10 woods to visit

Now that they are ablaze with autumn colour, this is a fabulous time to visit the woods around London. Here are 10 owned or managed by the Woodland Trust charity (www.woodland-trust.org.uk).

PENN WOOD Penn Street, Bucks (OS165, grid ref SU914959). Ancient wood, saved from development by the Woodland Trust, in the Chilterns Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Fantastic autumn colours. Parking nearby.

BISHAM WOODS Cookham Dene, Maidenhead, Berks (OS175, grid ref SU852844). Ancient wood, Site Of Special Scientific Interest, good views. Parking nearby.

HUCKING ESTATE Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, Kent (OS188, grid ref TQ843575). Ancient wood in the North Kent Downs Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Great site, paths, information boards, wonderful autumn colours. Parking nearby.

HAINAULT FOREST Romford/Chigwell, Essex (OS177, grid ref TQ473936). An ancient wood that is, in part, a Site Of Special Scientific Interest. Paths, information boards, wildlife interest, unusual pollarded hornbeams, autumn colours. Small car park on site.

TRING PARK Tring, Herts (OS165, grid ref SP929102). Ancient wood, great views, fabulous autumn colours, in an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, information boards, Site Of Special Scientific Interest. Parking nearby.

STOUR WOOD Wrabness, Essex (OS168 grid ref TM189311). Great views, wildlife interest, Site Of Special Scientific Interest. Small car park on site.

JOYDENS WOOD Dartford and Bexley South, Kent (OS177 grid ref TQ501717). Ancient wood with great views, good paths and Anglo-Saxon earthworks (although you need to know what you're looking for). Well worth a visit.

HODDESDON PARK WOOD Lord Street, Hoddesdon, Herts (OS166 grid ref TL351085). Ancient wood, Broxbourne National Nature Reserve, Special Area Of Conservation, wildlife interest, information boards. Parking nearby.

WORMLEY WOOD & NUT WOOD Hoddesdon, Herts (OS166 grid ref TL317057). Ancient wood, National Nature Reserve, Site Of Special Scientific Interest, good paths, information boards, wildlife interest. Parking nearby.

HARROCKS WOOD Rickmansworth, Herts (OS166, grid ref TQ066977). Ancient wood, wildlife interest, good for autumn colours, information boards. Parking nearby.