Nature and Stuff Real nature, wildlife and travel experiences from South Africa and beyond.

Surrey · A local autumn walk

Autumn on Reigate's Local Footpaths

A local walk around Reigate on 31 October: public footpaths, little bridges, autumn colours and fallen trees left by the last storm, in photographs.

Published

Green field and a line of trees turning yellow beneath a clear blue sky near Reigate

I went for a walk around Reigate on Saturday 31 October, following some of the local footpaths through the fields and woodland. The autumn colours were in full swing, and with a clear blue sky and sunshine coming through the trees, there was plenty to stop and photograph.

One of the things I love about living here is the network of public footpaths. Being able to follow a marked right of way across fields, over little bridges and through the countryside is something I really appreciate. There’s a lot to explore close to home.

Following the local footpaths

The little crossings are part of the appeal. One moment you’re beside the water under the trees; the next, a wooden bridge takes you out towards an open field. A yellow arrow on the rail points the way.

Wooden footbridge and stile with a yellow waymarker leading towards green fields near Reigate
A marked path continuing across the bridge and into the fields.
Narrow footbridge with metal handrails crossing a stream beneath autumn trees
Another little crossing, this time tucked beneath the trees.

What the storm left behind

The last storm had clearly left its mark. There were fallen trees along the walk, including one enormous trunk lying right across the path. Seeing a tree that size down gives you some idea of the force involved.

Large fallen tree lying across a dirt footpath between autumn trees near Reigate
The storm's aftermath: a large tree down across the footpath.

Up close, the bark was covered in lichen, with broken branches stretching out around it. The wider photograph shows the size of the fallen tree; the closer one picks out the texture.

Close-up of rough bark covered in pale lichen on a fallen tree
Lichen and rough bark on the fallen trunk.

Autumn beside the water

Elsewhere, it was green fields, yellowing leaves and sunlight on the water. Some trees were still holding on to their summer colours, while others were already looking bare.

Autumn branches and ivy-covered trees reflected in a shaded stream
Reflections beneath the trees.

Along the more open stretch, the sun caught the water beneath a wooden bridge. It was one of those views that makes you stop for another photograph, even when you’ve already taken plenty.

Sunlight sparkling on a narrow stream with reeds and a wooden bridge beyond
Sunlight catching the stream below the bridge.
Still water and reeds in the foreground of a sunlit green field with a spreading tree
Open fields and water along the walk.

A good way to spend part of a Saturday. The autumn colours, the little bridges and even the fallen trees gave me plenty to look at. Mostly, though, I came home appreciating how much countryside there is to explore on the local footpaths.

Photographs from my walk on 31 October 2026.