I write walking and cycling guidebooks so I am lucky enough to explore the great outdoors all year round.
The changing of the seasons is nature’s way of keeping us hooked!
Copper, orange, russet browns and deep yellows enrich and brighten the landscape just when we need it, distracting us from the looming winter and making us appreciate the wonders of nature.
There’s an excitement to seeing something before time moves on, to catching colour when it’s at its seasonal peak.
But where to go in Sussex?
Woodland is an obvious autumn magnet and Sussex has some fine forests such as Friston, the Mens and the Ashdown Forest.
In Sussex Walks, my new guidebook, many of the circular walks pass through woodlands.
There are many shortcuts and various parking options so that you may adapt the walk to suit yourselves.
You don’t have to do the whole walk but you will find the additional information invaluable - not least for the pubs and cafes highlighted.
Some routes go through ancient woodlands such as the one you explore in “Wolstonbury: a Significant Hill” .
Also local to Brighton are Stanmer Woods and Withdean but I explore lesser known woods in my books too.
Places such as wild-feeling Tottington Woods - and from here, you can climb up to the downs and be rewarded by the space, light and seasonal views.
Autumn vistas are a pleasure to see and photograph - climb to your high point and look over our weald or heathland. See how the seasonal colours highlight the structure of our Sussex landscape?
Try to catch a sunrise or sunset on a bright or misty autumn and you will be richly rewarded by the palette on offer.
There’s a wide choice of walking and cycling trails in my guidebooks, released by Vertebrate Publishing. Some are easy access.
See http://www.deirdrehuston.co.uk/pages/guidebooks/sussex-walks.php
More details about other Sussex gems in my next trail blog.
