Best Autumn Walks in Suffolk
Autumn: is there a better season for the senses? Crunchy leaves, whiffs of bonfire, cosy knitwear, pumpkin-spiced everything, and enchanting burnt orange hues. In one word: wholesome. Like many of you, I adore this time of year, so I thought I’d share six of my favourite autumn walks in Suffolk, England.
There are so many stunning walks around this area so it’s a tough pick but I’ve chosen places that:
A. Feature plenty of trees and autumnal finds
B. Can be walked for free or a small fee for parking
C. Are great for taking babies, toddlers and kids
D. Are accessible to all
Christchurch Park
It’s hard to believe that Christchurch Park is pretty much slap bang in the centre of Ipswich because it feels as though you could be in the middle of nowhere. Nature thrives here. You’ll find a circular pond, a wilderness pond, multiple woodland areas, spacious grassy areas, plus a fantastic play area for kids. Most of the paths are paved and suitable for all abilities. Christchurch Mansion & Tea Room (10am-4pm) and the Wolsey Art Gallery (10am-5pm) are also in the park and free to enter. The park opening times change according to season but it currently opens from 7am-6:30pm. There’s no designated carpark here but there is a carpark for blue badge holders. You can usually find a space along the roads surrounding the park.
With copious autumn leaves to crunch through right now, conkers galore and plenty of pinecones, this is one of the best walks in Ipswich. The park oozes Victorian charm and whether you’re pushing your baby in the pram, feeding the ducks with your toddler, or have older kids that need to burn off some energy, this is such a serene setting to enjoy while you do. I highly recommend heading here and grabbing a hot chocolate from Christchurch Mansion Tea Room while you take a stroll.
Dedham Vale (Flatford or Dedham)
Dedham Vale. What a place. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, famous for it’s many scenes painted by legendary 19th century landscape artist John Constable, Dedham Vale is easily one of the most picturesque places in this area. Located on the Suffolk/Essex border, there are multiple walks to reach the vale. You can get here from Flatford, East Bergholt, from Dedham across the river from The Boathouse restaurant, or even from Manningtree or Stratford St. Mary. If you park in the National Trust carpark at Flatford this costs £5 per car or National Trust members go free. There’s a separate access for blue badge carpark and some walks including that to Flatford Mill and Willy Lott’s Cottage are wheelchair or pram accessible.
There are many walks to choose from here and you can walk for as long or little as you like. Perhaps the most popular is the walk along the riverbank from Flatford to Dedham or vice versa.
You’ll also find rowing boats for hire, ideal for warmer autumn days, toilet facilitates, a tea room and gift shop, and a stunning RSPB nature reserve with plenty of activities and regular events for kids.
There’s a good chance you’ll see cows too. In fact one walked right up to me and licked my arm once! It felt like a big wedge of sandpaper - very strange! Don’t worry, I’m sure that’s a rare occurrence. You’ll usually just see them in the distance or walking past.
With river-side walks and plenty of vibrant trees, this vale boasts a dreamy palette all year round, but in autumn the leaves really pop. We visited for a picnic on the riverbank here last weekend and felt like we were in Wind of the Willows.
Rendlesham Forest
What a Suffolk gem this coniferous woodland is, another AONB. In parts, it’s vastness feels like you’ve stepped into America. With dozens of trails, it’s easy to tailor your walk to as long or short as you like. Famous for the 1980 UFO sighting, those interested can follow the UFO trail to learn more. There’s an easy access trail for all abilities too. To park in the centre, it costs £3 for 2 hours or £5 for a full day and is open from (opening times). Or if you prefer, you can park at one of the many gates on the drive toward the centre and walk from there. Wrap up warm, pack yourself a flask of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, and traipse through the crispy forest floor, inhaling the scent of the pines. You could even bring your bikes. For toddlers and young children there are two play areas, one by the car park and another more hidden in the forest but still close to the carpark. Swings, slides, obstacle courses, and a zip wire are just some of things you’ll find. There are also sculptures to discover in Tangham Wood.
You’ll find toilet facilities in the forest centre and sometimes a seasonal mobile cafe called Bear Grills serving hot and cold food & drink. They sometimes have night time guided walks and events too as well as theatre in the forest. Be sure to check out what’s on.
Needham Lake & Nature Reserve
A lovely spot for nature walks, Needham Lake & Nature Reserve has a 1.9km easy circular trail through the trees. The path is surfaced and accessible for all, the carpark is large and parking is free and there’s also a cafe and play facilities. The Duck & Teapot cafe offer a terrific range of hot and cold food, cakes, hot drinks, smoothies and milkshakes, including vegan and gluten free options, and you can either sit in or take away and sit out on the grass or one of the many benches.
We’ve popped here a few times now and always enjoy it.
Needham Lake is open 24hrs and the Duck & Teapot is open 7 days a week from 9am-4pm.
Thornham Walks
You might remember me writing about this hidden gem not so long ago and I’m looking forward to visiting for an autumn walk here because I bet the trees are breathtaking. Parking at Thornham Estate is £2 for all day on weekdays and £3 for all day on weekends. There’s a cafe offering hot and cold food and drinks (including gluten free and vegan) plus toilet facilities. You’ll find a wonderful play area with swings, slides and more and lots of quirky wood carvings and nature things to discover as you wander round, including a walled garden and a huuuuuge wooden dining table. I half expected the Mad Hatter to pop up as we were walking through. There are also some independent shops and studios to have a browse around if you fancy. Many of the paths are paved and wheelchair and pram accessible.
Kyson Hill, Woodbridge
This beautiful walk is another that’s long been a family favourite. The carpark is quite small so it can get full but if it is you can always park in the Woodbridge Riverside carpark by the train station and cross the bridge to walk from that way instead. This hill by Kyson Hill Carpark boasts some incredible views along the estuary, looking across to Sutton Hoo. It’s another that resembles Canada in some ways. In autumn, the many trees exude a dazzling display of red and burnt orange as you wander down the roads. The roads down to the river walk as well as the river walk itself are wheelchair and pram accessible, although some of the woodland or beach trails are not. There are toilet and cafe facilities at the waterfront side but please note there are no facilities at the Kyson Hill Carpark side.
And there we have it! With so many stunning walks in Suffolk it wasn’t easy to narrow it down to six but these walks tick all the boxes; they’re accessible to all, ideal for families with babies, toddlers, and kids, and they’re extra breathtaking in autumn. Now go and enjoy!
Where’s your favourite place for an autumn walk?
