Autumn is often seen as one of the best time of the year to explore the outdoors. From collecting conkers to crunching wellies through crisp leaves, a walk with the family in an autumn day is truly special.

And one location, which is just an hour away from Bristol, is ideal for those who want to spend time outside as the weather turns colder. Based on the edge of Bath, The National Trust’s Prior Park Landscape Garden is packed with stunning features.

From its tea rooms by a cascading waterfall to its gorgeous lakes, the sloping route has plenty of surprises along the way. It also homes lots of beautiful trees – including Beech and maple – and at this time of year fungi and berries add to the garden’s colour.

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But the main attraction is the destination’s stunning 18th-century bridge. It’s one of only four bridges of this design in the world, dating from 1755, inspired by Italian architect Andrea Palladio.

You can even walk over the impressive structure as part of the route. Tucked away among the trees is also a summerhouse that was recreated in the 1990s using historical images as a guide – and makes for a nice spot for sit down and take in the views.

Unsurprisingly, TripAdvisor is filled with raving reviews about the spot. One person wrote: “A nice little hike to see some beautiful views, pretty quiet when we went so was nice to have the peaceful atmosphere. Enjoyed walking around the area and worth a visit.”

Another said: “Such a beautiful place to walk! Visited here on a recent trip to Bath and would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys being outdoors. Just a 10 minute bus ride from the bus station and a lovely walk back into Bath centre. Definitely worth a visit as the views over Bath and of the Palladian Bridge are stunning!”

This article was first published in November 2023 and was republished in November 2024.