As we head into the colder months and the fiery colours of autumn emerge, it’s the perfect time to explore the North East.
The region is beautiful all year round and autumn is no exception, with plenty of places to visit that showcase the most stunning parts of the changing seasons. As wildlife prepares for winter and the plants enjoy a last burst of colour before the frost, there’s no shortage of beautiful sights to see.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a family day out, have an adventure with your dog or just enjoy a picturesque stroll, there are several places recommended by the National Trust to enjoy this autumn. From woodland trails to colourful gardens, here are five places to take a trip to in the North East as we head into the cooler months.
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Gibside
The 720-acre woodland trails at Gibside are one of the most beautiful places to see the golden colours of autumn, offering an escape from all the noise of modern life in one of the few surviving designed landscapes from the 18th century. From winding tree-lined paths to meadows and wetlands, there is plenty of greenery to explore here - and keep an eye out for the rich variety of wildlife that call the Gibside estate home, including Roe deer, Red Kites and otters.
The National Trust offers downloadable walks for ramblers to explore the best of Gibside, with routes to suit whether you’re taking your dog for a walk or are on a day out with the kids. There’s plenty to keep families entertained besides the stunning views of nature, with play areas, cafes and regular events including a spectacular Christmas light trail this December.
Wallington
A 13,500-acre estate of lawns, lakes, woodland and farmland, Wallington is one of the most picturesque destinations to bask in the autumn sunshine. The National Trust highlights a corner of the East Wood as a particular autumnal beauty spot, where you will find maple trees in all of their red, orange and yellow glory.
Hidden at the bottom of a woodland valley is Wallington’s Walled Garden, where dahlias, asters, salvias and rudbeckia are all blooming until the first frost. And there’s plenty more to see and do on a day out here, whether you stop off for treats at the Clocktower Café, visit the shops or do some nature-spotting on the lookout for rare red squirrels and white-clawed crayfish.
Seaton Delaval Hall
Listen to the leaves crunch underfoot as you take a stroll through the colourful grounds at Seaton Delaval Hall. Once one of the region’s most famous party houses, the Georgian Hall has undergone an ambitious £3.7 million repair and conservation project since 2019 to breathe new life into the estate.
The National Trust recommends taking a walk around the wider estate via Holywell Seaton Sluice to get the most from the beauty of the area. Visitors can then warm up away from the crisp autumn weather with some hot chocolate or soup in the estate’s new Brewhouse café.
Cragside
Home to more than seven million trees and shrubs, Cragside is largely populated by towering evergreens that make for an atmospheric autumn walk with a difference. The estate’s Pinetum is a collection of non-native trees, planted to bring the landscape of a North American forest to Northumberland.
A great place to explore with the kids, little ones can enjoy Cragside’s adventure play area or hunt for nature around Nelly’s Moss Lakes. Visitors can also discover the estate’s three-acre Formal Garden, a great spot to take in the beauty of the changing seasons, or roam the network of paths in the Rock Garden.
Allen Banks
The perfect place for an autumn adventure, this 617-acre site with its deep Staward Gorge created by the River Allen is the largest area of ancient semi-natural woodland in Northumberland. The banks are home to a huge variety of wildlife, including red squirrels and more than 70 species of birds, as well as being one of the best places in Northumberland for fungi spotting.
While some parts of the woodland are still inaccessible following storm damage in 2016, there are still lovely walks to be had along the gorge this autumn. If you head to Staward Peele you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over the gorge, and you might see some of the area’s animals getting ready for winter hibernation too.
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