Autumn and winter is a great time to get out and enjoy your local National Trust places to visit.

Most run a varied autumn events programme, and this year we're revealing the secrets of our places with a series of guided walks, tours, lecture lunches and exhibitions.

Look out for our Treasure Forever events, which demonstrate how we look after our treasures, and show you how to look after yours.

All our houses in the East Midlands open until 1 November*. Larger places open again for the three weekends of December for festive fun and family events.

Our countryside and parklands remain open for you to enjoy throughout the year, as do many of our shops and restaurants.

There’s a lot to do during the season of mellow fruitfulness. Some of the highlights are at:

• Belton House in Lincolnshire, where the newly restored boathouse is picture perfect on the lake, surrounded by autumn foliage.

• Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, where you can explore the National Nature Reserve with its ancient trees and see if you can hear the call of the deer during their rutting season.

• Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, where you can explore over 1,500Ha of parkland, heathland and woodland throughout the autumn and winter on foot or cycle.

• Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire, where you can make the most of your last chance to explore the house before it closes for the winter on 1 November, and see the progress made on the restoration of the Arts & Crafts-style gardens. The garden, park, shop, tea-room and church will remain open at weekends until 20 December so you can continue to enjoy the orchards, borders and St Mary’s Church, which is all that remains of the Augustine Priory.

Kids will enjoy autumn events learning all about weird and wonderful fungi at Clumber Park, Kedleston Hall and on the Longshaw Estate, whilst the Museum of Childhood remains open seven days a week until 1 November offering indoor fun for rainy days.

* With the exception of tenanted and small properties including Gunby Hall, The Old Manor House, Priest’s House, Grantham House & Monksthorpe Chapel. Mr Straw’s House and Winster Market House close on 31 October.