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- 22nd Oct 2026
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Our favourite autumn Northumberland walks: why Wallington’s a must this season
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If you’re hunting for autumn walks in Northumberland, Wallington is where the woods are putting on their biggest show right now.
The National Trust estate near Morpeth is turning red, gold and amber, and there’s a packed calendar of things to do in Northumberland. From guided walks, wildlife experiences and family trails running right through to the new year.
Nestled near Morpeth, Wallington pairs miles of woodland and riverside trails with a historic house, a walled garden, four play areas and a café that takes its scones very seriously.
Here’s everything worth lacing up your boots and stepping into the seasonal spirit this autumn.
THE WOODS ARE PUTTING ON A SHOW
Autumn’s one of the best times to visit Wallington. The trees blaze with colour, the paths crunch underfoot and, if you follow your nose, you’ll find the Katsura tree giving off its famous scent of toffee apples as its leaves fall. It’s one of those smells that stops you in your tracks.
East Wood is all winding trails and still, leaf-strewn ponds, while West Wood is home to the wildlife hide and the Wellbeing Woods, a quieter corner made for slowing down. Keep your eyes peeled along the way for woodland birds, otters and even red squirrels.
Bring a flask. You’ll want to linger.
2 TRAILS TO TACKLE AT YOUR OWN PACE
For a gentle seasonal stroll, the River Walk is a 2.6-mile route along the banks of the River Wansbeck. You’ll cross bridges and hop over stepping stones (there’s a bridge alternative if you’d rather keep your feet dry), with autumn colour reflected in the water the whole way round.
Fancy something more challenging? The Wannie Line is a 6.3-mile circular route that follows stretches of the old Wannie and Rothbury railway lines. Trains once rattled through here carrying goods, livestock and passengers, and walking the old track bed today is a peaceful way to step back in time.
Same estate, two very different afternoons.
PREFER SOMEONE TO SHOW YOU THE WAY? GROUP NORTHUMBERLAND WALKS TO JOIN
Wallington’s guided walks and expert-led sessions are a brilliant way to learn the stories behind the scenery. Here’s what’s coming up.
LEARN TO NORDIC WALK
Sunday 8th November and Sunday 6th December
Always wondered what those walking poles are really for? Julie, owner of Strolls with Poles and an experienced Nordic walking instructor, will fit you with a set of poles adjusted to your height and talk you through the technique’s origins and benefits.
Using the INWA 10 Step Method, she’ll get you striding out on a 2-mile walk around the grounds, finishing with a cool-down stretch. Sessions run from 10.15am to 12.15pm and cost £20 per person, with booking essential.
GUIDED WALK: CAMBO CIRCULAR
Tuesday 10th November
This 4.5-mile route sets off from the Wallington Courtyard, crosses open farmland into the pretty village of Cambo and its historic landmarks, then loops round another farm before returning through Wallington’s gardens.
Expect steps, stiles and a few road crossings, plus the odd curious sheep or cow. Dogs are welcome on leads, and it’s best suited to walkers with a good level of experience and fitness.
GUIDED WALK: RIVER WALK
Wednesday 2nd December and Thursday 28th January
Join Wallington’s volunteer guides for a 1-hour 30-minute amble through the formal gardens and along the Wansbeck. You’ll find out where the Great Wallington Railway once ran and how the team’s creating new homes for wildlife across the estate. It’s a leisurely walk suited to beginner and intermediate fitness, and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome too.
The walk’s free, but normal admission applies and booking’s essential. Meet at the Clocktower, and pack walking boots and a waterproof, as a couple of stretches get muddy after rain.
WHAT’S ON AT WALLINGTON THIS AUTUMN
LITTLE LEAF COLLECTORS
Until Sunday 1st November
This October half term, kids can join the gardening team. Grab a wheelbarrow and rake, scoop up the fallen leaves around the courtyard, tip the lot into the compost bin and go again. Simple, satisfying and guaranteed to tire them out.
BEAVER ENCLOSURE SAFARI
Saturday 7th November and Friday 27th November
When beavers arrived at Wallington in summer 2023, they were the first in Northumberland for more than 400 years. On this two-hour safari with beaver ecologists Wild Intrigue, you’ll head into their wetland enclosure to spot gnawed trunks, dams and channels, and see how this keystone species is reshaping the landscape, the plants and animals around it, and even the way the water flows.
A heads-up: beavers are nocturnal, so you won’t see them in person. They’ll be tucked up in bed while you explore their handiwork. Safaris start at 10.30am and cost £35 per person, with booking essential. Wear wellies or walking boots, as it’s soggy underfoot. It’s suitable for adults and young people aged 12 and over with a ticket-holding adult, and doesn’t include entry to Wallington.
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT TRAIL
Until Sunday 15th November
Little ones will love this self-led trail through West Woods. Follow the storyboards as Beatrice and Bertie try to find their way to a friend’s house in the dark, meeting some of the nocturnal creatures who call Wallington home along the way. It’s suitable for all ages.
AUTUMN PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Until Friday 27th November
This year it’s not just the trees doing the showing off. Dotted throughout Wallington’s woodland, you’ll find a gallery of images celebrating autumn across the North East, picked from an open competition held in 2025.
There are 29 winning shots and 34 highly commended entries across three categories, Up-Close, Autumn Colour and Wildlife, all capturing the textures, colours and creatures that make this season so special. It’s a lovely reminder of just how much talent the region’s nature lovers have.
BRING THE DOG ALONG
Wallington’s one of the top spots for dog-friendly walks in Northumberland. Four-legged visitors are welcome across almost all the outdoor areas, including the woodland, the river walks and the walled garden, and they can come inside the Clocktower Café and shops too.
Until Sunday 28th February 2027, pick up a Pooch Passport on your visit and bag your first stamp. There are 137 participating places to collect from. Five stamps earns a free bag of Forthglade natural dog treats, and 10 stamps gets you an exclusive Pooch Passport pin badge.
Tails will be wagging.
SWAP BOOTS FOR TWO WHEELS
The Dragon cycle trail offers two family-friendly routes around the wider estate. The green route is an easy 1.5km ride that’s perfect for little legs, while the blue route stretches to 4.5km for those after a bit more of a challenge.
Cycle hire runs at weekends and every day of the local school holidays until Sunday 1st November, from 10am to 4.30pm (last hire 3.30pm). Two hours costs £14 for an adult bike, £9 for a child’s bike, £22 for an electric bike and £3 for a balance bike. Child and dog trailers are £8, a recumbent trike or standard trike is £14, and helmets are free. Age, height and weight restrictions apply to some options, and the standard trike sticks to the green trail.
MAKE A FULL DAY OF IT
Once your cheeks are rosy, head indoors. Wallington House was once home to Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, Socialist MP and self-styled illogical Englishman, and his famously unconventional family. Inside you’ll find fine ceramics, shelves of books and the striking Central Hall, which tells the story of Northumberland.
The Walled Garden is planted with nature in mind, so even in autumn there’s colour in the borders and bees and butterflies making the most of the last warm days. Families can burn off energy at four play areas, from the adventure play area with its zip line, play fort and rope bridge to the play train and station platform and the Little Acorns space for younger children.
Finish up at the Clocktower Café with something warm and one of those all-important homemade National Trust scones, then browse the shops for homeware and artisan local produce.
Autumn in Northumberland doesn’t get much cosier than this.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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