On the Trail of Awesome Autumn Around Bath

The leaves are turning, temperatures are dropping but the sky remains blue (for the most part) here on our farm in North East Somerset.

October is a wonderful month – just perfect for an autumn break. There’s no need to retreat indoors and hunker down for winter just yet – it’s a time to get out and about, exploring golden-leafed trails right here on our doorstep and across our glorious area on the outskirts of the city of Bath.

Toghill House, as you probably know if you’ve stayed with us before, is a working farm. We’re in a delightful rural setting, and you don’t have to go far to enjoy a walk in that bracing autumn air. We’ve marked out walking routes around our grounds – short walks, full day or half-day outings.

If that’s not enough to satisfy your quest for autumn countryside and colours, we can suggest some other breathtaking locations to visit nearby where you can explore awesome autumn trails:

• Prior Park Landscape Garden

Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AH

This magnificent National Trust property is set in a sweeping valley above Bath, offering a six-mile winding walking route through beautiful woodlands and meadows. You’ll be wowed by the picturesque 18th century features that were created here by local entrepreneur Ralph Allen, with advice from legendary garden designer “Capability” Brown and the poet Alexander Pope.

This magical landscape garden is arguably at its best wearing its autumn colours, the trees and iconic Palladian bridge reflected in the recently restored lakes and dams.

Full details and visitor information can be found on the Prior Park National Trust Web page.

• American Museum & Gardens

Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD

A visit to this unique American cultural attraction offers two experiences for the price of one!

First there’s the Museum itself, located in the Grade I listed Claverton Manor House, featuring a fascinating collection that encapsulates periods of American history and folk art.

Step outside and you’ll be blown away by the 125 acres of green, rolling landscape garden, laid out by American landscape architectural firm Oehme Van Seden. There’s even a replica of George Washington’s New American Garden at Mount Vernon. Explore further and discover a dell, arboretum, wilderness trail, parklands and much more.

Find out all about this showcase of the American decorative arts that was established by an Anglo-American couple back in the late 1950s on the American Museum & Gardens Website.

• Bath Skyline Walk

From Kingston Parade, Bath Abbey

The World Heritage City of Bath is probably one of very few cities in the world that can be enjoyed for its harmony with the surrounding countryside. Bath wearing its autumn colours is a wonderful sight to behold, and you can appreciate it most from the Bath Skyline Walk.

This circular walk around the city can be completed in around an hour and a half, as you follow in the footsteps of the Georgian pleasure-seekers who made the spa city famous in the 18th century.

Take the air as they did on an easy route which takes you from Kingston Parade, alongside the Abbey in the city centre, through grand streets, past gardens, along the canal and through Bathwick Fields, enjoying panoramic views along the way.

You can pop in to the Bath Visitor Information Centre on Kingston Parade for further information and a map of the route, or download a National Trust map of the Bath Skyline Walk.

Autumn Gardens Aplenty to Explore

We’ve only mentioned a few of the havens of autumnal delights to explore on foot that are in or close to Bath itself, but rest assured there are plenty more to discover just a little further afield, within easy reach of our guest house. For example, Dyrham Park, Iford Manor Gardens, and Bowood House and Gardens.

Pack your wellies and come and join us for an Autumn break at Toghill House Farm, making the most of the great outdoors – we’ll point you in the right direction to capture all those incredible “Instagrammable” colourful autumn moments.