A vibrant woodland walk boasts autumnal shades not unlike those seen in New England, but outdoorsy Brits won’t have to hop on a plane to enjoy the delights of this strikingly beautiful destination
Although many may well still be pining for the blue skies of summer, there is plenty of charm to be found in autumn. Especially if you’re fond of a good walk on a crisp September day.
Now, those in the US states of Maine, Vermont, Virginia and North Carolina are particularly blessed in this regard, boasting great forests and acres of national parkland filled with every imaginable golden autumnal hue. Think the Great Smoky Mountains and rocky hiking trails with adventures on every corner.
But over on this side of the pond, we Brits can still appreciate all the colours and poignant wonder of this cosy season, taking a minute to breathe and reflect before the onrush of Christmas. And there’s one secret woodland where the rosy autumnal shades are said to be “better than the US”.
A Grade I listed landscaped garden and lakes, Sheffield Park and Garden in East Sussex, makes for a splendid day out, whether in snowfall or balmy July sunshine. But it’s at this time of year when the magic really happens.
A former Tudor deer park, this leafy haven underwent significant transformations in the 18th century for John Baker Holroyd, the 1st Earl of Sheffield, with landscape designers Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton crafting the beginnings of a cultivated Eden that has taken many a breath away over the generations.
Then, in the 20th century, the then-owner Arthur Soames enhanced the original vision further, cleverly using the autumnal palette to its full advantage. According to the National Trust website: “Famous for its autumn colour, this is the season the garden was planted for. Arthur Soames, owner during the early 20th century, introduced many of the species which create this spectacle, including Nyssa, Acer and Taxodiums.
“The reflections in the lakes add to the splendour and provide the perfect photograph. The autumn planting is recognised as being of international importance; so much so that the garden has received a Grade I listing.”
Green-fingered types will naturally fall for the gorgeously distinctive trees offering their natural paint to the season. You have the fiery Taxodium distichum, which tends to flourish near tidal creeks in the US, and the dazzling Acer, of which there are 25 species at Sheffield Park. You can also enjoy wandering beneath the Psuedolarix amabilis, described as a “suitable showstopper as you head back up to reception after a peaceful walk around the gardens”.
Visitors taking to TripAdvisor have been left thoroughly impressed by the dramatic display, with one nature lover writing: “We went along to see if the trees looked as beautiful in their autumn colours as they seem to in photos. And they do! A variety of walks took us past the autumnal shades. Even a mini forest bathing experience occurred. Who needs New England in the autumn when you have Sheffield Park garden?”
Another shared: “The autumn colours of the acers must be seen to be believed. Make sure you walk up and around the cricket pitch; it’s very interesting. Around every corner, another spectacular view, or reflection in one of the lakes, or a beautiful tree specimen.”
The best time to enjoy this vibrant walk really does depend on the weather, and it’s understood that the famed colours can start as early as mid-September and last right up until mid-November. However, it’s advised that the second half of October is “often a peak time” for suitably awestruck guests.
Find out more about Sheffield Park and Garden here
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