An autumn walk is one of the cheapest ways to spend a day (Image: Getty)
With autumn descending, leaves in every shade from red to copper are floating off trees, and pumpkins are ready for picking.
From pumpkin patches and apple orchards to woodland viewpoints glowing with autumn colour, these spots are some of the best for a seasonal escape. A walk in nature is one .
All you need to think about is getting there – and all of these spots are accessible by train. Pack some warm clothes and a hot drink and you are set for the day.
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Hewitts Farm – Knockholt, Kent
This locale has a spread of pumpkins to wander through (Image: Getty)
Pumpkins take centre stage at Hewitts from early October, when the fields open for PYO and families flock to gather the perfect gourds for carving and decorating.
But there’s much more to harvest here: the 78-acre farm is also home to orchards heavy with eating apples, alongside Bramleys for cooking.
You can also pick pears and late plums to add another splash of autumn sweetness. In the farm shop, visitors can stock up on marrows, squashes and root vegetables, making Hewitts the perfect spot to fill a basket with everything needed for seasonal crumbles, pies and hearty roasts.
How to get there: Train to Knockholt, then a 17-minute walk via the public footpath across Chelsfield Lakes Golf Course.
Swallow Falls – Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia
Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia (Image: Getty)
Often called the “Gateway to Snowdonia,” Betws-y-Coed is one of the most picturesque spots in Wales, and it comes alive in autumn.
From the station, it’s a gentle riverside walk to Swallow Falls, where the River Llugwy cascades dramatically through woodland.
The beech and birch trees that line the path turn vivid shades of amber and gold in October, creating a breathtaking backdrop.
The village itself also offers cosy cafés and shops, making it an easy, full day out by train.
How to get there: Train to Betws-y-Coed, then follow waymarked woodland paths to the falls in around 30 minutes.
Lymefield Garden Centre – Broadbottom, Greater Manchester
Tucked in the countryside near Manchester, this family-run garden centre goes all out for autumn.
Alongside its annual pumpkin patch, visitors can browse a farm shop brimming with local produce, enjoy homemade cakes in the café, or take a short riverside stroll before heading home.
A wholesome escape that makes for a perfect half-day trip from the city. The pumpkin patch opens 18th October and you can book tickets here online.
How to get there: Train from Manchester Piccadilly to Broadbottom, then an 11-minute walk.
Castle Farm – Eynsford, Kent
Eynsford is home to an array of beautiful nature spots (Image: Getty)
Best known for its lavender fields in summer, Castle Farm is equally inviting in September when its apple orchards open for PYO weekends.
Families can fill baskets with crisp Kentish apples and enjoy the rural scenery of the Darent Valley.
With refreshments on site and countryside footpaths leading through the farm, it’s a slice of rustic autumn just under an hour from London.
How to get there: Train to Eynsford, then a 27-minute countryside walk via the Darent Valley Footpath.
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Orrest Head – Windermere, Lake District
There are few finer introductions to the Lake District than Orrest Head.
The path begins right beside Windermere station, winding through golden woodland before opening out onto a summit with sweeping views of the lake and surrounding fells.
Alfred Wainwright described this walk as the moment he fell in love with the Lakes – and in autumn, with the hillsides blazing red and amber, it’s easy to see why.
How to get there: Train to Windermere, then the walk starts from the station. Follow the signed Orrest Head path (20–30 minute climb).
Arthur’s Seat – Edinburgh, Scotland
Rising above the city, Arthur’s Seat is a reminder that Edinburgh is as much about wild landscapes as it is cobbled streets.
From Waverley station, it’s just a short walk to Holyrood Park, where lochs and crags are framed by trees turning shades of gold.
The climb to the summit takes 30–45 minutes, rewarding walkers with a panoramic sweep of the city and beyond. For a gentler outing, the lower paths around St Margaret’s Loch and Salisbury Crags are just as rich in autumn colour.