10 places to see autumn leaves

Looking out over the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire

The whole fabric of the English landscape begins to change in the autumn time, and so we've put together our top ten of the best places to see the changing seasons in all their glory.

1. Chatsworth House - Derbyshire

Discover Chatsworth House in Derbyshire's Peak District National Park, where the autumn leaves create a seasonal patchwork of colour on the ground. Chatsworth is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, one of Britain's best loved historic estates and the heart beat of the Peak District National Park. With famous works of art, a working farmyard, spectacular fountains and the finest shopping and eating, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

2. Box Hill - Surrey

Get active and climb Box Hill in Surrey for some inspiring views as the beeches and oaks show off their superb autumnal colour. Box Hill is one of the best-known summits of the North Downs, visited by thousands every year.

3. The National Forest - Heart of England

Enjoy a day in The National Forest in the Heart of England, with dedicated walking trails and forestry centres showcasing the best of the autumn season.

Accomodation special offer: Bridgnorth, Shropshire (www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/special-offers/productdetail.aspx?SOSearch=1&Sec=Accommodation&Reg=Heart+of+England&Type=0&SpecialOfferId=315)

4. Kew Gardens - Surrey

Kew Gardens

Explore Kew Gardens, one of Surrey's most inspiring gardens (just 20 minutes from Central London), where you can see autumn flowering crocuses, colchicums and hardy cyclamen and some of the world's rarest plants. Kew, is responsible for the world’s largest collection of living plants. The organisation employs more than 650 scientists and other staff. The living collections include more than 30,000 different kinds of plants, while the herbarium, which is the largest in the world, has over 7 million preserved plant specimens.

Accomodation special offer: Kensington (www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/special-offers/productdetail.aspx?SOSearch=1&Sec=Accommodation&Reg=London&Type=0&SpecialOfferId=132)

5. The Outwoods - Leicestershire

Delve into The Outwoods and Beacon Hill in Leicestershire where you can witness some of the best displays of autumn colours, with footpaths and cycleways to explore.

6. Exbury Gardens - Hampshire

You can also make your way to the 'Festival of autumn colours' show at the Exbury Gardens with its magnificent firey maples and dogwoods from 11 October to 9 November.

7. Westonbirt - Gloucestershire

National Arboretum at Westonbirt in Gloucestershire

The National Arboretum at Westonbirt in the Cotswolds is ablaze with colour from late September to November. The Japanese maples display a multicoloured patchwork of colour.

8. Calke Abbey - Derbyshire

Explore Calke Abbey in Derby, where the rolling parkland paints a perfect picture of autumnal bliss. Calke Abbey is the second largest house in Derbyshire, built in 1703 for Sir John Harpur to replace his Swarkestone home. One of the treasures of the Peak, it was aquired in the 1980s by the National Trust and some of the rooms had remained untouched for nearly 100 years.

Accomodation special offer: Matlock (www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/special-offers/productdetail.aspx?SOSearch=1&Sec=Accommodation&Reg=East+Midlands&Type=0&SpecialOfferId=1037)

9. Hever Castle - Kent

Aerial view of Hever Castle in Kent

Visit Hever Castle in Kent for Autumn Colour week when the castle's gardners take visitors on a tour of the garden in all its autumn glory from October 13 to October 19.

Accomodation special offer: Ednbridge, Kent (www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/special-offers/productdetail.aspx?SOSearch=1&Sec=Accommodation&Reg=South+East&Type=0&SpecialOfferId=895)

10. Lydford Gorge - Devon

Follow one of the autumnal walks at Lydford Gorge in Devon, where you can discover the famous gorge and dramatic White Lady waterfall. This is the deepest gorge in south-west England, and stretches a distance of about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the spectacular "Devil's Cauldron" whirlpool at the bridge end to the very fine 30-metres-tall "White Lady Waterfall" at the other end.  

Accomodation special offer: Chumleigh, Devon (www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/special-offers/productdetail.aspx?SOSearch=1&Sec=Accommodation&Reg=South+West&Type=0&SpecialOfferId=808)

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