Wiltshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stourhead-stourton-mere"><a data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stourhead</a>, Stourton, Mere</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Stourhead-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson.jpg" alt="where to see autumn colour autumn walks " class="wp-image-38513" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Stourhead-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Stourhead-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Stourhead-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Stourhead-©National-Trust-ImagesJames-Dobson-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">©National Trust Images:James Dobson</figcaption></figure>



<p>A National Trust-owned property, you have to pay the entrance fee to walk around, but it&#8217;s 100% worth the money. These meandering gardens surround a lake, and the landscape is dotted with grottos and temples in among the turning trees (including beech, oak, sycamore, Spanish chestnut, ash and holm oak). There are also hybrid rhododendrons, scented azaleas and pelargoniums and it&#8217;s dog-friendly, with a café and a pub on hand for late afternoon hot chocolates/teas/tipples.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shearwater-longleat-warminster"><a href="https://www.discoverfrome.co.uk/listing/shearwater-lake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shearwater</a>, Longleat, Warminster</h2>



<p>A favourite with walkers (especially with dogs), cyclists and runners, this man-made lake near Warminster is surrounded by miles of woodland trails, and the area lights up with yellows, oranges and reds come autumn. It&#8217;s free to stroll around, and well worth extending your stomp to Heaven&#8217;s Gate, where you can soak up glorious views over Longleat. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bowood-house-amp-gardens-calne"><a href="https://bowood.org/house-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bowood House &amp; Gardens</a>, Calne</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Bowood.jpg" alt="Bowood gardens in Autumn" class="wp-image-31755" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Bowood.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Bowood-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Bowood-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Bowood-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/Bowood-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Capability Brown is one of the most famous of 18th century gardener- landscapers and we&#8217;re lucky that he donned his breeches in Wilts and put his creative landscaping talents to work at Bowood House &amp; Gardens. His work is still vibrantly alive today &#8211; during autumn you can expect to see the breathtaking paintbox colours as the grounds are awash with crisp oranges and deep red hues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-courts-garden-holt"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/the-courts-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Courts Garden</a>, Holt </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/10/The-Courts-Garden-Holt-Sophie-Barton.jpg" alt="The Courts Garden Holt " class="wp-image-38870" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/10/The-Courts-Garden-Holt-Sophie-Barton.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/10/The-Courts-Garden-Holt-Sophie-Barton-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/10/The-Courts-Garden-Holt-Sophie-Barton-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/10/The-Courts-Garden-Holt-Sophie-Barton-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>These pretty gardens are ablaze with autumnal florals, in fabulously fiery colours. The arboretum is looking pretty spesh too. Get in quick if you fancy a visit, because 2 Nov is your last chance before it shuts for the season. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biss-wood-west-ashton"><a href="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/green-lane-wood-including-biss-wood-and-green-lane-nature-park" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/green-lane-wood-including-biss-wood-and-green-lane-nature-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biss Wood</a>, West Ashton</h2>



<p>A corner of this ancient woodland rushes into colour for a few weeks, once a year &#8211; make sure you&#8217;re lucky enough to catch it. As well as the trees, Biss Wood has a whopping 435 species of fungi which you find in autumn: purple jellydisk fungus, lilac bonnet, green elf cup (which is a beautiful turquoise colour), and the yellow-coloured slime mould &#8211; otherwise known as flowers of tan (don&#8217;t pick and eat any of them). All of this next to the Biss Wood Nature Reserve and Green Lane Nature Park, so pack a picnic and make a day of it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-savernake-forest-near-marlborough"><a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/savernake-forest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Savernake Forest</a>, near Marlborough</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/paul-macallan-unsplash-Savernake-Forest--1000x667.jpg" alt="Savernake Forest autumn colour in Wiltshire " class="wp-image-38517" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/paul-macallan-unsplash-Savernake-Forest--1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/paul-macallan-unsplash-Savernake-Forest--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/paul-macallan-unsplash-Savernake-Forest--768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/paul-macallan-unsplash-Savernake-Forest-.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Paul Macallan / Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>A Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) covering a 2,750-acre area to the south of Marlborough,&nbsp;Savernake Forest&nbsp;shows off its finery every Autumn, inviting you to walk through a magical landscape of red, brown and orange leaves. It has many ancient trees, including the Big Bellied Oak, very noticeable on the side of the A346. There are also lots of tracks and paths to choose from, so you can make this walk as long or as short as you like. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/badbury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Badbury</a>, Coleshill, nr Swindon</h2>



<p>This popular National Trust-owned woodland on the Wilts/Oxon border is popular all year round for its carpet of snowdrops in Feb, blooming bluebells in the spring and blazing autumn colour from October onward. Bring your four-legged family members for a hilly roam &#8211; there are trails both long and short here &#8211; or the kids for den-building galore. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lacock-abbey-lacock-nr-chippenham"><a data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museum-and-village/lists/autumn-days-at-lacock" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museum-and-village/lists/autumn-days-at-lacock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lacock Abbey</a>, Lacock, nr Chippenham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/parkland-trees-sheep-autumn-lacock-abbey-wiltshire-1556850.jpg" alt="Lacock Abbey © National Trust Images/James Dobson" class="wp-image-31756" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/parkland-trees-sheep-autumn-lacock-abbey-wiltshire-1556850.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/parkland-trees-sheep-autumn-lacock-abbey-wiltshire-1556850-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/parkland-trees-sheep-autumn-lacock-abbey-wiltshire-1556850-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/parkland-trees-sheep-autumn-lacock-abbey-wiltshire-1556850-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/parkland-trees-sheep-autumn-lacock-abbey-wiltshire-1556850-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">©&nbsp;National Trust Images/James Dobson</figcaption></figure>



<p>Set aside a good few hours to visit this National Trust-owned attraction, because not only does the woodland surrounding the Abbey burst with colour at this time of year, there&#8217;s plenty of other things to do. Explore the ancient abbey (founded in the 1200s), mooch around the pretty village and look out for filming locations from <em>Wolf Hall</em>, <em>Downton Abbey</em> and <em>Harry Potter</em>. Visiting in half term? You&#8217;ll find loads of kid friendly activities at the abbey, including a pumpkin trail and drop-in crafts in the Botanic Garden Bothy. Try your hand at turmeric printing, wand making and gargolye masks.&nbsp;Afterwards, head just up the hill to <a href="https://risingsunlacock.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rising Sun</a>, a lovely pub with warming fires and great food.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-devenish-nature-reserve-near-salisbury"><a href="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/the-devenish-salisbury" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/the-devenish-salisbury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Devenish</a> Nature Reserve, near Salisbury</h2>



<p>A mix of young woodland, mature beech, chalk downland and meadow, The Devenish nature reserve is within striking distance of central&nbsp;Salisbury&nbsp;and is close to Old Sarum. Catch the ancient beech trees in full colour while you can, and admire the spectacular views over the Woodford Valley below. Pooches are welcome on leads, once you&#8217;ve worked up an appetite pop to the nearby <a href="https://thegreatbustard.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Bustard</a> for a slap-up lunch.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-westonbirt-arboretum-tetbury-gloucestershire"><a data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/autumn" href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/autumn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Westonbirt</a> Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/William-Warby-Unsplash-Westonbirt.jpg" alt="Autumn Colour Westonbirt Arboretum " class="wp-image-38515" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/William-Warby-Unsplash-Westonbirt.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/William-Warby-Unsplash-Westonbirt-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/William-Warby-Unsplash-Westonbirt-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/10/William-Warby-Unsplash-Westonbirt-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: William Warby / Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>A skip over the Wilts/Glos border, Westonbirt is such a brilliant place to be in awe of Autumn that it just has to be included. Coming into its own between early Oct and mid-Nov, The National Arboretum is home to over 2,500 species of trees from around the world and five national tree collections (that&#8217;s a whole lot of leaves to rake). Pop seeing the Acer Glade in the Old Arboretum and Maple Loop in Silk Wood at the top of your to-do list &#8211; Westonbirt holds the national collection for maples, and Autumn is the time to admire them in all their golden glory.</p>



<p><strong>IN THE MOOD FOR MORE? </strong></p>



<p><a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/walks-in-wiltshire-with-pubs-near-me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get set for a stomp! Walks with pub pitstops in Wilts</a></p>



<p><a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/dog-friendly-stays-in-wiltshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take a paws! Dog-friendly stays in Wiltshire</a></p>



<p><a href="The Rising Sun, Lacock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: The Rising Sun, Lacock </a></p>


Glow up! Best places to see Autumn colour in Wiltshire

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