Our favourite colour is autumn

The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go. 2020 has been a year we’ll never forget, with so much uncertainty, sadness and challenges. One thing this year has shown us all is how important the outdoors and nature is to our well-being, mental and physical.

As we head into Autumn, it’s time to recharge our batteries and take time for peaceful reflection, for quieter moments, walks, comfort food and being in nature.

Autumn in the Lakes is a magical time, of amazing colour – both in the trees, the skies, the sunsets and the reflections. A time for indulgent comfort food, woolly jumpers, comfy boots, gentle walks, or exhilarating hikes.

It’s that time of year when we humans wax lyrical and get all poetic about the mellow fruitfulness of autumn and the gorgeous red and gold foliage that really lifts our spirits. Meanwhile, the magical tree world is actually quietly going through its own annual method of self-protection.

It’s now time for the vivid greens of spring and summer to take a back seat. Cooler weather starts the process of hormone changes in the trees, stopping chlorophyll production, and it’s the turn of the amazing reds, golds and yellows to be the star of the show, before the trees ‘hunker down’ and go into hibernation over winter, ready for a lovely fresh start in the Spring.

Slater’s Bridge, Little Langdale

The leaves on the ground get to work as mulch; as a haven for wildlife and putting goodness back into the ground below. As well as offering us that delightful pastime of walking, crunching and kicking our way through the autumn leaves.

Autumn may be a time for reflection for us, but it’s the start of a busy time of year for our farmers, as the harvest is brought in, lambs and calves are weaned; cattle are brought down from the higher ground; tup sales take place and mating begins.  The hardy Herdwick sheep remain up on the fells in their natural habitat.  Spare a thought for our farming families, busy looking after the livestock here, as well as many physical autumn jobs, such as hedge-trimming, sorting silage and getting all the farm buildings secure before the winter weather arrives.

Whether you’ve got a busy autumn ahead of you, or are planning a bit of downtime, we hope this season’s magazine helps to transport you for a while to somewhere a little bit magical.