New England

When it comes to holiday destinations, New England has it all. Autumn – or fall as they call it in the States – is an excellent time to go, when the leaves on a million trees turn a vibrant tapestry of scarlet, gold, purple and orange. The colours start to turn in the northern states of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire around mid-September, peaking around mid-October. In the southern states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, the change starts later and the incredible colours often last until November. These are perfect months for self-drive itineraries, with the air crisp and cool and the farm stalls piled high with apples and swollen pumpkins.

But New England is more than a one-season wonder. The long coastline is an ideal summer playground, with opportunities for everything from whale-watching tours to swimming and sea kayaking. From Maine’s rocky shoreline, past the stylish seaside resort of Kennebunkport to the broad sandy beaches of Cape Cod and upmarket islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, New England’s coast is ripe for summer exploration.

There is history, too. New England has born witness to many a nationforging moment. The Pilgrim Fathers (and Mothers) landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. The first shots of the Revolution were fired just outside Boston in 1775. And Fenway Park, the country’s oldest baseball stadium, opened for the Red Sox in 1912.

Boston makes for a wonderful city break, offering world-class museums, galleries and concert halls, as well as the famous Freedom Trail that links the city’s historic sites. But it’s also the gateway to the wider region. From Boston you can head out onto the quiet leafy backroads, exploring scenic villages with steeple-topped churches, clapboard houses and iconic covered bridges, where historic inns and boutique hotels guarantee a warm welcome.

Then there is the food, regarded as some of the finest in America. It was New England chefs that piloted the farm-to-fork movement and right across the region you’ll find fresh local produce being championed in restaurants, hotels, markets and farm stores. The seafood is especially sublime; the lobster rolls are quite possibly worth the price of a plane ticket alone.

Important Information

Best time to visit Without doubt, the most popular times to travel to New England are the summer season, from mid June through to August, or for the autumn foliage season, from late September into October and even early November in some areas. The winter months are cold and snowy, while spring months can be unpredictable.

Average temp 24°C (summer & autumn)

How to get there British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and United from Heathrow to Boston • Delta from Heathrow and Edinburgh (seasonal) to Boston • JetBlue from Heathrow and Gatwick to Boston

Average flying time 7 hours 30 minutes

GMT -5 hours

Tourist office www.visitnewengland.com

Ideal for Culture, History, Art, Cuisine, Beaches, Hiking, Natural Beauty and Autumn Colours

Autumn colours, New England