Autumn in the North West

There's plenty of colour to lift your spirits in our gardens throughout autumn and busy veg borders getting ready for harvest. Take in the toffee-apple scent of the Katsura tree at Dunham Massey and the vibrant red leaves of the euonymus alata (‘burning bush’) at Speke Hall. The Italian Garden at Lyme is still bursting with colour at this time of year too with Rudbeckia Goldstrum in the beds and vibrant Viburnum on the banks.

Experience one of nature’s most spectacular moments as the fallow deer at Dunham Massey battle for supremacy during their October rut. Watch and listen to deep bellowing and the clash of antlers as the bucks compete for the pick of the does. The drama and noise as they lock antlers is an unforgettable wildlife wonder. With woodland, moorland and sweeping countryside to explore in the North West, there's plenty of autumn wildlife to spot.

Wrap up, lace up, and head out on a refeshing autumn walk to take in the very best colour of the season. You'll be rewarded with glorious views on the Lantern Walk at Lyme, or follow the Ancient Tree Walk at Dunham Massey to see a colourful display from one of the finest collections of veteran trees in England.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled in the woodland at Formby for red squirrels - a rare and an endangered British species. In autumn the squirrels are easier to spot as they come down from the trees looking for nuts. Autumn is also the last chance to spot the rare Northern Dune Tiger Beetle with Formby being one of only two places in the country where you can see them.

Golden sunsets and migrating birds on the Mersey beside Speke Hall make it one of the best places for a spot of twitching. You'll spot godwits, teal, mallard, redshanks, plover, greenshanks, knot and dunlin, to name a few. It's also a great spot to take in an autumn view of the Clough - an area of ancient woodland which is the oldest part of the estate, dating back to at least 1086.

For unrivalled autumn colour you can't go wrong with a trip out to the Lake District. There is nothing more magical than the fells and woodland turning from green to gold. It’s the perfect time of the year to get your walking boots on and enjoy the nip in the Cumbrian fresh air. And they've 10 suggestions on how to spend your time there this autumn.