18th October 2024

The nights might be drawing in but there’s still plenty to be enjoyed on a late season break, according to The Camping and Caravanning Club.

From cheaper pitch fees to quieter attractions, there’s lots of benefits to camping in autumn, plus great opportunities to spot some of Britain’s most famous wildlife.

Actor and TV presenter Andy Torbet, who is a regular contributor to Camping & Caravanning, the Club’s monthly magazine, said: “Autumn can be the perfect time to visit a woodland site as the leaves morph from the spectrum of greens to the reds, yellows, browns, coppers, golds and purples.

What’s more, the wildlife can be more visible as it becomes bolder in the face of feeding up before the winter.”

To help campers in search of the best of autumn colour and wildlife, the Club has shared its top six walks for autumn and what to spot along the way:

Castle Ring Fort walk, Cannock Chase

A great route that takes in the tracks, paths and sections of The Heart of England Way. The walk climbs to visit Castle Ring Fort – an ancient iron age fortress which sits at the highest point on the Chase and offers great views of the south Staffordshire countryside.

Nearest Club Site: Cannock Chase, pitches from £11.80 per pitch per night.

Be on the lookout for: October marks the annual rut of the Chase’s ancient herd of fallow deer.

Old Pale walk, Delamere Forest

The Old Pale walk climbs to the summit and viewpoint of Old Pale and Pale Heights where you will be rewarded with views across seven counties before dropping back into the forest again. Forest tracks and paths are used to reach the lake of Blakemere Moss.

Nearest Club Site: Delamere Forest, pitches from £11.80 per pitch per night.

Be on the lookout for: Native species include the greater spotted woodpecker and the green woodpecker.

Derwentwater Circuit, Cumbria

If you want to start your break at Keswick with something more low level, the Derwentwater circuit is a great starter. This is a long walk from Site with some awesome views including Friar's Crag, said to be the departure point for monks sailing to St Herbert's Island on pilgrimage. The walk takes you into some great locations as it follows a circuit of Derwentwater keeping to the lake shore where possible. It's strenuous but popular so expect to meet lots of other walkers. If you fancy a short cut you can hop on the Keswick Launch at one of the landing stages on route.

Nearest Club Site: Derwentwater, pitches from £13.70 per night

Be on the lookout for: Red squirrels. Woodlands such as Wreay Wood are one of the few places in England where you might spot them. These loveable creatures are more likely to be seen in the morning and late afternoon - just remember to look up.

Haughmond Hill walk, Shropshire

The Haughmond Hill walk descends to the ruins of Haughmond Abbey, a ruined 12th century Augustinian abbey. The walk continues with a woodland circuit of the flanks of Haughmond Hill. It then climbs to the summit through deciduous and coniferous trees – you might spot a deer or two – and a stunning viewpoint with views out to the south Shropshire and Welsh hills.

Nearest Club Site: Ebury Hill, pitches from £7.20 per pitch per night.

Be on the lookout for: Shropshire is a stopping off destination for passage migrants – birds not normally seen in the UK which are moving between their breeding grounds in the north to overwintering locations further south.

Sallochy Bay walk, Loch Lomond

The three-hour Sallochy Bay linear walk along the eastern shores of Loch Lomond from Milarrochy Bay Club Site follows the West Highland Way path to Sallochy Bay. The route is on good paths that mirrors in places the minor road that heads along the eastern bank of the loch and often heads over low wooded hills between the water and the road. Enjoy glimpses of the loch and watch out for wildlife including osprey.

Nearest Club Site: Milarrochy Bay, pitches from £10.15 per pitch per night

Be on the lookout for: the loch is a safe haven for migrating birds, including geese arriving from Greenland and Iceland.

Langley Hill walk, Gloucestershire

The Langley Hill walk from site is a pleasant six-mile walk taking you across fields and streams to Langley Hill where you'll find panoramic views across Winchcombe, Stanway Hill, Salter's Hill and Cleeve. And there's a decent pub-stop enroute too at the Royal Oak, Gretton.

Nearest Club Site: Winchcombe, pitches from £11.80 per night

Be on the lookout for: Foxes and badgers. Autumn is also a good time to spot roe deer.

Club members enjoy savings of up to 30% on Club Site stays while over 60s save further with Age Concession Rate discounts of up to 25% on top when they camp outside of high season. To book your next camping break visit www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.

For more information or images contact us.

Notes for Editors

1. The Camping and Caravanning Club is 123 years old and is the world’s oldest and largest organisation for all forms of camping.
2. There are nearly 100 Club Sites in incredible locations around the UK that are also open to non-members.
3. Join the Club from £53 a year. Members also get additional benefits such as discounts in retail stores, on days out and attractions. For more details about membership visit www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/join.
4. Get involved: for the latest news, information and inspiration from The Camping and Caravanning Club, and to engage with those who’ve enjoyed holidays with the Club, visit www.facebook.com/campandcaravanning or check out our Instagram page www.instagram.com/campandcaravan.
5. To view the Club’s comprehensive video directory, visit www.youtube.com/@campandcaravanning.
6. View the Club’s autumn camping tips at www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice/camping-tips/autumn-camping/
7. View the Club’s guide to birdwatching www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice/discover/birdwatching/