Northamptonshire is a county of old woodland, reservoirs and estate parkland, and autumn is when much of it looks its best. The beech and oak that fill the ancient forests turn through copper and gold, the water levels rise, and the paths are quieter than they were in August. Here are some of the best places across the county to see autumn colour, along with a few practical notes for making the most of a walk once the clocks have gone back.
Salcey Forest
Salcey Forest, south east of Northampton near Hartwell, is one of the county’s surviving fragments of ancient royal hunting forest, and its oak and ash give a long, slow autumn display. The Tree Top Way lifts walkers into the canopy, which is a rather different experience in October than it is in midsummer. Waymarked trails of varying lengths run out from the main car park, and the wide central rides stay reasonably firm underfoot when the weather turns. Parking charges and facilities are managed by Forestry England, so it is worth checking current arrangements before setting out.
Fineshade Wood
In the far north east of the county, between Corby and Stamford, Fineshade Wood sits within the wider Rockingham Forest. It is known for its wildlife as much as its trees, and the mix of broadleaf woodland and open glades makes for a varied walk. There are trails suited to families and to anyone wanting a longer route, and the site is a good choice if you want somewhere that feels genuinely remote without a long drive.
Everdon Stubbs
Everdon Stubbs, west of Northampton near Weedon, is a small ancient woodland best known locally for its bluebells in spring. It is arguably just as good in autumn, when the beech canopy turns and the light comes through in a way that makes the whole wood feel warmer than the temperature suggests. It is a compact site rather than a full day out, which makes it easy to combine with a village pub lunch nearby.
Brixworth Country Park and Pitsford Water
North of Northampton, Brixworth Country Park sits on the western shore of Pitsford Water and gives easy access to one of the county’s most rewarding autumn walks. The circular route around the reservoir is a substantial undertaking, but the shorter loops from the country park suit a couple of hours, and the tree planting along the shoreline colours well. Early mornings here can be particularly good, with mist sitting on the water before it lifts.
Sywell Country Park
East of Northampton, Sywell Country Park is built around a former reservoir and the Victorian waterworks buildings that served it. The mature planting around the site and the surrounding farmland give it a settled, established feel, and the paths are gentle enough for pushchairs on most of the main routes. It is a good option for a shorter walk with somewhere to sit down at the end.
Irchester and Barnwell Country Parks
Over in the east of the county, Irchester Country Park near Wellingborough occupies a former ironstone quarry, and the tall conifers and broadleaf plantings that have grown up since give it an unexpectedly dramatic character. Further north, Barnwell Country Park near Oundle sits alongside the River Nene and combines lakes, meadow and woodland edge. Both are well set up for visitors and both reward a slow walk rather than a brisk one.
Parkland and gardens
Autumn colour is not only a woodland matter. The parkland at Castle Ashby, east of Northampton, holds mature specimen trees and lakes that look particularly good in late October, and the gardens are open on a seasonal basis alongside the rural shopping yard. North of Northampton, Kelmarsh Hall and Cottesbrooke Hall both have grounds worth seeking out for anyone who enjoys planting and design, though their opening arrangements are more limited outside the main summer season. Nearer town, Delapré Abbey offers parkland and a walled garden within easy reach of central Northampton, and Abington Park remains one of the most pleasant places in the town for an hour’s walk among mature trees.
Canal towpaths and quieter routes
The Grand Union Canal runs through Northamptonshire and its towpaths make for flat, straightforward walking at a time of year when field paths can be heavy going. The stretches around Blisworth, Stoke Bruerne and Braunston are all pleasant in autumn, with hedgerow colour, reflections on still water and the option of somewhere warm at the end. The Nene Way and the Brampton Valley Way also give long, easy routes that can be picked up in shorter sections.
Making the most of it
Autumn walking in Northamptonshire needs slightly more planning than summer walking. The colour peaks at different times depending on the species and the weather, and beech usually holds on longer than ash, so a wood that looks past its best one weekend can look quite different a fortnight later. Daylight is the bigger constraint, particularly once the clocks change at the end of October, so it is worth setting off earlier than feels necessary. The Met Office forecast is useful for judging whether a bright afternoon is likely, and boots rather than trainers are usually the right call on woodland paths after rain. Opening times, parking charges and cafe availability all change with the season, so check ahead before relying on them.
Exploring the county with Jackson Grundy
Having this much open country within twenty minutes of home is one of the things people appreciate most about living in Northamptonshire, and it is often what brings buyers to the county’s villages in the first place. Our guide to historic houses and gardens in Northamptonshire covers the estates and parkland in more detail. If a weekend spent exploring leaves you thinking about a move, you can browse properties for sale across the county, read more about village and rural homes through The Village Agency, or arrange a valuation if you are preparing to sell. Your local Jackson Grundy branch will be glad to help.
