Gardens in London and the South East

Autumn scene at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex — Autumn at Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex | © National Trust Images/Laurence Perry

Discover some of the most scenic gardens to visit in London and the South East and enjoy great days out all year round.

Autumn is a beautiful time to visit our gardens. With the sun shining low and casting a warm amber glow, discover lush vegetable patches brimming with leafy produce, as well as beautiful borders bright with autumn colour - and don't miss nature's greatest show at Winkworth Arboretum and Sheffield Park and Garden.

Red acer at Sheffield Park in the autumn

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Plan your Autumn visit to Sheffield Park and Garden

Our famed autumn colour attracts thousands of visitors at this time of year. Pre-booking is not required for visits to Sheffield Park and Garden.

A landscape view of the colour trees from the meadow winkworth arboretum

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Visiting Winkworth Arboretum this Autumn

When autumn arrives, Winkworth bursts into colour, its yellows, oranges and reds painting a breath-taking picture across the landscape. Learn more about Wilfrid Fox's visionary collection and find out about the best time to see the plants at the peak of their autumnal finery.

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The garden and estate at Scotney Castle

Discover the Picturesque garden and wider estate at Scotney Castle. Take time to look around as you explore and discover endless vistas and interesting angles for photographs and reflection.

Two laughing people walk down the Long Walk at Polesden Lacey, Surrey, beneath a canopy of yellow and gold autumn leaves on the trees.

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The garden at Polesden Lacey

The garden at Polesden Lacey has something to offer in every season. Take in the views over Ranmore Common from the South Lawn, indulge in the peace and quiet in the Old Kitchen Garden and Upper Sunken Garden. Or soak up the colour and scent in the cutting garden and double herbaceous borders. With a new team in place since spring 2023 working to take the garden to new heights, there's always something beautiful to enjoy.

Walled kitchen garden with flower borders, glasshouse, grass paths, and church behind wall in background

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The garden at Hinton Ampner

Discover clipped topiary contrasting with brick walls, lilies floating on the surface of a pond and flower borders that transform throughout the seasons.

Lime trees beginning to change colour in autumn

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Visiting Nymans garden

Romantic ruins, intimate gardens and internationally recognised plant collections all set against a backdrop of woodland and far-reaching views.

Lake with swans and fringed by trees with orange and red late autumn foliage, The Vyne, Hampshire

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Things to do in the garden at The Vyne

Discover what to see and do in the garden all year round at The Vyne. Explore the historic summerhouse, see what’s growing in the walled garden and take a walk by the lake.

Wooden pergolas run the length of a path with brick-built raised beds on both sides in the kitchen garden at Mottisfont, Hampshire

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The garden at Mottisfont

Enjoy every season at Mottisfont, with its ancient trees and babbling brooks, from rich autumn foliage and the scented Winter Garden, to spring bulbs and, of course, the world-famous Rose Garden.

A world-renowned garden at Sissinghurst, Capability Brown landscapes at Petworth and Stowe, as well as walled gardens, vegetable plots and borders bursting with colour are yours to explore across the South East this autumn.

Orange dahlias in the foreground with walled garden glasshouse in background

Hampshire

Our Hampshire gardens are brimming with lush colour in early autumn. Magnificent dahlia borders, productive kitchen gardens, and panoramic views combine to give joy and inspiration at every turn.

The autumnal colour in the garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden with the Elizabethan Tower in the distance beyond.

Kent

There are gardens aplenty to explore in Kent, including Sissinghurst – one of the most famous in the country. From productive walled gardens to beautiful borders, there's something for every taste.

Surrey

Discover the best autumn gardens and open spaces to explore around Surrey, from autumn colour to royal gardens and rolling parkland.

The South African bed is at its most colourful in autumn.

Sussex

Beautiful gardens are found all over Sussex. The romantic gardens at Nymans and Bateman's; and Capability Brown landscapes at Sheffield Park and Petworth are all yours to explore.

Walled garden overflowing with plants in the autumn

Gardens in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

Gardens from the grand scale of Stowe's landscape garden to formal parterres at Hughenden and Cliveden and the intimate walled garden 'rooms' at Greys Court.

London

Discover a variety of plants and interest in gardens across London, from spring bulbs bursting into life, and colourful summer roses to golden autumn leaves and frosty topiary.

There's plenty to do in the garden this autumn, from planting your spring bulbs for next year, to mulching your flower beds, looking after your soil and clearing leaves.

A male member of the gardening team using a rake in a flower bed at Mount Stewart, County Down

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Gardening tips for autumn

Would you like to get more out of your garden this autumn? Our experts share their tips on how to prepare your garden for colder weather and keep your plants thriving.

Find out when garden produce is in season, and enjoy a taste of autumn with some delicious recipes to try at home. September is probably the most abundant month for British grown produce. Summer crops, such as salads, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers and runner beans are still highly productive. Meanwhile autumn crops such as apples, pears, squash and leeks are nearly ready for harvesting. Moving into November, tasty and nutritious root vegetables such as carrots, squash, pumpkin and sweet potato are abundant and make the perfect ingredients for recipes of all kinds.

Gardener picking fennel from the vegetable garden at Speke Hall, Liverpool

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Guide to seasonal food

Grow your own fruit and vegetables and help the environment by reducing food miles. Find out what to harvest, plant and buy each month with our handy guide to seasonal food.

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Squash soup with seed gremolata

Using seasonal squash, this hearty soup is perfect for warming you up on a chilly autumn day.

A visitor using a wheelchair takes a photo, with flower borders and Killerton house in the background

Access for everyone

The National Trust is for everyone. Our Access Guide gives helpful information about the accessibility of our sites where we welcome visitors. The guide is designed to have accessibility information for all our visited places in one location to assist with planning your visits. The Guide is up-to-date at the point of publication.