The 10 best things about autumn with the National Trust (Hampshire)
Autumn colour walks
This had to be our number 1. Seeing our woods turn a kaleidoscope of yellows, bronze and burnt orange is a beautiful gift of nature before winter draws in. Two of the best places to see autumn colour in Hampshire are:
Hinton Ampner (nr Alresford) - the four-mile waymarked Dutton Estate Walk starts just beyond the gardens and takes you across farmland and country lanes into towering beech woods. Here you can stroll along wide rides under a ‘roof’ of copper and yellow foliage. There are fine views too over this 1,600 acre estate, and if you take a detour into the parkland on the way back you can walk beneath the buttery canopies of ancient chestnuts and oaks (some over 500 years old), interspersed by the rich red and purple of Norway maple trees.
Mottisfont (nr Romsey) – although you’re starting this six-mile walk at Spearywell car park a few minutes’ drive from the gardens, the route takes you close to the grounds on the way back, so you can pop in for refreshments if you want to. The walk takes in part of the Test Way and showcases some of the best of Hampshire countryside – you’ll cross historic farmland where hedges replanted for wildlife are full of birds in autumn, and wetland meadows where we’ve restored river banks for water voles. Paths wind through old woodlands too - of chestnut, oak and beech in full autumn colour, and areas of hazel coppice that are actively managed to create habitats for animals including dormice.
Harvest
The wheat and barley have been gathered in and the blackberries have been early this year but there’s plenty more harvest in our walled gardens and orchards to enjoy.
Mottisfont – harvest is celebrated in style here throughout October, with colourful gourd displays – perfect for autumn pics. The kitchen garden looks splendid, with raised beds full of produce, weird and wonderful hanging gourds trailing along the wooden pergola walkways (September), and young espaliered apple trees. This is a lovely place to sit and soak up autumn sun, and in the adjoining Gardener’s Cottage there are seasonal gardening tips. On the lawns, kids can help the garden team by gathering fallen leaves for compost-making, using mini wheelbarrows and rakes to fill special leaf bins. In the house there are autumn floral displays.
Hinton Ampner – in this pretty walled garden from mid-October you’ll find beautiful pumpkin displays, overseen by a resident scarecrow and his little dog. Look out for giant onions, blushing apples, and vibrant companion planting. The front door of the house is decorated with a beautiful harvest-style wreath of dried botanicals and fresh long-lasting flowers including dahlias and hydrangeas. Note: house closed until 26 November
Apple days (29 & 30 October): hosted by Sparsholt Agricultural College, this is an opportunity to find out more about heritage apple varieties, with tastings and growing advice.
The Vyne (nr Basingstoke) – from the walled garden you can stroll up to the house through an orchard full of heritage fruit varieties – a traditional mix of apple, pear, and plum cultivars with some fabulous names such as apples Beauty of Hampshire, Frogmore Prolific and Catshead. If you’re lucky, you’ll find fruit available to take home too (for a small donation).
Golden light
The golden light of autumn afternoons gives everything a warm glow that’s tinged with nostalgia for the summer just gone and a tingle of excitement for the crisp days to come. The slanting sun bathes houses, gardens and landscapes in a honeyed light and your selfies will benefit from a naturally flattering filter that no software can reproduce. Best places for golden afternoon selfies are:
In front of the lake at The Vyne, with the fiery shades of liquidamber and swamp cypress trees behind you, and reflected in the lake’s mirror-like surface.
At Uppark, facing south over the meadow, with the light glittering on the windows of the picturesque mansion behind you.
In the kitchen garden at Hinton Ampner, the low sunlight catching the ornate metalwork of the iron gates set in the wall, with the church in the background.
Leaf swishing
This is entirely different to autumn colour, before you protest. Autumn colour is visual, something to notice while you’re doing something else, like going for a walk. Leaf swishing on the other hand, is a truly immersive activity. You need to commit, body and soul. Whether it’s the high-kick to watch the leaves tumble, or the flat-footed swish-swish to enjoy the rhythmic crackle and whoosh of the dry leaves, there are no half measures. It’s impossible to do it without a smile on your face.
The best places for leaf swishing are:
The beech woods at Selborne Common, which can be accessed via the zig-zag path leading up from the high street (an easier climb than it looks). Good for crunchy leaf wading.
The Vyne’s ancient woodland, just a few minutes’ walk from the gardens. Mature beeches, oaks, sweet and horse chestnuts mingle with smaller lime, cherry and whitebeam to produce a leafy carpet of multiple colours.
Broom wood at Hinton Ampner – the last section of woodland on the four mile estate trail, and filled with towering beech trees which create a thick leaf fall.
Half-term family fun
Harvest Folklore Trail at Hinton Ampner, 15 – 30 October, £2. Discover the folklore of Hampshire in this sensory trail, including a Winchester giant, a Burley dragon, and some pesky New Forest pixies. Follow the toadstools around the garden to learn about the mysterious beasts that are rumoured to live nearby, then have fun creating your own fairytale.
Hallowe’en fun at The Vyne, 22 October – 1 November, £2 (inc prize). There’s spooky fun for different ages in the gardens of this old mansion. Little ones can hunt for familiar Hallowe’en characters including witches and wizards, whilst for older children (8+) there’s a riddle to crack. Grab a quest sheet and follow the map to solve the brain-teasers.
Autumn colour hunt at The Vyne, 6 September – 20 November, £1 per hunt card. The Vyne’s gardens are full of gorgeous autumnal shades. Pick up your special autumn colour hunt disc from visitor reception, and begin your search for all things red, yellow and bronze in the grounds. *There’s an inclusive colour-blind alternative trail available called featuring leaf shapes.
Adventure trail at Mottisfont, 24 – 30 October, £1. Over half term, there’s loads to get stuck into at Mottisfont. Outdoors, there’s a new seasonal trail with autumn-themed activities, plus mini wheelbarrows to collect leaves for composting. Indoors, kids can explore a world of talking beasts and magic, with an exhibition of Narnia artwork (24 September – 6 November).
H.G. Wells at Uppark trail, 15 – 30 October, £2. H.G. Wells is one of our most famous sci-fi writers and he spent much of his time at Uppark as a child, where his mother was the housekeeper. Try out the fun actions in this sensory trail to discover what inspired Bertie to create such marvellous stories as The Invisible Man and The Time Machine. Look through a telescope, discover puppets, and make music for dancing to help you create your very own story. This trail is also designed to be enjoyed by children who are blind or partially sighted.
Try something new
Some people see new year as the time to try a new skill, but for many of us, the tradition of starting new things in autumn is ingrained from schooldays. After the long lazy days of summer, we often have an urge to be productive and get creative.
Hinton Ampner - Drawing and painting the landscape art class with Aspire Sussex, 2 September, 10am – 4pm, £58 with lunch, £50 without lunch, book on 0344 249 1895 or at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner
With the breathtaking views of Hinton Ampner’s glorious gardens and parkland as your subject matter, you’ll be spoilt for choice at this one-day art class. Develop drawing and painting skills under expert tuition using your preferred medium, whether it’s watercolours, acrylics, pencils or pastels. All levels of experience are welcome. Please bring your own art equipment.
Winchester City Mill - Wheat wreath workshop, 13 September, 10am – 12pm, £30, book at https://fieldfarmproject.com/project/nt-grain-to-glory-workshop/
Celebrate the season of harvest with a beautiful home-made wheat wreath, using wheat grown at nearby Newhouse Farm. Instructor Mollie will supply locally harvested dried grasses and seed heads too.
Winchester City Mill – Corn dolly workshop, 13 September, 1.30 – 3.30pm, £30, book at https://fieldfarmproject.com/project/nt-grain-to-glory-workshop/
Using ancient techniques such as spiralling and plaiting, you’ll make a number of small corn dolly pieces, which look intricate but are really fun to make.
Winchester City Mill - Willow frame basket workshop, 17 October, 10am - 4.30pm, £75 per person, book at https://fieldfarmproject.com/project/nt-willow-frame-baskets-workshop/
These simple and rustic baskets are a great way to start your weaving journey. Using a mix of different coloured willows and hazel for the structure you’ll make your own durable basket suitable for all sorts of uses, from collecting cut flowers and garden produce, to general shopping.
Comfort food
The National Trust’s cafés in and around Hampshire know a thing or two about serving up a soothing pumpkin soup or delicious slice of spiced apple cake. Pop along to Mottisfont, Hinton Ampner, The Vyne, or Uppark for an autumnal walk and a teatime treat. Or try cooking National Trust recipes at home from seasonal produce:
At Winchester City Mill you’ll find a café with a difference, serving delicious treats, some made using the mill’s own freshly ground wholemeal flour. Try cosy autumn food like brie and gooseberry sourdough toasties, and cheese scones. You can buy bags of flour to bake with at home, and watch volunteer millers at work at weekends. During National Baking Week (14 to 20 October) there’ll be packs of recipe cards available too, so you can try your hand at wholemeal bread, apple and marmalade cake, and many more.
Conkers
Conkers deserve a category of their own. There’s something very satisfying about popping a perfect shiny brown conker from its fleshy casing. They’re so wonderfully collectible, and great for that much-loved traditional autumn game of course. You could try propagating a new tree too!
If you’re an inveterate conker-collector, you’ll find horse chestnut trees at:
Mottisfont – stately horse chestnuts can be found following the main path through the gardens from the car park.
Hinton Ampner – there’s a big tree on the south lawn close to the house, renowned good conker crops.
The Vyne – you should find your treasure from the moment you get to the woods – easy to access along broad paths from the garden.
Rainy days
Bear with us on this one. On sunny days in this country we’re hardwired to ‘make the most of it’. This can mean that we’re so busy chasing the vitamin D that we don’t have the time or energy to explore the interior of a place. A rainy day in autumn is a great excuse to leave the dog at home and prioritise an exploration of the huge variety of grand, stately, modest, rustic, domestic and quirky houses and buildings that we look after in and around Hampshire, some of which close in the winter. You’ll find some new surprises too....
Tales of Narnia: the artwork of Pauline Baynes exhibition - at Mottisfont
24 September – 6 November, normal property admission only (free to NT members)
In Mottisfont’s top floor gallery, discover a fantastical world of magic, danger, and talking mythical beasts as drawn by Pauline Baynes, the original artist for C.S Lewis’s famous series of children’s books. These delightful artworks feature best-loved creatures and characters from all seven books, including Aslan and Mr Tumnus, as well as Lucy, Edmond, Susan and Peter.
Incredible histories – at The Vyne
Soak up 500 years of history at this former Tudor ‘power house’, just 20 minutes from the M3. The Vyne was a favourite of Henry VIII’s and today, you can take in the sounds of a
16th-century mass as Henry would have heard it, when you visit the exquisite Tudor chapel. Legend has it that the chapel’s jewel-like stained glass was hidden in a pond during the Civil War to protect it from rampaging Roundheads. There are 18th-century ‘Grand Tour’ treasures too, and tapestries full of fantastical scenes from Asian folklore, recently returned from conservation.
Psst: the mansion is known to be haunted; look out for the lady in grey, sometimes seen in the chapel.
An 18th-century party house – at Uppark
Open Thursday to Sunday until 30 October (re-opens on 24 November for Christmas)
After Sir Harry Fetherstonhaugh inherited Uppark in 1774, this exquisite mansion became known for its legendary parties, lasting three days when the Prince of Wales visited, with gambling, and horse racing. Today, the ground floor rooms offer a beguiling view of life in a fine country house, decorated with sumptuous French furniture and captivating Italian paintings. Look out for the gorgeous black japanned ‘pagoda’ cabinet in the Little Parlour, and the 6ft dolls’ house, complete with miniature oil paintings, hallmarked silver and real candles. There are servants’ quarters to explore too, telling the story of life below stairs. Talking of which, find out how Sir Harry proposed to dairy maid Mary Ann Bullock...
World-famous art in a ‘Holy Box’ – at Sandham Memorial Chapel
Open Thursday to Sunday until 13 November
This little red-brick building tucked away in the quiet village of Burghclere, houses an unexpected treasure – an epic series of large-scale murals, by the acclaimed war artist Sir Stanley Spencer. The artworks were inspired by Spencer’s own experiences as a medical orderly and soldier in the First World War, and the paintings are peppered with personal and unexpected details, and uniquely shows the everyday activities rather than the horrors of war. There are delights outside too: a pretty garden at the back, and an old apple orchard at the front, with seating, and beautiful views across to Watership Down.
Nature moments
Autumn is a time of dramatic change, as landscapes and wildlife prepare for the colder months ahead. Here are some seasonal nature sights to look out for:
Fungi – the New Forest is famous for its fungi; there are over 1,700 different species. In autumn, the woods and grassy lawns of our New Forest commons are littered with exotic shapes and colours. They play a vital role in the Forest’s ecology, providing both food for other wildlife, as well as nutrients to trees, and are highly protected. Look out for the red and white fly agaric (often found under birch trees) and the flat capped honey fungus (often found in clusters on the trunks of trees).
Migrating birds – although autumn sees summer visitors like swallows and swifts departing, it also brings in the first of our wintering birds. The Vyne’s wetlands, just a short distance from the gardens, are a great place to witness this. Created from ancient water meadows, it gradually fills with such exotic creatures as the chestnut-headed teal, which travels from as far afield as Siberia.