Amaranth and rainbow chard growing in the kitchen garden, wit the house behind the wall, at Ham House and Garden, London — Amaranth and rainbow chard growing in the kitchen garden at Ham House and Garden, London | © National Trust Images/Chris Davies

Gardens and parks in London

National Trust places in London are quiet after the summer holidays, gardens are still full of colour and the estates and woodlands we look after are criss-crossed with footpaths to help you immerse yourself in the riches of the season. Where will you visit to feel that autumn glow?

When warm autumn days are followed by cold, frosty nights, you can expect a sensational spectacle of dazzling autumn colour. Garden lovers can seek out the Shagbark Hickory with its soft buttery tones in the grounds of Osterley Park and House or swathes of colour from Morning Glory, phlox and Russian Flag in the cross borders at Fenton House and Garden.

Things to see and do in the garden at Ham House

The productive Kitchen Garden at Ham House is in full flow during autumn, keeping the garden true to its 17th century origins. Look out for pumpkins and squashes nestled amongst sunshine-coloured nasturtiums and dusky-red amaranthus. Produce is used in the Orangery Café, sold in veg bags or donated to local food banks.

Dusky red amaranthus in flower in the Kitchen Garden at Ham House and Garden with the 17th-century house in the background.

The garden at Osterley Park

Even in late September a myriad of colour can be found in the gardens of Osterley Park. Swirling flowerbeds radiate out from a recently restored central Garden House and in the walled garden, neat, square plots brim with life.

Explore the garden at Fenton House

A small 300 year old orchard of 28 apple trees comes into its own during autumn, with a harvest of shiny bright apples and heritage pears adorning the trees. Pumpkins and sweetcorn add colour to the Kitchen Garden and late flowering blooms stud the gardens with spiky seed heads, like mini sculptures.

Visitors in the garden at Fenton House, London

Morden Hall Park

See the lime tree lined avenues burst into fiery shades bathed in beautiful autumn light and hear birds bustling around among burnished tones of copper.

An image of the River Wandle cascade with Morden Hall house in the background

Runnymede and Ankerwycke

Dig out your wellies and head on a walk through the meadows at Runnymede, spotting colourful fungi and crunching through golden leaves.

Mum and two small children walking toward large willow sculptures in meadow at Runnymede

Rainham Hall

As the cooler months take hold in Rainham Hall's community garden, this three acre spaces starts to shift towards harvest. The orchard will be in full fruit with cherries, damsons, mulberries and apples. Whilst on the ground vegetable beds contain chard, pumpkins, leeks and onions.

Red House

Step into the secluded shade of the garden at Red House and discover rich reds and glimmering golds. See the asters and crocossima in bloom around the Bowling Green as damsons, mulberries and quince ripen in the vegetable patch.