Autumn Woodland
Gold beneath beech trees, yellow birch leaves, copper woodland floors and low autumn light: the same forest can become an entirely different landscape for just a few weeks each year.
Autumn does not arrive on a fixed date
Woodland colour develops gradually. One valley may already be turning gold while another nearby wood remains largely green. The timing can also change significantly from year to year.
Shorter days
Declining daylight is one of the signals that causes deciduous trees to prepare for winter.
Temperature
Cooler nights influence the breakdown of chlorophyll and the development of seasonal colour.
Weather
Rain, drought, sunshine, frost and strong winds can all affect the intensity and duration of the display.
Why green woodland becomes gold, copper and red
Chlorophyll fades
Chlorophyll gives leaves their green appearance. As autumn progresses, trees reduce production and the green begins to disappear.
Other pigments appear
Yellow and orange pigments that were already present become more visible as the green chlorophyll fades.
The leaves fall
Eventually the connection between leaf and branch weakens and the leaf falls, helping the tree conserve resources through winter.
Trees to notice on an autumn walk
Different species change in different ways. A mixed woodland can therefore produce several stages of colour at the same time.
Common beech is one of the classic autumn trees of southern England, producing strong copper and bronze woodland colour.
Britain's native maple can produce bright yellow, gold and warm orange tones.
Fine golden-yellow leaves contrast strongly with the pale bark and open structure of birch woodland.
Autumn colour combines with clusters of berries, which also provide food for wildlife.
Mature oak woodland often changes more slowly, adding deeper bronze and brown tones later in the season.
A woodland route from Holmwood to Gomshall
The greensand landscape around Leith Hill contains broadleaf woodland, old estate tracks, small valleys and wooded villages. In autumn these sections can become some of the most atmospheric parts of the Surrey Hills.
Woodland gateway and rail access south of Dorking.
High woodland village beneath Leith Hill.
Broadleaf woodland, heath and one of Surrey's great viewpoints.
A secluded pond hidden in dense woodland.
Historic estate landscape shaped by woods and water.
Tillingbourne valley, old trees and Abinger Roughs.
Historic mill village and railway finishing point.
Autumn paths need more care
- Wet leaves can hide roots and uneven ground.
- Woodland paths can become muddy after rain.
- Steep slopes may become slippery.
- Waterproof footwear with good grip is recommended.
Plan for the light
- Start longer routes earlier in the day.
- Carry a waterproof layer.
- Bring a small torch or headtorch.
- Keep an offline map available.
Experience the Surrey woodland in autumn
Our Holmwood to Gomshall via Leith Hill walk follows a linear route through Coldharbour, Leith Hill, Friday Street, Wotton and Abinger Hammer before reaching Gomshall.
Seasonal and tree information in this guide was checked against Woodland Trust and Forestry England guidance.