This time of year, is there anything better than breathing in the crisp, fresh air and frolicking through crunchy autumn leaves? We think not. And of course when you go on those big long walks in the woods, there’s the obligatory hot chocolates and roast dinners you need to defrost afterwards. It’s the dream combo.
But with so many forests to explore in the UK, it’s hard to know where to start. Which are the best? Well, fret not, holiday letting company HomesToGo has done some digging to uncover the UK’s best forests this autumn. Researchers collated 50 forests and gave each site a score out of ten in four categories: their average amounts of sunshine and rainfall, the price of nearby accommodation, their size and their under-the-radar status (ie, lowest number of searches online) for those who want to get away from the crowds.
After all the data crunching, Clocaenog Forest in north Wales was revealed as the best forest in the UK. Set in the Denbigh Moors, Clocaenog stretches across a huge area and boasts waterfalls, lakes, ancient woodland and opportunities to spot woodpeckers, black grouse and red squirrels. From a forest, you couldn’t ask for much more.
Craik Forest, a serene spot on the Scottish Borders, followed in second place. But with three forests in the top five, Wales may well be the best place to explore forests in the country. Brechfa Forest in Carmarthenshire came third and Gwydir Forest landed in fourth. Abernethy Forest in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland completed the top five.
Here are the ten best forests in the UK, according to HomesToGo.
- Clocaenog Forest, Wales
- Craik Forest, Scotland
- Brechfa Forest, Wales
- Gwydir Forest, Wales
- Abernethy Forest, Scotland
- Brighstone Forest, England
- Ashclyst Forest, England
- Wykeham Forest, England
- Dalbeattie Forest, Scotland
- Glenmore Forest, Scotland
While we’re dedicated to giving you the very best of the UK’s cities here at Time Out, we’re also big fans of all things green. Check out our own roundup of the best fairytale forests to visit in the UK, the best places to spot wildflowers, our favourite places to see rare wildlife and our top ten most beautiful national parks. Happy frolicking!
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