creeps in, the rich colours of autumn can be seen along walks across Nottingham.
This season is the perfect time to bundle up in a hat and scarf and head out on a crisp Autumn day. Here are some of the most autumnal walks in and around Nottingham:
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Just outside of Nottingham’s city centre, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park has around 500 acres of parkland to explore. With free-roaming deer, duck ponds and deciduous woodland, Wollaton park is an ideal place to experience nature’s autumnal transformation. The hall is a Grade 1 listed Elizabethan mansion home to Nottingham’s Natural History Museum. Other facilities include a café and retail area, providing a place to pick up a cosy hot chocolate to enjoy in the peaceful park outside of the bustling city centre.
The Arboretum and Forest Recreation Ground
Located in the heart of Nottingham’s city centre, the Arboretum and Forest Recreation Ground are parkland areas within walking distance of Nottingham Trent University. The Arboretum is home to a huge collection of over 800 trees, carefully maintained gardens and a lake to explore. The Arboretum is also Nottingham’s oldest park and has a cosy café on site to enjoy a seasonal hot drink. The Forest Recreation Ground is also one of Nottingham’s original parks, preserved from the southernmost areas of Sherwood Forest. These parks provide a change of scenery within the city centre, creating a more rural environment to witness the seasons change.
Colwick Country Park
Colwick Country Park is situated on the outskirts of the city centre and is home to a diverse variety of wildlife, with two lakes and a marina to experience. The estate also includes Colwick Hall, an 18th-century building which has been transformed into a hotel. This area of the countryside is ideal for walkers. Additionally, it provides opportunities to partake in a Parkrun every Saturday morning or to join an organised swim in the lakes with Nottingham City’s Open Water Swimming Centre. Colwick Country Park is a fitting place for a crisp waterside walk as the leaves turn brown.
Attenborough Nature Reserve
Beyond the city centre, the Attenborough Nature Reserve contains large areas of open water, which can be explored via five miles of pathways. Opened by Sir David Attenborough, the site is well known for its wildlife, particularly its variety of birds. The Nature Reserve is lined with trees and shrubbery which display the colours of autumn and create a seasonal backdrop for an autumnal walk. Facilities at the reserve include a café and a nature centre with a shop and an educational area to learn more about the surrounding wildlife.
Bulwell Hall Park
Located in Bulwell, alongside Nottingham City Golf Club, Bulwell Hall Park encompasses several acres of woodland and grassland alongside wildflower meadows. Bulwell Hall Park has many suggested routes to take, including a pathway through the ancient woodland, which is ideal for an autumnal walk. The park also has a golf pavilion, open to visitors, where food and drink can be enjoyed in the cosy autumnal setting, away from the urban city centre.
These walks are the perfect way to experience the change of season throughout Nottingham, taking a minute to escape the busy city and explore the surrounding countryside.
Lead Image Credit: Sophie Pointon