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There are several great Autumn walks you can partake in with the entire family in and around Plymouth, but best of all, they are free. With a cost-of-living crisis and obesity being an issue across the United Kingdom, getting out to walk within your local area can be massively beneficial.
Walking as exercise provides numerous physical and mental health benefits, including improved heart health, stronger bones and muscles, weight management. It is also known to reduce risk of chronic conditions like type two diabetes and certain cancers.
Plymouth Live has sourced a few viable options for those who want to experience the warm colours of Autumn by taking a walk in our local area.
Plymbridge Woods
Address: Plymbridge Road, Plympton, Devon, PL7 4SR
This National Trust walking area offers an accessible and peaceful woodland walks. To get there by car, follow the signs for Plymbridge towards Plympton from Marsh Mills roundabout, just off the A38 (Plymouth). Car parking is available at Plymbridge (SX524585). You can also easily access it from the National Cycle Network Route 27.
The area offers both cycling and hiking trails which will provide fun for the whole family.
A spokesman from the National Trust said: "The woods are a great place to visit at any time in any season. The trees are mostly hardwood such as oak, ash, beech and sycamore - not regimented conifer plantations - which creates a wonderful scene. At certain times of the year, the ground beneath is awash with carpets of wild flowers."
Saltram Park
Address: Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 1UH
Another National Trust cared for property, Saltram Park is a much-loved green space in Plymouth. The area welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who enjoy the local wildlife, exploring on foot, picnicking or cycling.
Located about 3½ miles east of Plymouth city centre, you can get there travelling south (from Exeter). Take the exit from A38 which is signed Plymouth City Centre/Plympton/Kingsbridge. At the roundabout take third exit for Plympton and follow the brown signs for Saltram. You can visit the park for free but there is an admission fee for the house and the formal gardens if you wish to enter there.
Travelling north (from Liskeard): leave A38 at Plympton exit. From roundabout take first exit to Plympton and follow the brown signs for Saltram. What 3 words for Saltram's entrance: ///steep.runner.boring
There is a one way car parking system in place in the car park, please follow exits signs when leaving it. The majority of parking on gravel spaces. Overflow parking is available on grass or matting, but this may be closed during bad weather conditions. There is limited tarmac disabled spaces available. There may be a cost for car parking, dogs are welcome but owners are urged to clean up after them.
A spokesman from the National Trust said: "Saltram's historic parkland is a rare surviving example of an 18th-century estate. At its height, it was made up of 4,000 acres of land and provided income for the Parker family and employment for many local people.
"Today, the park continues to be a working estate, with much of the land used as permanent pasture and cattle often to be seen enjoying the sunshine in the fields around the house."
Dartmoor
Address: Parke, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9JQ
This vast national park is one of the most famous in the entire country. Dartmoor is within easy reach from the M5 motorway in Devon, from the A30 or the A38. Journey times from Exeter or Plymouth are about 30 minutes.
There are ponies, sheep and cattle who freely roam on the moor so officials from the National Park urge caution for drivers on the road and want vehicles to stay below 40 on moorland roads.
Many car parks are managed by independent providers, and some are very small. If you find a cark park is full, find an alternative parking area nearby. Don't park on verges or block gateways.
Dogs are welcome in the park but must be kept on leeds, livestock and birds are in the area which can be spooked by canines.
Walking, cycling, canoeing and camping are just some of the activities on offer in the national park.
A spokesman from the park said: "Dartmoor National park is 368 square miles or 954 square kilometres. It's about 20 miles from North to South and 20 miles from East to West.
"The highest point on Dartmoor is High Willhays. It's 621 metres or 2,039 feet above sea level. The lowest point on Dartmoor is Doghole Bridge. It's 30 metres or 98 feet above sea level. 65% of Dartmoor is made of granite - rock which was created around 295 million years ago.
"There are over 365 tors on Dartmoor. Tors are where the granite rock that is underneath Dartmoor shows through. There are three visitor centres at Dartmoor, one at Princetown, one at Haytor and one at Postbridge. 34,500 people live on Dartmoor and today about 90% of the land on Dartmoor is used for farming. Farmers keep 50,000 cows, sheep and ponies on Dartmoor.
"The ponies on Dartmoor aren't wild animals. They all belong to farmers. Many years ago they were used to transport things like food, wool and tin across the moor or they worked in the mines. There is a prison on Dartmoor. HMP Princetown opened in 1809 and is still a working prison today."
Plymouth's Waterfront Walkway
Address: Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2PA
Located in Plymouth, this path is easily accessible to anyone within the area and can be started at several different points.
This modern walkway is historically significant because it meanders through the maritime city connecting what was once, several very separate towns. Plymouth, Stonehouse, Devonport and Plympton as well as numerous villages, including Cattedown, Oreston, Hooe and Turnchapel, are all places that the pathway passes through.
The most logical starting point is at Admiral's Hard, and assumes that you have crossed from Cornwall into Devon on the Cremyll Ferry.
This crossing from Cremyll into Plymouth's Georgian Stonehouse area is a very ancient one and provides fine views of the entrance to the Tamar. You can also spy the lower reaches of Devonport, as well as Drake's Island and Plymouth Sound.
A spokesman from Visit Plymouth wrote: "As you then begin to follow in the footsteps of famous explorers, pioneers and artists, you will encounter iconic naval buildings, breath-taking views over the natural harbour of Plymouth Sound and the intriguing characteristics of the former towns and villages that make up this original marine city.
"If you are open to small detours from the path, you will discover further delights of vibrant marinas, charming cobbled streets and plenty of friendly places for refreshments.
"Those visiting Plymouth Hoe for the first time will doubtless marvel at how close this attractive public open space is to one of the world's finest natural harbours so why not explore some of the city's rich heritage or experience Plymouth from the water."