AUTUMN brings a blaze of colour to Batsford Arboretum as the tree collection takes on magnificent hues of red, gold and yellow.

The arboretum, near Moreton, is home to one of the country’s finest collections of rare and unusual trees.

Owner the Batsford Foundation said from early October until mid-November, visitors can expect a natural fireworks display of colour at the attraction thanks to its magnificent collection of Japanese maples, Sorbus, Euonymus and cherries dotted around the 56 acre Arboretum.

Head gardener Matthew Hall said: “A wet spring, followed by above-average sunshine, have been ideal conditions for our trees to build up sugars in the leaves, which are required to produce the beautiful reds, golds and yellows we look forward to. If the dry conditions continue, we expect the colours to be at their best from mid-late October”

Visitors to Batsford can also soak up the smells of autumn from the collection of Katsura Trees. As the Katsura leaves begin to fall, they release a sweet aroma similar to that of caramel or candyfloss.

Planted on a hillside, the arboretum also gives views across the tree canopy to the Evenlode Valley and Cotswolds beyond.

There is also a visitor centre housing a garden centre, gift shop and café.