Summer is over; the nights are drawing in, temperatures are dipping and the world is changing.
It’s that time of year when the landscape treats us to one of nature’s most spectacular displays.
So we have compiled a selection of the best spots where you can witness glorious autumn colours:
(Please check opening arrangements before making your visit by clicking on the individual property names below.)
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
© NTPL / Stephen Robson
Majestic tree-lined avenues and walks form the framework of this landscape garden and arboretum, which includes many rare and unusual tree species as well as an impressive collection of sculpture.
The ‘Pilgrim’s Lawn’ is perhaps the star attraction at this time of year, planted up with species of trees and shrubs known for their wonderful autumn foliage.
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
© NTPL / Ian Shaw
Bodnant is truly a plantsman's garden. Among the beautiful trees you will come across are the paperbark maple (Acer griseum), the Chinese red-barked birch (Betula albosinensis) and a wonderful display of Japanese maples. Also look out for colourful bark on trees such as the Tibetan cherry (Prunus serrula) and species of Stewartia.
The colourful foliage of the deciduous trees and shrubs contrasts against the many evergreen plants: fatsia, phormium, holly, and privet.
An abundance of autumn berries dangle from specimens of cotoneaster, viburnum, mountain ash, and symplocos. Floral colour comes from the autumn crocuses and cyclamen.
Cragside, Northumberland
© NTPL / Rupert Truman
Cragside is a garden of breathtaking drama, a rugged and mystical landscape. Surrounding the house is one of the largest rock gardens in Europe, and beyond this is a vast woodland garden, as well as lakeside walks, cascades, an adventure play area and labyrinth.
The autumn foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs is perfectly highlighted by the background landscape of dark conifer forests, which are also one the last strongholds of the red squirrel.
Crom Estate, Co Fermanagh
© NTPL / Joe Cornish
Crom Estate is one of Northern Ireland’s best kept secrets – a place of remoteness, peace and quiet, and great beauty.
Set within the winding waters of Upper Lough Erne the 2,000-acre estate offers ancient woodlands, tranquil islands and historic ruins. All are breathtakingly beautiful, especially in the autumn.
Be inspired by the vibrant reds and golds of autumnal foliage as you meander through one of Ireland’s largest oak woodlands. Its varied habitats host a wealth of wildlife, making it a magical world to visit on foot or by boat. If you are extremely lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the rare red squirrel.
Knightshayes Court, Devon
© NTPL / Paul Harris
The celebrated garden at Knightshayes features a water lily pool and topiary, specimen trees, rare shrubs from all over the world. Attractive woodland walks will lead you through the grounds.
Famed for its vivid autumn colours, this is the perfect time of year to visit.
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
© NTPL / Nick Meers
Set in a glorious estate of woods and parkland running down to the River Fowey, this garden offers fine colours in autumn. Just a couple of highlights to look out for are the large tulip trees in the main garden, with their golden-yellow foliage, and the fiery red acers on the slopes above.
The grounds are set against one of the most fascinating and complete late 19th-century houses in England, full of period atmosphere.
Sheffield Park Garden, East Sussex
© NTPL / Andrew Butler
This magnificent, informal landscape garden was laid out in the 18th century by famous garden designer ‘Capability’ Brown.
The original four lakes form the centrepiece to the estate and autumn brings stunning colours from the many rare trees and shrubs in the grounds.
This autumnal display is of international renown and well visited by garden lovers in the South East.
Stourhead, Wiltshire
© NTPL / Stephen Robson
This splendid garden was designed by Henry Hoare II and laid out between 1741 and 1780.
Classical temples, including the Pantheon and the Temple of Apollo, are set around the central lake at the end of a series of vistas.
One panorama replaces another as you move around the paths and through the magnificent mature woodland with its extensive collection of exotic trees. A riot of autumn colour comes from the many species of maple, oak and deciduous hardwoods.
There are also spectacular coniferous specimens to watch out for: hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), and coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). A dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), over 70ft tall, turns a cinnamon brown during autumn.
As autumn gives way to winter, many more views across the lake to the temples, grotto and obelisk are revealed.
King Alfred’s Tower, an intriguing red-brick folly built in 1772 by Henry Flitcroft, is almost 50m high and gives breathtaking views over the estate.
Upton House, Warwickshire
© NTPL / Stephen Robson
Autumn is a very exciting time in the garden at Upton House. The Upper Gardens are still open, so you can walk among the south terrace, south lawns and orchard and admire the unbroken views of the garden and countryside below.
The bird's-eye panorama sweeps down past cascading terraces and the Kitchen Garden to the mirror pool at the base of the valley.
Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire
© NTPL / Nick Meers
Set in an extensive wooded park, Wimpole has a walled garden, restored to a working vegetable garden, and a landscaped park with spectacular vistas, a Gothic folly and serpentine lakes. The grounds also include the fascinating Wimpole Home Farm with its rare animal breeds.
The arboretum contains native and ornamental species, and a National Collection of walnut trees. You can enjoy delightful walks, especially in autumn.
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
© NTPL / Andrew Butler
Started in 1938 by Dr Wilfrid Fox with only a 5-acre patch of woodland, Winkworth is today a steep, naturalistic, world-class arboretum with over 1,300 specimen trees and shrubs.
In developing his arboretum, Fox mass planted trees and shrubs specifically selected for their excellent autumn colour, including oaks, beeches, and the brilliant Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica).
There are also extensive collections of birches, cherries, and maples to wander among. Particular highlights are the Nikko maple (Acer nikoense) and the hornbeam maple (Acer carpinifolium).
The National Collection of whitebeam and mountain ash (Sorbus) bear heavy crops of berries in autumn.
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Inject autumn colour into your garden
When it comes to recreating these scenes at home, Sheffield Park Garden’s Head Gardener, Andy Jesson, recommends the following trees and shrubs to produce the best colours in autumn:
- Acers (Japanese Maples)
Slow growing and works well in shade. Dislikes waterlogged soil so mound plant.
- Nyssa (Tupelo)
From North America, this is Sheffield Park Garden’s most famous autumn colour tree. Quite large, but worth it if you have the space.
- Euonymus (Spindle)
A small tree, good autumn colour with pretty orange and red fruits.
- Amelanchier lamarckii (Snowy mespilus)
This shrub produces lovely white flowers in spring, berries in summer and good autumn colour. Can be pruned to keep it to a reasonable size for smaller gardens.
- Parrotia persica (Persian ironwood)
In late winter and early spring it produces small, button-like clusters of dark red flowers, brilliant autumn foliage and an interesting bark which flakes off. This is a large shrub which has a lovely shape.
- Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum)
The leaves are similar to a maple. A compact tree with one of the best reds for autumn colour, dislikes chalky soil but is otherwise easy to grow. It benefits from being near to water and then gives a stronger colour.
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