Autumn couldn’t come any sooner after a scorching summer! There’s no better time to take the Tramper as it cools down for the year.
On top of fairer weather, locations will be less packed and Tramper hire slots will be more available. As the seasons change, colours become more vivid again and for some of our bird watching attractions, the opportunities richer. You might want to explore new places you might not have had the chance to visit during the summer or even revisit your favourite places as they transform throughout the season.
Here are seven accessible Tramper locations tailored for your autumn bucket list, from historic heritage sites to lush woodlands.
Autumnal sites to explore:
1. Batsford Arboretum, Gloucestershire
Batsford Arboretum’s botanical gardens in Gloucestershire are perfect for the autumn, offering a cornucopia of gorgeous trees and plants. With the Tramper, you can gain further access to the Arboretum as opposed to the wheelchair route.
Batsford Arboretum has a unique collection of some of the world’s most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos spread across 60 acres. You can expect to be stunned during this season as the leaves change into their autumn colours. If you visit their website, you can even find an ‘autumn watch’ which will show you the current colour of their leaves!
2. Parc Cefn Onn, Cardiff
Wales has so much to offer, and Parc Cefn Onn based in Cardiff is a truly remarkable place to visit. This historic country park is home to a variety of native and exotic trees enjoyed all year around alongside its peaceful scenery. This site will be especially beautiful in autumn with its diversity of trees and shrubs changing their colours.
Due to there being no permanent staffing at this location, hires are available on specific dates when the team is present. Hire one of the Trampers and make light work of the hills as you access two routes around the park.
3. Forest of Dean (Speech House and Beechenhurst), Gloucestershire
Autumn is the perfect time to visit the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, especially as it’s Leaf Peeping Season and with two locations, both offering extensive opportunities for exploring you may want to make an overnight stay to take it all in.
The good news is that one of the two hire locations is Speech House Hotel, an attraction in its own right, dating back to the 17th Century and offering a choice of dining options. Hire the Tramper from here and you’ll soon be at The Cyril Hart Arboretum, home to over 200 species of trees. This combines easily with a short stop at the peaceful Speech House Lake.
For those with more time you could travel deeper into the forest to take in the industrial heritage at New Fancy or enjoy a relaxing lakeside coffee overlooking Mallard’s Pike.
Within a mile is another hire location at Beechenhurst, offering a very different experience of the Forest. Explore the famous Sculpture Trail, taking in art installations inspired by the surroundings. The Cathedral – a 15 foot high stained glass window suspended in the trees – is not to be missed.
4. Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre (Thorncombe Woods), Dorset
The Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre is perfect for those who want to discover Dorset’s literary connections. There, you can bask in the beauty of author Thomas Hardy’s birthplace and use the Tramper to explore the woodland paths leading to the entrance of Hardy’s Cottage which inspired many of his works.
Autumn will be a particularly good time to visit for the seasonal flower displays and events, with Tramper-friendly nature walks to be announced. You can visit their Facebook page for upcoming events.
5. Hestercombe Gardens, Somerset
Hestercombe Gardens in Somerset is a must-see for all garden enthusiasts, spanning 50 acres and three centuries of historic gardens from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian era.
There’s plenty to appreciate at this site alongside the garden attractions, including the art gallery, plant centre, second-hand book shop, gift shop, and choices of refreshments. If you visit during this time, you’ll get to enjoy its seasonal displays and the changing colours of its diverse flora. The Tramper Routes are extensive and easily climb and descend the hilly terrain.
6. Stover Country Park, Devon
Stover Country Park just outside Newton Abbot is a vast nature reserve covering 125 acres of biodiverse woodland. There are a variety of paths you can explore with the Tramper, including a 4-mile circuit for those wanting a longer route, offering accessibility and a good taste of Dartmoor’s heritage.
It’s absolutely worth visiting in autumn, as the trees show their full colours, the vast network of fungi pop up throughout the forest, and migratory birds arrive for the season and winter ahead.
7. National Trust Cotehele, Cornwall
The National Trust Cotehele site in Cornwall is well worth exploring with your Tramper in the autumn.
Both accessible routes give you a full tour of what Cotehele has to offer, whether you’re going through the Tudor manor house and 12 acres of orchards that change beautifully with the season, or the industrial quayside and mill.
Want to explore more accessible autumnal woodlands? You can also filter our Locations page by Wood/Forest!
