The High Weald, a vast landscape near London, has been ranked the third best place in England for autumn colour, according to a recent survey by cottages.com. The study, which analysed Forestry Commission National Forest Inventory data, gave the area a 20.90 per cent broadleaf woodland cover, placing it behind only Surrey Hills and the New Forest.
Survey methodology and top rankings
Researchers mapped woodland cover against Natural England and Office for National Statistics boundaries to calculate the proportion of broadleaf woodland across England's landscapes. The survey found that the South East dominates the rankings, with Surrey Hills taking first place at 27.95 per cent broadleaf woodland cover, followed by the New Forest at 24.29 per cent.
The High Weald completed the top three, ahead of the Malvern Hills and the Chilterns. This highlights the importance of the South East's ancient woodlands as some of the country's best locations for autumn walks and seasonal scenery.
Landscape features and attractions
The High Weald National Landscape stretches across East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, and a small part of Surrey, covering around 1,461 square kilometres. It is known for its ancient woodland, sandstone ridges, deep river valleys, historic farmsteads, and medieval landscape, all of which contribute to striking autumn displays when leaves turn shades of gold, orange, and red.
Among its most recognisable geographical landmarks are Ashdown Forest, Bewl Water, Battle Ridge, Forest Ridge, Harrison's Rocks, and High Rocks. Historic attractions including Bodiam Castle and Battle Abbey also sit within the landscape.
Walking routes and key spots
The area's extensive network of walking routes offers visitors plenty of opportunities to experience autumn colour on foot. The 145km High Weald Landscape Trail runs from Horsham to the historic harbour town of Rye and is divided into seven sections, taking walkers through some of the region's most scenic countryside.
Other popular routes include the Forest Way, a former railway line popular with walkers and cyclists, the historic 1066 Country Walk between Battle and Rye, and a range of walks through Ashdown Forest. Visitors can also explore the six-mile Ouse Valley Viaduct Walk between Balcombe and Haywards Heath or follow trails through the ancient woodland of Brede High Woods.
Some of the High Weald's best-known spots for autumn colour include Sheffield Park and Garden, which the National Trust says was planted specifically for autumn displays, and Wakehurst, known for its colourful maples and birches surrounding its lakes. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, home to more than 12,000 specimen trees, is another popular destination to see the changing colour, alongside Brede High Woods and Ashdown Forest, which inspired A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories and became the inspiration for the 100 Acre Wood.
People looking to access the High Weald can do so through a number of towns and villages, including Battle, Crowborough, Uckfield, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Tunbridge Wells, Forest Row, and Hartfield. Rye and Hastings also provide gateways to the landscape from the east and south.
