National Trust: Predictions on what Autumn weather will be

National Trust rangers and gardeners are preparing for a "mixed bag" of autumnal displays across gardens, parklands, and woodlands in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland this year with leaves expected to hang onto their trees for longer.

Following the wet spring and a cooler-than-average summer, hopes remain high for a dazzling colour display.

Stourhead, Wiltshire (Image: National Trust) Tim Parker, National Trust head gardener at Stourhead, Wiltshire, said: "My own predictions for Stourhead and more generally gardens in the South West is that this could be a strong year for autumn colour.

"Whilst it has been wet throughout the year and felt quite grey at times, it has in fact been a very strong growing season, certainly once spring finally got going.

“With the strong growing season in terms of growth I think we can expect a good autumn showing, especially with the cooler weather we are now experiencing."

He added: “Currently at Stourhead the usual early suspects are on the turn, our many Katsura trees are in various stages of colour and some bare.

"These amazing trees in autumn are usually smelt before they are seen with their layers of candyfloss scent.

Stourhead, Wiltshire (Image: National Trust) "The sugar maples and birch are coming into colour, more widely the horse chestnuts and beech are starting to turn and as autumn progresses we can look forward to seeing the striking yellows of our large tulip trees and their impact doubled and amplified by the water."

Mr Parker said he is now waiting "with real excitement and anticipation" and visitors to Stourhead are "in for a visual treat in the coming weeks by our much-cherished tree collection".

Pamela Smith, senior national consultant for gardens and parklands at the National Trust, added: "As the predictability of weather patterns continues to alter due to a changing climate, the timings of a traditional autumn with its colourful canopy displays become less certain.

"We’ve seen a real mixed bag of conditions so far this year - particularly the soggy start, but if we see a gradual drop in temperature along with more settled weather, we could expect to see a drawn-out display.

"However, if we get sharp, hard, frosts or see further wet weather with storms, heavy rain and wind roll across the UK, that may cut any extended show short."