Things to do in the garden at Dunham Massey

n/a — Visitors walking in the gardens at Dunham Massey | © Paul Harris

Escape into autumn at Dunham Massey's extensive gardens and unwind amidst its natural beauty. Once enjoyed exclusively by the Earls of Stamford and Warrington and their families, the garden is now a tranquil haven for visitors and wildlife alike.

Autumn highlights in the garden

Surround yourself with autumn shades as bright colours transform the garden. Walk amongst the vibrant reds and oranges in the Winter Garden, spot autumnal bulbs as they begin to bloom and smell the delicious katsura tree on the Canal Border. Take a moment to sit, listen to seasonal sounds and take in the beauty of nature’s changing colours.

Listen to the rustle of fallen leaves and clashing of antlers as the deer battle for supremacy in the park, and stay warm with a luxury pumpkin spice latte to go.

The Winter Garden awakens

During autumn, the seasonal colour transforms the views of the gardens and the winter garden begins to wake. Look out for the carpet of autumnal bulbs. Cyclamen is happiest in early autumn and the silvery bark of the Birch triangle glows in the afternoon light.

In the Acer meadow, the crossover of branches overhead creates a red orange archway, allowing visitors to walk under their beautiful canopy. Don’t miss the yellow Birches against the autumn sky and try to spot the distinctive smell of burnt sugar as the Katsura or ‘Candyfloss’ tree emits a wonderfully seasonal scent. There are candyfloss trees across the Dunham garden – ask a gardener or volunteer to point them out to you.

Historic landmarks

A variety of historic landmarks are waiting to be discovered in the Dunham Massey Gardens. Discover the unique bark house, attributed to the 7th Earl, and enjoy the sweeping view of the lawn. Find the well house, pause by the graves of the family’s dogs and discover the mount, which is thought to date back as far as 1173.

Especially pleasant on rainy days is the Orangery, where the family could grow exotic fruits. The perfect place for a reflective moment - adults can enjoy the plants and views, while children relax with literature.

Wander along the canal border

Whenever you’re visiting, the canal border is a beautiful place to wander along the water’s edge with seasonal bulbs planted along each side.

Picnic on the lawn

Pack up your snacks, sandwiches, drinks and treats, and settle down on the lawn for a picnic with a view. If you run out of food or drink, pop into one of our cafés to top up – there are also many different flavours of ice creams to tempt you.

n/a — Aerial view of the lawn at Dunham Massey | © Paul Harris

An ever-changing experience

Truly a garden for all seasons, no two visits to the Dunham Massey Gardens are ever the same. Return throughout the year to see the garden evolve under the dedicated care of the gardeners. Depending on the season, there could be a carpet of bluebells, the Rose Garden might be in full bloom, the grounds may be flooded with autumnal shades, or the Winter Garden could be taking centre stage.