The best gardens to visit this autumn

From spotting wildlife to admiring acers, here are the places to be in October

• 
• • Jane Perrone
  • The Guardian, Saturday 3 October 2009

Autumn glory: A Japanese acer palmatum at Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, England. Photograph: Alamy

Where to go for… trees

Crarae, Argyll, Scotland 0844 493 2210.
Now's the perfect time to enjoy this garden's array of maples, birches and rowans; there are unusual shrubs for autumn colour, too. Spot red squirrels and native birds feasting on berries.
Open Daily, 9.30am-sunset.
Refuel at The George Hotel in Inveraray (01499 302111).

Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park, London 020-8948 3209.
This ornamental woodland garden is aflame with colour from Japanese acers, the Tupelo tree and the sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua.
Open Daily, dawn to dusk.
Refuel at The cafe at Pembroke Lodge in the park (020-8940 8207).

Thorp Perrow Arboretum, North Yorkshire 01677 425323.
This 85-acre arboretum boasts a fine collection of sorbus and other trees for autumn interest; or visit on 11 or 25 October for a fungus foray at 1pm.
Open Daily, 10am-5pm.
Refuel at The tearoom on site.

Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire 01666 880220.
If you're a fan of Japanese acers, this is the place for you: the arboretum holds the national collection of more than 300 varieties, and you can buy a tree to take home. If acers don't make your heart race, there are another 3,000 or so types of tree to admire.
Open Daily, 9am-5pm.
Refuel at The Maples restaurant on site, by the main car park.

Where to go for… produce

Brogdale Farm, Kent 01795 536250. Celebrate this year's apple harvest at the home of the national fruit collection, which boasts more than 200 varieties. The annual apple festival this year takes place on 17-18 October.
Open Daily, 10am-5pm.
Refuel at The Orchard Tearooms on site; there's a hog roast, too.

Roots And Shoots, London 020-7587 1131.
This wildlife garden in Kennington, south London, is home to a vocational education charity but doubles as the base of the London Beekeepers' Association. On Apple Day (11 October), you can taste Roots And Shoots's apple juice, pressed and bottled on site.
Open By arrangement, but 11am-4pm on apple day.
Refuel at The Garden Museum's cafe.

Ryton Organic Gardens, Coventry 024 7630 3517.
The HQ of the charity Garden Organic looks especially good in autumn, particularly the Diversity in Landscape garden and, of course, the orchard. Tomorrow's organic harvest day celebrates apples, pumpkins and all the other autumn edibles.
Open Daily, 9am-5pm; 11am-4pm on Organic Harvest day tomorrow.
Refuel at Ryton's Garden Cafe for organic cakes and lunches.

Where to go for… plants

Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire 01223 810080.
A "pink floor" of Cyclamen hederifolium carpets swaths of the gardens until December. For another shot of colour, visit the dahlia garden, where dozens of varieties are displayed in a huge border.
Open Wed-Sun, 10.30am-5.30pm.
Refuel at Redwoods Restaurant on site.

Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk 01263 837444.
The colchicum, aka naked ladies, is one of the most underrated autumn plants. Felbrigg holds the national collection of these crocus-like flowers in its walled garden, as well as a range of local apple varieties.
Open 11am-5pm most days; check website for details.
Refuel at The Turret tearoom at the hall.

Picton Garden, Worcestershire 01684 540416.
Showcases its collection of autumn asters to great effect alongside shrubs and prairie planting.
Open Daily until 18 October, 2-5pm.
Refuel at The Kettle Sings in nearby Upper Colwall (01684 540244).

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