Cardinham Woods

Autumn is all about golden leaves, woodland walks and making the most of the fleeting daylight. There is something about the shorter days makes me want to squeeze all I can out of the golden light and (very) fresh air. But rather than the coast, this month I am taking you inland, to Cardinham Woods. 

One of Forestry England's gems, this tranquil place is just outside of Bodmin and has multiple trails for all kinds of walks. My friends who are more limited in their ability, or those with children and pushchairs, love the largely flat Lady Vale walk. You can cut across the river making the shortest route just 0.9 miles (1.45km) or 1.7 miles (2.75km) if you take the whole flat route.

It's great for kids with the Gruffalo characters along the trail and activities little ones will love. This season they also have a 'Forest Walkies' with Wallace and Gromit which looks great fun. You download an app and complete challenges with your dog, the £5 pack gets you a bandanna for your pup and a little tote bag and pencil. 

The cafe is a real draw, delicious seasonal light lunches and moreish cakes in a lovely location. There's a playpark too and plenty of outdoor benches with a few inside the charming cottage where the Woods Cafe is located. 

If you feel you need to earn your cake, then there are plenty of more challenging trails, including over 2,500km of cycling tracks to explore.

I also like the picnic area, very serene by the river, a lovely place to bring your own Autumnal consumables surrounded by the golden trees. 

Kicking up leaves, warm spiced juices and family outings make November a precious time of year, this is a great place to do just that.