Autumn for all

Since being paralysed in a mountain bike accident 10 years ago, Peter Lau has discovered the importance of accessible nature for all. Here are five of his favourite forests for seasonal colour.

Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Once a medieval royal hunting ground, the ancient Forest of Dean covers 42 square miles of mixed woodland and offers beautiful autumn colour. Beechenhurst, which has excellent inclusive facilities, is a fantastic starting point for exploring the many miles of accessible trails.

Nature here is so rich. Wild boar are often seen – sleeping, digging for food and looking after their young. And many woodland species of bird thrive in the forest, including woodpeckers, treecreepers and nuthatches. You’ll find activities for all ages and abilities, too, from a high canopy tree course and bike hire to a sculpture trail and a Soundwalk – a free audio that helps you discover the secret sounds of the forest.

Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland

Kielder Water is the largest man-made lake in northern Europe, and the forest is the largest in England. Accessibility is excellent, with great facilities at Kielder village. My favourite route is to explore the accessible path around the whole lake. If you have the energy – or, like me, the battery capability of my mobility equipment – you can complete the whole 26 miles. But there are shorter routes and numerous car-park bases too.

The forest is mainly evergreens but there are pockets of deciduous trees, plus there’s a large population of our stunning native red squirrels. And – having been awarded International Dark Sky Park (Gold Tier) status in 2013 – Kielder is fabulous for night-sky views.

New Forest National Park, Hampshire

The New Forest – a wonderful place to unwind, de-stress and immerse yourself in woodland – has over 100 miles of waymarked cycle routes that are also ideal for mobility equipment users. From the village of Burley, which has disabled toilet facilities, you can explore for miles – for example, taking the path to Bolderwood, with its deer sanctuary. The mix of ancient woodland, rich in biodiversity, offers so much to see, smell and experience, from towering Douglas fir trees to the many mammals – cattle, ponies, goats, foxes, badgers, all wandering freely – as well as an abundance of insects and birdlife.

Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire

This is a magical place to explore, whether you’re on foot or, like me, reliant on a mobility device (mobility scooters can be hired, and there’s also a Changing Places facility). The miles of wheel-friendly paths allow me to wander among ancient oak trees – the oldest being the 1,000-year-old Major Oak. In autumn, the leaves of the forest adopt different colours, and brown and red shades are mixed with the green of ferns and pines.

As a child I loved running through the heaps of leaves, and now I get a similar pleasure moving my powerchair through the golden, crunchy leaves on the ground. Plus autumn is a great time to look for fungi, which often grow overnight, and jays, which bury acorns for the winter.

The Yorkshire Arboretum, North Yorkshire

Comprising over 7,000 trees from around the globe, including many rare and endangered species, The Yorkshire Arboretum occupies an area of 120 acres. It is a joint enterprise between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Castle Howard Estates. Since its creation, accessibility has been at its heart. The visitor facilities are fully inclusive and people of all abilities can explore and enjoy the beautiful and well-designed parklands, which include lakes, meadows and of course tree specimens. The colours all year round are stunning and the amount of wildlife is phenomenal. There’s also a secure enclosure breeding native red squirrels, with the offspring relocated to suitable habitats.

About the author

Peter Lau is a wildlife photographer, writer, activist, disabled and access rights campaigner, travel blogger and founder of accessiblenatureuk.com.