Aerial awe: gardens go gold for autumn

THIS autumn, National Trust Cymru is offering a breathtaking new perspective on the season's splendour captured from above.

- By STEVE BAGNALL

Through a series of stunning aerial photographs, the charity invites the public to witness nature's fiery transformation from a bird's-eye view, showcasing golden woodlands, russet landscapes, and winding paths cloaked in colour.

Now is the perfect time to see Wales in its full autumn glory. So dig out your knitwear, pull on your walking boots, and feel the crunch of leaves underfoot as you explore one of National Trust Cymru's top spots to soak up the season's vibrant palette.

For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales

Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Bodnant Garden is awash with crimsons, ambers and golds in autumn as glowing leaves, ripening berries, and late-flowering plants put on a show of colour that rivals even the brightest colours of summer.

The 80 acres of this world-class garden are home to a vast collection of native and exotic trees that span several centuries. From the stately chestnuts, beeches, and oaks in the Old Park, and towering American conifers in the Victorian pinetum, to beautiful ornamental cherries and other Asian species in the Acer Glade, there are plenty of species to discover in a kaleidoscope of autumn colours.

As you wander, you may experience the sugary fragrance of Katsura trees, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, that fills the air and look out for around 40 Champion trees (identify them by looking for their blue labels) in their autumn finery - they're the biggest or rarest examples of their kind in the UK.

Find out more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden

Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey

Nestled on the shores of the Menai Strait, Plas Newydd's beautiful setting is hard to beat, and with 150 acres of garden, woodland and parkland to explore, it's a great place for an autumn stroll.