Seasonal sights and strolls: autumn at Attingham

With woodlands, pleasure grounds, deer park, walled garden and orchard, autumn is impressive at Attingham; as summer comes to an end and before winter draws in the autumn colours of golden yellows, ambers, red, deep greens and rich browns sweep across the estate and make a beautiful setting for exploring with friends or family. 

Can’t see the wood for the trees? 

Discover a bit more about some of the trees around the Mile Walk on our new downloadable trail ‘Discover the trees of the Mile Walk’. Compiled from research carried out by Dr Andy Gordon, we’ve highlighted ten trees to look out for as you enjoy a stroll around the Pleasure Grounds. 

Download the trail to your device and take a closer look on your next walk. 

Autumn in the Walled Garden 

Attingham’s Walled Garden is a hive of activity, with seasonal fruit, vegetables and flowers grown throughout the year, and a haven for wildlife, including the Attingham bees. Bright splashes of colour can be seen in the Walled Garden and orchard at this time of year, look out for the dahlias in bloom in September and early October.

During the lockdown (due to the coronavirus epidemic) in spring 2020 only one full time and one part time gardener remained on site to carry out essential tasks, since reopening in June we’ve been able to slowly bring back staff and volunteers in the garden and although it may not look as it usually would at this time of year you can still enjoy a stroll through it. Find out more about what to expect- and why it’s a garden for all seasons below.

An apple a day

While you’re visiting this season we’ll be harvesting apples in the orchard. There are over 160 trees growing 37 varieties of apples.

Wildlife at Attingham

Attingham is a haven for wildlife and home to many creatures great and small. Look out for these sights on your next visit.

The Attingham fallow deer herd
From September onwards the deer can be seen feeding on the acorns and conkers that fall to the ground from the trees in the park – they’re a great source of food for building the herd up for the rut and the coming winter. 

At this time of year look out for the bucks rearing up on their hind legs to knock the branches with their antlers to knock down more. From October onwards the breeding season, known as the rut, begins. During this time there is a change in dynamic in the park and the males can often be seen testing each other’s strength and locking horns, they also be heard ‘bellowing’ during this season.

Please keep to the paths in the Deer Park, dogs must be on leads at all times when visiting Attingham (except for the off-lead area in the Mile Walk paddock). 

Swallows and House Martins 
The annual swallow and house-martin migration stops off at Attingham during September usually. They ‘hang’ around for a few days, usually at the front of the Mansion before continuing their journey south for the winter.

Dragonflies 
During late summer and into the first few weeks of autumn dragonflies can still be spotted along the banks of the River Tern.

Get active outdoors

It's never too late to take up jogging or running, and Attingham has the perfect landscape to help even the less active of us feel spurred on. Try our Repton Run Routes which are designed with the beginner in mind building up from 1.5 km to 4.5 km through the ever-changing Deer Park landscape. You can download the routes in advance, or follow them on your phone live. The quieter times of day from 8am in the morning or later afternoon ensure no-one will see your red cheeks if you don't want them to! 

Don’t forget to book to visit

The Parkland, Walled Garden, walks, Deer Park and Field of Play are now open to visitors who have pre-booked their tickets, along with our car park, the Carriage House Café (for takeaway drinks and snacks) and most toilet facilities. At Attingham you can book a visit on the day provided there is still availability. 

To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities, we've reduced the number of people we can welcome at one time and you’ll need to book your visit in advance.

Follow the link below to find everything you need to know about what's open and what to expect from your visit. Please remember that Attingham is a no smoking or vaping site (indoors and out) and dogs must be on a lead at all times (except for in the off-lead area in the Mile Walk paddock).