Autumn is well and truly here and winter is on the horizon. With the air crisp and bracing, there’s no better time to grab your hiking boots and get out into the beautiful British countryside.

England and Wales currently have around 3,600 miles (5,800 Km) of designated National Trail, with plenty of shorter, equally picturesque walks to explore whenever you are.

At Future Planning, we’re lucky to be surrounded by some beautiful countryside and within striking distance of many beautiful short walks and National Trails.

Here’s our pick of some of the best to tackle this autumn and winter.

1. Cotswold Way, Gloucestershire

The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile National Trail through the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Tackling the whole route will take around 6-8 days although experienced walkers and those up for a challenge could complete it more quickly. Equally, it can be tackled in stages or during circular walks that take in some of its prettiest stretches.

Heading north to south the route begins in Chipping Campden and takes in points of interest like Broadway Tower, Sudeley Castle, and the Somerset Monument. The route ends in the historic city of Bath, a Unesco world heritage site.

From Cotswold stone market towns to the 1,083 ft (330m) Cleeve Hill, there’s plenty to see and appreciate along the route.

2. Offa’s Dyke Pass

The Offa’s Dyke Path is another long-distance National trail, a 177-mile coast-to-coast route named for an 8th-century king, Offa of Mercia.

The dyke skirts the England-Wales border, from the Severn Estuary near Chepstow to Prestatyn in the north. On the way, it takes in several AONBs – the Dee Valley, Shropshire Hills, and Wye Valley – as well as the Brecon Beacons.

Alongside the trail’s incredible landscapes, you’ll find beautiful market towns, perfect as bases for local exploration or circular walks.

Consider a one or two-night stay in Chepstow, Monmouth, or Hay-on-Wye and combine your daily walks with local history and culture.

3. Redbrook, Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire

If you’re looking for a day trip and a short but challenging walk in the vicinity of Offa’s Dyke, consider a trip to Redbrook.

One of the UK’s favourite walks according to the Ordinance Survey app, this circular hike begins at Tinmans Green in Redbrook. It finishes, around 3 hours and 40 minutes later, at the Boat Inn at Panallt, just the other side of the River Wye from your start point.

Along the way, you’ll find undulating meadows, winding country lanes, and the unspoilt bucolic beauty of the Wye Valley.

4. Scafell Pike, Lake District National Park

If you’ve spent the summer honing your love of walking, you may be up for a bigger challenge this autumn. And in England, they don’t come any bigger than Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.

Expect around a five-hour hike to the summit for experienced walkers, and even then the climb will be strenuous.

For beginners, though, the Lake District offers plenty of beautiful walks as you build up to tackling the highest peak.

5. The Jurassic Coast

The South West Coast Path is currently England’s longest National trail at 630 miles (although it is soon to be overtaken by the King Charles III England Coast Path, which should be fully walkable later this year and will stretch for a massive 2,700 miles!).

The 95-mile stretch of the South West Coast Path between Exmouth and Studland is in itself a world heritage site, known as the “Jurassic Coast”.

Another route that will take a week or more to explore fully, a weekend break this autumn should allow you to take in some of its most famous sites.

These include Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, and Chesil Beach, along with the town of Lyme Regis. It is here that the palaeontologist Mary Anning uncovered fossils of an ichthyosaur and later the first plesiosaur.

Plan a trip to the Jurassic coast and you’re guaranteed beautiful sea views, incredible natural sites, and 185 million years of Earth’s history.

6. The North Downs Way

Another National Trail brimming with history, the North Downs Way covers 153 miles between Farnham and Dover. Following part of the ancient Pilgrim’s Way to Canterbury Cathedral, the route was travelled by Archbishop Sigeric in 990 AD.

The area’s rich history has marked it out as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, the only such route in England.

Depending on the section of the route you opt to tackle, you can expect everything from Neolithic remains and Roman landmarks to cathedrals and second world war fortifications. Plus, of course, you’ll find stunning sea views when you arrive at the White Cliffs of Dover.

7. Avebury, near Marlborough

Finishing closer to home, why not visit the Avebury World Heritage Site? The site combines exercise, fresh air, and nature with a large slice of history, with a museum and manor house to visit. Not to mention the largest stone circle in the world.

The site’s neolithic henge was built around 3,000 BC and in terms of scale is even more impressive than its more popular neighbour, Stonehenge.

Managed by the National Trust, you’ll find marked walking routes or you can simply freestyle, making your own way around this impressive piece of history.