3 amazing autumnal walks

Enjoy a circular walk around the landscaped lakes at Danbury Country Park – this gentle walking route is perfect for the whole family to enjoy, from young children to grandparents.

Park at the Woods car park and take the path towards the Lakes car park, heading on straight towards the toilet block and Middle Lake. Carry on past the toilets and down to the Ice House, take some of the smaller paths through the trees.

Amongst the fallen autumn leaves, see if you can spot the mushrooms popping up. Expect to see vivid red fly agaric, oyster and wood blewit mushrooms and porcelain fungus. Please do not pick or touch the mushrooms and fungi but feel free to take photos!

For fully accessible paths, take a shorter route starting and ending at the Lakes car park.

Discover more about Danbury Country Park and plan your visit.

View a map of Danbury Country Park.

Enjoy the autumnal shades of red, yellow, and orange with a stroll through the woodlands at Belhus.

Park in the car park and take the footpath towards Running Water Wood and then bear left into Whitehall Wood. Be amazed by the caramel colours of the Sweet Chestnut trees and meander through the fallen spiky nut cases. Exit Whitehall Wood into the meadow and head back towards the car park. The trees and shrubs lining the meadows – including dog wood, cherry and field maple - all come into colour at varying intervals, so you’ll be able to enjoy an autumnal rainbow glow.

This short walk is perfect for all ages and abilities.

Top Tip: Dogwood has amazing deep colours including reds and plum purple shades – spot these on the field and woodland margins in Bumpstead Meadow, Brock Meadow or Cockhide Meadow.

Discover more about Belhus Woods Country Park and plan your visit.

View a map of Belhus Woods Country Park.

Thorndon Country Park is thickly wooded with areas of glorious wood pasture and parkland, scattered with impressive veteran trees.

Start at Thorndon South for a quieter walk through some stunning landscapes.

Head towards Old Hall Pond for a moment of reflection and take a loop through the Old Deer Park and Menagerie Plantation.

Some landscape restoration work has been taking place here recently to open some areas up. This will benefit the remaining native and veteran trees and boost biodiversity too.

You can read more about our landscape restoration work at Thorndon here.

View a map of Thorndon Country Park and plan your visit.

These are just a few of the glorious walks to be had, discover your own route at an Essex Country Park, explore and reap the benefits of nature.