WITH the temperature dropping and the weather hit and miss, autumn is definitely here.

And with the season, comes autumnal walks, and there is plenty of choice in and around Colchester.

Here a five of the best places you can enjoy an autumn walk.

Highwoods Country Park

Highwoods Country Park is one of Colchester's beauty spots, with plenty of tracks and paths to enjoy.

There are multiple entrances to the park, with plenty of habitats for thousands of different birds and mammals.

There is vast woodland, marshes, hayfields and open spaces ideal for picnics, as well as a lake and a park for the children.

All whilst enjoying the golden leaves and stiff breeze of autumn, what’s not to love.

The Wivenhoe Trail

One of the most popular walks in Colchester, the Wivenhoe Trail is an informal route of about five miles, stretching from Colchester town centre to the riverside town of Wivenhoe.

Pick the trail up in Castle Park by the riverside and simply follow the River Colne as it flows out to sea.

Most of the walk is along footpaths away from main roads bar a short section in the middle where you cross the river, close to where the lightship is moored at the Hythe.

You can now download a map of the route, or pick up a physical copy from the Visitor Information Centre in Colchester. 

Markshall Estate

Markshall is a much-loved attraction in Coggeshall, and one of its best features is its woodland walks.

With acres of vast woodland to explore, you can enjoy it alone, with family and friends or with a four-legged friend.

There are various trails of differing lengths and views, giving guests different ways to enjoy the season.

There is also the landscape arboretum filled with trees and plants from around the globe where you can marvel at the power of nature and the biodiversity of our planet.

Dedham

Dedham Vale is a beautiful area on the Essex and Suffolk border.

The area offers walkers glorious scenery, diverse wildlife, pretty rivers and is also the setting for some of John Constable's famous paintings

There are various routes of differing lengths, paths and difficulties for keen walkers to enjoy and make the most of autumn.

Mersea

Mersea is home to so many possible walking routes to enjoy all year round.

Covering roughly seven square miles, Mersea Island is one of the UK’s most easterly inhabited islands.

In West Mersea there are various restaurants and café, while East Mersea is all salt marshes and farmland, perfect for anyone looking for an autumnal walk.