Autumn colour
We round up the best places to see the northern hemisphere burst into full fiery glorious technicolour
1 JAPAN The country’s famed spring pink cherry blossom fest may put autumn in Japan in the shade but those who make the effort to visit between mid-october and the end of November for a spot of momijigari (red leaf hunting) will be rewarded with spectacular golden, red and orange hues. Venture beyond Tokyo and Kyoto to marvel at the vivid colours of the surrounding Hida mountains and tranquil temples. Kamikochi National Park, Suwakyo Gorge and Mount Yake explode into a riot of colour. THE DEAL: Travelbag has a 13-night trip – seven nights’ room- only at the four-star Wing International Ikebukuro in Tokyo and a seven-day Japan Explorer escorted tour, from €2,577pp with flights from Heathrow with Air China, between November 14–28. travelbag.co.uk
2 SIZERGH, LAKE DISTRICT “What pensive beauty autumn shows,” wrote William Wordsworth, inspired by the Lake District’s lustrous show of golds, oranges and reds. Sizergh Castle’s 17 acres of gardens are testimony to the poet’s words – ablaze with autumn colour, from the apples, quince and Westmoreland damsons ready for harvesting, to the acers in the rock garden. From this National Trust property you can set out on a wildlife walk through the South Lakes – keep an eye out for buzzards, pheasants and woodpeckers. Entry to gardens from €8 adult/€4 child/€20 family, nationaltrust.org.uk/sizergh. THE DEAL: On the Sizergh estate, Grade Ii-listed Holeslack Farmhouse has views of the medieval castle. Three nights’ rental for the four-bedroom cottage (sleeps eight) costs from €697. nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays, 0044 3 0344 800 2070 BENTLEY WOOD, HANTS Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, this 1,700 acres of woodland in West Tytherley is especially stunning in its autumn colours. Home to deer and ground-nesting birds and other wildlife, it is also a nationally important nature
reserve. THE DEAL: Get into perfect position to admire the autumn show, and stay in a luxury shepherd’s hut, opposite Bentley Wood. Set on eightacre Bentley’s Frenchmoor smallholding with alpacas for neighbours in the adjacent field, you can relax in the wood-fired Scandinavian hot tub and stargaze through the glass ceiling
above the double bed. Three nights’ self-catering in the shepherd’s hut (sleeping two) starts at 4 €487. glampingly.co.uk NEW ENGLAND HIKE
Nowhere does fall foliage better than New England and a fly-drive holiday is a scenic way to catch the kaleidoscope. Bon Voyage has a trip from Boston to Vermont that includes a gentle three-day hike at Crawford Notch in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The itinerary also takes in lively Boston and charming hamlets in Vermont. THE DEAL: Bon Voyage’s nine-night History, Hamlets and Hiking in New England fly-drive starts at €2,012pp and includes flights, car hire, hiking experience with all meals and equipment, three nights’ room-only in Boston and three nights’ B&B in Vermont. bon-voyage.co.uk 5 WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM, GLOS Just three miles from Tetbury, Westonbirt Arboretum is home to some 15,000 trees – including the famous Japanese maple collection. With 2,500 different species, it’s a sea of gold, red and orange across 17 miles of trails. Adults €12/child €5, forestry.gov.uk/ westonbirt. THE DEAL: Pinkney Court Lodge in the west wing of a manor house in Tetbury sleeps four. Three nights’ self-catering starts at €505 with Mulberry 6 Cottages. mulberrycottages.com ALGONQUIN PARK, CANADA With vast maple hills, rocky ridges, lakes and rivers, Canada’s oldest park, 200 miles north of Toronto, is prime leafpeeping territory. Maples, aspens, tamaracks, red oaks, American beech and yellow birch become a riot of dazzling colour, explored on foot by canoe trip ( from CAN$17 per car, ontarioparks.com). THE DEAL: Seven nights in Huntsville on roomonly at the four-star Deerhurst Resort starts at €996pp and includes BA flights from Gatwick in November with Netflights.com. Book by October 20. netflights.com
7 STOURHEAD, WILTS Thousands descend on Stourhead in Warminster for its stunning annual show of burnished gold and fiery reds from the landscaped garden’s American maples, Japanese acers, hornbeam, chestnuts and tulip trees. Take the five-mile walk through beautiful woodlands to King Alfred’s Tower, and detour to see the rich colours reflected in the lake. From €13 adult/€7 child/€32 family, nationaltrust. org.uk/stourhead. THE DEAL: The Old Bull Stall is a period cottage (sleeps four) on a working farm in the hamlet of Penselwood. Seven nights’ self-catering starts at €353 for October 12 arrival with Sykes Cottages. sykescottages.co.uk 8 KILMUN ARBORETUM, SCOTLAND Set on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, Argyll Forest Park is considered one of the country’s finest. Inside, Kilmun Arboretum is home to more than 150 species of trees from around the world, from American maples
to Australian eucalyptus (scotland.forestry.gov.uk).
THE DEAL: Within the park, one-bedroom cabin Bramble in Rashfield Sheilings has woodburning stove and beautiful views. Pitchup.com has two nights’ self-catering from €177 in October. pitchup.com 9 RHINE CRUISE Soak up the splendour of the Rhine Valley transformed as leaves turn, reflected in the waters of the mighty German river. Highlights on the River Cruise Line trip include Bonn, the pretty riverside towns of Boppoard and Rudesheim, along with Koblenz where the Rhine and and Moselle rivers meet. THE DEAL: A seven-night cruise on the four-star MS Serenity from €890pp with no supplement for solos. rivercruiseline.co.uk, 0044 01858 435 644
10 NEW ENGLAND AND CANADA CRUISE Norwegian Cruise Line has a voyage that stops at major leaf-viewing ports and offers the opportunity to explore the cobblestones of Quebec City’s Old Town – the stunning Château Frontenac is worth a visit and in Halifax, Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is not to be missed. THE DEAL: Norwegian Dawn sails from Quebec City on October 5 on a seven-day itinerary ending at Boston. Fares start at €2,073pp for two in a Balcony cabin.
ncl.co.uk