The south-west displays picturesque landscape throughout the year. Whilst the summer calls for coastal walks and beach days, the autumn shines a spotlight on the woodland areas which are sometimes forgotten about.
The season of autumn is famous for its changing colours, cooler temperatures, darkening nights and the holiday of Halloween. The south-west provides the perfect opportunity to experience the autumn in all its glory.
Cornwall Masked Ball
A popular event that takes place in the autumn in Cornwall is the Masked Ball which is held at Flambards in Helston. This event is exactly what it says on the tin – a masked ball.
Attendees dress up in fancy dress, harnessing their inner child, and the event features live music with the line-up being different each year. Please note that this event is for adults only.
Pumpkin Picking
Another favourite during the autumn season is pumpkin picking which has become increasingly popular over recent years. It is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit and make the holiday last that little bit longer.
There are lots of options for pumpkin picking around the south-west. Some of our favourite places to go are:
- Trevaskis Farm in Cornwall
- Lobbs Farm in Cornwall
- Jolly Pumpkin in Silverton
- Darts Farm in Exeter
- Greendale Farm in Exeter
Autumn walks
Cornwall
Located in west Cornwall, Tehidy Country Park spans across over 250 acres making it the largest area of woodland in this area. With over 9 miles of various walks, it ensures stunning landscapes of rich autumn colours. Tehidy offers various habitats within the lake and flowing stream through the woodland providing a diverse range of wildlife.
If you are further north Cornwall, Lanhydrock which is located near Bodmin offers the glorious array of autumnal colours as well as a beautiful Victorian country house and gardens. If you’re wanting to take your autumn walk one step faster, Lanhydrock is also home to the Park Run on Saturday mornings (although the Park Run welcomes all abilities including walking).
Devon and Somerset
Haldon Forest Park is only a 15-minute drive from Exeter but offers a range of outdoor activities to enjoy the gold and auburn leaves. As well as various walks through the woodlands, Haldon Forest Park also offers the option of hiring cycling equipment and swinging from the trees with their treetop ropes.
Located a bit further from Exeter but closer to Somerset, Exmoor National Park hosts a wide variety of woodland walks with various attractions such as Dunkery Beacon and Bat’s Castle. With an impressive 267 square miles of landscape, Exmoor National Park promises scenery full of autumn colours.