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 local 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 — Colourful dahlias in bloom during the autumn

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.

In England, we're pleased to have been able to keep our gardens, parks and outdoor spaces open through the current lockdown. From 2 December, we'll be able to reopen some houses and welcome you to sit in our cafés again. In tier 3, indoor areas will remain closed and cafés will be takeaway only. Please follow your area's tiering system and government guidance when planning a visit.

Following Welsh government guidance, all places in Wales are now open for Wales residents, and we're pleased to be welcoming many of you again.

In line with Northern Ireland Executive circuit break restrictions, our gardens and parks in Northern Ireland will open from 28 November. All houses, shops and visitor centres will stay closed during the circuit break until 11 December, and cafés will be takeaway only.

Before visiting, please always check local and national government guidance on travelling. You can check the property webpage in case of local restrictions. We're following government advice closely and will reopen more places as soon as we can.

Autumn colour of bright orange and yellow on the trees reflects upon the Octogan Lake at Stowe — Autumn colours of bright orange and yellow on the trees reflects upon the Octagon Lake at Stowe

Keep a lookout for a spectacular autumn

This year, thanks to a long, sunny summer, we're expecting vibrant autumn colours at many places we care for – the intensity of these colours depends on the amount of sunshine trees have basked in before autumn comes around. We care for lots of trees at many places, like the ancient trees at Petworth, with many thought to be more than 600 years old. We also look after around 100 champion trees at Winkworth, where all of them are either the tallest or the widest trunked trees of their species in the county or nationally. Find out where to see a show of autumn colour in a garden or park near you.

Find your nearest autumn colour garden

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 — Tropical jungle adventure at Overbeck's, Devon

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

Local 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

Local autumn colour gardens in Wales

Walk among a world full of autumn colour, 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 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

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

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. — A red squirrel in the forest of Glenmona estate.

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