Not sure I'd describe a tree that reaches, ultimately, 20 metres by over 8 metres as a medium sized tree, but otherwise, the thing to note is it doesn't like limey soil. Doesn't mind neutral or acid, just not very alkaline, and also prefers well drained soil.

It does get rather large and quite quickly too.

Most of them are very beautiful in Autumn but mine, Liquidamber 'Worplesdon' is a washout every year. I'm gong to have it out!

Thanks guys. May have to rethink.

Stunning tree especially for autumn colour. They enjoy being grown on old river beds that contain lots of silt. They don't enjoy chalk but we have several street trees growing on chalk in the town i live and they look fab

If you want a good garden tree, you might consider an amelanchier. White flowers in the spring, leaves start copper but soon turn green, berries in August that the birds absolutely adore, and then autumn colour too

And Encianthus for stunning foliage.

Consider Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer', for early flower, and pretty but not spectacular autumn colour, however, the tree is small to medium sized, and holds its leaves well into autumn. Others to look at might be crataegus x persimilis 'Prunifolia' a hawthorn species with larger flowers and showy fruit, AND autumn colour (just mind the thorns!), and one of the snake-bark maples, Acer capillipes, which has lovely striated bark and beautiful autumn colour. Mine grew vigorously to 20ft then slowed down, and that was on alkaline soil over blue and red clay.

Thanks for giving me such great suggestions! I hugely appreciate your advice which his given me confidence in transforming my lovely garden. I am really taken by the encianthus and amelanchier trees. Will trot off to my local garden centre, Derwen near Welshpool to see what they have got. Thanks again.

A word of caution about Enkianthus - it requires acidic soil. If you grow Rhododendrons successfully then it'll be fine.

I have two Liquidambar in my garden, and because the soil is alkaline/neutral, they are still quite small. So if you love them, and don't want them to grow too large, maybe this is the answer?! I love Enkianthus, so grow it in a pot with ericaceous compost . . . but luckily my Amelanchier is lovely and very happy (in the ground).