‘Vibrant’ Derbyshire autumn walk along former railway lines that combines history with natural beauty

It may seem like summer was only five minutes ago, but the reality is that next week marks the start of October.

After a warm start to autumn, things are going to feel much more seasonal over the coming days as temperatures drop to single figures.

Autumn is often associated with an indoor lifestyle, such as cosy nights in-front of the telly and weekends spent in the pub, but it’s actually the perfect time to start exploring the great outdoors.

Each September, the Derbyshire countryside is transformed into a palette of colour as trees start shedding their leaves.

This breathtaking annual spectacle creates a blanket of gold, orange and red in woodlands and forests across the county.

These colours are best observed on foot, where you can truly appreciate the power of nature.

Thankfully, Nottinghamshire is packed with official walking routes that are ideal for seeing the beauty of autumn at close quarters.

There are literally hundreds of routes to choose from, but one in particular perfectly combines history with seasonal bliss.

The ‘great scenery’ at the Teversal Trails during autumn

Now is the perfect time to visit the Teversal Trails.

Situated on the edge of the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border, the trails comprise of former railway lines; the last of which closed in 1978.

Since the final railway closure, the expansion of nature on the trails has come to support a mosaic of habitats including calcareous grassland communities.

Nearby Silverhill Wood, which comes alive with stunning autumn colours at this time of year, is directly accessible from the Teversal Trails.

The former Pleasley Pit colliery, which is now a thriving nature reserve, can also be reached via the Teversal Trails.

A recent visitor said: “Had a lovely walk around here. Visited the café at one end of the walk where the food was good honest food at reasonable prices.

“This place has routes for all. We saw cyclists, pushchairs and mobility scooters.”

With free parking and a fascinating visitor centre, a visit to the Teversal Trails is a no-brainer this autumn.