The Beauty of British Autumn

They say there is nowhere quite like New England in the fall.

But old England is giving the U.S. a run for its money this year, with the trees around the Lake District transformed by the changing season into a glorious tapestry of green, red, copper and gold.

And with forecasters predicting unseasonably warm weather on its way in the UK this week, conditions will be perfect for those hoping to get outdoors to take in the breathtaking autumn scenery.

Mother Nature's autumn show: Visitors to Studley Royal Water Garden, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, got a double delight as the spectacular golds, bronzes, purples and yellows of the leaves were mirrored in the lake.

Spectacular: Sailing boats bob on Derwentwater surrounded by warm russet foliage

These spectacular pictures show how the leaves on the trees surrounding Derwentwater in the Lake District have deepened to warm russet hues, forming a stunning backdrop to the placid waters of the lake.

They show a picture-perfect autumn day for hikers and sailors in the area, and the Met Office has said temperatures could soar as high as 20C this week thanks to a wave of hot air from North Africa which is due to sweep through the UK from tomorrow.

Continuing this year's pattern of wacky weather, it could also bring 'blood rain' to our shores - rain carrying red dust from the Sahara desert.

'Season of mists': The shoreline around Derwentwater in the Lake District has been transformed into a glorious patchwork of autumnal colour.

Autumnal scene: A walker captures the spectacular view across Derwentwater on camera.

The always stunning scenery around the Lake District has been further enhanced with the onset of autumn.

Peaceful: A boat chugs its way across the water of the lake towards the shoreline.

Seasonal splendour: Derwentwater is surrounded on all sides by shades of green, russet, copper and gold.

Conditions look pleasant for a sail across Derwentwater, as forecasters predict unseasonably warm weather ahead this week.

Patchwork: The warm hues of the foliage form a spectacular backdrop to the boats sailing on the lake.

Ethereal: Early-morning mist over the Wye Valley in Herefordshire today gives the autumnal landscape an ethereal quality.

Golden leaves: A young family stroll past the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial Red Maple in Kew Gardens as it drops its leaves, which have mellowed to gold.

The fabulous shades of autumn are visible across Britain; here a child plays with the leaves of an Acer tree in Arley, Cheshire.

Morning fog: A cyclist rides through the fog amid golden leaves in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.

A jogger gets out and about in the early morning mist in Sutton Park in the West Midlands.

Surrey's Kew Gardens are a riot of autumn colour.

The lawns at Kew Gardens are carpeted with leaves of gold, russet and red this autumn.