Scoop up armfuls of seasonal fruits, foliage and flowers – from your local farm shop or garden – to create colourful displays and toasty treats

PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO, IDEAS TO TRY

THIS MONTH Squashes

FOR JOHN KEATS, AUTUMN WAS THE SEASON OF MISTS AND MELLOW FRUITFULNESS. HERE, THE COUNTRY LIVING TEAM AND FRIENDS HIGHLIGHT WHAT THIS TIME OF YEAR MEANS TO THEM – FROM CRAFTING WREATHS TO BOTTLING SLOE GIN

Karen Youngs revels in the changing landscape and encounters a handsome game bird on a morning walk

Don’t listen to the chatter. It’s all nonsense. Yes, term has started, the evenings are shorter, and I saw advent calendars in the supermarkets too. But it’s not the end of the summer. Not yet. And ce