If you are looking for ways to adopt a greener lifestyle, why not start by ditching the car and finding alternative ways to get close to nature this season?

Experts are predicting long-lasting autumnal colour and a good season of fruits and berries, so there’s still time to enjoy nature’s spectacular show.

The New Forest is one of the best places to be at this time of year and has launched some new environmentally-friendly services.

You could catch a train to Brockenhurst, hire a bike at the local cycle centre and explore more than 150 miles of cycle paths through ancient forest and heathland.

If you’re planning to stay the weekend, you can make use of the newly-launched green electric service vehicle to take your luggage to your choice of accommodation.

Why not give up your smartphone too? You can even lock your mobile and devices in a New Forest National Park Tech Creche.

Green-living guests will also love the electric Twizy two-seaters which can reach a top speed of 50mph and travel for at least 50 miles on a full charge so you can explore the picturesque towns, villages and panoramic coastline.

The £49-a-day Twizy rental package comes with a Brand New Forest Card which offers hundreds of special offers and discounts at pubs, restaurants and attractions which are part of the charge point network.

You can leave your Twizy charging for free while you head off to enjoy yourself, saving money and carbon all day long. Visit brandnewforest.com/ twizy or call 01590 624066 for more information.

Children can also discover and explore the magic of nature with hands-on activities for autumn and crafts to take home.

Adventure in the heart of the forest to discover the story of the Gruffalo and the Mouse. Follow the trail to enter their magic world by buying a trail booklet for £2 from the Bolderwood information unit at Bolderwood car park available today and tomorrow (Nov 1 to 2) from 11am to 3pm. Booking not required and suitable for all ages. See thenewforest.co.uk for more details.

And there are still some late-autumn fungi-foraging tours available. John Rensten who teaches wild food and foraging in London and has been foraging for wild mushrooms in the New Forest for 15 years, runs a three-hour walking tour based on how to pick and cook edible wild plants starting at 10am on November 1, 2 and 16 at New Forest Wildlife Park, Deerleap Lane, Longdown. Tickets are £40 per person. See the newforest.co.uk for more details.

To sample the best local harvest produce, you can follow a Taste Trail by bike, on foot or even on horseback and stop to refuel at your choice of pub, restaurant and tea room.

The North Taste Trail takes you through 15 miles of picturesque woodland and heathland. Tuck into a delicious New Forest Breakfast at the Hyde-Out Café on the route from Hyde to Fritham.

Stop at the Royal Oak for lunch using the best New Forest Marque local produce.

The South Taste Trail is perfect for cyclists to explore the forest taking you close to nature and letting you discover charming New Forest villages. See New Forest ponies on your way through Brockenhurst and Burley.

The Woodland Wander Trail starts in Lyndhurst and heads for Minstead then across to Bolderwood deer park. This takes in the most beautiful parts of ancient woodland in autumn where you can enjoy afternoon tea at a tea room before heading home.

See thenewforest.co.uk/ activities/taste-trails for more details.