Discover more at Emmetts Garden
Find out when Emmetts Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Autumn Festival at Emmetts Garden
Celebrate the changing seasons and the cornucopia of colour at Emmetts Garden during our Autumn Festival, 10 October to 2 November 2025. From music and market stalls to workshops and a family activity trail there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Autumn Festival
Friday 10 October–Sunday 2 November
An October festival at Emmetts Garden has become an annual tradition. This year we’re broadening our theme to cover the colourful joys of autumn inspired by the garden and surrounding woodlands. Many familiar favourite activities are set to return. Read on to plan your visit(s).
Normal admission applies. Additional charges and pre-booking required for workshops.
Autumn Fair
Friday 10–Sunday 12 October
The festival kicks off with a three-day market, featuring makers and craftspeople selling unique products. Look out for autumn, woodland and botanical-inspired crafts, everything from jewellery and prints to wooden sculptures and ceramics. There are even some edible goodies.
The fair is held under a marquee in the meadow for maximum enjoyment, no matter the weather.
Food and drink during the Autumn Fair
The popular Sommi Pizza van returns to Emmetts Garden, serving hand stretched pizzas made with the best Italian and British ingredients, cooked to order in their wood-fired oven. Nab a spot at one of the outdoor tables or bring a blanket and chairs for your own pizza picnic.
Autumn Fair event information.
Music on the Meadow
Saturday 11–Sunday 12 October
We are delighted to welcome Medway Concert Brass and Biggin Hill Concert Band back to Emmetts Garden for two afternoons of modern classics, film scores and old favourites during the weekend of our Autumn Fair.
Medway Concert Band will perform on Saturday 11 October from 1 to 3pm with a short interval in the middle. Biggin Hill Concert Band will perform on Sunday 12 October from 1 to 3pm with a short interval in the middle.
These performances will take place outdoors alongside the Autumn Fair market.
You are more than welcome bring picnic blankets and chairs. Chairs will not be provided.
Music on the Meadow event information.
Photography workshops for adults
Wednesday 15 October, Thursday 23 October
Join us for a half-day autumn photography workshop led by expert photographer, Roger Bloxham.
Select one of the two scheduled sessions.
Be inspired by nature and autumn colours and take part in a half day photography workshop at Emmetts Garden to learn all about your camera and how to take stunning photos. The course uses the natural environment at Emmetts Garden as a subject and is designed for people who have a camera with a short-range zoom lens (24-70mm is ideal).
The course will run from 9.30am to 1pm, with a hot drink and slice of cake included in the price. The price also includes your garden entry. Suitable for all abilities. If you enrol on the course, you will receive further information to help you to get the most out of the day.
Limited spaces, pre-booking is essential.
Autumn Festival: Photography Workshop event information and ticketing.
Half term and more
Friday 10 October–Sunday 2 November
Family activity trail
Running throughout the Autumn Festival including half term. Take part in the family activity trail. Purchase a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre for £3. Complete the trail activities and return to the Visitor Centre to collect your prize. Normal admission applies; under 5s visit for free.
Don’t forget our wild play area near the Old Stables Tea Room. Kids will love the climbing frame, balance beams, play net, tunnels and fairy ring of wooden toadstools. There's also plenty of fun to find in the toy cupboard by the meadow. Play one of the lawn games or make up an activity of your own from the sports cones, hula hoops, skipping ropes and other items in the toy cupboard.
Graffiti workshops for children
Saturday 25 October, 11am–12.30pm or 1pm–2.30pm
Graffiti Stars are back at Emmetts Garden for half term weekend fun. Kids aged 8 to 14 can get colourful and creative with experienced, DBS-checked graffiti artists leading the sessions. Parents and carers can stroll around the gardens or stick around to watch the young artists in action.
Limited spaces, pre-booking is essential.
Autumn Festival: Graffiti Workshop event information and ticketing.
Exploring the gardens and woodland
Emmetts Garden and the surrounding woodlands are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest; foraging is illegal. Fungi spotted at National Trust places including Emmetts Garden and the West Kent Countryside should not be picked or eaten; they are often poisonous and form a vital part of the woodland ecosystem.
Autumn walks
Autumn is a spectacular time of year to visit Emmetts Garden. Enjoy the crunching of leaves underfoot, admire the changing colours across the landscape and take in fantastic views over the Weald of Kent. Garden highlights include the winged spindle tree and Japanese maples which turn fiery red as well as the katsura, also known as the candyfloss tree for its sugary sweet autumnal fragrance.
Food, drink and shopping at Emmetts Garden
When you’re ready for refreshment, wood-fired pizza is available on the meadow during the Autumn Fair market. Throughout the Autumn Festival, The Old Stables Tea Room will be serving hot and cold drinks, soup, sandwiches and other light snacks including many favourite National Trust cakes and bakes.
In addition to the Autumn Fair at the start of the festival, you can find a National Trust shop located in the Visitor Centre. Browse a wide selection of seasonal items for the home and garden including toys, gifts and stationery as well as local products and peat-free plants. Don’t miss the second-hand bookshop for pre-loved non-fiction, novels and children’s books. Every purchase you make helps us to care for the nature, beauty and history that surrounds us here at Emmetts Garden.
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