Arboretum among best places in UK to see autumn

A park maintained by Derby City Council has been named by a national newspaper as one of the best places in the country to see the unfolding of autumn.

Derby Arboretum, which is England’s oldest park, has been named among ‘Seven of the UK’s most glorious arboretums for autumn’ by The Times.

Arboretums are protected gardens, dedicated to collections of trees, which began to emerge during the early 19th century when horticulture and a trend for collecting foreign plant species came into vogue.

There are now more than 40 arboretums in the UK, and The Times has picked the seven that it believes are most spectacular in autumn – with Derby Arboretum heading that list.

Masterminded in 1840 by the Victorian botanist John Claudius Loudon, Derby Arboretum is a Grade II* listed park.

According to The Times article, 10 of its original trees, including the black walnut, remain in situ, alongside red oaks and crimson red maples.

Earlier this year Derby Arboretum was among six parks maintained by the city council to be awarded Green Flag status.

Regarded as the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, the award recognises their high standard.

In addition to a Green Flag award, Derby Arboretum was also this year awarded Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.

In addition to listing the best arboretums, The Times article also suggests places to visit and stay – in Derby’s case, it recommends visiting Derby Museums’ Museum of Making.

To read The Times article, click here.