Autumn has arrived, and the weather is getting cosier.

Forget cocooning yourself in blankets to watch back-to-back movies, though. Now is the perfect time to start planning autumnal walks across Yorkshire.

From pavement strolls through York to muddy tracks in Dalby Forest, Yorkshire has some beautiful spots.

By October, these places will be bursting with orange leaves, so dig out your knitwear and coffee flasks.

From late September onwards, Bolton Abbey Estate has beautiful autumn foliage. With 30,000 acres to explore, the highlights are Bolton Priory ruins — with stepping stones to cross the River Wharfe, if you dare — and Strid Wood. Picture Bruce Rollinson

placeholder image — From late September onwards, Bolton Abbey Estate has beautiful autumn foliage. With 30,000 acres to explore, the highlights are Bolton Priory ruins — with stepping stones to cross the River Wharfe, if you dare — and Strid Wood. Picture Bruce Rollinson

York city walls

York city centre is encircled by 13th-century walls, and for foliage views, these stone walkways are the place to be. The entire loop is 3.4km, but the section between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar has treetop views of York Minster. Who said autumn meant muddy shoes?

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Spread across 500 acres, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an outdoor art gallery in West Bretton. Its 90 sculptures are dotted between meadows and ancient woodland, and in autumn, the artwork is set against a backdrop of orange leaves.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Located near Ripon, these medieval ruins are surrounded by 18th-century gardens. The prettiest stretch is the path along the River Skell: admire reflections of Fountains Abbey in the water, framed by auburn leaves.

Castle Howard Arboretum

This 120-acre parkland has over 7,000 trees; when autumn arrives, its woodland bursts into shades of auburn. Walk beneath mature oaks and sweet chestnuts. Keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels, too, which have been gradually reintroduced in a conservation programme.

Dalby Forest

Set within North York Moors National Park, Dalby Forest has 8,500 acres of woodland. You could easily spend hours wandering the network of trails, and in autumn, its Lakeside and Adderside Rigg routes are especially picturesque.

Golden Acre Park

On the outskirts of Leeds, Golden Acre Park spans 179 acres of parkland, including mature woodland, urban gardens, and an ornamental lake. By early October, walking the wooded shorelines of its Wildfowl Lake is particularly scenic.

Bolton Abbey

From late September onwards, Bolton Abbey Estate has beautiful autumn foliage. With 30,000 acres to explore, the highlights are Bolton Priory ruins — with stepping stones to cross the River Wharfe, if you dare — and Strid Wood.