21 of the best parks and woods to find conkers this autumn

Well-known for its avenue of horse chestnut trees, Hamilton Gault Park is a great place to start looking for champion conkers. There are also play areas, skate parks and football pitches to keep your kids entertained this autumn.
Where: Hamilton Gault Park, Hamilton Road, Taunton TA1 2EL

The picturesque Victoria Gardens in Chatham, Kent, is lined with chestnut trees that will drop conkers in autumn months. When you've found your winning conkers, enjoy spectacular views of Chatham town centre from the park.
Where: Victoria Gardens, Fort Pitt Hill, Rochester, Chatham ME4 6DU

Surrounded by lots of horse chestnut trees, Stratford Park in Stroud is a great family afternoon out in all seasons. As well as the opportunity to hunt for conkers in autumn, there's a lake and 56 acres of park where your kids can burn off some energy.
Where: Stratford Park, 31 Stratford Road, Stroud GL5 4AJ

In the woodlands of Danbury Country Park, Chelmsford, chestnuts drop conkers during autumn months and your little ones will love collecting them. There are also lots of children's and family activities going on in the park throughout the year.
Where: Danbury Country Park, Country Park, Woodhill Road, Danbury, Chelmsford, CM3 4AW

How many conkers can you find at Sheringham Park? You'll also get some fantastic coastal views from various towers in the park and plenty of family activities to enjoy all year round.
Where: Sheringham Park, Wood Farm, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8TL

With 18,000 acres of parkland, there's plenty of opportunities for conker hunting at Ickworth in Bury St Edmunds. And why not go on an autumn nature trail with your kids while you're there?
Where: Ickworth Parkland, The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 5QE

Well known for its horse chestnut trees, Clumber Park is a popular place to find conkers. The trees are dotted all over the park so wherever you end up, you're sure to find a few.
Where: Clumber Park, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 3AZ

There are plenty of horse chestnut trees in the estate around Charlecote Park in Wellesbourne. And that means lots to choose from ready for your game of conkers.
Where: Charlecote Park, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, CV35 9ER

There are plenty of horse chestnut trees around Croome Court in Worcester. Explore the estate for your winning conker ... but remember to watch out for the spikes on the conker cases.
Where: Croome Court, near High Green, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR8 9DW

You're sure to find some horse chestnut trees among the 154 acres of woodland at Miltonrigg Woods in Brampton. If you're quiet, you might even spot a roe deer or red squirrel too.
Where: Miltonrigg Woods, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 2QT

As well as a popular place to find conkers, Heaton Park is a great choice for a family afternoon out. There's a farm centre with animals to meet, a boating lake and golf.
Where: Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Higher Blackley, Greater Manchester, M25 2SW

Saltwell Park is known for being full of conkers in the autumn time. Which makes it a great place to find your champion conkers.
Where: Saltwell Park, East Park Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE9 5AX

There are lots of horse chestnut trees in Beaumont Park which makes it a great place to go conker hunting. How many will you find?
Where: Beaumont Park, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD4 7AY

There are lots of varieties of trees growing in Polkemmet Country Park – including horse chestnuts – so there will be plenty of conkers for you to find. There is also a Fantasy Forest play area along with the Scottish Owl Centre.
Where: Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, Bathgate EH47 0AD

Dawyck Botanic Garden is a beautiful place to visit with your family. Why not spend an afternoon searching for the best conkers among the autumn leaves.
Where: Dawyck Botanic Garden, Stobo, Peebles, Scottish Borders, EH45 9JU

Bute Park is Cardiff's biggest city centre park, with 130 acres of meadows, woodland and parkland to explore. Bute Park is the perfect place for spotting wildlife, hunting for sculptures, exploring the playgrounds ... and finding conkers!
Where: Bute Park, North Road, Cardiff CF10 3ER

The National Botanic Garden of Wales has three horse chestnut trees. Search the grounds for the best conkers before exploring the rest of the botanic garden.
Where: National Botanic Garden of Wales, Middleton Hall, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire SA32 8HN

Grab a coat and head to Tredegar House and Park in Newport where you can find conkers aplenty in the 90 acres of parkland. Once you've filled your pockets with treasures, branch out(!) in your autumnal tree appreciation with a walk through the Oak Avenue, and visit the giant Sequoia redwoods.
Where: Tredegar House and Park, Pencarn Way, Newport NP10 8YW

There are a variety of trees at Rowallane Garden including the horse chestnuts which will drop conkers during autumn. Just make sure you're there early to get the good ones ...
Where: Rowallane Garden, Crossgar Road, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 7LH

Castlewellan Forest Park in County Down hosts the finest arboretum in Northern Ireland. Trees in this glorious park include the 20 oldest in the UK, 42 'champion' trees of the British Isles, and 50 'champion' trees of Ireland. It's the perfect place to find a champion conker.
Where: Castlewellan Forest Park, Forest Park View, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Combine your conker-hunting with a spot of waterfall insta-magic at Glenariff Forest Park in County Antrim. You'll find conker treasures galore in the 1,000 hectares of woodlands, conservation areas and recreation sites. We recommend the 1km Viewpoint trail for little legs: look down the Glen to the sea in the distance; the route then takes you to the all-important(!) café and back to the car park via the ornamental gardens.
Where: Glenariff Forest Park, 98 Glenariff Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT44 0QX