Merseyside has plenty of picturesque locations for an autumn walk. But sometimes it's nice to travel further afield and go some place new. As the leaves begin to change and temperatures start to drop, it's time to add an extra layer and there's no better season for a hike.
With dramatic coastal paths, woodland trails, historic grounds and towering peaks, Britain is brimming with fantastic walking opportunities. So, this autumn, pull on your hiking boots and embark on these scenic rambles.
The Brecon Beacons in Wales are famous for their stunning hikes, and rightly so. This circular trail, which starts and ends at Gwaun Hepste car park, offers panoramic views and leads you to four waterfalls in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park - Sgwd Uchaf Clun-Gwyn, Sgwd y Pannwr, Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn and Sgwd-yr-Eira - the latter being the highlight.
Translated as 'the waterfall of snow' in English, it stands approximately 10m high and 10m wide, with a path that allows you to walk directly behind the curtain of water, making it quite the spectacle. The walk comes highly recommended on the hiking app, AllTrails.
For a scenic walk, head to Cheshire and embark on the circular route around the ancient Beeston Crag, beginning and ending at Beeston Castle car park. The trek, which should take between three to three and a half hours, explores historic landscapes, including the Peckforton Hills and Peckforton Mere.
The stunning views from Beeston Castle provide a backdrop to the changing autumn colours, while the Grade I listed Peckforton Castle is hailed by English Heritage as 'one of the great buildings of its age', a Victorian imitation of a medieval castle. For more details, visit: visitcheshire.com.
Alfoxton Park House was once the residence of poet William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, in the 1790s, and it's said that the area greatly influenced some of his work. The Alfoxton Park Short Walk Made Easy, part of the OS's Short Walks Made Easy series (Quantocks, Mendips and Somerset Levels), begins from the house's car park, meanders through ancient woodland, onto the Quantock Common, offering expansive views across the Bristol Channel, and beautifully showcases the area.
The ancient and veteran trees of Alfoxton Park are a magnet for all sorts of wildlife, from bugs to birds, and their impressive roots provide shelter for badger sets. The walk includes one moderately steep climb and descent, with a mix of surfaced track, woodland and uneven stony paths, and takes about an hour and 15 minutes in total.
A map of the walk can be downloaded for free via the app at explore.osmaps.com.
One of Scotland's smaller yet iconic hills, the Ben A'an hike is perfect for those who love the exhilaration of reaching a peak without having to walk all day. Ben A'an towers over Loch Katrine and Loch Achray, offering panoramic views of both lochs in the heart of the Trossachs National Park.
More suited to hikers with good fitness levels and popular on the AllTrails app, the ascent is steep in places, including a rocky section near the peak, so appropriate footwear is essential. The trail is particularly stunning in autumn with the colours of the leaves and reflections in the loch.
The Vale Trail 2 offers sights such as Nash Point Lighthouse (erected in 1832 following the wreck of the 'Frolic'), captivating woodland nature reserves and the striking South Wales coastline. The trail also leads you to Monknash Beach, one of the most secluded spots in the area, where you can discover waterfalls, rock pools and graves marking the maritime disaster of 1831 when the Frolic sank in the Bristol Channel.
For those daring enough for an autumn dip, the waters are crystal clear (albeit chilly). The route concludes at the popular Plough & Harrow pub (which boasts a fascinating yet macabre history - it's said that the backroom was used to store bodies from a shipwreck in 1383).
If you fancy a longer stroll, extend your journey to include 'Route A' and visit St Donat's Castle too. If you're spending the evening in the area, the minimal light pollution makes it an excellent spot for stargazing during the longer autumn nights - especially the dark skies over Nash Point Lighthouse.
Leeds Castle, set within a 500-acre estate, is a fantastic destination for an autumn day trip or a stay in the on-site holiday cottages, nestled amidst woodland. The Leeds Castle and Kingswood Circular Walk offers a blend of rich history and natural beauty, taking approximately two hours to complete and attracting birdwatchers, walkers, and runners alike (dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead).
For those looking to extend their visit, dog-friendly cottages at Leeds Castle start from £640 for a two-night stay, with an additional £25 fee per dog (one allowed per cottage). Visit: leeds-castle.com.
This long circular footpath within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Yorkshire Dales is a favourite amongst trail walkers. Originating in the 1980s, the traditional starting point is the charming town of Pateley Bridge - home to England's oldest sweet shop, perfect for stocking up before your journey.
The route takes you through quaint historic villages, along the River Nidd, past Gouthwaite Reservoir, Ripley Castle, the natural gritstone sculptures at Brimham Rocks, the limestone ravine How Stean Gorge and the Guisecliff buttresses.