Autumn Treats

Autumn Breaks

Celebrate the changing seasons this Autumn - and
take advantage of fantastic offers at accommodation
and attractions in the East England.

Click here for our listing of offers

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Autumn Colours

Get out into the fresh air, and enjoy a stroll in our
woodlands and gardens - ablaze with the
magnificent colours and shades of Autumn.

Bedfordshire
At Ampthill, explore Maulden Wood, one of the
county's largest remnants of ancient woodland. Here
the native field maples turn a superb golden colour.
Join a special National Tree Week Walk (amongst
the silver birches and oaks) at RSPB The Lodge
(nr. Sandy) on Sunday 30 November (1000-1200).
Finally, enjoy a stroll around the magnificent trees at
The Swiss Garden, Old Warden (nr. Biggleswade).

Cambridgeshire
A 40 acre oasis - the Cambridge University Botanic Garden has probably the
region's finest collection of trees. Explore on the woodland walk. 18th C.
Wimpole Hall at Arrington (nr. Royston) and Jacobean Anglesey Abbey at
Lode (nr. Cambridge) are great places to stroll in parkland full of fine tree
specimens displaying seasonal foilage. There is a Seed Gathering Day at
Anglesey on Sunday 26 October (1100-1600) - collect the tree seeds, plant them
up, then watch them grow. The ancient woodland of Gamlingay (nr. St. Neots)
is noted for the russets and umbers of the Autumn - join the Guided Walk on
Sunday 19 October (1330-1600) and learn about its history and folklore.  

Essex
Learn more about the trees - with a Guided Walk through the historic Hylands Park
at Chelmsford on Sunday 19 October (1030-1300). Hatfield Forest at Takeley
(nr. Bishop's Stortford) is a rare surviving example of a Medieval Royal Hunting
Forest. Children can join in Trusty's Autumn Watch on Wednesday 29 October
(1030-1200 and 1300-1430); then there is a Plant a Seed Day on Saturday
29 November (1100-1500) - help grow a sapling for future planting in the forest. 

Hertfordshire
Explore 2,000 acres of atmospheric mature woodlands at the Ashridge Estate
(nr. Berkhamsted). Follow the trails past the rich golden colours of the beech
trees. Cedars Park in Cheshunt has established formal gardens and an
arboretum - learn about its history on a easy one mile Guided Walk on
Wednesday 12 November (1400-1530).

Norfolk
Blickling Hall (nr. Aylsham) has regular Guided Tours throughout September
and October (1400) to discover the warm autumnal colours of the garden. Learn
about the largest, oldest and best trees of Sheringham Park - with a stroll
around this landscaped woodland garden. Thetford Forest Park is Britain's
largest lowland pine forest. Head to the Lynford Arboretum and Lakes at
Mundford, home to over 200 tree species - many displaying fine Autumn
colours. The Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham
is one of the best places to rustle through the leaves and view the
seasonal colours, with a Guided Walk on Sunday 2 November (1100).

Suffolk
Eccentric Ickworth House, Horringer (nr. Bury St. Edmunds) is a great place for a
Guided Parkland Walk on Sunday 19 October (1130-1230). There is also a Trees
of Ickworth tour and lunch on Saturday 22 November (1100-1530) led by the
Head Forester. Take a stroll at Thornham Walks at Thornham Magna
(nr. Eye), with 12 miles of way-marked paths through park, wood and farmland.

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Autumn Flavours

Apple Day
Join in this annual celebration of apples, orchards
and local distinctiveness. Taste regional varieties,
get your own apples identified by experts and take
part in fun games (such as the longest peel).

Sunday 12 October - Apple Day Fair, St. Albans
Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October - Wisbech
Saturday 18 October - Ely
Saturday 18 October - High Woods Country
Park, Colchester
Sunday 19 October - Bromham Mill (nr. Bedford)
Sunday 19 October - Shenley Park (nr. Radlett)
Sunday 19 October - Blickling Hall (nr. Aylsham)
Sunday 19 October - Redgrave and Lopham Fen,
South Lopham (nr. Diss)
Saturday 25 October - Alder Carr Farm,
Needham Market
Sunday 26 October - Gressenhall Farm and
Workhouse (nr. Dereham)

More events and further information at
www.commonground.org.uk/appleday/a-appleday.html

Oysters
Taste and try our 'truffles of the sea'. Colchester oysters have been cultivated in the
tidal estuaries around the town since before Roman times - and this is celebrated
with a private feast in the town hall, attended by the Mayor and specially invited
guests on the last Friday in October. Enjoy them as part of a seafood platter at
The Company Shed on Mersea Island. Alternatively, head north to the The
Butley Orford Oysterage, where oysters are grown in the nearby creeks by the
Pinney family, then served up in their restaurant.

Harvest Time
Enjoy the seasonal displays of squash and pumpkins in the Walled Kitchen
Garden at Wimpole Hall, Arrington (nr. Royston), from Saturday 20 to
Wednesday 24 September (1030-1700). The annual Soham Pumpkin Fayre
(Saturday 27 September) sees the local gardeners proudly displaying their
pumpkins, towering sunflowers and giant vegetables.

Get A Taste of Autumn at RHS Hyde Hall Garden, Rettendon (nr. Chelmsford) on
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October - including fruit and vegetable displays, apple
tastings and live music. Finally at Felbrigg Hall (nr. Cromer) see the historic rooms
decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables from the garden - Hall at Harvest runs
from Saturday 4 to Wednesday 8 October (1100-1630).

Get out into the fresh air, and enjoy a stroll in our
woodlands and gardens - ablaze with the magnificent colours
and shades of Autumn