Autumn has arrived in Lincoln and there's nothing we love more than a leaf-crunching walk through the woods. It's time to get your wellies on and soak up the last of the summer sunshine at one of these beautiful locations.

1. Lincoln Arboretum

Hidden in the heart of the city, Lincoln Arboretum is an oasis. Full of different trees, shrubs and seasonal flowers, the Arboretum is one of the best places to observe the changing colours of the season. Take a walk around this award-winning park and watch as the leaves transform from a luscious green to a fiery display of red, orange, and gold. As this park dates back to 1870, there are also a number of historic features to spot whilst you explore – including this very handsome lion!

2. Boultham Park

Just south of Lincoln city centre, the award-winning Boultham Park is spread over 5 acres. Back in the 1800s, this land was part of the private Boultham Hall Estate. The park has recently undergone extensive restoration to reinstate some of its key heritage features from that time, so there’s a number of things to look out for when you visit. To find out more, you can pick up a Park Guide and Map on-site, which details the restoration work and the park’s history.

Perfect for nature lovers, this spacious park also has a wooded area and a lake, creating a fantastic habitat for visiting wildlife. There are a number of walking trails here, and a great little cafe if you need to warm up post-walk!

3. The Lawn

Back in 1820, The Lawn was opened as a mental health hospital, known as the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum. Originally a private space for patients, the peaceful grounds here are surrounded by trees, ideal for a leafy autumn walk. Just behind the building, you will also find John Dawber Gardens, a secret walled sensory space. As well as some beautiful greenery, this secluded garden has custom-built areas to represent Lincoln’s twin town of Neustadt a der Weinstrasse in Germany, and its Friendship City of Tangshan in China.

After you’ve explored the grounds of the Lawn, we suggest stopping off for a cup of coffee at Stokes - their cafe is located in what was the kitchen for the hospital. You can also visit Stokes’ Roastery here, where their signature teas and coffees are blended.

4. Hartsholme Country Park

For those wanting to stretch their legs a little further, we recommend visiting Hartsholme Park. Covering more than 200 acres, this expansive green space has plenty to see and do - whatever the season. As well as lengthy woodland walking trails to follow, there are also Victorian landscaped gardens, lakes and meadows to explore. You can walk, run and cycle here, just remember to look out for signs of wildlife along the way - Hartsholme is home to a variety of critters!

5. Fossdyke Canal Trail

The Fossdyke Canal Trail runs alongside the Fossdyke Navigation, a canal built by the Romans to connect Lincoln to the River Trent. This ancient waterway has been used to transport cargo for almost 2000 years - including the stone used to build Lincoln Cathedral back in the 11th century!

Great for cycling as well as walking, the Fossdyke Canal Trail runs for around 6 miles, from Lincoln to Saxilby. As the trail passes through mostly rural surroundings, the flat landscape affords fantastic views of the sunset and sunrise, as well as a clear sightline to the cathedral itself. Before you head back, stop off at the Pyewipe Inn, for a hearty pub lunch or a pint of local ale.

6. Ashing Lane Nature Reserve

Built on land donated to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, the Ashing Lane Nature Reserve was created in 2006. Managed by a team of volunteers, this impressive reserve has been sectioned into different areas of woodland and meadows. A great choice for animal lovers, Ashing Lane is home to a fantastic range of wildlife, from small birds to wild deer. You will find a number of well-marked footpaths and bridleways to follow, as well as surfaced paths and an all-abilities area.

7. Whisby Nature Park

For a fun-filled family day out, try Whisby Nature Park. Situated on the outskirts of Lincoln, this area was originally a quarry full of sand and gravel. When the pits became baron, they were reclaimed by nature, creating habitats for an abundance of wildlife. The lakes that formed here are now surrounded by grassland and vegetation, attracting all sorts of different birds throughout the year. There are six walking trails marked around the park, each offering spectacular views across the scenic landscape.

8. Hill Holt Wood

Situated just south of Lincoln, Hill Holt Wood is spread over 34 acres. Although it is first and foremost a woodland, it is also used as a natural resource for training and education. The skilled team here work with local authorities and schools to prepare young people for employment through its educational programmes as well as running forestry, eco-design and building courses. There are a number of walking trails here, where you will discover a number of fascinating things en-route, including sculptures, wildlife houses and bug hotels. As there are so many different trees here, you will be surrounded by a canopy of autumnal colours.

9. Doddington Hall

Exploring the gardens at Doddington Hall is almost as impressive as going inside the Hall itself. Maintaining the original Elizabethan layout, mellow walls frame the formal East Front and West Gardens. Beyond that, you will also find the lovingly restored Wild Gardens and the Kitchen Garden, which is full of seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs. There are a number of free walking trails to try around the Doddington Hall estate, varying in both length and terrain:

• Nature Walk: A picturesque route through the woodland, parkland and the Doddington Gardens
• The Fish Pond Walk: A short walk that will take you through a meadow and around the fishpond
• The Avenue Walk: A longer walk through the parkland surrounding the Hall, towards the pyramid
• The Circular Walk: A lengthy walk around the Doddington parkland and adjoining public footpaths