The Best British Gardens In The Autumn

Enjoy these beautiful gardens this Autumn!

The days are shorter and the outdoors is getting less and less appealing. But in gardens around the UK, autumn is a riot of colour not to be missed. So to tempt you out of hibernation, here are a few of our favourite gardens for autumn strolling.

Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire, England

This garden is probably best known for its snowdrop displays in January and February, but autumn is a particularly vibrant time too. Lord Fairhaven’s Garden (one of the many garden areas here) swells with dahlias, and the beds glow with yellows and purples.

Open all year: find out more here.

Scampston Walled Garden, North Yorkshire, England

Scampston’s walls and contemporary design make this one of the country’s most unusual gardens. Lose yourself among the many ‘rooms’, and end your visit with a quiet moment in the Silent Garden, built for contemplation.

Open March to October: find out more here.

Pitmuies Garden, Angus, Scotland

The centuries-old gardens at Pitmuies are among the finest in Scotland, and there are lots of lovely walks just perfect for a crisp afternoon. See if you can spot a red squirrel camouflaged in the autumn trees down by the Black Loch.

Open April to October: find out more here.

Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Wales

A lot of the findings of 19th and 20th-century explorers ended up here at Bodnant, which is considered a world-class centre of horticultural excellence. Guided walks by garden staff are a particular highlight, and take place throughout the year.

Open all year: find out more here.

Inverewe Garden, Ross-shire, Scotland

Created out of rock and scrub, this garden is now an oasis full of exotic plants from around the world. Carefully planned woodland surrounds this sub-tropical haven, making it not only a treasure trove of plants usually found in much more temperate climes, but also sheltered enough for an autumn day out.

Open all year: find out more here.

Beth Chatto Gardens, Essex, England

If ever you need garden inspiration, Beth Chatto will provide it. She started this garden on a wasteland of brambles, gravel and bog in 1960, and turned it into a thriving garden and nursery. Each plant is carefully chosen to thrive in its particular environment. You might even spot Beth herself, now in her 90s, working in the garden with her team.

Open all year: find out more here.

The Gardens at Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England

Will you take the Path of Vice, Virtue or Liberty? At Stowe, you can take all three, as the garden’s creator, Lord Cobham, intended it to set out his views on morality as well as greenery. Strange monuments and temples dot the landscape, making this a wonderful place to explore.

Open all year: find out more here.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent, England

Sissinghurst epitomises the English garden of the mid-20th century, with its formal garden, flowerbeds, archways and arbours. Make sure you see it in its autumnal glory before it closes for the year at the end of October.

Open March to October: find out more here.