As summer draws to a close, autumn arrives with crisp mornings, cooler days and a landscape painted in warm seasonal shades. Surrey, the UK’s most wooded county, is one of the best places in Britain to enjoy autumn walks, with woodlands, gardens and historic estates offering beautiful displays of colour.
Here are our top picks for the best places to see autumn colour in Surrey – all tried and tested by us.
And if you’re planning more seasonal adventures, don’t miss our guide to the best autumn events in Surrey
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Contents: click to jump to a section
Autumn walks along the Basingstoke Canal
One of the most peaceful places to enjoy autumn in Surrey is along the Basingstoke Canal. This historic waterway runs for 31 miles from Greywell in Hampshire to Byfleet, where it joins the Wey Navigation.
The towpath is lined with trees that turn gold and russet as the season changes. Look out for reflections in the water, pretty bridges and old boathouses that make the walk especially scenic at this time of year.
We love this canal walk for a relaxed Sunday afternoon, with a stop at the canal centre for refreshments.
The towpath can get muddy after periods of heavy rain.
The vibrant Valley Gardens at Virginia Water Lake
For one of the most impressive autumn displays, head to the Valley Gardens, part of Windsor Great Park, near Virginia Water Lake. The gardens are cared for by the Crown Estate and look beautiful in every season, but autumn is when they really stand out.
You’ll find paths lined with maples, oaks and chestnuts in shades of red, orange and yellow. The Punch Bowl area is particularly striking in autumn and well worth exploring.
Virginia Water is one of our favourite places all year round, but autumn gives it an extra splash of colour.
Woodland magic at Leith Hill
For a true taste of Surrey’s autumn landscape, head to Leith Hill near Coldharbour. Set in the Surrey Hills National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Leith Hill is a favourite destination for autumn walks.
In autumn, the woods are filled with rich yellows, oranges and reds, creating a classic seasonal backdrop. After your walk, climb Leith Hill Tower for panoramic views across the county. If you’d like something longer, try this circular walk from Friday Street to Leith Hill.
Bushy Park and the autumn deer rut
As the second largest of London’s Royal Parks, there’s plenty to explore at Bushy Park. The wonderful mixture of open parkland and woodland provides a stunning landscape to enjoy the autumn colours.
You can take a walk through the beautiful Waterhouse Woodland Gardens to see the waterways and wildlife. There’s also a large playground for children.
The bonus for nature lovers is seeing the deer rut in Bushy Park in the autumn months (September to November). Approximately 320 red and fallow deer roam freely across the park and in the rutting season you can see the bucks competing for the females.
Watching the deer in autumn is an amazing experience, but remember they are wild animals, so keep a safe distance.
Autumn glory at Winkworth Arboretum
Winkworth Arboretum in Godalming, managed by the National Trust, is without doubt one of the best places in Surrey to see autumn colour. Each year, visitors flock here to admire the breathtaking displays of reds, orange and gold.
The highlight is the collection of Japanese maples and acers, which reach their peak colour from mid-October. With its woodland walks, lakeside views and multi-coloured trees, Winkworth is the ultimate Surrey autumn day out.
For us, this is the number one spot, so if you only visit one place in Surrey for autumn colour, make it Winkworth.
Ramster Gardens: A hidden autumn gem
Every summer and autumn, Ramster Gardens in Chiddingfold reopen for a short season, giving visitors the chance to enjoy their 25-acre woodland garden at its best.
With plants and trees collected from across the world, the gardens glow with colour. The Japanese maples are particularly eye-catching, adding fiery reds to the peaceful setting. This is one of Surrey’s most picturesque autumn gardens, and well worth planning a visit.
Ramster Gardens opens for autumn colour from 17 June until 9th November (Wed to Sunday)
Historic woodland at Hatchlands Park
With more than 400 acres of parkland, Hatchlands Park is a great choice for autumn walks. The Long Walk, a 2.8-mile trail, takes you around the edge of the estate, through a mix of ancient woodland and open fields.
Families can enjoy the Wix Wood trail, which leads to a natural play area for children. After exploring, stop at the café for a hot drink and say hello to the resident donkeys before heading home.
It’s a favourite with families, as there’s so much space for the kids to explore.
RHS Wisley Gardens: A garden for all seasons
Finally, the last of our places to see autumn colour in Surrey is at RHS Wisley.
RHS Wisley always makes an enjoyable family day out, and autumn is no exception.
With such a variety of trees and plants, there’s plenty to explore and an array of autumn colour to enjoy.
As well as seeing the usual favourites like the Glasshouse and Rock Garden, head to the pinetum for stunning autumn colours. If you are visiting Wisley with children, check out the new playground, which they will love.
A map of the best places for autumn colour in Surrey
Where is your favourite place to find autumn colour in Surrey? We’d love to hear your comments below.
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