Why trees could have the 'best autumn colours' this year

The Wye Valley, which spans across England and Wales, has some of the "most spectacular displays of trees" in the country, according to one 'leaf peeper'

Parts of England and Wales could experience "some of the best autumn colours" ever this year after being "revived" by a hot summer and a rainy September, according to one naturalist.

The Wye Valley, which spans across the two countries in Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, has some of the most "spectacular" autumn displays in Britain, according to Ed Drewitt.

Mr Drewitt is the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley's chief leaf peeper and he is encouraging others to take on the activity, which involves travelling to view and photograph autumn leaves.

"Autumn here is never the same twice," said Mr Drewitt. "The [area] has a jigsaw puzzle, a mosaic pattern of different sorts of trees."

He said nature's autumn display could be extra special this year, after parts of England recorded four heatwaves in the summer before experiencing double the average amount of rainfall in September.

Mr Drewitt's role as chief leaf peeper will see him guide visitors to the best viewing spots in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley to "champion" the area.

Ed Drewitt is chief leaf peeper and shows people around the autumn displays in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

"Autumn here is never the same twice," said Mr Drewitt. "When we get into mid-October onwards you get all these different sorts of trees changing their colours in different sorts of ways.

"Each year the trees write a new chapter - the beeches blaze earlier, the oaks linger longer, and the larches surprise you when the light hits them just right."

Leaf-peeping hotspots

The best window to see the changing colours of leaves is between mid-October and early-November, Mr Drewitt said.

Tourism company Visit the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley said the area's hotspots for leaf peeping are:

• Symonds Yat Rock

• The Kymin

• Tintern Abbey and the Devil's Pulpit

• Eagle's Nest

• Wintour's Leap

• Puzzlewood

• New Fancy View and Mallards Pike

• Cyril Hart Arboretum

• Beechenhurst and Cannop Ponds

• Goodrich Castle, Kerne Bridge & Coppett Hill