Glorious autumn in full bloom (From Gazette Series)

Glorious autumn in full bloom

AS the weather gets colder Westonbirt Arboretum is gearing up to another busy season as one of the Cotswolds leading visitor attractions.

Enjoyed by more thanm 120,000 visitors at this time of year, the arboretum offers a dazzling display of reds and yellows provided by the national Japanese maple collection and the thousands of other tree species which make up the 600-acre site.

"Subject to weather conditions autumn colour at Westonbirt is always magnificent," said head of collections Hugh Angus. "This year we expect to see prolonged autumn colour well into November due to the mild, damp weather conditions.

"The shades of yellow and brown always appear but it is the brilliant reds and purples mixed with the yellows that give Westonbirt the perfect autumn landscape. The full-moon maple in the collection is our barometer, and if the colours are bright, then a vintage autumn is sure to follow."

Autumn is the best time of year for planting trees and the plant centre at has many unusual and rare trees for sale including a selection of Japanese maples such as Osakazuki, Seiryu and Atropurpureum together with rare and unusual shrubs and trees. The plant centre is open between 10 and 5pm every day.

The autumn trail leaflet, written by Curator Simon Toomer, allows people to go round the trees of the world in 80 minutes and gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about this beautiful arboretum.

Weekend guided walks (normal admission prices apply), led by expert volunteer guides from The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, end this month. To confirm walk times people should contact the information desk on 01666 881222.

Westonbirt's originator, Robert Holford, laid out his tree garden according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical reasons. Its importance is recognised by the English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a grade one listed Landscape.

Westonbirt is open every day of the year between 10am and dusk.