Lieven & Lydia @ Woodlands Cottages Yalding
8 Sept 2026
Enjoy the changing seasons with countryside walks, pumpkin picking and some of our favourite family days out around Yalding.
Autumn is one of our favourite times of year here at Woodlands Cottages. The countryside starts to change colour, our woodland looks wonderful, and the acer just outside the cottage turns an amazing bright red.
Here are five of our favourite things to do locally, and places we enjoy visiting with our own family during autumn.
1. Walk the Greensand Way and Yalding River Walk
You can start exploring almost straight from Woodlands.
From the byway near the cottages, public footpaths take you through fields and working farmland towards the Greensand Way on the ridge, where there are fantastic views across the Kent countryside.
For something flatter, the Yalding River Walk follows the River Medway through fields and woodland. There are also some lovely walks that finish at local pubs, so ask us and we can suggest a route depending on how far you would like to walk.
Our tip: bring wellies. They are useful for the local footpaths and, after a wet spell, around our own gardens too.
2. Pick Your Own Pumpkins Near Yalding
Pumpkin picking is a great autumn family outing, and there are several good places close to us.
Our local choices include Loddington Farm in Linton, Little Fant Farm in East Farleigh, Pumpkin Moon near Maidstone and Lower Ladysden Farm near Goudhurst.
Goudhurst itself is also a lovely Kent village and well worth exploring while you are there.
3. Visit Kent Life with Younger Children
We particularly recommend Kent Life for families with younger children.
There are farm animals, outdoor play areas and plenty to explore. We also enjoy the recreated historic buildings, which show what homes, shops and everyday life in Kent looked like in the past.
It gives the children plenty to do while making the visit interesting for adults as well.
4. Visit Leeds Castle in Autumn
We love Leeds Castle.
The castle itself is beautiful, but for us the outdoor spaces are just as much of a reason to visit with children. There are huge grounds to explore, gardens, adventure play areas and the maze, with plenty of space for children to run around.
It is particularly beautiful in autumn when the trees around the lake start changing colour.
5. Explore Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is another family favourite and one of the best places locally to enjoy autumn colour.
It is a huge forest and National Pinetum with woodland walks, cycling routes, play areas and lots of space for children to explore.
We also think it is excellent value for a family day out because you pay for vehicle admission rather than buying an individual ticket for every member of the family.
Our Autumn Tip
Bring wellies for outside and cosy slippers for inside.
After a muddy walk through the Kent countryside, there is something particularly nice about coming back to Woodlands Cottages, taking the boots off and settling in for a cosy evening around the fire.