Commission highlights its top five places to view autumn splendour

IT IS an annual display from nature which never fails to take the breath away.

And with autumnal colours set to spread across the region’s woodlands, the Forestry Commission has named North Yorkshire’s top five places to see the rustic hues.

Dalby Forest, near Pickering, Kilburn Woods, near Thirsk, and Bishopwood, near Cawood, are all prime spots, according to forest chiefs, along with Newgate Bank to the north of Helmsley and Ingleby Greenhowe, near Stokesley, included for their fabulous viewpoints over breathtaking countryside.

The seasonal transformation will be sparked in earnest by the first frosts which set in train a chemical reaction in leaves as trees get ready to shut down for the winter.

District forester Paul Cody said: “We are privileged in North Yorkshire to have so many fabulous woods so deciding on the best five places hasn’t been easy.

“Even for veteran foresters this time of year is special with so much colour making the woods look like an artist’s palette.”

To mark the turning of the seasons, the Forestry Commission is opening Dalby Forest for free on Wednesday next week. Dalby Forest’s visitor centre manager, Tanya Rex, added: “The free day is a great opportunity to explore Dalby.”