|  | Get you're wellies on.. we've got a few suggestions for nice 'healthy walks' around the county and the best places to check out autumn colour....
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Stourhead Gardens Autumn Colour Walk
On a clear, crisp, sunny autumn day the gardens at Stourhead are really at their best.
And this autumn it looks better than ever.
Loads of dry weather and a few frosty nights has meant that Stourhead's magnificent woodland is full of autumn colour..
And, better still, the leaves are all golden and crunchy underfoot.
But not for long... according to Head Gardener, Alan Powers, it will only be at its best for the first week or so in November when there'll be loads to see:
"Visitors can expect to see the golden glow of the Tulip Trees, the russets and reds of the Beech and the deep rusty colour of the Taxodium or Swamp Cypress."
To make the most of it, Stourhead is putting on a couple of events. On Sunday November, 2, there will be an autumnal ramble through the woods and further afield with the Estate Warden. You'll also get a chance to have a nose around and find out more about woodland management.
Plus, having worked up an appetite, you can book yourself in for a three-course autumn lunch at the Stourhead restaurant. You deserve it.
Tickets for the walk are available from the Box Office on 01985 843601 and tables for lunch can be reserved by calling the restaurant on 01747 842006.
STOURHEAD GARDENS | | What | Autumn Colour Walk | | Date | November 2, 2003 | | Time | 10:30am | | Booking | 01985 843601 | | Cost | Adults: £4. Children: Free | | Opening Times | Garden open daily from 9am until dusk. | | Admission: | Admission to the garden only reduces to £3.95 from November 1st and dogs are welcome on leads. |
Autumn Wildlife at the Cotswold Water Park
Meanwhile at the Cotswold Water Park, autumn is the time when huge numbers of feathered wildlife start arriving back for their winter break.
Everything from wintering wildfowl, such as Shovelor, Pochard, Goldeneye and Smew, to waders, such as Curlew and snipe, to songbirds such as Redpoll, Siskin, Fieldfare and Redwing are flying in.
But if you don't know your snipe from your smew check out the 2-3 hour guided walk on Sunday November, 9 with Graham Maples from the Dursley Bird Watching and Preservation Society.
But it's not just the wildlife that should be getting your attention according to Gareth Harris at the Cotswold Water Park Society, the fantastic colours of the autumn trees are also worth the trip:
"The Cotswold Water Park is the obvious choice for an autumnal wildlife walk, being home to a wide variety of resident and wintering birds as well as a range of other wildlife."
For further information call Gareth on 01285 861459.
And of course don’t forget to bring outdoor clothing and walking shoes.
AUTUMN WILDLIFE
Cotswold Water Park | | What | A 2-3 hour guided walk by local expert Graham Maples of Dursley Bird Watching & Preservation Society. | | Date | Sunday November, 9, 2003 | | Time | 10:00am | | Booking | 01285 861459. | | Where | Meeting at the Neigh Bridge Car Park at 10am (Grid Ref SU018947). | | Opening Times | Keynes Country Park
Year Round 9:00am-9:00pm. |
The Chiseldon Timberland Trail
For Swindonians an autumn jaunt will be even easier now with the launch of a new Timberland Trail on Wednesday November, 12.
The Chiseldon Timberland Trail will make up the the third of a hat trick of trails in Swindon and North Wiltshire Trails.
The first two trails, opened in 2002, amble through countryside around Wroughton and Purton.
The Chiseldon route, however, is based around Swindon and will link Coate Water Country Park with outlying villages.
Marking out the trail will be distinctive waymark discs which will lead walkers over the M4, via the curly whirly footbridge, through open countryside and woodland.
Following parts of the old Swindon to Marlborough railway, and paths through the Coate Water Country Park, the new trail will become the newest link in the Salisbury to Gloucester cycling and walking route.
Surfaced and with no barriers the trail will be very easy going and suitable for all ages, cyclists, walkers and wheelchairs users.
To find out more about the Chiseldon Timberland Trail pick up a colour leaflet from libraries, Council offices, Information Centres and various other outlets from November, 12.
TIMBERLAND TRAIL
Chiseldon | | What | A new trail for cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchairs. | | Where | Running from Chiseldon to Coate Water | | Date | Opens: November, 12, 2003 | | Admission | Free |
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