Relax and soak up the colours of the season with an autumn walk at your nearest RHS Partner Garden. We've selected five outstanding destinations to help you plan your perfect day out, whether you're looking for planting ideas, breathtaking views or just a quiet stroll.
A quiet autumn afternoon is one of the best times to visit the impressive gardens at Drummond Castle, Perth and Kinross. The fiery colours of Daggan Wood contrast beautifully with the strong, crisp greens of the yew and box in the formal parterre, and the views of the golden beech avenue are striking.
Free entry for RHS members in May, Sept and Oct
Visit Forde Abbey Gardens in Somerset during its annual Autumn Colours Week (20-31 October). Enjoy the Lime Avenue, glorious colours throughout the arboretum and gardens, carpets of cyclamen, and England’s tallest powered fountain sparkling through the trees.
Free entry for RHS members Jan-Feb & Oct-Dec
Autumn is a glorious time of year at the Forestry Commission's National Arboretum at Westonbirt in Gloucestershire. Weather conditions right up to early autumn can influence the time and rate of leaf colouring and you can never guess which trees will provide the year’s ‘star turn’ - meaning new surprises each year.
Free entry for RHS members from 17 Nov (excludes Enchanted Christmas event nights)
The Forestry Commission England has named Bedgebury Pinetum, Kent, as one of its top 10 autumn destinations. 'This year we could see prolonged autumn colour well into November due to the mild, damp weather conditions,' says curator Chris Reynolds. Cool, damp years can also bring out stronger tones in some species: look out for rich pink katsura trees and the strong golden tones of native trees such as beech.
Free parking for RHS members Mon-Fri (excl. school holidays & Bank Holidays)
There's still time to take an autumn stroll at Penshurst Place in Kent before it closes its gates on 4 November. The 140m Lime Walk is a particular delight; you can also find rich autumn displays in the arboretum and on Church Terrace, where Japanese maples provide bursts of colour.
Free entry for RHS members throughout open period