Shades of Autumn

I sometimes feel like spring gets all of the attention. Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” puts the spotlight firmly on daffodils, those harbingers of better weather and brighter days. Spring Break shenanigans are practically a rite of passage in the US; who talks about going on Autumn Break? It can feel like lions and lambs, Easter holidays, and May Bank Holidays tend to hog the stage.

But I am firmly convinced that the colours of autumn can rival the showy splendours of spring. Yes, I have been known to wax lyrical about snowdrops, crocuses, and all of the other spring blossoms, but I have given equal screen time to the wonders of Westonbirt Arboretum. From fiery oranges and deep crimsons to yellows that easily compete with Wordsworth’s host of golden daffs, it’s all on display at this time of year:

• A Walk in the Woods: Wonderful Westonbirt
• Chippenham: Gateway to the World
• The Autumn Collection

Or was. A recent visit to Westonbirt revealed that the trees were just past peak. We had waited too long. It was still more than worth the journey though, as time spent in nature is never wasted. And the colours that were hanging on? Still as stunning as ever.