Savernake Forest has been named as one of the top five autumn hikes in the UK, ranking alongside the Scottish Highlands and Snowdonia.

According to outdoor experts at Blacks, the forest just outside Marlborough is “among the best in the country for a beautiful scenic walk".

“Whether you are looking for somewhere for a long dog walk, or looking for some new trails to run, we think Savernake is an autumn must-hike,” said a spokesperson for the outdoor clothing and equipment retailer.

Located to the south of Marlborough, the ancient Savernake Forest covers around 3,000 acres and is listed as an area of scientific importance as it is thought to be one of the highest concentrations of ancient trees in Europe.

The company also picked out The Big Belly Oak - a famous tree thought to be more than 1,000 years old which is visible from the side of the A346.

The forest is named as a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) as well as a registered important historic park.

“If you choose to take in Savernake during autumn, we strongly suggest including The Grand Avenue on your route,” the review read.

“It’s a long corridor of orange and red beech trees that were incorporated into the forest by the famous landscaper Capability Brown.”

Want to see fewer adverts and more exclusives on the Gazette & Herald? Become a digital subscriber now for just £5 for five months

Wiltshire’s Savernake Forest is sitting among nature spot royalty in Blacks’ official best hikes list.

Other locations mentioned in the top five include paths in Snowdonia National Park, the Scottish Highlands, Inverness and the Peak District.

But despite the Wiltshire forest being celebrated for its beauty, the area has recently been battling with fly-tippers and litter.

Over the summer, two tonnes of hazardous waste were dumped in the forest, costing tens of thousands of pounds to remove.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport and street scene, said: “It’s appalling that someone should dump this dangerous waste in a Wiltshire forest, so we’d appeal to anyone who has any information to let us know in confidence.

“We’re targeting fly-tippers here in Wiltshire, and if we can find who has dumped this rubbish, we will be taking legal action against these environmental criminals.”

Wiltshire Council has launched an investigation into finding the culprit who is responsible for this destruction of natural beauty.