foliage watching in south-east england on #igtravelthursday

They say the best foliage watching is in the arctic regions such as Canada and Nordic countries, but not everyone can travel to those locations and especially during the school term times. Luckily some years one can experience locally some beautiful colours, and this year has been one of those years here in South East England.

As the English countryside well preserved (or let grow pretty wild), it also means that the glorious nature is on display pretty much on any small country lane- the trees often growing on top of the road and stretching well into the roads on the sides too, but that is not enough I’d recommend visiting a few glorious gardens or National Trusts forest where the access and parking are normally free.

The English weather is also often quite temperamental and can change within minutes from sunshine to rain to fog and back into sunshine again, and it can also be very localized. That means that one needs to be well prepared, but also that the natures shows it best sides and gives you beautiful photos such as the sun filtering through the foggy forest…

Our family has been enjoying walks and bike runs in the trails near our house and here are our top five favourites for the fall:

  1. Knole Park in Sevenoaks, Kent (a National Trusts property). The park has free access but the house has an entry fee. This park is also famous for its’ hundreds of deers roaming freely around.
  2. Bedgebury Pinetum in Goudhurst, Kent (a Forestry Commission site) The park has free access and magnificent bike trails and kids playground trail as well as Go Ape treetop trails. There is, however, a parking charge of 10 pounds/day.
  3. Limpsfield Common in Limpsfield, Surrey (a National Trust forest). This ancient forest along the famous Greensand Ridge has great biking and walking trails with free access and parking and other points to discover such as air raid shelters.
  4. Emmetts Garden in Ide Hill, Kent (a National Trust garden). This glorious garden has an access fee. It’s also liked to several hiking trails that go outside the property.
  5. Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst, Kent (a National Trust property). This beautiful estate with a moated folly and hudreds of acres of woodlands is a fiery sights with the red-leaved Japanese maples, and one of my year-round favourite places to visit.

If you live in South East England or have visited some glorious places I’d love to hear what they are as we always look for new places to visit. There is still time to experience the last days of English foliage and waddle through deep piles of colourful leaves in the forest…

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