Discover autumn colours in gardens and parks

Jumping in crunchy leaves, discovering shiny conkers and enjoying invigorating fresh air with all the family — autumn is here for us all to embrace. Take a walk through the seasonal spectacle of oranges, reds and golds at some of the beautiful parks and gardens we care for, and get planting ideas for your own autumn colours at home.

Dahlias in bloom at Cragside

Find an autumn garden to feel calm in

If you're needing to step away from it all and reach a sense of calm, we've got an autumn garden for you. Admire the beauty of the golden tones of the trees, and take a moment to notice how the water of a lake is still and peaceful. Listen to autumn wildlife in the trees or take a stroll down a path surrounded by colour in an autumn garden.

Which places are open?

  • More than 135 gardens and parklands are open through advance booking
  • Over 40 historic houses are now open. If you book a ticket for an open garden or park, you may also be able to visit the house. Visits to the houses are limited to ensure safe, social distancing and so we can't guarantee you’ll be able to view the house on the day you visit
  • We’ve opened many of our cafés and shops at these places to help make your visit feel as close to normal as possible
  • Hundreds of coast and countryside car parks are open and most don’t need to be booked

We're following government advice closely and will reopen more places as soon as we can.

In this article:

We’re still working hard to keep our gardens looking their best. But with fewer staff and volunteers to help out, things may look a little different on your visit. Please bear with us as we adjust to these challenging times.

Find your nearest autumn colour garden

Dahlia Garden at Anglesey Abbey

Autumn colour gardens in the East of England 

Take a walk in the gardens of Anglesey Abbey among the array of dahlias, or check out the seasonal delights in the kitchen garden at Oxburgh Hall. Garden walks can bring a sense of peace to a hectic life, and the East of England has plenty of autumn colours to make you feel good.

Visitors in the garden at Polesden Lacey in autumn

Autumn colour gardens in London and the South East 

Immerse yourself in the South East's autumn colours, with hues of maroon red, mustard yellow and plum purples to delight in at Chastleton. Spot some secret autumn hideaways in London’s gardens like the formal gardens of Osterley House, where you can discover a world of colour.

Overbeck's Banana garden

Autumn colour gardens in the South West 

You can take in tropical delights at an autumn garden in the South West, from the gold and ruby tones of the trees above at Overbeck's, to the idyllic rainbow of colour offered by autumn flora in special pockets of the country like Ashclyst Forest. Find your haven in a garden near you.

South West gardens near you
Visitors in the garden in autumn at Wallington, Northumberland

North East autumn colour gardens 

Take in a kaleidoscope of colour in autumn parks in North East this autumn. Choose out of some special places like the parkland of Gibside, or spectacular colour at Allen Banks to witness the changing colours of the season.

Visitors in the rock garden at Sizergh, Cumbria

North West autumn colour gardens 

Wrap up warm and crunch through leaves along tree-lined paths as the North West celebrates autumn. Experience the seasons changing at the expansive garden of Dunham Massey, and spot some wildlife in the woody gardens of Quarry Bank.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal from Surprise View

Yorkshire autumn colour gardens 

As the colours change in Yorkshire, go on a refreshing walk through colourful gardens at Studley Royal, or have a more gentle stroll through autumn parks and gardens at places we care for like Wentworth Castle.

A family day out at Hanbury Hall and Gardens, Worcestershire

Autumn colour gardens in the Midlands 

Take in the views that the Midlands have to offer, from tranquil trees to idyllic Victorian landscapes. In our autumn parks, survey the flowers, catch a falling leaf, or feel exhilarated after running up a hill surrounded by autumn colours.

Experience autumn in the Midlands
Visitor in the Italian Garden on an electric mobility scooter at Mount Stewart, County Down

Autumn colour gardens in Northern Ireland 

Northern Ireland flourishes into an autumnal haven every year. Take in the beauty of Bishop's Gate gardens and unwind with your family in Rowallane Garden as the season transforms your surroundings.

An autumnal view of the terraces below Powis Castle, Powys, Wales

Autumn colour gardens in Wales 

Walk among a world full of autumn colour in Wales, with plenty of autumn parks and ancient sites to feel peaceful in. Take some autumn walks in the peace and quiet of Dyffryn, or relax in idyllic scenes that Welsh castles have to offer.

Autumn plants to look out for

Wondering what makes up the spectrum in our colourful gardens and autumn parks? Here's a showcase of the best and brightest of autumn colour.

A rainbow of colour in the Dahlia Garden at Anglesey Abbey
Autumn crocuses at Emmetts Garden, a National Trust place in Kent
Red Japanese maple leaves highlighted in the sun
Come and look at our aster collection at Upton House this autumn
Nerine

Dahlias 

Dahlias bloom from late summer until the first frosts. Their vibrant colours and variety of shapes can be found in many gardens.

Colchicums

Autumn Colchicums appear from August to October, and give a bluish hue to flowerbeds. They're commonly called 'naked ladies' because they can appear without foliage.

Japanese Maple

The Japanese maple tree gives a pop of true red colour to gardens at this time of year and can create some peaceful shaded areas in the afternoon autumn sun.

Michaelmas daisies

Autumn asters produce masses of long lasting, daisy-like flowers and are a great perennial plant for a sunny mixed border, as well an important source of nectar for insects in autumn.

Nerines

The magenta pink that nerines bring to gardens is enough to brighten any cold autumn morning — these are long-lasting autumn blooms.

Make your garden wildlife-friendly

From hedgehogs rustling in the crispy leaves to chattering birds sitting on a branch up above, wildlife can be found right on your doorstep. There's loads you can do for nature in your garden to make it a haven for all sorts of creatures. Find inspiration on how to help the creatures who love to visit your garden, and make a promise for nature to create a home for wildlife. 

Large white butterfly at Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire
Bird box at The Firs
Dahlia 'Glow' in the Walled Garden at Arlington Court
A bug hotel in Croft Castle's walled garden made from old pots, bottles and sticks.

Plants for pollinators 

Consider planting annuals such as cosmos or perennials like bellflower. Certain herbs such as rosemary, lavender and sage are all great sources of food for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Feed the birds 

By installing bird boxes and feeding birds you can make sure they thrive. Put your bird box up high in a sheltered site. In spring, provide protein-rich feed, such as fat balls.

Let the grass grow wild 

By letting some or all of your lawn grow you will make space for many plant and insect species, including butterflies and wildflowers.

Construct a bug hotel 

These clever boxes will attract a variety of insects including bumblebees, lacewings and ladybirds which will preserve a healthy ecological balance in your garden.

Want to know more about how you can help wildlife? Make a promise to nature

A red squirrel in trees.

Nature needs you 

You can support our work in making these autumn parks and gardens thrive for ever. The coronavirus crisis has meant that many of our conservation projects have been put on hold. Nature and wildlife need you more than ever to look after these places of calm for generations to come.

Donate to our appeal