Follow the waymarked route from the car park and wander along wooded paths through dappled light and birdsong into a land of Narnia. Rustling leaves tell of deer, foxes, squirrels and hares watching but unseen. Continue through mossy limestone grottos, past a ruined cottage, the cathedral-like Beech Circle, majestic yews and reach your destination - the Pepperpot obelisk commanding its spectacular vista across Morecambe Bay and beyond to the Yorkshire Pennines and Cumbrian fells. Visit late on an autumn afternoon and you'll be rewarded with the best sunset in Britain. This is the magic of Eaves Wood, Silverdale. Later refresh with real ales and guest beers at the adjacent Woodlands Hotel – a gothic mansion redolent of the Adams Family, but that’s another story.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-arnsideandsilverdale/
Woodlands Hotel, Woodlands Drive, Silverdale, Carnforth, LA5 0RU
01524 701655
Google map: bit.ly/ccCgXY

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Magnificent autumnal woodland walks with something for all the family. Alderley Edge woodland is steeped in history, real and imagined. There are remnants of copper mining activity going back to the Bronze age, a Wizard's Well and a hidden Wizard's cave which may have been the inspiration of Alan Garder’s 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen' which has its 50th anniversary this year. The wood certainly has an air of enchantment and the sandstone escarpment offers great views of the Cheshire plain and beyond. Go before end of October and walk to Hare Hill Gardens (NT) and finish the day at Wizard tearooms (weekends) for a warming drink and a cake.

NT Car Park off B5087
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-alderleyedge2
Google map: bit.ly/alDtQl

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