As the seasons start to change, now is the perfect time to take a trip to your nearest garden. Enjoy a long walk and catch the very last of late summer, while watching leaves turn amber and gold. Make sure to use your 2-for-1 Gardens card on your visit to ensure you’re making savings on your day out.
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Knightshayes
Knightshayes, near Tiverton, houses one of the National Trust’s largest plant collections. Emerging from the Devon countryside, it’s made up of distinct garden areas, including a formal topiary garden and richly planted woodland. There is lots to see as autumn approaches, especially in the walled kitchen garden where dahlias bloom in a riot of bright colours. Keep an eye out in October for pumpkins and squashes ripening just in time for Halloween.
- Disabled access: Full access
- Dogs: Not permitted
- Single visitor discount: Yes
- Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments
Find out more about Knightshayes in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme
Visit the Knightshayes website for more details
Standen House and Garden
The acer grove at Standen House and Garden, near East Grinstead in West Sussex, is ablaze with shades of crimson, green and gold in autumn. The enclosed garden rooms, including orchard and kitchen garden, are the perfect places to sit and pause after a long walk on a bright day. The Arts and Crafts style house, with original Morris & Co interiors is the perfect place to retreat if the weather takes a turn.
- Disabled access: Partial access
- Dogs: Permitted on the lead
- Single visitor discount: Yes
- Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments
Find out more about Standen House and Gardens in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme
Visit the Standen House and Gardens website for more details
Speke Hall
First built in 1530, 500-year-old Speke Hall is located just outside of Liverpool. This beautifully preserved house is a great place to visit over the half-term break. There are plenty of fun activities for kids, including a giant maze and zip wire, older kids and history lovers alike can enjoy learning about the story of the house. Follow the meandering garden path through woodland, out to the wide estuary mudflats, to spot migratory wildfowl.
- Disabled access: Full access
- Dogs: Permitted on the lead
- Single visitor discount: Yes
- Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshments
Find out more about Speke Hall in our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme
Visit the Speke Hall website for more details
Tatton Park
If you’re looking for a spot for a long walk on a bright autumn day, then Tatton Park in Cheshire is the perfect place to visit. In October, the 1,000-acre deer park hosts one of the UK’s most dramatic spectacles – the annual deer rut. In contrast, if you are in search of some tranquillity, visit the historic Japanese Garden, filled with acers and evergreen plants for autumn and winter interest. There are also tropical glasshouses and Italianate pleasure gardens to explore, all set within the rolling country parkland.
- Disabled access: Full access
- Dogs: Not permitted
- Single visitor discount: No
- Refreshments: Hot food and light refreshment
Find out more about Tatton Park our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme
Visit the Tatton Park website for more details
Drummond Castle Garden
Visit Drummond Castle Gardens in Perthshire, before the end of October, to see one final flush of colour. The approach features a mile-long avenue of beech trees, their golden and russet leaves contrasting blue autumn skies. Continue on, and reach the main event, Drummond’s famous parterre. Even Queen Victoria was impressed by the sight, writing in her diary that it reminded her of “an old French garden”. The rugged Perthshire countryside is the perfect counterpoint to the formality of the gardens.
- Disabled access: Partial access
- Dogs: Permitted on the lead
- Single visitor discount: Not available
- Refreshments: Not available
Find out more about Drummond Castle Gardens our 2-for-1 Gardens scheme
Visit the Drummond Castle Gardens website for more details
from BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://ift.tt/WHi1mvD
