Scrunching leaves, vibrant views and the red-tinted, orange and golden hues of autumn make for some breath-taking places to visit on the nation's beautiful waterways. Travelling by boat or on foot you can double your enjoyment by watching the watery reflections of trees as you follow the waterway to appreciate their seasonal splendour. The Canal & River Trust has handpicked eight sites that provide great places to visit and experience the vibrant colours that are nature's way of preparing for winter.
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Brecon, Wales
Meandering through the Welsh countryside the isolated Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is the most popular attraction in the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park. It is one of the Canal & River Trust's most beautiful and peaceful waterways following the line of the lovely wooded Usk Valley. Travelling west towards Brecon a wooded bank of beech trees provide a golden backdrop to huge landscape views of the Usk Valley. From here it's a short walk to the basin in Brecon where there's a café for a cosy lunch. The navigable section of the canal runs for 35 miles from Brecon to the Pontymoile basin. Its location makes it a haven for wildlife and a favourite with nature-lovers, walkers and cyclists.
Getting there: park roadside where the B4558 crosses the canal and River Usk. Brecon, South Wales LD3 7UY.
Kennet & Avon Canal, Avoncliff Aqueduct, Avoncliff, Wiltshire
Surrounded by woodland the Avoncliff Aqueduct is a stately spot to view the beautiful turning colours of the Bath Valley. The woodland here is made up of a rich variety of tree species and includes oak, ash, sycamore, hazel and hawthorn. The aqueduct at 100m long and 18m wide provides a pale limestone contrast with the colourful displays of leaves. If you're lucky, this is a great spot to see bats flying to and from the tall arches of the aqueduct and wandering dear feeding on hedgerow leaves and berries.
Getting there: parking available at Avoncliff Aqueduct, Avoncliff, Near Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 2HB.
Llangollen Canal, Llangollen, Denbighshire, North Wales
Follow the Llangollen Canal from Horseshoe Falls, above Llangollen through to Chirk, taking in the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. The aqueduct's soaring arches provide a beautiful picture perfect frame for the views beyond. Pass through the Vale of Llangollen, a beautiful valley with native woodlands all the way through, and then cross the Rivers Dee and Clywedog valleys – which provide spectacular displays when viewed from the aqueducts.
Getting there: parking is available at Horseshoe Falls LL20 8BN or at the aqueducts at Trevor Basin Car Park LL20 7TY.
