Autumn in the North West

Trees house and lake in autumn at Lyme, Cheshire

Enjoy the very best of the season at National Trust places in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. See nature's greatest show as the trees put on a display of oranges, reds and golds, and take in the sights and sounds of autumn wildlife.

Family walking in the woodland at Castle Ward, County Down

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit 

More than 100 gardens and parks and hundreds of coast and countryside places are open in England and Northern Ireland. Following the latest government guidance, all houses in England and Northern Ireland are closed. We're reopening our places in Wales from Monday 9 November for visitors who live in Wales in line with Welsh government guidelines following the firebreak lockdown. To avoid disappointment please book in advance, especially at weekends and school holidays. Please check the property webpage of the place you wish to visit before you travel. Find out how to book and what to expect from your visit.

Top things to do in the North West this autumn

A tree full of red autumn leaves at Speke Hall

1. Explore autumn gardens in bloom 

There's plenty of colour to lift your spirits in our gardens throughout autumn and busy veg borders getting ready for harvest. Take in the toffee-apple scent of the Katsura tree at Dunham Massey and the vibrant red leaves of the euonymus alata (‘burning bush’) at Speke Hall. The Italian Garden at Lyme is still bursting with colour at this time of year too with Rudbeckia Goldstrum in the beds and vibrant Viburnum on the banks.

Deer rut at Dunham Massey, Cheshire

2. See the deer go head-to-head 

Experience one of nature’s most spectacular moments as the fallow deer at Dunham Massey battle for supremacy during their October rut. Watch and listen to deep bellowing and the clash of antlers as the bucks compete for the pick of the does. The drama and noise as they lock antlers is an unforgettable wildlife wonder. With woodland, moorland and sweeping countryside to explore in the North West, there's plenty of autumn wildlife to spot.

Colour beginning to appear on the tops of trees in Lantern Wood, Lyme Park

3. Go on a picture-perfect woodland walk 

Wrap up, lace up, and head out on a refeshing autumn walk to take in the very best colour of the season. You'll be rewarded with glorious views on the Lantern Walk at Lyme, or follow the Ancient Tree Walk at Dunham Massey to see a colourful display from one of the finest collections of veteran trees in England.

Red squirrel foraging in protected woodland at Formby, Liverpool

4. Spot a red squirrel...or a rare beetle 

Keep your eyes and ears peeled in the woodland at Formby for red squirrels - a rare and an endangered British species. In autumn the squirrels are easier to spot as they come down from the trees looking for nuts. Autumn is also the last chance to spot the rare Northern Dune Tiger Beetle with Formby being one of only two places in the country where you can see them.

A woman bird watching

5. Take to the shore to spot flights of fancy 

Golden sunsets and migrating birds on the Mersey beside Speke Hall make it one of the best places for a spot of twitching. You'll spot godwits, teal, mallard, redshanks, plover, greenshanks, knot and dunlin, to name a few. It's also a great spot to take in an autumn view of the Clough - an area of ancient woodland which is the oldest part of the estate, dating back to at least 1086.

Autumn view of King's How and Black Crag in Borrowdale

6. Go further afield... 

For unrivalled autumn colour you can't go wrong with a trip out to the Lake District. There is nothing more magical than the fells and woodland turning from green to gold. It’s the perfect time of the year to get your walking boots on and enjoy the nip in the Cumbrian fresh air. And they've 10 suggestions on how to spend your time there this autumn.

Trees reflecting in the lake in Lyme's gardens

#EveryoneNeedsNature 

Snap up some autumn colour or seasonal wildlife on your next visit and add #EveryoneNeedsNature to your picture to join us in celebrating the great outdoors. It was our founders' vision to open up natural, quiet spaces for everyone to feel uplifted in their daily lives. 125 years later, we're still caring for green spaces so people can take some time to pause, make memories with loved ones in places teeming with life and ultimately feel calmer through the beautiful outdoors.

Find out more