National Trust Launches Online Guide to Autumn

SWINDON, England, October 21, 2010 - The National Trust has put together a new online guide detailing the best
places to enjoy and celebrate autumn, the season of mellow fruitfulness and
one of the most dramatic of the four seasons.

The new guide, called Awesome Autumn (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-awesome-autumn),
includes information on everything to do with the season, from
where to spot elusive red squirrels to tips on the best places to see autumn
leaves
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-awesome-autumn)
and capture the rich gold, orange and red shades on camera. It
is available on the National Trust's website. National Trust wardens, rangers
and gardeners will be providing regular updates and photos on the best places
to be and the page also features user-submitted pictures, poems and stories
inspired by the season.

(Due to the length of these URLs, it may be necessary to copy and paste
the hyperlinks into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the
space if one exists.)

Matthew Oates, Nature Conservation Adviser at the National Trust, said:
"Autumn is our last chance to be overwhelmed in the beauty of nature before
the dreariness of winter envelops us. It is a time of fond farewells, each
falling leaf celebrating another hour of sunshine that has passed. It is
these emotions that take us out into the countryside, parks and gardens in
autumn, more so than we do during the riotous ministry of spring - which we
take rather for granted, as it rushed headlong into the sanctity of summer.
Autumn, though, is a last chance saloon."

Oats continued, "This autumn there is an unusual amount to celebrate.
After a cold winter we were blessed with a good spring and fine early and
high summer periods. Consequently, autumn-fruiting trees and bushes flowered
well, were amply pollinated, and set well with fruit. Weather permitting, we
now have an excellent season for nearly all fruit, seed and berries. Their
presence will enhance the traditionally-valued colours of the autumn leaves.

"Now is the time to get out and enjoy this wonderful experience, before
it is lost within the early winter rains."

Each autumn sees Britain's native wildlife industriously prepare for the
coming winter, resulting in spectacular displays all over the country. The
annual deer rut at Lyme Park in Cheshire, Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire and
Ashridge in the Chilterns is a magnificent sight to behold as the animals
rush to complete their mating rituals before the onset of colder weather.

Elsewhere, scurrying red squirrels can be seen on Brownsea Island in
Dorset, Formby on the Sefton coast and Wallington in Northumberland as they
get ready for the long winter months ahead.

Those seeking to enjoy the full glory of Autumn colour are advised to
investigate Stourhead in Wiltshire, Killerton in Devon and Leith Hill in
Surrey, home to some of Britain's most remarkable autumn foliage.

About the National Trust:

The National Trust is a charity with a love for preserving historic
places and spaces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From former
workers' cottages to the most iconic stately homes, and from mines and mills
to theatres and inns, the stories of people and their heritage are at the
heart of everything it does. The National Trust also offers days out
(www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-great_days_out.htm),
garden visits (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-places_collections/w-gardens/w-gardens-gardenstovisit.htm)
and garden walks (
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-coletonfishacrehouseandgarden) in many
locations in England and Wales.

People of all ages, individuals, schools and communities, get involved
each year with projects, events and working holidays and over 61,000
volunteers help to bring National Trust places alive for our 3.8 million
members.

The National Trust is a registered charity no. 205846. Our registered
office is Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 2NA.

    Press Contact:
    Mike Collins
    Senior Press Officer
    The National Trust
    Heelis
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    Wiltshire
    SN2 2NA
    +44(0)1793-817708
    www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Press Contact: Mike Collins, Senior Press Officer, The National Trust, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2NA, +44(0)1793-817708