deer

The National Trust has shared some of the best places to visit in the UK in October and November and among them a country estate which offers breathtaking views, magnificent ruins and even a deer park

Autumn stands as one of the finest seasons to explore the countryside and witness nature’s spectacular leaf-based show before winter arrives.

If the weather is spot on, this time of year truly delivers ideal walking conditions: not sweltering like summer, not bitter like winter, but just right. Then there are the stunning autumn colours, turning rural landscapes into a magnificent tapestry of hues.

To mark this enchanting season, the National Trust has compiled some of the finest excursions for the coming weeks. Amongst these is a Yorkshire estate boasting spectacular vistas, impressive ruins and even a deer park, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The National Trust suggests exploring Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in North Yorkshire for “dramatic autumn views, with reflective pools and tree-lined avenues glowing in shades of red, yellow and brown.”

Originally, the estate comprised two distinct locations. There were the remarkable remains of Fountains Abbey, a remnant from medieval times and Britain’s most extensive monastic ruins.

Meanwhile, Studley Royal was reimagined by John Aislabie during the 18th century into one of England’s most spectacular water gardens, earning World Heritage Site recognition in 1986.

In 1767 William Aislabie purchased the Fountains Abbey ruins to finish the garden and craft the perfect panorama. Prime viewing spots include the Octagon Tower and Tent Hill, offering stunning views across the water garden, as well as the gradual reveal of the abbey from Anne Boleyn’s Seat at the Surprise View.

With autumn in full swing and October half-term just around the corner, it’s an ideal time to explore the grounds if you’re local. Wander along riverside paths that lead to a deer park, home to Red, Fallow and Sika deer, and ancient trees such as limes, oaks, and sweet chestnuts.

The abbey and garden are open daily from 10am to 4.30pm, with an on-site tea room and restaurant for visitors. Tickets start from £21 for adults, £10.50 for children aged five to 17, while under fives go free.

Free parking is available at the visitors centre. For more information, visit the National Trust website.

If you do find yourself in Yorkshire this autumn and fancy leaning into the spookier end of the month, then why not stop off in Bradford?

According to Tarotoo, the spookiest city in the UK is Bradford. The West Yorkshire spot was found to have an alarming 143 cemeteries and 255,699 grave sites. It also had 3,284 empty houses and 66,080 properties over 100 years old. As everyone knows, ghosts love old houses.

The city has a number of reportedly haunted hotspots too, including Paper Hall, which is a Grade II listed building dating back to 1643. One of the most striking reports of paranormal activity to come out of Paper Hall tells of a pair of large staring eyes belonging to a very ghastly face often seen looking out of the windows.

A number of people who have visited the bone caves have been greeted by deer, with the area being labelled one of the ‘most mysterious and magical’ in the UK

The UK boasts an array of breathtaking walks, but the Scottish Highlands are particularly noteworthy. Here, you can traverse mountain paths, skirt around lochs, and explore caves or the remnants of ancient castles.

One path leads to the ominously named ‘bone caves. Situated in Assynt, close to Inchnadamph, the bone caves have been dubbed one of the “most mysterious and magical places” in the UK.

The discovery of lynx, reindeer, and polar bear bones within these caves is a testament to their past inhabitants, despite these species no longer roaming the region.

Comprising four natural limestone caves set into the high limestone cliff face of Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves), they stretch about five metres deep and are just tall enough for an average person to stand upright.

These caves were once part of a larger system that has since been worn away by erosion as the valley deepened, leaving only a few intact today, reports the Express.

First documented in 1889 by Geologists Peach and Horne, the caves’ true treasures weren’t unearthed until 1928 when J. E. Cree conducted excavations.

Cree’s exploration yielded a bear tooth, human skeletons, antlers, among other artefacts. Many of these discoveries from the caves are now exhibited at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

To access the caves, walkhighlands.co.uk provides a route that begins at a car park on the A837 between Elphin and Inchnadamph.

Several visitors have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor. One review reads: “Amazing walk, amazing scenery and a real sense of atmosphere when you arrive at the bone caves. Fairly easy most of the way, a few rocky areas.”

Another wrote: “This is a great walk, only takes about 1hour each way. Should have a stick and good shoes for walking but otherwise very simple walk. Certainly recommend this if in the area, really pretty walk and great views from the caves.”

While a third visitor commented: “These are a set of natural pre-Ice Age caves set high in a limestone cliff, where a large number of animal bones were discovered during excavation (hence the name).

“It’s a beautiful trail through a deep, secluded valley with a steep climb up to the caves followed by a sharp vertigo-inducing descent right along the edge of the cliff back to the valley. We were greeted by a deer at the end of our walk!”