Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1) Soak up the Autumn colour </h2>



<p>What else could be top of the list? Time to grab your big coat and boots and make like a Nora Ephron film in a kaleidoscope of yellow, red and burnt orange. Want to know our top spots for a bit of leaf-peeping? </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="802" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Stowe-NTI-Rupert-Truman-1000x802.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137451" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Stowe-NTI-Rupert-Truman-1000x802.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Stowe-NTI-Rupert-Truman-800x642.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Stowe-NTI-Rupert-Truman-400x321.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Stowe-NTI-Rupert-Truman-655x525.jpg 655w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Stowe-NTI-Rupert-Truman.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image credit: Rupert Truman</figcaption></figure>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe" target="_blank">Stowe</a>, Bucks (above): Here you get double the colour splash as the show is reflected in the lakes. Top tip &#8211; head to the Grecian Valley for gorgeous acers, tulip trees and spindle trees which have bright red leaves and pink and orange seeds.&nbsp;</p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden" target="_blank">Hughenden</a>, nr High Wycombe: The manor is surrounded by the beech woodland typical of the area, with wide paths opening up to long vistas across sweeping Chiltern valleys.&nbsp;Talk about your Instagram fodder. </p>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank">Basildon Park</a>, nr Reading: It might be over the border in Berks, but it&#8217;s well worth the trip. Take the ‘orange’ or ‘green’ walk through beech woodland to see the colours of guelder rose, maple, spindle and larch along the whole route.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2) Hit up a harvest festival</h2>



<p>The wheat and barley has been gathered in and the blackberries were early this year but there’s plenty more harvest in the walled gardens, orchards and hedgerows.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Hughenden-in-autumn-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137452" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Hughenden-in-autumn-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Hughenden-in-autumn-Hugh-Mothersole-800x427.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Hughenden-in-autumn-Hugh-Mothersole-1000x533.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Hughenden-in-autumn-Hugh-Mothersole-400x213.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Hughenden-in-autumn-Hugh-Mothersole-900x480.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Image credit: Hugh Mothersole</figcaption></figure>



<p>Fancy a bit of apple-picking? Head to Hughenden (above), where every day is an apple day during Autumn. You&#8217;ll have the opportunity to learn about some of the 40 varieties of old English apple in the grounds, help with the hay-making or head out on a fungi trail. </p>



<p>Stowe is all about apples and pears, plums and sloes in the orchard around New Inn. Their <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/748f1eb1-d1cb-476e-b04d-a815833ccf86/pages/details" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/748f1eb1-d1cb-476e-b04d-a815833ccf86/pages/details" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvest Weekend</a> is 1 and 2 October, and comes with harvest themed pop-up stalls and games.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3) Find the best selfie spots</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/52362003891_fefb90fb56_k-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137602" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/52362003891_fefb90fb56_k-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/52362003891_fefb90fb56_k-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/52362003891_fefb90fb56_k-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/52362003891_fefb90fb56_k-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/10/52362003891_fefb90fb56_k.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What is it about the golden light of autumn afternoons that works better than any Instagram filter? Capture the best shots under the arch at the ruin of the cascade at Stowe, framing a view of Eleven Acre Lake behind you &#8211; it&#8217;s a total beauty.&nbsp;Or in the dahlia garden at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court" target="_blank">Greys Court</a> near Henley (above), with the pergola with the Tower in the background. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4) Try leaf swishing</h2>



<p>Leaf swishing is one of life&#8217;s undervalued activities &#8211; don&#8217;t underestimate the fun value in star-fishing surrounded by leaves under a lime tree, or having a leaf-kicking fight with your kids (and winning. Always winning). Also cross reference here leaf swishing&#8217;s more devious cousin, the leaf dump &#8211; excellent opportunities for annoying partners with a sudden leaf cascade to the head. The possibilities are endless here, but those in the know at National Trust suggest Hughenden, Greys Court, the beech and oak Chiltern woodland at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chilterns-countryside/features/bradenham-estate" target="_blank">Bradenham</a>, nr West Wycombe, <br><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/badbury" target="_blank">Badbury</a> (near Faringdon) or Berkshire&#8217;s Basildon Park.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Basildon-Park-©-NTI-John-Miller.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137454" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Basildon-Park-©-NTI-John-Miller.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Basildon-Park-©-NTI-John-Miller-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Basildon-Park-©-NTI-John-Miller-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Basildon-Park-©-NTI-John-Miller-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Basildon-Park-©-NTI-John-Miller-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Image credit: John Miller</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5) Make it spooky</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s only a matter of weeks to Halloween, so let&#8217;s get in the mood, shall we? There are more spooky spots in Bucks, Oxon and the surrounding counties than you can shake a crucifix at, but my vote goes to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chastleton" target="_blank">Chastleton</a> (below) on the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire border &#8211; an incredible Jacobean time capsule basically left in its original form for 400 years (scenes from <em>Wolf Hall </em>were shot here). Small enough for little legs, and full of creaky atmosphere, there&#8217;s a special behind-the-scenes tour on 25 Oct this year. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1049" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Chastleton.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137455" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Chastleton.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Chastleton-800x559.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Chastleton-1000x699.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Chastleton-400x280.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Chastleton-751x525.jpg 751w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<p>Stowe in North Buckinghamshire has a Halloween trail in October half term which explores the lost village of Stowe, with a few chants and spells along the way. There are also some rare opportunities to explore the most beautiful and spookiest of Stowe’s monuments, the Gothic Temple on 29/30 Oct.&nbsp;</p>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Learn something new</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1560" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/walled-garden-at-Hughenden-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137456" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/walled-garden-at-Hughenden-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg 1560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/walled-garden-at-Hughenden-Hugh-Mothersole-800x513.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/walled-garden-at-Hughenden-Hugh-Mothersole-1000x641.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/walled-garden-at-Hughenden-Hugh-Mothersole-400x256.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/walled-garden-at-Hughenden-Hugh-Mothersole-1536x985.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/walled-garden-at-Hughenden-Hugh-Mothersole-819x525.jpg 819w" sizes="(max-width: 1560px) 100vw, 1560px" /></figure>



<p>New year, new you? Hey, buck the trend and be an early autumn adopter! If you&#8217;re feeling the creative urge, Hughenden (above) is running a series of give-it-a-go workshops on watercolour painting, photography and floristry. There are also some visiteering (aka volunteering while visiting) opportunities to help out the rangers with hay-making and tree-planting, and the garden team with planting the winter bedding. Meanwhile, over at the picturesque <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-buscot-and-coleshill-estates/conservation-skills-centre" target="_blank">Coleshill Heritage Skills Centre</a> (nr Faringdon) there are a huge array of unusual courses including lime plastering, block-printing and weaving. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Eat comfort food &#8211; it&#8217;s offically allowed</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1408" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/monika-grabkowska-w-R_sfcakP0-unsplash.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137457" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/monika-grabkowska-w-R_sfcakP0-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/monika-grabkowska-w-R_sfcakP0-unsplash-800x751.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/monika-grabkowska-w-R_sfcakP0-unsplash-1000x939.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/monika-grabkowska-w-R_sfcakP0-unsplash-400x375.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/monika-grabkowska-w-R_sfcakP0-unsplash-559x525.jpg 559w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I know it&#8217;s truly autumn when I bring my the elasticated trousers out of hiding. October is when a brisk walk should always be followed by a serious café breakfast, brunch, lunch &#8211; or frankly all three. Anyone who frequent our many local National Trust sites will know they have some of the best cafés when it comes to seasonal produce. On the menu this autumn from the likes of Stowe Landscape Gardens and Hughenden Park are squash macaroni cheese and Thai spiced squash soup, harissa roasted aubergine or apple and honey scones. Wash it down with a pumpkin spice latte, or a butterscotch milk steamer with sprinkles for the kids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. Collect conkers</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/conkers-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137458" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/conkers-Hugh-Mothersole.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/conkers-Hugh-Mothersole-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/conkers-Hugh-Mothersole-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/conkers-Hugh-Mothersole-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/conkers-Hugh-Mothersole-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Image credit: Hugh Mothersole</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s something so satisfying about popping a perfect shiny brown conker from its fleshy casing, don&#8217;t you think? Like so many kids in the Seventies, I used to collect them every day from a tree outside my primary school and play violent Conkers matches against my brother and his long-suffering knuckles. If you’re an inveterate conker-collector (or secret Conkers player), you’ll find horse chestnut trees in the woodland at Hughenden (where you can also pay your respects to Hughenden’s officially-designated Champion horse chestnut tree)  and around the garden at Stowe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Enjoy the rainy days</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Mike-Fear.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137459" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Mike-Fear.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Mike-Fear-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Mike-Fear-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Mike-Fear-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Dining-Room-©-Waddesdon-A-Rothschild-House-Gardens.-Photo-Mike-Fear-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Image credit: Mike Fear</figcaption></figure>



<p>Well, haven&#8217;t we all had enough of sunshine this year? Rainy days mean you can leave the dog at home, you don&#8217;t need to go for a run, and you have 100% Muddy backing to indulge yourself by wandering around some of the National Trust&#8217;s most beautiful buildings before they are &#8216;put to bed&#8217; this year. No contest on this one &#8211; head straight to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/" target="_blank">Waddesdon Manor</a> (above) nr Aylesbury, created to surprise and delight by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in the 19<sup>th</sup> century and still doing the trick nicely in the 21st too. He built his faux chateau as an escape from London in summer and to entertain his friends for weekend house parties and the opulent interiors and world-class art collections need to be seen to be believed. Open Wednesdays to Sundays until 30 Oct.</p>



<p>&nbsp;A less blingy, though equally fascinating, alternative is <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nuffield-place" target="_blank">Nuffield Place</a>, nr Henley, the surprisingly modest home of one of the richest men of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, Lord Nuffield. The Arts and Crafts house and garden are domestic and cottagey in style, with a curious addition in the bedroom (no we&#8217;re not telling, go see it!). Nuffield Place is open Wednesdays to Sundays until 30 Oct.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10/ Watery wanders</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1644" height="1092" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Cliveden-water-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-137637" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Cliveden-water-.jpg 1644w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Cliveden-water--800x531.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Cliveden-water--1000x664.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Cliveden-water--400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Cliveden-water--1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Cliveden-water--790x525.jpg 790w" sizes="(max-width: 1644px) 100vw, 1644px" /><figcaption>Image: Cliveden NT</figcaption></figure>



<p>You might need to wrap up in your duvet coat and keep you sunnies on standby, but seeing&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden/" target="_blank">Cliveden</a>‘s autumnal glow from the river is a must. You’ll need to weather watch to ensure you get a perfectly crisp day, then pop a bottle of bubbles in you bag and go boating.&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden/features/boating-at-cliveden" target="_blank">Boating at Cliveden</a>&nbsp;run a fleet of fully electric skippered cruises and motor boats for you to potter down one of the prettiest stretches of Thames. Available until the end of October. Time is also running out to see the Fountain of Love in all its glory. During the winter months, the gaggle of naked ladies get covered up to save their extremities from frost bite. Ouch.</p>


Top 10 things to do locally at the National Trust this Autumn

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