National Trust Launches Online Guide to Autumn

SWINDON, England, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ --The National Trust has put together a new online guide detailing the best places to enjoy and celebrate autumn, the season of mellow fruitfulness and one of the most dramatic of the four seasons.

The new guide, called Awesome Autumn, includes information on everything to do with the season, from where to spot elusive red squirrels to tips on the best places to see autumn leaves and capture the rich gold, orange and red shades on camera. It is available on the National Trust's website. National Trust wardens, rangers and gardeners will be providing regular updates and photos on the best places to be and the page also features user-submitted pictures, poems and stories inspired by the season.

Matthew Oates, Nature Conservation Adviser at the National Trust, said: "Autumn is our last chance to be overwhelmed in the beauty of nature before the dreariness of winter envelops us. It is a time of fond farewells, each falling leaf celebrating another hour of sunshine that has passed. It is these emotions that take us out into the countryside, parks and gardens in autumn, more so than we do during the riotous ministry of spring – which we take rather for granted, as it rushed headlong into the sanctity of summer. Autumn, though, is a last chance saloon."  

Oats continued, "This autumn there is an unusual amount to celebrate. After a cold winter we were blessed with a good spring and fine early and high summer periods. Consequently, autumn-fruiting trees and bushes flowered well, were amply pollinated, and set well with fruit. Weather permitting, we now have an excellent season for nearly all fruit, seed and berries. Their presence will enhance the traditionally-valued colours of the autumn leaves.

"Now is the time to get out and enjoy this wonderful experience, before it is lost within the early winter rains."

Each autumn sees Britain's native wildlife industriously prepare for the coming winter, resulting in spectacular displays all over the country. The annual deer rut at Lyme Park in Cheshire, Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire and Ashridge in the Chilterns is a magnificent sight to behold as the animals rush to complete their mating rituals before the onset of colder weather.

Elsewhere, scurrying red squirrels can be seen on Brownsea Island in Dorset, Formby on the Sefton coast and Wallington in Northumberland as they get ready for the long winter months ahead.

Those seeking to enjoy the full glory of Autumn colour are advised to investigate Stourhead in Wiltshire, Killerton in Devon and Leith Hill in Surrey, home to some of Britain's most remarkable autumn foliage.

About the National Trust:

The National Trust is a charity with a love for preserving historic places and spaces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From former workers' cottages to the most iconic stately homes, and from mines and mills to theatres and inns, the stories of people and their heritage are at the heart of everything it does. The National Trust also offers days out, garden visits and garden walks in many locations in England and Wales.

People of all ages, individuals, schools and communities, get involved each year with projects, events and working holidays and over 61,000 volunteers help to bring National Trust places alive for our 3.8 million members.

The National Trust is a registered charity no. 205846. Our registered office is Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 2NA.

SOURCE The National Trust