Millions stepping out to enjoy autumn colours

At least 50,000 people are expected to take part in the week-long event, which takes place over the half-term holiday.

A third of people cite nature’s autumnal colours as the reason for enjoying being outdoors at this time of year, and with 41 per cent of adults saying they do not spend enough time with their families, the conservation charity said walking offers the perfect opportunity to remedy this.

William Wake, of the National Trust’s outdoors team, said: “From leaf kicking to finding conkers and wrapping up warm, there is something simply delicious about an autumn walk.

“Walking is the best way to explore the outdoors. It’s also an ideal way for families to spend time together outside enjoying fresh air.

“It is something almost everyone can enjoy without any special equipment and wherever you live, there are new things to discover out walking.”

The National Trust has joined forces with health insurer PruHealth to organise around 1,000 events at 180 sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Yesterday Dame Fiona Reynolds, the director general of the National Trust, led a two-mile ramble along the white cliffs of Dover in Kent to launch the festival.

There are more than 800 free walking routes available to download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks