Colours of the UK

From spring to winter, we never say no to exploring, because we love where we live! But while we stop to enjoy stunning views or read fascinating facts on plaques, it's easy to overlook the simple things going on around us - like all the amazing colours found across the UK.
So, next time you're out and about, keep your eyes peeled to see what colours you can spot. Here’s our UK in colour Top 10:

1. Orange

Fallen orange leaves

What?

Every year, without fail, leaves up and down the UK turn from green to amazing hues of orange, along with yellows and reds, of course. We know it’s coming, but it’s still a sight to behold, and who doesn’t love running through a big pile of leaves?!

Where?

Across the UK! But for a fab mix of different leaves and colours, head to the National Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

Make a totally awesome day out of it

Get the Tetbury treasure hunt Trail under your belt in the morning, grab some lunch in one of the tasty pubs or cafes in the town, and then head off to the arboretum to enjoy the changing colours as the sun gradually gets lower in the sky.

2. Yellow

Yellow high-rise building

What?

Who said office blocks have to be boring? This one certainly adds a splash of colour to all who walk by!

Where?

1 St Giles High Street, London, WC2H 8AG

Make a totally awesome day out of it

After gawping up at the building and basking in its boldness and brightness, you’re just minutes away on foot from a whole host of what London has to offer. Spend the morning immersing yourselves in the exhibits at the British Museum, hit the shops by exploring the whole of Oxford Street from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch, or get your detective hats on and solve the Covent Garden mystery Trail.

3. Pink

A pink cottage

What?

It seems that from the 14th-century, local Suffolk dyers used to add things like elderberries or pig’s blood to white limewash to make it thicker, resulting in distinctive pink buildings.

Where?

Visit Suffolk and you can’t help but notice that some of the houses are painted pink, but you can't miss them if you go to Lavenham!

Make a totally awesome day out of it

Spend the morning solving clues on the Lavenham Treasure Hunt, and you’ll pass a handful of pink houses, including some of the 321 listed buildings in the village. Then after a spot of lunch in the village, let off some steam at nearby Long Melford Country Park or tickle your taste buds at the excellent Food Museum.

4. Red

Red cliffs in Norfolk

What?

When you mention colourful cliffs, most people will think of the incredible colours of Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight. But for some lesser-known but no less impressive colourful stripes, these colourful layers of red and white chalk are well worth a visit.

Where?

St Edmund’s Point, Hunstanton.

Make a totally awesome day out of it

These west-facing cliffs are at their best late afternoon / early evening as the sun is going down. Spend the morning at the Sea Life Centre, enjoy a round of adventure golf, or sneak around the area above the cliffs on the Hunstanton Old Town Spy Mission. Then grab some lunch in town near Lincoln Square, and you’ll be in the right spot to get down to the beach and do some fossil hunting as you admire the cliffs. There’s also a shipwreck on the beach!

5. Green

Green aurora borealis, often called the Northern Lights

What?

Ah, the aurora borealis! The Northern Lights! Those illusive mystical dancing green lights in the northern skies.

Where?

The good news is, you don’t have to head off up to the arctic circle to see them. If you’re lucky and there’s a clear sky, you might see them from Scotland all the way down to Pembrokeshire. We also hear Northumberland is a great place to spot them!

Make a totally awesome day out of it

With sightings often reported near Berwick-upon-Tweed, why warm up with not one, but TWO Treasure Trail adventures in the town. Kick your day off as a secret agent on a spy mission, tuck into a tasty lunch, and then hone your detective skills on an investigation in preparation for sniffing out some northern lights once the sun has gone down.

6. White

Snow in a field

What?

Snow! The white stuff! A winter wonderland! That feeling when you wake up and look out of the window to see a blanket of snow, and the eerie quiet of a snowy morning never gets old, no matter how old you are!

Where?

Obviously, some parts of the UK are more likely to see snow than others, and you'll have to time it right, so head to the hills in winter to increase your chances of enjoying those snow-capped peaks. Or, grab some indoor snow fun at Snozone – check out their Family Fun Sledging sessions!

Make a totally awesome day out of it

You don’t need us to tell you how to enjoy a snow day! But do remember that if you’re out on a Trail, you may need to wipe some snow off a plaque or two in order to solve a clue, so gloves are a must. Pick a pub with a cosy fire to ensure you warm up over lunch, ready for your afternoon adventures!

7. Purple

Heather on the moors

What?

Blankets of purple heather on the uplands and moors at the end of summer.

Where?

You can find upland moors up and down the UK. Check out these suggestions for the best places to look. The above picture shows the rolling hills of the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.

Make a totally awesome day out of it

How about a visit to Tomintoul, reportedly the highest village in the Highlands! The drive there is as scenic as any, and you’ll be wowed by the views. Get the Tomintoul Spy Mission under your belt before heading off to explore further.

8. Blue

Bright blue sea

What?

The sea! It appears blue because it absorbs other colours such as red, yellow and orange, reflecting back light on the blue spectrum.

Where?

Some seas are bluer than others depending on what’s in the water being churned up. The clearer the water, the blue it can appear. Our top pick is at Kynance Cove along the SW Coastal Path.

Make a totally awesome day out of it

Explore a nearby section of coast at Lizard Point with our explorer treasure hunt. Enjoy the feeling of being at the most southerly point in mainland UK! Then head off to Kynance Cove for an extra dose of blue.

9. Multi-colour

Multicoloured murals on a building

What?

Kelburn Castle is no ordinary castle! Four of the world's leading graffiti artists have put their stamp on it!

Where?

Find Kelburn Castle not far from Largs, Scotland.

Make a totally awesome day out of it

A visit to the castle is an awesome day out in itself! Immerse yourselves in the Secret Forest and enjoy the colourful building. There are animals, too, including alpacas and Yoko, the ginger tomcat. To enjoy the wider area, we have a quest for you – The Quest for the Viking Sword is set in Largs nearby.

10. Rainbow

What?

Colinton Tunnel was once a Victorian railway tunnel. Now, it's an enchanting mural not to be missed!

Where?

Find it on along the Water of Leith Walkway, on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Make a totally awesome day out of it

Grab your bikes or go on foot and follow the cycle route from Fountainbridge in Edinburgh to the tunnel. You’ll reach it 3.7 miles from the start. Continue along to the village of Balerno or head back into Edinburgh to enjoy the sights.

The Colour Badge

The colour badge

The colour badge is just one of 100's of Special Badges you can unlock when you complete your next Treasure Trail.

But remember, you won't know which badge your Trail will unlock until you've submitted your answer. Five of our Trails will earn you the colour badge, so it’s a rare one!

You can find out more about our Trail Blazer Badges and Footsteps Rewards here.