The South Terrace at Sunset at Ham House and Garden, London — The South Terrace of Ham House at sunset | © National Trust Images/Chris Davies

Gardens and parks in London

The days are getting cooler but National Trust parks and gardens across London are still full of colour, with beautiful leaves, bark and fungi creating a rainbow of autumnal shades. Immerse yourself in the riches of the season on an autumnal walk through formal gardens, across parkland and along river banks. Where will you visit to feel that autumn glow?

Enjoy the pared back beauty of winter gardens and parks across London, with the low winter sun creating plenty of photo opportunities. See topiary shimmering with frost in the Cherry Garden at Ham House and wander through the Winter Garden at Osterley Park & House, with its colourful bark, berries and blooms.

Things to see and do in the garden at Ham House

See the topiary of the Cherry Garden twinkle as your family explore the extensive outdoor spaces at this historic estate on the banks of the River Thames near Richmond.

The Cherry Garden showing frosty lavender in winter with Ham House and a blue sky in the background

The garden at Osterley Park

The Winter Garden comes into its own at this time of year, with seasonal trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and bulbs all chosen for their interesting leaves, bark, stems or flowers in the winter months. Meanwhile in the wider parkland, delicate snowdrops start to appear from early February, while bluebells give the woodland a colourful wash of colour in late March into April.

A view of the Garden House during winter, a white semi circular building with high arched windows supported by columns.

Things to do at Morden Hall Park

Peaceful frosty mornings in the park are the perfect antidote to a busy day in south London. Explore the wide open spaces of the South Park or head to the wetlands to spot winter birds before warming up with hot drinks from the Potting Shed.

A group of five trees are silhouetted against the early morning mist rising at Morden Hall Park, with cold blue tones and a slight golden glow suggesting that the sun is about to rise

Things to see and do at Runnymede and Ankerwycke

With riverside walks and open meadows, art installations inspired by history, and a series of moving memorials, there’s lots to see and do at Runnymede and Ankerwycke. For a deeper dive, why not listen to our audio guides.

Sunset over the meadows at Runnymede during winter

Things to see and do at 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.

Child on father's shoulders gazing at an apple tree with young fruit.

Join our team of brilliant volunteers at National Trust places across London. You'll have a chance to learn more about gardening, to meet other people who are just as interested in pruning, mulching and garden design as you are, whilst making a difference to these special pockets of green.