Shorter days, colder nights, there's no denying that autumn is on it's way. The transition from one season to another can sometimes be a little jarring, but the skip from summer to autumn does have some upsides.
While many will be putting in their first pumpkin spiced latte order of the season, or lighting cinnamon-scented candles around the house, others will gladly rifling through their cupboards and digging out their winter coats and wellies in preparation for a autumn walk.
And, for people who love the cosier, cooler months, the chill in the air and the reddening of the leaves will be a welcome change. Greater Manchester is often at its prettiest at this time of year, when the trees turn hundreds of shades of orange, yellow, brown and red.
Our local parks will soon be covered in a carpet of colourful leaves, so here's some of the best places to go to see the seasons changing before your eyes.
Read more: 18 of the best places to go for an autumn walk in and around Greater Manchester
Alexandra Park, Oldham
Alexandra Park is one of the region's most beautiful parks in autumn, with its leaves turning every imaginable shade of orange and red. It's made even prettier by the fact the trees stand on the water's edge, reflecting the seasonal spectacle.
The Victorian park was built in the 1800s in an attempt to keep local textile workers employed - now it's home to a boating lake, tennis courts, a kids' play area, ornamental gardens and lots of native woodland.
Heaton Park, Prestwich
Heaton Park is the biggest park in Manchester and the largest municipal park in Europe. Covering more than 600 acres there is plenty of space to enjoy an autumn walk and view the stunning autumn colours.
While there are no deer rutting in the grounds, there is an animal farm for you to enjoy the wildlife and the odd Shetland pony trotting around the fields.
Whitworth Park, Manchester
Whitworth Park is picture-perfect at the best of times, but in autumn it really comes alive. Trees line the footpaths in the park and when they turn ablaze at this time of year, it makes for quite the spectacle.
The public park is also home to the Whitworth Gallery, so if you don't find the nature to be enough of a work of art you can head inside there after a stroll.
Tandle Hill, Oldham
Oldham's oldest country park is also home to some of the area's oldest trees, with lots of ancient Beech woodland to explore. The park will change drastically over the coming weeks as the trees begin to shed their leaves for winter.
There are clear footpaths through the park, which will take you right through the trees.
Fletcher Moss, Didsbury
With its own botanical garden, Fletcher Moss is home to one of the most diverse ranges of plants in the region. That leads to a pretty impressive colour palette once the seasons turn - as you can see above.
Although the botanical gardens are a big draw, there's 21 acres of parkland to explore beyond that too.
Etherow Country Park, Stockport
Nestled between Romiley and Marple Bridge, Etherow Country Park is a local nature reserve that's popular with local families and dog-owners. It's another spot with trees lining the water's edge, making for a perfect scene around this time of year.
You can stroll around Compstall Lake, admiring the ancient woodland while looking out for kingfishers and grey wagtails.
Alderley Edge, Cheshire
If you want colourful leaves, there's one thing you need to be looking out for - trees! The woodland walk at Alderley Edge makes for a perfect autumnal scene, with the ground covered in burnt orange leaves.
While you're here too, you can walk up to the 'edge' itself - a dramatic red sandstone escarpment - and see all of Greater Manchester laid out before you.
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