The prettiest national parks for autumn leaf walks and cosy pubs

With low autumn sunlight, crisp weather and even crisper leaves, during October and early November the UK’s national parks come into their own.

Even better, the summer crowds drift off, meaning you’ll likely have plenty of space to yourself to relax and take in the scenery.

To help you plan your next autumn day out, we’ve rounded up the top national parks that were not only rated the most scenic in our latest UK national parks survey, but all also scored highest in the survey – four stars out of five – for their restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Northumberland National Park

Score: 90%

Rated the best national park in England and overall, Northumberland National Park’s four-star scenery and five-star attractions include lush woodlands with staggering variety such as oak, birch, aspen, hazel and Scots pine. In autumn, at Hareshaw Linn ancient woodlands you’ll spot a nine-metre-high waterfall framed by spectacular copper-coloured branches.   After which, you can pay a visit to award-winning craft microbrewery First & Last Brewery, located right at the start of the walk.

 The Housesteads to Steel Rigg route – top-rated walk in our UK walks survey – is also well worth an autumn jaunt.  You can visit the stump and new saplings at Sycamore Gap, then admire patches of woodlands turning orange on the horizon, past the edge of Crag Lough. Afterwards, head to the Twice-Brewed Inn, which is acclaimed by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

You can find more information on the accessibility of walking routes on the AllTrails website, which includes a round-up of the best wheelchair friendly trails in the area. With smooth, well-maintained paths including wheelchair-friendly Flexipath routes, Walltown Country Park is highlighted by Northumberland National Parks as a top accessible pick, and a short drive to Blenkinsopp Castle Country Inn for a pint of Allendale beer by a roaring fire.

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Lake District

Score: 86%

The only National Park in our survey rated the full five stars for its scenery, a trip to the Lake District can provide epic autumnal photos. 

For stunning views of colourful canopies reflected by glossy lakes, head to top-rated walk Buttermere Circuit, which is 4.5 miles, starting and ending in the village of Buttermere. On your return, head to the historic Bridge Inn (first opened in 1735), to savour its selection of cask ales from regional Cumbrian breweries, with views of Red Pike and High Stile.

Or, if you prefer to customise your walk to your pub, consider The Mardale Inn. It has been included in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for four  years running, and is positioned perfectly for Lake District strolls, including the nearby Knipe Scar circuit.

The Alltrails also offers a round-up of wheelchair-friendly walks in the Lake District, and suggests Tarn Hows and Rose Castle Plantation Circular as an easy, wheelchair accessible route with gentle terrain, smooth paths and no stiles. Follow it up with fish and chips or a cask ale at The Yewdale.

Yorkshire Dales

Score: 86%

Athough less than 5% of the Yorkshire Dales is covered by woodland according to the National Park Authority, there are still plenty of opportunities to spot the changing autumn leaves.

Take the Malham Cove circuit via Gordale Scar, a top-rated walk in our last survey. It takes walkers beneath canopies, with pockets of colour around Janet’s Foss waterfall and mature trees hugging limestone cliffs. The walk, rated five stars for its scenic beauty, starts and ends at Malham village car park or Malham National Park Visitor Centre. Nearby, you’ll find the acclaimed The Lister Arms pub, housed in a Grade II listed building which overlooks the village green and offers a menu of seasonal pub grub, regular cask ales and guest beers.

To explore accessible routes for visiting Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Malham Tarn, check the Yorkshire Dales website’s Miles without Stiles routes. The webpage outlines walks up to two miles long suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, with colour-coded options tailored to different accessibility requirements.

North York Moors 

Score: 85% 

For historic ruins and sweeping amber and russet hills bathed in October light, plus dramatic sunsets over the North sea, pick the top-rated walk from Whitby Abbey to Robin Hood’s Bay. 

It’s a stunning 3-4 hour walk which finishes in a chocolate box village with plenty of pubs to pick from. The Victoria Hotel’s Loxley pub was featured in this year’s Good Beer Guide — or head to the Laurel Inn, which Camra dubbed the area’s ‘quirkiest, smallest and friendliest pub’  if you can find a seat, of course.

The Miles without Stiles scheme is also available for North York Moors, and the website offers a handy tool for filtering for accessible walks. Just apply the ‘Miles without Stiles’ and ‘Scenic’ filters, along with any other that apply, to see a list of options for your next visit to the Moors. You can also filter for routes offering refreshment stops along the way.

Peak District 

Score: 84%

From September, the Peak District’s landscapes also transform, with glowing orange and blazing reds thanks to its native rowan and birch trees, along with beech and sycamore.

 Two of  Which? Travel’s top-rated walks for the area, both scoring 81% overall and five stars for scenery, were Dovedale to Milldale, with its wooded valleys and leaning ash trees along the River Dove, and Stanage Edge, which overlooks the picturesque Hope Valley. Both offer the chance to see autumn leaves in all their glory. Miles without Stiles routes are also available across the park — the Peak District website lists 20 to choose from.

The Derbyshire Dales supposedly has the highest density of pubs in Britain, so you’re unlikely to be stuck for somewhere to stop, no matter where you go wandering. But one standout pub, found in the tiny village of Little Hucklow, is The Blind Bull. It’s the country’s fifth-oldest public house, listed in the prestigious Michelin Guide, and serves up top-notch food in front of rolling hills. For a nearby walk, try Mam Tor.

If you’re staying in the area, drive over to the Northumberland Arms - although it's a 40-minute drive from the edge of the protected park area. It is shortlisted along with just 15 other pubs across the country for Camra Pub of the Year.