WHO needs summer, when autumn is as glorious as this?

October is the busiest time of year at the arboretum at Castle Howard, where these pictures were taken.

Elsewhere, the tourist season may be winding down, says Maurag Carmichael, administrator of the Arboretum Trust. “But this is our high season, because the colours are so glorious.”

At this time of year, every day at the arboretum is different. There are 6,500 different varieties of shrub and tree here, some of them native to these shores, but many exotic species collected from around the world.

As autumn sets in they each, in their own way, begin to change. Leaves fade, turn yellow, then orange, then magnificent red. But all at different times and speeds, making for an ever-changing mosaic of glorious autumnal colour.

“It changes every day,” says Justin Edsall, manager of the arboretum’s visitor centre. “All you need is a windy night, and everything that was there the day before is different.”

At the moment, some of the maples are in full-blown autumnal garb. The aptly-named October Glory maple in particular is a spectacular, glowing red. The rowans, too, are bursting with berries – crimson, mauve, yellow and black.

Bullrushes fringe the lake, and the breeding swans have a young cygnet in its dull brown juvenile plumage in tow.

On a bright day, it is a glorious place to come and read the Sunday papers in the sun, says Maurag – or just to wander, and take in the views and the fresh air. Look up the length of the vista known as the Furniture Maker’s Walk, so called because it is lined with an avenue of sweet chestnut trees planted by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, and you see part of the old Castle Howard boundary walls outlined against the sky.

Visit the tercentenary wood and you will see a selection of native British trees, all clad in autumn golds and reds. Skirt the lake and you will encounter a plantation of young acers, or maples, in bright oranges, reds and browns.

There is serious science done here. The arboretum styles itself ‘Kew at Castle Howard’, because many tree species that can’t thrive further south on the banks of the Thames are planted here instead.

If you want to learn more about the trees, turn up at 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon and one of the groundsmen will take you on a guided tour.

But if it is just autumn colours and tranquillity you’re after, choose a fine day to suit yourself, and enjoy.

This year marks the tenth anniversary since the arboretum opened to the public in 1999. And it is on glorious form.

• Entry to the arboretum is £5 adults, £2.50 children. Or you can become a member at the moment at the special rate of £32, which gives you free entry right through to the end of next season.