Top 10 Places to Enjoy Autumn Colour on the Great West Way

Every Autumn, England’s rolling green landscapes are transformed into a world of reds, golds, oranges and yellows as the trees shed their summer look and put on their Autumn finery. Here on the Great West Way, you can enjoy the spectacular sights of an English Autumn as you travel between Bristol and London. Make time to enjoy the pretty colours of Autumn during your trip; take an early-morning walk along the canal, where mist hangs over the water. Or spend a Sunday afternoon strolling through woodland and splashing through puddles before warming up in a village pub. Or head to one of the Great West Way’s beautiful historic houses or to see gardens and parkland looking their finest.

Here are ten of our favourite places to enjoy the colours of an English Autumn here on the Great West Way.

Virginia Water, Windsor

Virginia Water lake can be found on the edge of Windsor Great Park, and offers lovely walks throughout the year. An abundance of wildlife lives here, including many waterbirds. Take a walk along the lakeside on a sunny Autumn day to enjoy the tranquil sight of the colourful trees reflected in the still water. About 5 or 6 miles from Virginia Water you can find Windsor itself, with its historic streets, boutique shops and lovely eateries all presided over by the historic and iconic Windsor Castle.

Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge, Bristol

One of Bristol's most iconic sites, Clifton Suspension Bridge is a hugely impressive structure on the edge of the city. From here you can enjoy expansive views over the Avon Gorge, with the Bristol Avon at the bottom and trees all around, looking particularly splendid during the Autumn. While you're there, head to the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre to discover the history of the bridge, an engineering marvel created by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Savernake Forest, near Marlborough

Famed locally for its spectacular Autumnal colours, 2,750-acre Savernake Forest near Marlborough is criss-crossed with paths and tracks for walkers to explore. The forest is home to many ancient 'veteran' trees, some of which have their own names and legends. Take a peaceful Autumn walk here to enjoy the stunning colours of the trees as well as the sense of history.

WWT London Wetland Centre

Right at the Eastern end of the Great West Way route, just before you reach central London, you will find WWT London Wetland Centre. This incredible conservation project is actually man-made and features lakes, pools and grasslands over a 105 acre site. A wonderful habitat for wildlife of all sorts, the Wetland Centre is particularly fascinating in the Autumn when huge numbers of migratory birds flock here.

Bowood House & Gardens, Wiltshire

Located in the Wiltshire countryside near to Calne, Bowood is the magnificent family home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne. The extensive grounds of Bowood feature one of the best-preserved examples of a 'Capability' Brown parkland, as well as a walled garden, an Italianate terrace garden and an Arboretum. Containing a collection of more than 700 species of trees, the Arboretum is particularly stunning in the Autumn, when it shines with vibrant fall colours. As you explore the grounds look out for Autumn berries, fungi shooting up amidst the fallen leaves and shining brown conkers.

Bowood image, above: Anna Stowe

The Kennet & Avon Canal

The Canal and River Trust say “life’s better by water” and have conducted research that suggests spending time by the water is good for our wellbeing and mental health. Spend some restorative me-time by the Kennet & Avon Canal this Autumn to enjoy the colours of the season reflected in the still waters. Crisp early Autumn mornings are a great time to explore the towpath of the canal, as woodsmoke from the moored narrowboats mingles with mist rising over the water. Keep an eye out for interesting wildlife – everything from kingfishers to watervoles make their homes here.

Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

Home to around 15,000 trees, Westonbirt the National Arboretum is the perfect place to admire the arrival of autumn while travelling the Great West Way. Created almost 200 years ago by Victorian entrepreneur Robert Holford, Westonbirt covers more than 600 acres and is home to trees from around the globe. During the Autumn, a visit to both the Acer Glade in the Old Arboretum and the Maple Loop in Silk Wood are particularly worthwhile; both will be a riot of colour. 

Westonbirt image, above: Johnny Hathaway

Swinley Forest, near Bracknell

Located to the south-west of Windsor Great Park, Swinley Forest covers over 1,000 acres on the border between Berkshire and Surrey. In the Autumn, expect brown-red bracken, mushrooms peeking from between tree routes and a carpet of fallen leaves. For a more high-octane experience of the forest, hire a bike at Swinley Bike Hub and follow one of the all weather way-marked mountain bike trails that flow between the trees.

Dyrham Park near Bath

The National Trust's Dyrham Park in South Gloucestershire is an elegant 17th-century mansion surrounded by stunning parkland. There are over 100 tree varieties at Dyrham Park, so you can expect to see some incredible Autumn colours on display at any time from late September until the end of November. There are a number of self-led walking trails you can follow at Dyrham Park, admiring the grounds in their seasonal colours, hunting for conkers and enjoying the peaceful stillness of an English Autumn day.

Cotswold Water Park

Where Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire meet, an incredible complex of around 150 lakes are scattered across the countryside. This is the Cotswold Water Park, a landscape for walkers, cyclists, watersports-enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Visit in the Autumn to see the fall colours reflected in the water, and to marvel at the sheer number and variety of birds that migrate through the lakes every year.

We hope we have inspired you to take a trip along the Great West Way this Autumn. Take a look at the many places to stay along the route to book your accommodation; from cosy cottages to grand hotels.