It’s official, summer is dead and buried…and it’s time to embrace all that an English autumn brings: woodland walks with leaves crunching underfoot, Sunday roasts in toasty pubs and exploring the nation’s heritage properties. 

That heatwave summer could make the autumn colourwheel this year unusually impressive as the combination of a rainy spring and soaring temperatures in July and August conspire to paint the nation in fiery reds, golden browns and warm yellows.  

From pumpkin patches to Halloween spectacles and cosy Sunday roasts, here’s some of the best ways to lean into Mother Nature’s scenic seasonal show… 

Wrap up and crunch through the New Forest

This 56,000-hectare Hampshire adventure playground offers a compendium of autumnal pursuits, from cycle rides through towering woodlands to piloting a kayak on emerald Beaulieu River. 

There’s gorgeous walks – long or short – under Douglas firs, sweet chestnuts, oak and beech, some of which date from the 1860s on the looping trails at Bolderwood. 

A wander through this vast woodland west of the village of Lyndhurst is the perfect precursor to a fireside Sunday roast in one of the region’s many centuries-old pubs, thenewforest.co.uk.

Golden views at Charles Darwin’s former home in Kent 

The 18th century former home of Charles Darwin in Kent serves up some winsome autumnal views of the surrounding valley

Enjoy a jaunt exploring the home of history’s most famous naturalist with an afternoon at the house Charles Darwin called home for 40 years. 

In the village of Downe in Kent, but very accessible from London, Down House is now in the hands of English Heritage. What to see? There’s a vibrant scarlet red Virginia creeper and a purplish Boston ivy, as well as the chance to walk amongst beech trees Darwin planted.

From Great Pucklands’ Meadow, admire a valley draped in colour, a seasonal vista that was treasured by the Darwin family in the 19th century, english-heritage.org.uk 

Lincolnshire’s almighty pick-your-own pumpkin patch

Lincolnshire haul: There are more than 30 different varieties of pumpkins, squashes and gourds to choose from at Elizabethan Doddington Hall

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This Elizabethan estate in Lincolnshire’s rural heart counts more than 30 types of pumpkin, squash and gourds in its expansive grounds.  

The best thing about historic Doddington Hall’s pick-your-own pumpkin patch? It’s free to wander – and should you find a bright orange squash you want to take home, it’ll only cost around £4, depending on size. 

Watch out for golden bottomed pumpkins this year too – you’ll win a Christmas tree and tickets to the hall’s yuletide event, doddingtonhall.com

Elsewhere, Hatter’s Farm in Bishop’s Stortford, Essex, is a sea of orange baubles at this time of year, with 100,000 pumpkins on display – simply pick a wheelbarrow and go and find your perfect squash. 

The attraction also has night entry, so you can spy the pumpkins in the moonlight, hattersfarmpumpkins.co.uk.

Embrace the spookiest season at Kew Gardens

From mid October, Kew Gardens’ bronzing trees are at their most colourful…but it’s the attraction’s Halloween trail that garners the most visitors 

West London’s horticultural landmark obviously has amber-hued leaves galore – there are 11,000 trees, after all – but the biggest queues in October at Kew Gardens are for its Halloween-themed illuminated trail. 

The annual fright-fest takes place from October 16th and sees ticket-holders faced with spine-tingling attractions including Dracula’s Lair, the Cursed Tomb and a Monster Disco. 

And if you’re visiting in daylight, take some time to admire the scarlet of the red oaks and bursts of orange, yellow and purple from the berries of Viburnums and rowans, kew.org.

Behind the wheel: A colour-drenched drive in the Forest of Dean 

New England eat your heart out: A ten-mile drive through the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire and the Wye Valley showcases some fine fall foliage

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For fall fans heading to the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire and the Wye Valley, which straddles the border between England and Wales – there’s an official ten-mile leaf-peeping drive that promises to signpost the biggest seasonal photo opportunities. 

This tree-lover’s paradise, which has 20 million mixed species over 200 square miles, offers unfettered, 360-degree forest views at New Fancy, the landscaped former colliery. Other highlights include Symonds Yat Rock, with treetop views over the River Wye and the Monmouthshire’s hills, visitdeanwye.co.uk.

STAY A WHILE: BRITAIN’S TOASTIEST AUTUMNAL PUBS    

Crackling fires, hearty food and a decent drop – Britain’s pubs are the perfect cosy hideaway as the nights draw in and temperatures drop... 

Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates, Cumbria 

The kind of Lake District idyll that actually makes one wish for leaden skies, just so you can cancel those plans and order another half of the local Brathay Gold ale, graze on home-made sourdough or indulge with a sticky toffee pudding. Work up an appetite with a Lake Windermere hike – you can walk to its shores from here, drunkenduckinn.co.uk

The Bell, Ticehurst, East Sussex

Snuggly: The wood-clad dining area at the 16th century The Bell in Ticehurst 

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A warm hug of a pub that dates back to the 1560s but delights in eccentric modernity – ‘I think I’m falling in bed with you’ is writ large above the headboard in one of the seven rooms, and there’s deep copper baths in some too. The East Sussex/Kent border countryside is pretty, but possibly not as enticing as the romance – and seasonal food – of this destination pub, thebellinticehurst.com

The Chainlocker Inn, Falmouth, Cornwall

Hunker down and enjoy a seagull’s eye view of this Cornish quayside  – and an array of maritime curios on the ceiling, including everything from lifebuoy rings to US flags. The Chainlocker’s bar is soul-warming; all handsome wood, toasty fires and tasty plates – try the fish and chips, there’s local Banana Blossom beer in the batter, chainlockerfalmouth.co.uk

The Gin Trap Inn, Norfolk

Norfolk bolt-hole The Gin Trap Inn has an impressive kitchen – and rooms to stay in

This white-washed 17th century coaching inn in the village of Ringstead once hosted smugglers but now entertains weekenders enjoying North Norfolk’s spectacular coast. Forest green walls adorned with oil painting portraits offer a regal backdrop to a G&T, and the kitchen boasts three AA rosettes. There’s a baker’s dozen of characterful rooms and cottages – all different – to retreat to at the night’s end, thegintrapinn.co.uk

Northumberland Arms, Felton, Northumberland 

Rough-hewn stone walls, antler chandeliers and sturdy oak tables create rustic vibes at this sand-coloured coaching inn, which was built by the 3rd Duke of Northumberland in the 1820s – it’s hard to believe you’re just a mile from the A1. There’s six five-star en-suites should you need a place to bed down and a mouthwatering menu to peruse; the bubble and squeak pie being peak comfort food, northumberlandarms-felton.co.uk

The father of Noah Woods has paid tribute to him as “the sweetest and most innocent little boy” after his body was discovered close to where he went missing on Wednesday.

A desperate search had been launched for Noah, who is mildly autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing loss, after he vanished when separated from a relative near a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, on Tuesday afternoon.

More than 24 hours after his disappearance, police confirmed that dive teams had recovered a child’s body from a lake known locally as Decoy Pond.

The force confirmed on Thursday that the body had been identified as Noah.

Writing on Facebook on Thursday, his father, Rhys Woods, said: “As I’m sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah.

“There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much.”

He added: “It seems he has made an impact across the whole nation, you have all taken Noah into you’re own hearts, with all the overwhelming help, we were all just trying to bring him home to us safe and sound.”

Around 1,300 volunteers turned out to help find Noah on Wednesday, and search efforts were supported by the National Police Air Service, HM Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, and Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue.

Suffolk Police confirmed late on Wednesday afternoon that the body of a child had been found and the discovery was being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.

Noah’s father thanked volunteers and authorities, writing: “The compassion shown by all of you will never be forgotten by us, and brought us comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives.

“This was the most heartbreaking outcome for us, we were just hoping that he would be hiding somewhere obvious where someone could find him, that’s what we kept telling ourselves the whole time.”

He added: “Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much, it has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short 3 years you were with us.”

Mr Woods previously issued a desperate plea for the public “not to give up on” the young boy, saying he “cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone.”

Suffolk Police superintendent Tom Pearse said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with Noah’s family and all who knew him.

“We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of public support, people putting on their boots and helping us search.

“As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heart-warming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place. I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this.”

He added: “This was a case where the people of Suffolk rallied together and showed the county at its best in what transpired to be the most tragic of circumstances.”

King Charles’s Private Secretary Sir Clive Alderton is despised by the Duke of Sussex.

So deeply does Prince Harry loathe the courtier, who has loyally and tirelessly served his father for more than a decade, that he singled him out for stinging criticism in his tawdry memoir, Spare.

The former diplomat, 59, was held up as an example of everything that was wrong about the British monarchy.

Giving him the nickname ‘the Wasp’, Harry claimed that he was one of three ‘middle-aged white men’ at the heart of the Royal Household ‘who’d managed to consolidate power through a series of bold Machiavellian manoeuvres’.

He said Sir Clive was ‘lanky, charming, arrogant, a ball of jazzy energy’ and described his technique as ‘pretending to be polite, even servile’.

Harry wrote: ‘You’d assert a fact, something seemingly incontrovertible – I believe the sun rises in the mornings – and he’d stammer that perchance you might consider for a moment the possibility that you’d been misinformed: Well, heh-heh, I don’t know about that, Your Royal Highness, you see, it all depends what you mean by mornings, sir.

‘Because he seemed so weedy, so self-effacing, you might be tempted to push back, insist on your point, and that was when he’d put you on his list. A short time later, without warning, he’d give you such a stab with his out-sized stinger that you’d cry out in confusion. Where the f*** did that come from?’

This week, however, Sir Clive found himself in the unusual position of using all his ‘jazzy energy’ and charm to undertake an important mission on behalf of Harry, the man who said publicly that he disliked him and called him a ‘usurper’.

The courtier was asked by the King to help ensure that the Invictus Games, which are due to take place in Birmingham next July, are a success.

The Paralympic-style contest for injured and sick former military personnel, which was created by Harry, threatened to become a shambles after one of the countries taking part, Uganda, said it was pulling out after a letter was sent on behalf of the King clarifying that Harry and his wife Meghan remained non-working royals.

Sir Clive telephoned the country’s military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to smooth over relations.

A Ugandan spokesman said ‘Sir Alderton [sic] revealed that King Charles III was moved by General Kainerugaba’s sensitive consideration of the King’s opinion on the upcoming Invictus Games organised by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. Sir Alderton said King Charles III has no problem with Uganda’s participation in the Invictus Games.’

As a result of Sir Clive’s moving pleas to the general, Uganda has returned to the games.

His intervention will have deterred any other countries thinking of following Uganda’s example and withdrawing from the event.

Palace sources say Sir Clive’s involvement demonstrates the King’s support for the Invictus Games and for Birmingham, something that was never in doubt. Invictus was launched by the Royal Foundation of Prince William and Catherine, as well as Harry. At the inaugural games in London in 2014, Charles and Camilla attended the opening ceremony as well as William.

Palace sources say Sir Clive’s involvement demonstrates the King’s support for the Invictus Games (Charles and Prince Harry pictured in 2014 at the Invictus Games) 

It is, however, not surprising that Ugandan officials were bewildered about the King’s view of Invictus. The fact that Sir Clive had to intervene is a worrying example of the monarch’s confusing response to Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain.

His decision to instruct the Lord Chamberlain, Richard Benyon, to send a letter to government departments and the military on his behalf reiterating the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s status as non-working royals was meant to clarify their position. In fact, it did the opposite.

If their status was ‘akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests’, as the letter suggested, should proud members of the Commonwealth such as Uganda take part in the Invictus Games, of which Harry is patron?

Sir Clive’s intervention is evidence that the King is now dancing to Harry’s tune. Not only is the ‘usurper’ having to work in the duke’s interests, but the Sussexes have managed to achieve what they have long campaigned for: a review of their right to automatic, taxpayer-funded protection.

The fiasco over the education of the children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who were withdrawn from their school after two days because of security fears, might suggest that the Sussexes’ return has been chaotic. The couple are, however, quietly on their way to achieving what they wanted, thanks to our well-meaning but misguided monarch and his loyal servant Sir Clive.

Two police vans were parked in the alleyway linking Spurriergate with Church Lane throughout Thursday afternoon (September 17) after the alleged incident.

The lane has been cordoned off with officers asking people to avoid the area.

North Yorkshire Police said an investigation is underway into the alleged sexual assault which is said to have happened in the early hours of Thursday.

The force said the alleged victim is being supported by specialist officers.

Police in Spurriergate on Thursday (September 17) following a reported serious sexual assault (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Workers at bars and restaurants in Low Ousegate said there was no police presence in the area when they finished their shifts at 11.30pm on Wednesday.

A staff member at the Cooplands bakery in Low Ousegate said two police vans were parked in the alleyway when she arrived for work at 6.30am on Thursday.

The vans were parked at either end of the alleyway, she said, and the vehicles remained in Spurriergate and in Church Lane by Wednesday afternoon.

She added that the police vans had remained in the alleyway since she saw them at 6.30am.

A shop worker in Spurriergate said there has been an increase in reports of crime in the area and called for people in the community to “think about these things and play a role”.

“It’s just becoming really bad,” she said. “Day by day, we see disturbing scenes. It affects people.

“We don’t know what’s happened [in the alleyway] – but we have become apart of it [by being near the scene of the alleged incident].

“They [the police] are doing their jobs, but we don’t really want something like this to happen to anyone.

“As a community we need to think about these things and play a role.”

A York resident said it was “distressing” to hear about the reported incident before seeing the police presence in the alleyway between Spurriergate and Church Lane.

“I find it very distressing that this is happening in York,” he said, “but I’m happy that the police have done their job about it.”

Police said a 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the alleged incident and remained in custody on Wednesday.

Paloma Faith was pictured wearing a shirt in support of a Palestinian terrorist who murdered five people yesterday as she waded into the row over Ed Sheeran’s tour.

The singer, 45, wore a football-style shirt calling for the release of Marwan Barghouti – the West Bank leader jailed by Israel in 2004 to five life terms plus 40 years.

The top was emblazoned with the words ‘Free Marwan’ and featured the red, green, black and white colours of the Palestinian flag.

Ms Faith wore the shirt as she spoke to broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Channel 4’s Fourcast podcast in support of her ‘hero’ Macklemore, who was dropped from Sheeran’s tour over pro-Palestine comments he made on stage. 

The limited edition top is being sold for £45 in support of the convicted terrorist, with a ‘collector’s’ version also available for £120.

Barghouti led Tanzim – the armed grassroots militia wing of the Fatah political faction. It was proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel in 2001. 

He was convicted of murdering four Israeli civilians and a Greek monk, as well as attempted murder and membership of a terrorist organisation. Some legal experts have described the trial as flawed. 

Barghouti has maintained that he has no connection to the incidents for which he was convicted. He remains one of the most popular Palestinian politicians, according to multiple surveys.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski was called ‘despicable’ for wearing the ‘Free Marwan’ top in June by the widow of an Israeli man who was stabbed to death by a 17-year-old terrorist. 

The limited edition top is being sold for £45 in support of Marwan Barghouti – the West Bank leader jailed in 2004 to five life terms plus 40 years by Israel 

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Marwan Barghouti, the West Bank chief of Yasser Arafat’s Fatah movement speaks to the journalists before the opening session of the first day of his court case at Tel Aviv’s District Court Wednesday Aug. 14, 2002

With the collar on the shirt turned up and wearing a gold chain necklace, Faith said the Shape Of You singer was ‘learning the hard way that it’s quite impossible to be apolitical’. 

Asked by Mr Guru-Murthy what is wrong with Sheeran saying he writes love songs and children don’t come to his show for a political rally, the mother-of-three said: ‘When he said that it really upset me because there are so many children in Palestine that are faced with unimaginable things and shouldn’t be.

‘So when he said that, I was like, I say Free Palestine to my children every night. I think children should be exposed to politics.’ 

Macklemore, aka Benjamin Haggerty, was dropped from Sheeran’s tour after he delivered a politically motivated speech in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank during his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.

Responding with an Instagram statement after it was confirmed he was leaving, the rapper claimed Sheeran told him billionaire stadium owner Robert Kraft orchestrated the move, ‘issuing an ultimatum’ that the whole tour would be cancelled if Macklemore was not removed.

Sheeran addressed the controversy with his own statement, reminding fans he would never publicly take a political stance.

Following his comments, it emerged this morning that Irish radio station Classic Hits Radio announced it would no longer be playing Sheeran’s music ‘for the foreseeable future’ after feedback from their audience regarding the situation.

And in an escalation of the drama, images have resurfaced showing Macklemore wearing an oversized prosthetic nose, a black beard and a shaggy black wig during a 2014 performance in Seattle.

The costume was criticised for resembling an antisemitic caricature of a Jewish man. Macklemore apologised at the time, saying he had no malicious intention and was unaware that the costume resembled a Jewish stereotype.

Greta Thunberg, a staunch pro-Palestine activist who was detained twice after travelling on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, has publicly backed Sheeran’s ‘cancellation’, criticising him in a statement shared online.

Taking to her Instagram on Tuesday, Thunberg said: ‘We are witnessing one of the biggest artists in the world being cancelled because they tried to ‘both sides’ Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.

‘This is a clear and undeniable sign that the global consciousness has shifted. The normalisation of an apartheid state, and the attempts to sanitise or justify its actions, will no longer be tolerated. Ed, there is only one victim here: the Palestinian people.’

Green Party leader Zack Polanski was called ‘despicable’ for wearing the same top in June by the widow of an Israeli man who was stabbed to death by a 17-year-old terrorist

After the news of Macklemore’s departure, all of Sheeran’s remaining support acts also stepped away from the tour.

Sheeran lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers in 24 hours after fans criticised him for dropping Macklemore.

In a statement on Instagram, Sheeran addressed the controversy, writing: ‘I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won’t ever change.

‘Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome.’

He added: ‘I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.

‘There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum.’

Meanwhile, imprisoned Barghouti is known as the ‘Palestinian Nelson Mandela’ to his supporters. 

But Israelis see Barghouti as the man who abandoned the peace process to lead the second intifada, or uprising.

In 2000, the second intifada saw bus stops, restaurants and nightclubs being bombed by suicide bombers as militants fought the Israeli army, leading to more than 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis dying.

Barghouti did not offer a defence in his murder trial following these attacks, making his political role in them ambiguous.

He was certified as the top leader of Fatah, the largest secular political faction in the Palestinian territories, and in the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and he led and justified both intifadas.

Barghouti has never supported Hamas and has recognised Israel’s right to exist. 

He is said to be far more popular than Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and seen as someone who could succeed him and potentially mend the longstanding rift between Abbas’ Fatah movement and Hamas. 

In December 2025, Gary Lineker was among 200 celebrities who signed a petition demanding the release of Barghouti from prison.  

The Daily Mail contacted Faith’s representatives and Channel 4 for comment.  

Prince William meets people from all walks of life during public engagements – and a clip from a recent trip has gone viral as it shows a different side to the Royal Family member

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With their palaces, pomp and centuries of ceremony, the Royal Family can often feel a world away from everyday life. But every so often, a public engagement cuts through the formality and offers a reminder that the royals have the same soft spots as the rest of us.

That was certainly the case during Prince William’s recent visit to Dartmoor. The 44-year-old’s visit marked the launch of the Princetown Community Fund, which will provide £250,000 – comprising grants ranging from £500 to £40,000 – to support local social, economic and environmental projects.

However, an unexpected moment quickly stole the show. Many were left swooning when the Prince of Wales met a dog – and his adorable, down-to-earth reaction had people saying it was the most relatable thing they’d seen from him in a while.

Photographer and writer Tony Lee posted a short clip of the moment on Instagram, writing: “That moment when you’re on a research trip in Dartmoor and you’ve stopped where Conan Doyle stayed while writing THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES and you bump into HRH Prince William and he asks about your puppy. Remember to follow Darcy! She knows all the right people! @itsdarcythespaniel”.

The photograph shows the Prince pausing in the street to stroke the spaniel. Dressed smartly in his suit, he was evidently distracted enough to stop whatever he was doing, demonstrating his clear love of dogs.

The picture went viral on X – with many commenting how cute the moment was. One wrote: “What a nice surprise!”

Another added: “Adorable.” A third replied: “Aw how sweet! And the puppy liked him.” Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “Swoon.”

Despite their busy royal diaries, Prince William and Princess Catherine have long been known as proper dog lovers. The family’s primary pet is a black cocker spaniel named Orla, who was gifted to them by Kate’s brother, James Middleton, in 2020.

Recently, the royal couple expanded their furry family when Orla gave birth to a litter of puppies. They kept one – a chocolate cocker spaniel named Otto, whose name was officially revealed on his first birthday in May 2026.

The royal household treats their dogs as true members of the family. Before Orla, they shared their lives with another beloved black cocker spaniel named Lupo, who sadly passed away in 2020.

Their dogs frequently make appearances during important royal milestones and casual outings alike. Orla is often spotted accompanying William to charity polo matches, enjoying rainy walks on National Pet Day, and even posing affectionately alongside Princess Charlotte and Prince George in their official birthday portraits.

The father of three-year-old Noah Woods, who is believed to have drowned in a pond after running away from his grandfather, has described him as ‘the sweetest and most innocent boy, with nothing but love to give’.

The vulnerable youngster was last seen alive on Tuesday afternoon when he ran away from a relative in a play area for under fives in Merriam Close, Brantham, Suffolk.

The disappearance of Noah, who headed down an alleyway leading towards woodland and a large pond, sparked a huge search involving hundreds of volunteers, police, Coastguards and firefighters.

Suffolk Police confirmed yesterday afternoon that the body of a child had been recovered by police divers in Decoy Pond. 

Officers said the child had not yet been identified and said the death was unexplained, but was not suspicious.

Noah’s father, Rhys Woods, today confirmed that his son – who was non verbal, partially deaf and undergoing tests for autism – was the child who had been found dead.

In a Facebook message thanking people for joining the search for him, he said: ‘As I’m sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah.

‘There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much.

His father, Rhys Woods, paid tribute to him today as ‘the sweetest and most innocent boy, with nothing but love to give’

‘It seems he has made an impact across the whole nation, you have all taken Noah into you’re [sic] own hearts, with all the overwhelming help, we were all just trying to bring him home to us safe and sound.

‘A heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community (even far and wide) who came together to search for our boy, including: Suffolk, Norfolk, Met police forces, HM coastguard, Suffolk lowland, Fire service, Ambulance service, RTT catering, Brantham Leisure Centre, Brantham village hall, local businesses, St Michael’s Church, private K-9 units, and so many more, and all of the people who gave up their time in their busy schedules to help us when we most needed it.

‘The compassion shown by all of you will never be forgotten by us and brought us comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives.

‘This was the most heartbreaking outcome for us, we were just hoping that he would be hiding somewhere obvious where someone could find him, that’s what we kept telling ourselves the whole time.

‘With our love and deepest gratitude, from his daddy and mummy and little brother.

Addressing the memory of his son, he added: ‘Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much, it has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short 3 years you were with us.’

The suspected autism of three-year-old Noah Woods may have drawn him to the pond where he is believed to have drowned after running away from the play area.

Autism charities and water safety campaigners have long warned how children with the condition face a significantly higher risk of drowning.

The play area was beside a path that led down to Decoy Pond, where police found a body yesterday

CCTV caught Noah Woods leaving the playground in Brantham, Suffolk, on Tuesday afternoon

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The pond is around 150 yards across and is popular with anglers

A diving team in the pond yesterday, shortly before the tragic discovery was made

Hundreds of people were involved in the search for Noah

Many are said to be attracted to the sights, sounds and tactile feel of splashing in water while unaware of the dangers posed.

The alarm was raised for Noah when no trace of him could be found when he dashed away from the playground.

Divers recovered his body from Decoy Pond, around 250 yards away, yesterday afternoon. 

Suffolk Police said that Noah’s family had been informed, although the body had not been formally identified. Officers are treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious.

Cordons around the alleyway which Noah ran down were lifted overnight.

The alleyway quickly turns into a sandy track heading down a hill with woodland to the left and a development of new houses to the right.

The path then joins another track which leads directly through woodland bordering the edge of the pond, which is around 150 yards wide and known as a wildlife haven and a private fishing spot.

It has a number of access points with paths leading to the water’s edge, directly from the track. The banks in some places are shallow, meaning that a child could directly run in while unseen.

The organisation Autism Speaks, which operates in the United States, says on its website: ‘Autistic people face a significantly higher risk of drowning and other water‑related accidents than their non‑autistic peers.

‘Many are naturally drawn to water because it can look, sound, and feel deeply calming. But for those who wander or have limited water‑safety skills, that attraction can quickly become dangerous.

‘A U.S. study from 2016–2020 found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had more than twice the odds of an unintentional drowning-related emergency visit compared with non-autistic children.’

The UK’s Royal Life Saving Society has put the risk as being far higher and has cited research which suggests autistic children are ‘160 times more likely to drown from accidental drowning’.

Nyla May Bradshaw, seven, who had autism and was non verbal died after being found in a pond on a golf course near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, on March 30 this year.

The youngster who saw running off ‘as a game’ and required one-to-one supervision was in the care of a new childminder at the time of her death.

Her death led to the Doncaster-based autism charity Little Rainbows launching a campaign to improve ‘the adequacy, continuity, and safety of care provision for disabled children outside of school settings’.

The company Makewell, which tests for autism and ADHD National Water Safety Forum, states: ‘Autistic children may have a natural attraction to water due to its sensory qualities – its movement, sound, or feel.

‘This fascination can lead them to seek out water unsupervised, increasing the risk of drowning. Children with limited verbal communication might not be able to call for help if they’re in distress.

‘Sensory processing difficulties could mean a child doesn’t recognise danger, panic in water, or struggle with instructions during emergencies. Physical or motor impairments can make it harder to swim or recover balance, even in shallow water.’

Brantham Parish Council, which co-ordinated the search for Noah by members of the public, released a statement on Facebook, thanking everyone who turned out to look for him.

The post stated: ‘Our thoughts are with Noah’s family, friends and everyone who knows and loves him at this incredibly difficult time.

‘We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Brantham residents and the wider community. The response over the past couple of days has been extraordinary.

‘So many people have given their time, searched, brought supplies, opened buildings, supported volunteers and stood together as a community. Your kindness, care and willingness to help has been truly remarkable.

‘At this time, we ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy and give them the time and space they need.’

Brantham Leisure Centre re-opened as a community hub today for local residents and those who joined in the search for Noah.

Those at the centre today included retired painter and decorator Keith Shears, 84 and his wife Jane, 77, who spent seven hours searching for the youngster yesterday before hearing a body had been found.

The couple, who have been married for 57 years and live in nearby Harwich, said they had been left ‘heartbroken’ that Noah had not been found alive.

Mr Shears said: ‘We just wanted to do something. We kept hoping and thinking that someone would find him. I was imagining that he might be curled up somewhere asleep and just crawl out from under a bush.

‘But all the time I had this nagging feeling that he would be in the pond. The water there is so accessible and it was so easy for him to go in

‘We registered and did three searches during the day. We looked over several fields and, on the last one, we were looking down beside the river when another searcher told us that a body had been found in the water.’

Former office worker Mrs Shears added: ‘I can’t imagine what the family of the little boy are going through. He was like a little angel face, so beautiful.

‘It was amazing that were so many people were searching. There were even young women carrying babies and pushing children in buggies. People were donating food and drink for people who were out looking.’

Sergeant Claire Connick, of Suffolk Police’s community policing team covering Brantham, also praised volunteers who had gone out searching for Noah

Speaking at Brantham Leisure Centre, she said: ‘When I arrived at the village hall yesterday, it was absolutely full of volunteers and many of them had been up all night. It was wonderful to see so many people wanting to help.’

Sgt Connick said she set up a portal using existing police software to register the names and details of people and the areas they were searching, to ensure all areas were being covered efficiently.

The portal recorded the details of 1,600 people, but the actual number of people searching was higher because some people who went out earlier had not registered, she added.

Sgt Connick said: ‘I thought everyone was so supportive. I was so impressed by the community spirit. It was beautiful that they wanted to help the police and we were so grateful. It is just very sad that there was this outcome.’

A Just Giving appeal set up on behalf of Noah’s family had raised more than £31,000 from more than 2,200 people by 1pm today.

A statement with the appeal, organised by the Good Dads Club, stated: ‘In light of the news regarding three-year-old Noah Woods, Good Dads Club is calling on our community to give whatever they can to ease the overwhelming burden on his family during this heartbreaking time.

‘While no amount of money can undo these life altering events, every single financial contribution will go directly toward helping Noah’s family’s expenses, navigate daily bills, and take the necessary time off work to grieve without the added strain of financial worry.

‘Please consider donating today, no contribution is too small and share this campaign so we can surround Noah’s loved ones with the solidarity they desperately need.’

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gooddadsclub

Human remains of a mother-of-three who vanished nearly seven years ago have been found in London following a wildfire as police arrest a man as part of a murder investigation.

The Metropolitan Police were called on the evening of August 12 after bones, thought to belong to a woman aged between 25 and 45, were found near Padstow Walk in Feltham after the area was affected by a blaze.

A murder investigation was launched but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have now taken over the investigation after the remains were identified as those of Joanne Sheen.

Ms Sheen, 44, had not been seen since she travelled from Fareham, Hampshire, heading to her home city of Southampton, on December 5, 2019. She was reported missing by her family in February 2020. 

A 56-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder on Thursday, and remains in police custody.

The discovery came after extensive forensic examination and DNA testing of the remains.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said that more than 4,000 lines of enquiry have been raised, more than 300 statements taken, and detailed searches carried out at more than 10 addresses and on numerous vessels.

Specialist teams have also searched waterways and woodland around Southampton. 

Police near to the scene, where the human remains of Ms Sheen were found in woodland in Feltham, south-west London

The remains were found by a member of the public after the nearby land was affected by a recent wildfire

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The spokesperson added: ‘As part of our investigation, we have today arrested a 56-year-old man from Southampton on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. 

‘He remains in custody at this time as our enquiries continue.

‘As our investigation enters this next stage, we are working closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police to establish exactly what happened to Joanne.

‘Her death is being treated as murder, and we remain committed to identifying and bringing those responsible to justice.’

Detective Chief Inspector Toby Elcock, from the major crime team, said: ‘This is a significant development in what has been a long and complex investigation and provides us with several new lines of enquiry, which we are exploring with our dedicated team.

‘While this tragic discovery is not the outcome Joanne’s family, or any of us, had hoped for, we hope the identification of her remains can at least begin to provide some answers after many years of uncertainty.

‘Throughout this investigation, Joanne’s family have shown tremendous strength and dignity in the face of unimaginable circumstances, and our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time.

‘As our investigation progresses, we remain committed to establishing exactly what happened to Joanne and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

‘There may still be people who have information about Joanne’s disappearance, her movements before she went missing, or how she came to be in Feltham.

‘The passage of time does not lessen the importance of that information. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, we would urge anyone who may know something to come forward.

‘We understand that coming forward may feel difficult, particularly if you are worried about the consequences, but we are asking you to think about the family who are left without their loved one and who are waiting for answers. Please do the right thing. If you know something, now is the time to come forward.

‘We are also pleased that Crimestoppers has agreed to reinstate its £20,000 reward offer in support of our investigation. If anyone has information but does not feel comfortable speaking directly to police, I would encourage them to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.’

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that the remains were found by a member of the public after the nearby land was affected by a recent wildfire.

The site is close to Bedfont Lakes Country Park.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow