Discover the five best walks near Windsor for autumn highlights

The colours of autumn are nature’s final flourish before the onset of winter.

“Leaf peepers” is an informal North American term for those people who love to travel and photograph the changing of seasons as the green leaves of summer transform into the yellows, oranges, reds and golds of autumn. There is a growing band of people in the UK who now enjoy leaf peeping! Lockdowns made us appreciate nature and the joy and value of time spent outdoors. Perhaps recently we have been in tune with the passing of the seasons even more.

Luckily there are some lovely areas in and around Windsor and Maidenhead that have great autumn colour displays, perfect for brisk autumn walks with friends and loved ones.

Don’t forget that great quote by the British fellwalker Alfred Wainwright: “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”. Wrap up warm and enjoy the Royal Borough to the full this autumn!

National Trust Cliveden

Explore the open space and beautiful views this autumn at Cliveden, the National Trust’s estate comprising gardens and woodland perched high above the River Thames, not far from Maidenhead. Enjoy the selection of formal gardens which include the elegant Water Garden with its beautiful autumn colours. The woods that line the steep cliffs at Cliveden are perfect for a longer autumn walk. Follow miles of woodland paths which offer stunning views back to the house and gardens as well as over the surrounding countryside. It’s the perfect place to watch the change of colours as autumn progresses.

View of Cliveden from the River Thames

Windsor Great Park and The Savill Garden

Windsor Great Park is an enchanting place to visit at any time of year but it’s particularly famous for its displays of autumn colour. Windsor Great Park covers 4,800 acres, a vast majority of which is open to the public. Take a walk around Virginia Water Lake and be impressed by the rich reds and golds of autumn as you pass through The Valley Gardens. You can access the Punchbowl from here, famed for its spring displays but also stunning for its autumn hues. Close to The Savill Garden and Cow Pond you’ll discover the Plantation area where the maple trees are a glorious sight to behold.

Valley Gardens by Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park

The Savill Garden is a 35-acre garden for all the seasons in Windsor Great Park and an area is called Autumn Wood so make sure you head here for some leaf peeping!

The Long Walk

The Long Walk is a wide, tree-lined avenue which stretches from Windsor Castle to the Copper Horse. It’s easy to access from Windsor town centre and perfect for a bracing autumn walk. Kick through the fallen autumn leaves and collect conkers from under the many Horse Chestnut trees. You’ll eventually come to the gates to the Deer Park as you continue your walk to the Copper Horse. Rutting season takes place for six weeks from October to November so do keep watch; it can be very exciting when the stags lock antlers!

The Long Walk and Copper Horse, Windsor Great Park

Cookham

Many lovely walks start from the pretty village of Cookham. Park at Cookham Moor National Trust car park. The Cookham and Cock Marsh Walk takes in the Thames Path as well as affording you magnificent panoramic views of the change in seasons across the Thames Valley from Winter Hill.

Once part of Waldorf Astor’s Cliveden estate, the 110-acre Battlemead Common extends from Lower Cookham Road to the Thames Path, comprising areas of wetland, meadow and woodland. You’ll get great views of Cliveden’s house, clock tower and Octagon Temple high on the opposite cliff. The riverside woodlands at Cliveden Reach are one of the prettiest spots on the River Thames and are famed for their autumn colour.

Dorney Lake Arboretum

Eton College’s rowing facility at Dorney is a 2,200m, eight-lane rowing lake which was used as a venue in the London 2012 Olympics. There is public access to the lake in the autumn and winter months when events are not taking place and it’s the perfect setting for a bracing walk. Please check Dorney Lake's website before making a special journey. The lake is set in 450 acres of parkland which includes an Arboretum and Nature Conservation area so the autumn colours are definitely worth hunting down. If you are starting in Windsor, cross over the Thames to the Eton side of the water and follow the Thames Path past Boveney Lock and as far as Dorney Lake for an extensive loop which includes the delightful riverside autumn colours on the way.

Dorney Lake, image Windsor & Eton Photo Art