In and around Buckinghamshire...

The summer may be officially over, but nobody told our gardens. They're still looking lovely in the September sun and in many places you can see (and taste) the kitchen garden produce being put to good use.

Pack up your pencil case, because we've got a bunch of exciting creative workshops at our places in Bucks and Berks. From watercolours to photography or creative writing, there's a workshop to suit your budding talents.

Where there's countryside, there's a harvest and where there's an orchard, there's an apple day. Come and celebrate the best of the season with us.

This half-term is jam-packed with spooky trails, autumn crafts and piles of pumpkins at our places. Orange is about to become your favourite colour, or worst nightmare.

An autumn woodland glowing with colour and rich with the smell of damp earth is a wonderful place to be. National Trust Ranger Chloe Bradbrooke suggests six mini wonders of nature to look out for on an autumn woodland walk.

Trees blazing with orange, red and gold, dappled golden paths, fluttering with falling leaves. It’s nature’s last hurrah before the long sleep of winter. Why not go out and enjoy the show in the Chilterns Countryside, Hughenden, Cliveden and Stowe.

This autumn open the door to the Grecian Valley at Stowe where you'll uncover how the designed landscape has inspired our predecessors and still draws creative responses today. Take in the restored statues and monuments on walks, guided tours, meet our Poet-in-Residence Dan Simpson and experts in a series of events throughout the season.

Whether you live here or are coming to visit, here's a reminder of the wonderful places nearby. There are magnificent country houses such as Claydon or Waddesdon for a grand day out, or rolling hills and woodlands for glorious walks at Hughenden, Stowe and Ashridge. When the big-hitters are busy, why not check out some of the smaller hidden gems in Buckinghamshire?

We have some of the finest country houses such as Waddesdon and Claydon and breathtaking formal gardens with parterres at Hughenden, Waddesdon and Cliveden in this region. Tumbling herbaceous borders, informal pleasure grounds, orchards and kitchen gardens complete the picture.

The Chilterns are well known for their rolling hills, wooded green valleys and chalk downland meadows. They're perfect for a ramble or a picnic. For walks with easily accessible paths in a carefully designed landscape punctuated with elegant statues, monuments and temples, Stowe is your perfect destination.

Spring is here, which means it’s time to remove the covers from the historic statuary in gardens and parkland at places like Hughenden, Waddesdon, Cliveden and Basildon Park. Once the covers are off, the hard work begins.

2015 saw the start of a new phase of restoration for the gardens at Stowe. The Landscape Programme comprises of 54 tasks taking place over five years to reinstate many of the lost temples and monuments that once ‘dressed’ the gardens like pieces of a theatre set whilst undertaking maintenance on structures and lakes. Read more and keep up to date here.

Discover more about the work we're doing to prolong the life of our ancient trees. Throughout Europe ancient and veteran trees are now rare. At Ashridge Estate, Chrissy Hardy and the ranger team are fundraising to ‘halo-release’ 1000 veterans.

Hartwell House, near Aylesbury, was given to the National Trust with two other Historic House Hotels in 2008 to ensure their long term protection. The hotel operates as a stand-alone commercial operation, but its annual profits go towards supporting our ongoing conservation work. Perfect for a luxury break exploring Buckinghamshire.

From music recitals to garden tours and food & drink events, Hartwell House has a lively programme of activity for everyone to enjoy. It's advisable to book in advance for traditional afternoon tea, which is available year-round. Patrons of the hotel and restaurant are welcome to walk in the gardens and parkland which extend over 90 acres.