Gardens to visit in the North West

Step into autumn gardens at National Trust places in the North West. Take in spectacular colours from Japanese Maple trees, see late flowering borders in bloom and explore our kitchen gardens before their harvest goes into our cafes and tearooms.

A tree full of red autumn leaves at Speke Hall
Speke Hall   Liverpool

Spot seasonal spectacles at Speke Hall

The autumn colours make a striking contrast against the black and white Tudor hall at Speke. In the gardens, autumn highlights include euonymus alata (‘burning bush’) and a variety of acers, including the paperbark maple. Whilst many of the summer plants are taking a break at this time of year, the trees in the garden step into the limelight at Speke. Look out for the dawn redwood, Wollemi pine, maidenhair tree and the hardy citrus on your garden wanders.

Take in the changing seasons
Lyme   Cheshire

Enjoy the last bursts of the season at Lyme

Framed by turning trees, you'll spot colour in the herbaceous border too at Lyme. This year, the Italian Garden has been filled with perennials, meaning that rather than removing bulbs in September, the beds will display colour until the first frosts take their toll. Spot Rudbeckia Goldstrum in the beds and vibrant Viburnum on the banks.

Escape to the garden this autumn
Autumn colour in the gardens at Quarry Bank
Quarry Bank   Cheshire

See late flowering borders at Quarry Bank

The autumn colours in the garden against the red brick mill make Quarry Bank a picture-perfect spot. You'll find plenty of colour in the borders especially the late flowering herbaceous borders in front of the restored glasshouse in the Upper Garden. See a wide variety of fruit and veg getting ready for harvest in the walled garden, glasshouse and Apprentice House orchard. The gardens here supplied Quarry Bank House and the Apprentice House with food. Today, the produce is used in our cafe and restaurant.

Take in the colours of the season
Bright red acer trees in the garden at Dunham Massey in autumn
Dunham Massey   Greater Manchester

A treat for the senses at Dunham Massey

Take in the colour along canal border with pinks, purples, lilacs of Cyclamen, autumn crocus and salvias throughout September. October brings a vibrant rainbow of autumn colour into the garden with reds, oranges and yellows from Japanese Maples and Betula. Don't miss the Katsura Tree which adds the delicious smell of candyfloss to the air.

Have a nosy round the garden
The Japanese Garden at Tatton Park, Cheshire
Tatton Park   Cheshire

Explore different garden worlds at Tatton

With a 50-acre garden at Tatton, you'll be spoilt for choice this autumn. Take in vibrant displays of seasonal produce from the Walled Kitchen Gardens and marvel at the stunning colours of the Japanese Gardens. Get lost in the layers of autumn colours with views across the Gardens and Parkland - don't forget your camera.

Spend a day in the garden