A green and beautiful county like Hertfordshire is sure to have its share of autumnal habitats, where colours collide and make for a truly beautiful sight. To celebrate and inspire trips out to see them, we’ve pulled together a list of the best places to discover a dash of colour this season...
As Hertfordshire residents, we absolutely love the scenic walks and stunning countryside views that our county provides. But did you know that Ashridge Estate’s special area of woodland and unique habitats is currently at risk? Together with Natural England, the National Trust, and other local authorities, Dacorum Borough Council are working on a new programme designed to protect this Special Area of Conservation's wildlife, habitats and woodland from damage caused by walkers. So, in an effort to help us all respect and protect this beautiful landscape, we're sharing some of the many other glorious spots where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the Hertfordshire countryside this autumn.
If you’d like to find out more about the programme, visit the webpage here.
Marriott’s grounds
Big skies in autumnal photos can be something to behold, as soon as it rains and gives way to a sunset the colours can come alive like orange northern lights. With 22 acres of landscaped grounds at the Hanbury Manor Marriott and a variety of nature and trees, some of which maintain their green colour while others lose their leaves and a beautiful mix of oranges and reds, be sure to pop by and wander, finished off by an afternoon tea by the fire...
St Albans Cathedral
If you follow our Instagram, you'll soon see a firm favourite of local photographers is St Albans Cathedral. Whether it be on a crisp winter’s morning, or lit by a golden sunset, it has grandeur for any Instagram feed. In Autumn, as you'll see by the photo here, the cathedral is perfectly framed by the trees surrounding it and the leaves that have fallen. If you're looking for a bit of peace be sure to wander the grounds and grab that pleasing autumnal photo with the bells in the background.
Cassiobury Park
Watford’s Cassiobury Park, one of the UK’s top parks has the coveted Green Flag and covers 190 acres, and with the urban centre nearby it can provide a good place to escape to get your daily exercise. Yet if you're not nearby, simply take a look at the location on Instagram, and with plenty of oak trees, the orange leaves of the park will brighten anyone’s feed or just generally perk you up! Fall’s gold in Cassiobury Park
Pishiobury Park
With thousands of years of history right back to the Romans and a parkland originally an enclosed garden designed by Capability Brown, Pishiobury Park is a 30 hectare space that even has grazing cattle - perfect for the subject in the Instagram photos! Wander the open space for some fresh air and the trees will create a background like no other.
The Grove
Popular walks, a golf course and open air pool all sum up The Grove in summer, but when autumn comes the 300 acres of grounds break out in colour as well. Stay a night in the hotel and wander the grounds grabbing snaps of the leaves, followed by an afternoon in the spa, topped off by a meal at The Glasshouse to watch the golden sunset!
Stanborough Park
Picturesque lakes, stunning sunsets and an abundance of foliage and trees, Stanborough Park brings the ultimate autumn package. With those vibrant autumnal colours that we're all captivated by, your phones and camera will be at the ready, because trust us, you can capture the perfect Instagrammable moments right here.