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Visiting Winkworth Arboretum this Autumn

A landscape view of the colour trees from the meadow winkworth arboretum
Plan your visit to Winkworth this Autumn | © Andrew Butler

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. Autumn is our busiest time of year at Winkworth, please be aware of the following options to ensure you get to enjoy Winkworth at this special time of year.

Planning your visit

Autumn is our busiest time of year and we want to ensure everyone gets to enjoy Winkworth at this special time of year. We've put together the following tips to help you plan your visit. 

Visiting at peak times

Please note that our peak visiting times are at weekends between 10am and 1pm where queues are likely and you may be turned away. Please visit mid-week if you can or in the afternoon when it is a little quieter. Please respect our neighbours by not marking where you shouldn't. There is plenty of parking in Godalming town centre where you can catch a bus to Winkworth.  Thank you.

Follow us on social media

Autumn colour can start as early as mid-September and last until mid-November. It usually peaks in the second half of October. There's always something to see throughout the season, so follow us on social media to keep up to date with which trees are reaching their peak.

A Japanese maple in Autumn with red leaves
The Japanese maple adding a blaze of colour to your Winkworth walk | © John Miller

What to look out for during your visit

Maple marvels

Hundreds of maple trees burn bright with colour in September and October. Japanese maple groves can be found below Sorbus Hill, by the Azalea Steps, and in the bowls.

Colourful conifers

Not all autumn colour is broadleaved. Admire fiery larches in the upper arboretum and dawn redwood near the boathouse.

Admire the view

Dr Fox used plants to paint a picture in the landscape - and the best way to truly appreciate his work is from a distance. For the best views, seek out the viewpoints on the edge of the Magnolia Wood, the top of the Azalea Steps, the lakeside Boathouse and the eastern Meadow.

Bountiful berries

Don't miss the berries for the trees - holly, rowan, spindle, Chinese dogwood and Harlequin beauty berry all put on brilliant displays in the autumnal period.

Fascinating fungi

Along with this seasonal extravaganza of leaves, nuts and fruits, autumn also brings with it a season of spectacular fungi. Often hidden amongst the trees, nestled into roots, or growing in nooks and crannies, there’s a whole world of mushroom oddities waiting to be discovered. Whilst beautiful, some fungi can be extremely poisonous, so please do not pick or touch fungi in the wild.

Keen photographers will enjoy the chance to capture images of the fungi, which can appear as anything from small, delicate, toadstool like mushrooms, much like those in fairy tales, or as huge bracket fungi clinging to the bark of trees. They have names to match too, whether it’s oakbug milkcap, giant puffball or orange-peel fungus.

Multi-hued liquidambars

Liquidambar, or sweet-gum, conjures up a fascinating palette of crimsons, yellows and purples in the autumn season. Find them in the Badgers Bowl.

Yellow splendour

Some of the best autumnal yellows are found on the hickory and the tulip trees in Badgers Bowl. More tulip trees can be seen on the main pathway.

Pair of ducks swimming in the Upper Pond at dusk in the park at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

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