Autumn is upon us and while indoor activities may have been curtailed by Covid-19 restrictions, we still have the great outdoors.
In Coventry and Warwickshire we’re blessed with some of the best outdoor spaces anywhere in the country, so why not take advantage of them?
The leaves are starting to fall from the trees making for a spectacular display across our area and the weather isn’t too miserable either.
With that in mind, there is plenty to enjoy and savour.
Autumn is a time to enjoy red leaves, crisp mornings, light breezes and a change in attitude.
What better way to kick off the season than by savouring some of Coventry and Warwickshire’s magnificent countryside?
Ryton Wood
With open access from Ryton Pools Country Park, Ryton Wood is one of Warwickshire’s largest woodlands.
This is a fantastic woodland to visit at this time of year although it can get very wet following periods of rain.
Oak and hazel dominate with an abundance of wild honeysuckle. Look out for collared earthstar and silky piggyback fungi. Stoat and weasel are occasionally seen and deer, fox and badger are regular sightings.
Crackley Lane
A residential street in Kenilworth, Crackley Lane serves as the perfect backdrop for a Sunday walk.
Post-lunch, or in the morning, Crackley Lane offers a great environment for you and your loved one to take a stroll.
Jephson Gardens
Leamington’s Jephson Gardens welcome all visitors during autumn.
The River Leam runs through the gardens and thousands of visitors flock to the gardens to enjoy the formal bedding displays, boating lake or simply to relax in natural surroundings.
The gardens stretch for 14.6 acres and there are many beautiful floral displays to be enjoyed.
The University of Warwick
The campus at the University of Warwick is a great place to enjoy the changing of the seasons, with all manner of wildlife on hand to give you a truly beautiful experience.
Situated on Gibbet Hill Road, the location is perfect for a walk.
Allesley Park
There are tarmaced footpaths often trod by dog walkers, and families with children enjoy Allesley Park’s natural play area and grass.
Situated between established housing developments, Allesley Park is easily accessed and one of the most picturesque and historic parks in Coventry.
Brandon Marsh
Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre is the headquarters for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
The adjacent nature reserve consists of pools, reed beds, woodland and meadows.
With luck, you may spot a stoat hunting or a barn owl flying low over the meadows hunting for field voles and shrews.
The meadows are also home to butterflies including the orange-tip, comma, peacock, common blue and brimstone. Numerous dragonflies and demoiselles hunt among the grasses and along the hedgerows.
There’s a one way system in place to ensure social distancing and entry and exit is through the visitor centre.
For more information vist the Wildlife Trust website here.
Kenilworth Castle
Warwickshire’s most famous medieval structure welcomes kids of all ages and families to boot this autumn.
The Castle allows dogs – while on leads – to roam around the grounds.
You currently need to book a ticket in advance in order for the site to limit and manage visitor numbers at any one time.
You can visit the castle’s website to make your plans here.
Snitterfield Bushes
Situated just outside Stratford-upon-Avon, Snitterfield Bushes is part of what was once a much larger area of semi-natural broadleaved woodland.
The site was utilised as an airfield during the Second World War and evidence of the old concrete runway can still be seen today.
Roe and fallow deer can be seen quietly feeding among the trees while badgers and foxes are regular visitors to the reserve.
Woodcock can be seen throughout the winter months and few visitors will leave without seeing a jay burying acorns in the autumn in preparation for a harsh winter when food supplies would otherwise be low.
Coombe Country Park
Ideal for a family day out, Coombe Country Park offers 500 acres of beautiful gardens, woodland, lakeside walks and bird watching.
You can enjoy Warwickshire wildlife or take a quiet stroll through the woodland, as well as enjoying the park – which has won many awards from VisitEngland, Natural England and Green Flag.
War Memorial Park
Perfect for an autumn walk and easily big enough to maintain social distancing with nearly 50 hectares of space.
It’s the largest park in the city designed to honour those who lost their lives in the First World War.
There’s a Tree Trail you can follow which is perfect for this time of the year as the trees put on their spectacular display for autumn.
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