Autumn Foilage

Jodrell Bank might be a good call,its an arboretum just south of Manchester and an interesting plca to visit anyhow.Excellent food too

There are some good gardens south-west of London--Claremont near Esher and Hatchlands near Guildford are both National Trust and Painshill Park and the RHS garden at Wisley are also not far from Guildford, but he best place to see autumn colours is Winkworth Arboretum, outside Godalming. If you don't have a car, get a train to Godalming and then a taxi. It's well worth it.

The native UK trees such as oak and ash do not change colour much, therefore you will have to go to a planted garden to get colours from such as acers. Sheffield Park north of Brighton and Wisley near Guildford are two of the best close to London.

You will not get huge swathes of hillsides covered in reds/yellows/greens.

There have been a few cold nights recently and the acers have already started turning red, so by the end of October, the trees may be mostly bare.

I'll be having a car and I'm looking to sleep 2 or 3 nights outside the cities. What would be the best places to go to even if I am unable to see yellow/red/golden?

If you are happy with a detour via the Cotswolds, and have a car, then Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury is renowned for its Autumn colours, especially as it has a large collection of acers. However, it does get very busy this time of year, especially if your visit coincides with the local school half-term holiday.

www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

I was just pipped to the post for Westonbirt. Pretty close to fabulous, not so close to London.

If you drive in central London (not advised, not even suburban London) be aware of the expensive Congestion Charge.

Sheffield Park can be spectacular.

Acer is the Latin name used in Britain for a family of trees, some of which are also called maples. Generally speaking, our native acers do not have colourful foliage, while the Japanese acers are famous for the way they change colour.

Using Latin names for trees is more consistent internationally. For example, the British sycamore tree is a variety of acer, while the American sycamore is not.

How late does the fall color hold (to when the leaves fall) in Southern England?
Thanks!
Michael

It has been my experience that in North America the usual custom is to use a common name for plants and trees.

Generally in Europe and the UK the proper name is often used. It is very nice for us to go to Germany and Switzerland and see the same familiar Latin names, and I expect it is the same for them coming here.

Sometimes common names are used - most children grow up knowing London Plane, Oak, Willow and Ash. Perhaps it is the rarity of certain species, but then again the Handkerchief Tree is not usually given its proper name.

In the UK, we do not use the word maple, we use the family name of acer. There are many varieties.

The OP referred to the end of October, by which time the trees will most likely be bare so you will only be able to identify the tree by its shape, not its leaves.

I realize I will probably miss the Autumn colours. I have about two weeks. I have visited London several times in the last few years but I was 6 the last time I was this far north. Where should I go? Is lake district a good idea? Or should I visit when I'm back in May 2016/7?

If I had 2 weeks available for a trip out of Manchester, I would go to Harrogate, York, Whitby and the North York Moors, day trip to Durham, Hawes and the Yorkshire Dales with a day trip into the Lake District. This will give you fantastic countryside, coast and history.

We spent four nights in York, two nights in the Lake District (Keswick), and a day driving to Hadrian's Wall (Housestead Roman Fort) and CragSide this May.

York has many, many wonderful things! A day trip out to Castle Howard is nice if you are there.

Keswick and the entire Lake District is gorgeous!!!

Enjoy!