Autumn Walks in Yorkshire

Crisp air, golden leaves, and endless paths perfect for exploring, when it comes to Autumn walks Yorkshire offers it all. We’ve spoken to our Yorkshire based organisers to find out their favourite spots for a toddler who wants to walk some of the way, a baby tucked up in the carrier, and the trusty pram for when little legs give up.

Whether it’s Scammonden Reservoir with wide paths and open views making it ideal for pushchair strolls or Langsett Reservoir with a mix of pram-friendly sections and woodland adventures where toddlers can crunch through leaves.

Hebden Bridge always feels special in autumn, the canal towpaths glow amber and are easy to navigate with wheels, and there’s always a cosy café at the end. Wentworth Castle Gardens is another gem for families, with winding paths, gentle climbs, and bursts of colour around every corner.

Autumn in Yorkshire makes even the simplest walk feel like an adventure.

Here are our top picks to go and get your boots muddy this autumn.

Langsett Reservoir - South Yorkshire

Walk Type - Baby Carrying

Distance - 6km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/2018814944?ref=itd

Scammonden Water - West Yorkshire

Walk type - Pram friendly

Distance - 4.8km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/1986315565?ref=itd

Wentworth Castle - South Yorkshire

Walk Type - Baby Carrying, Pram friendly and Toddler

Distance - 4km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/2045559644?ref=itd

Hardcastle Crags - West Yorkshire

Walk Type - Baby Carrying, Little Legs

Distance - 4.5km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/1904515862?ref=itd

Newmillerdam - West Yorkshire

Walk Type - Baby carrying, little legs

Distance - 3.5km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/1487515980?ref=itd

Allerthorpe Woods - East Yorkshire

Walk Type - Pram Friendly, Little Legs

Distance - 3km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/1553997515?ref=itd

Risby Skidby - East Yorkshire

Walk Type - Baby Carrying

Distance - 7.5km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/1428645093?ref=itd

Studley Royal & Fountains Abbey - North Yorkshire

Walk Type - Baby Carrying, Little Legs

Distance - 4.8km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/2632224925?ref=itd

Pocklington Canal - North Yorkshire

Walk Type - Pram Friendly, Baby Carrying

Distance - 5.5km

Route - https://www.komoot.com/tour/726839082?ref=itd

Why not join one of our Yorkshire groups on a walk this Autumn.

Exploring Nature Together: Our New National Trust Community Pass & Upcoming Adventures!

By Coriarna Morris

We have some wonderful news to share with our Blaze Trails families! Earlier this year, one of our members introduced us to the Shropshire National Trust team. After a lovely Zoom chat, we explored how we could work together and because Blaze Trails supports parents and carers, nurtures community, and contributes to mental wellbeing, we were thrilled to qualify for the Community Access Pass.

What does this mean? Families in our group now have free access to select National Trust properties across Staffordshire and Shropshire. In other words, more opportunities for little adventurers (and their grown-ups!) to experience some of the region’s most beautiful green spaces.

Our First National Trust Walks: Shugborough & Attingham

We couldn’t wait to put the pass to good use, and our first outings were a huge success!

🌿 Shugborough Estate (Staffordshire)
This picturesque property was the perfect choice for a pushchair-friendly adventure. With its wide paths, open landscapes, and autumn colours beginning to show, it offered a gentle but refreshing walk. Thanks to the Out n About Nipper pushchair, navigating the estate was a breeze. Babies and toddlers had space to explore while parents enjoyed the chance to connect outdoors.

🍂 Attingham Park (Shropshire)
Our second walk was nothing short of magical. Nearly 40 families joined us at this stunning estate for an autumn adventure. The grounds were blanketed with golden leaves, and the woodland trails became the perfect setting for crunchy leaf-stomping, tree-spotting, and seasonal sensory play. It was a joyful reminder of how nature helps families recharge and make memories together.

Autumn Adventures: Simple Ideas for Your Own Walks

Autumn is the season for exploring — and you don’t need an official Blaze Trails outing to enjoy it! Here are some easy activities to try with your little ones at a National Trust property (or even your local park):

• 🍁 Go on a leaf hunt: can you spot five different colours?

• 🌰 Collect acorns and conkers for nature play.

• 🐿 Look out for squirrels, birds, or even deer.

• 📸 Take family photos beneath golden trees.

• 👣 Let toddlers wander along bumpy paths for their own mini adventure.

Don’t forget to pack a flask of tea and a few snacks — there’s nothing like a cosy sit-down after a brisk autumn walk!

Spooky Season: Halloween Walks at Attingham & Shugborough

Our Halloween-themed walks are coming up soon, and we can’t wait to see your little ones in their spooky (or not-so-spooky) outfits. Pumpkins, mini witches, friendly ghosts, or just a favourite autumn jumper — anything goes, as long as it’s fun!

Expect:

• 🎃 Themed nature trails and autumn crafts

• 🍂 Opportunities to collect natural “treasures” (bring a little Halloween bucket!)

• 👻 Playful surprises hidden along the way

• ☕ Snacks and warm drinks to finish

These walks are designed to be fun, gentle, and toddler-friendly — think silly spiders, giggly ghosts, and pumpkins galore.

Halloween Fun for Little Ones: Ideas to Try

If you’re joining us (or celebrating in your own way), here are some playful ideas to make Halloween extra fun without the frights:

👗 Toddler-Friendly Costume Ideas

• Pumpkin onesie or hat

• Baby witch or wizard cape (easy over a coat)

• Bat wings (DIY with fabric or an umbrella!)

• Cat ears headband

• Woodland creature (fox, owl, or squirrel)

🎲 Activity Ideas

• Spooky scavenger hunt: find something orange, a broomstick-shaped stick, a spider web (to look at, not touch!), or a pinecone.

• Leafy ghost crafts: paint leaves white and add googly eyes, turn acorns into “mini monsters,” or decorate a crown with stickers.

• Spider web walk: weave yarn between trees and hang decorations for sensory fun.

• Pumpkin picnic: cucumber “witch fingers,” pumpkin-shaped biscuits, or apple “fangs.”

💡 Top Tips

• Bring a bucket or tote bag for treasures.

• Layer up — costumes over waterproofs work perfectly in October!

• Snap plenty of photos — National Trust properties make stunning seasonal backdrops.

Looking Ahead: Christmas at the National Trust

We’re already looking forward to the festive season. Many estates go all out for Christmas, with beautifully decorated trees, twinkling fairy lights, and sparkling winter trails.

This December, we’ll be back at some of our favourite National Trust properties for Christmas get-togethers. Picture this:

• 🎄 Families wandering through fairy-lit pathways

• 🧣 Cosy Christmas jumpers and Santa hats

• 🍫 Hot chocolate and mince pies at the end of a gentle winter stroll

It’s going to be magical.

Join Us on the Trail

Thanks to the National Trust Community Pass, our walks are more accessible and inclusive than ever. Whether you’re carrying a newborn in a sling or chasing a toddler through muddy puddles, Blaze Trails is about walking together, building friendships, and soaking up the healing power of nature.

Keep an eye on our events page and social media for upcoming walk dates — and don’t forget to book your spot.

See you soon for an autumn, Halloween, or Christmas adventure with Blaze Trails! 🌿

A Blaze Walk, Baby Carrying, and a Spot of Sloe Gin

By Coriarna Morris

On our latest Blaze Trails Staffordshire walk, we set off from the Upper House Hotel in Barton and made our way to Downs Bank, a beautiful National Trust property. This time, the adventure was made even lovelier by the fact that we were walking with a baby in tow.

We climbed up to Millennium Point, where the views never disappoint, and on the way back down something caught our eye: sloe berries.

What’s a Sloe?

For anyone unfamiliar, sloes are the fruit of the blackthorn bush. They look a little like tiny plums, with a sharp, tart flavour that makes them perfect for preserving and infusing. And of course, one of the best-known uses is the classic sloe gin.

The Best Time to Pick Sloes

Traditionally, you’re meant to pick sloes after the first frost, when the skins split slightly, making them easier to infuse. But this year the fruit ripened so early that we decided not to wait — by the time the frost comes, they’ll probably be overripe and mouldy.

Our trick? Pick the berries now, then freeze them for 24 hours (or longer). The freezer mimics the frost and naturally bursts the skins, so they’re ready for the gin.

How to Make Sloe Gin

Here’s our go-to method:

1. Prepare your sloes

   • Pick, wash, and freeze them.

   • Once frozen, prick them with a toothpick (optional, but helps release flavour).

2. Choose your gin

   • Go cheap and cheerful. No need for fancy botanicals — the sloes and sugar will do the magic.

3. Fill your bottle or jar

   • About a quarter full with sloes.

   • Add granulated sugar (about half an inch to an inch, depending on how sweet you like it).

   • Top up with gin.

4. Seal and store

   • Put the lid on tight.

   • Every week, gently turn the bottle to help the sugar dissolve (don’t shake it).

5. Wait

   • By Christmas, it will be ready to drink!

Serving Suggestions

• Sip it neat by the fire.

• Mix with tonic for a refreshing twist.

• Or add a splash to lemonade for something light and festive.

It’s a simple process, but the result is a beautiful, jewel-coloured drink that feels like Christmas in a glass. And if gin isn’t your thing, sloes can also be turned into sloe jam or sloe jelly,  I might have to try those next.

So that was our walk: fresh air, good company, a baby strapped in for the ride, and the unexpected bonus of a foraging find. Perfect.

Staffordshire Seven Summits Walk 7 - The Roaches

By Coriarna Morris

The Roaches - Summit Seven of Seven in the Staffordshire Blaze Trails Seven Summits Series

Our final hike in the Seven Summits Series took us to the breathtaking Roaches Summit a truly epic way to wrap up this challenging and rewarding adventure! The morning started off a bit chilly as we gathered at the base, parking at the Roaches Tea Café—a perfect spot to kick off the day.

Pro tip: Stick to the café’s designated parking. Some of the group parked along the road, which ended up costing them with parking tickets on the way back. A small lesson learned to avoid any unwelcome surprises!

Birthday Celebrations & Big Turnout

This hike was made extra special by a very important birthday Teal, Katie’s daughter, was turning one! Katie brought a delicious picnic spread, and everyone was eager to dig in and celebrate. Despite the cold weather, spirits were high with our largest group yet—lots of friends, even more dogs, and plenty of enthusiasm for the adventure ahead.

The Ascent Begins

We set off from the tea rooms, taking the side path up to the Roaches. The climb started deceptively easy, but as we pushed onward, the path grew steeper and steeper. The wind picked up and the temperature dropped, catching some of us—and our little ones—a bit off guard.

If you’ve ever carried a baby in a backpack, you’ll know the wind can be brutal, whipping around and making them feel much colder than you’d expect. Some of the parents wisely stopped to take babies out, change them, and give them a quick feed to keep everyone comfortable.

Turning Back with Safety First

As we climbed higher, the conditions became tougher. The relentless wind and cold started to take their toll, especially on the little ones. Though we could see the summit just ahead, the weather simply wasn’t playing fair.

With safety and comfort front of mind, we made the tough but sensible decision to turn back. It wasn’t the finish we’d hoped for, but the right call when hiking with children—and there’s always next time.

Not Goodbye, Just See You Soon

Though we didn’t quite make it to the top of the Roaches this time, we know the summit will be waiting for us. This isn’t the end of the Roaches—it’s a definite “we’ll be back” moment. The day was unforgettable nonetheless, filled with fantastic company, birthday joy, and the shared excitement of future adventures.

Looking Ahead

So for now, the Roaches stays on our list, ready to be conquered when the conditions are right. Until then, we’re proud of how far we’ve come, grateful for the incredible group that’s shared this journey, and eager to keep the adventures rolling.

Here’s to finishing strong next time—and claiming that final summit in true Seven Summits style!