Autumn is a very special time in the year for many woodlands, as they transform from an almost un-noticed green to rich, bright golden tones.
If you travel to your local forest or woodland in search of Autumn colour during October, you can not fail to be uplifted with the colourful combinations.
Autumn colour near you
Why not experience the Autumn magic for yourself?
The Woodland Trust has over 1,000 woods across the UK. You can use their Autumn colour search option to find an area near to where you live.
Autumn colour walks
A number of organisations provide walks and events during late September and October .
The National Trust are holding a number of events in forests and woodlands on their Estates.
Here are a few highlights:
- Brownsea Island, Dorset.
Tree-mendous Tree Weekend, 16 and 17 October 10.30am – 4pm
Swish through the autumn leaves, as you learn more about Brownsea’s trees. - Claremont Landscape Garden, Surrey.
Autumn Colour at Claremont, 17 October 2pm – 3.30pm
Meet at the Kiosk to enjoy a guided afternoon walk in the garden looking at the trees in their autumnal splendour. - Gibside, Tyne & Wear.
Seasonal Gardener’s Walk, 09 October 2pm – 3pm
Join the National Trust gardener on a leisurely walk around the Walled Garden, newly restored Victorian Shrubbery and Orangery. Discover more about the conservation going on behind the scenes at Gibside and enjoy the landscape park in its full autumnal splendour.
Maybe you know of other Autumn colour events happening in your area? Let us know about them in the comments section below.
In search of Autumn colour
Throughout the UK the Forestry Commission is monitoring the colours of their forests and reporting the current status on their website.
They have produced their top seven of places to visit for 2010:
- Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, situated in the heart of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, is internationally renowned for the fiery autumnal colour of its tree collection.
- Bedgebury, Beautiful autumn colour in the National Pinetum – the world’s best conifer collection.
- The Wye Valley in the Forest of Dean. Symonds Yat is a great viewpoint from which to show autumn colour.
- Maulden Woods in Bedfordshire is a beautiful autumn woodland, with gentle slopes, wildflower meadows and over 20 varieties of tree including hornbeam, sweet chestnut and wild service tree, which make for lovely autumn colours.
- Salcey Forest near Northampton is a beautiful wood to visit in autumn. You can go up the Tree Top Way which takes you above the trees so you can look down over them and watch the colours changing every day.
- Kielder Castle Visitor Centre is a great spot to visit this autumn thanks to the opening of a new red squirrel hide
- Drive up the ‘Bolderwood Ornamental Drive‘, (off the A35 Christchurch to Lyndhurst road) to experience the changing colours of autumn through ancient deciduous woodland.
Autumn colour activities for children
Keeping children entertained on any visit can be a little difficult.
Here are a few activity sheets to print out before you leave for your trip to the woods.
- Looking for leaves (pdf) – See if you can identify these leaves on your visit to the woods.
- Seeds and nuts – See how many seeds and nuts you can identify in your woods?
- Make a string of leaves for your classroom or bedroom!
- Catching leaves – colouring sheet
- Harvest produce colouring sheet
Please note that some activities listed on this page may incur entrance or other costs. Please check with the organisers before attending.