CRUNCHING through fallen leaves and seeing the colours of the changing season is a joy at this time of year.

Here are six walks to explore this autumn...

1Visitors to Kingston Lacy gardens can enjoy behind-the-scenes access with a series of seven different guided walking tours every Wednesday at 11am until October 17. Tickets £20 include lunch. Booking essential at nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy or call 0344 249 1895.

There will also be the opportunity to join an interactive talk with the estate’s beekeepers each Thursday at 2pm from October 4 to October 18.

2 Discover winter migrants as they pass through RSPB Arne near Wareham with a series of morning walks every Wednesday in September from 7am to 9.30am.

Walks cost £18 for adult RSPB members and £20 for non-members. Visit rspb.org.uk/arne

3 A new downloadable trail takes you across a particularly picturesque section of the New Forest this autumn from Ibsley to Rockford Common.

Home to the rare Dartford warbler and herds of ponies, you’ll also come across the Huff Duff – the remains of a World War Two station that kept track of Allied aircraft.

See nationaltrust.org.uk/newforest

4 The Studland Woodland Walk (1 mile) starting at the Discovery Centre car park, Knoll Beach, is great for wildlife at this time of year.

Look and listen out for birds, reptiles, deer and a variety of insects.

5 Sturminster Marshall (7.8 miles). North Dorset comes into its own in the autumn.

The first half of this walk takes you along the old railway line and grassy bridleways to Spetisbury.

The second half follows the tranquil river on the Stour Valley Way to White Mill.

6 Commoners’ Way, Corfe Castle (5.5 miles). This walk is one of a series designed to help families understand more about the history of Purbeck.

Starts and finishes by Kingston Church.