The Best Botanical Gardens to Visit This Autumn

Just because the summer holidays are over and seasons are changing, doesn’t mean the family fun has to stop.  With searches for ‘things to do autumn’ and ‘autumn activities’ increasing by 129%*, many parents will be searching for affordable, wholesome outings to enjoy  the colours of the season.

While gardens might not always seem the most exciting option for kids, many across the UK now combine blooms with interactive trails, family activities, and even zoos  making them ideal for autumn outings.

To help families find botanical adventures, Bloom & Wild have curated a list of some of the most family-friendly gardens, along with which seasonal blooms you’ll hopefully get to spot and tips for keeping the trip stress- free.

The Best Gardens to Explore with Kids This Autumn

The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Famous for its fountains and water sculptures, colourful borders, and unique Poison Garden, Alnwick also has adventure golf and is  also home to one of the world’s largest treehouses. Children can also explore the garden’s  Bamboo Labyrinth.

Seasonal blooms highlight: Seasonal changes mean a new array in plants and flowers appearing across the gardens. Found in the Pavilion Border Echinacea Purpurea delights with large purple flowerheads, which butterflies love. 

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden, Argyll & Bute
Beneath some of Britain’s tallest trees, and overlooking Loch Fyne, families can follow the magical Gruffalo Trail and Fairy Trail. Kids will love stumbling across fairy doors and carved sculptures along the woodland paths.

Seasonal bloom highlight: With autumn arriving, the Sweet Pepper Bush (Clethra Alnifolia) bears fragrant creamy-white flowers. Also various fungi species will start to make an appearance across the woodland floor and on dead wood.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, West Midlands
Four glasshouses transport visitors through rainforests to deserts, with lots of outdoor space although its butterfly house is closed for restoration. Outside, there are aviaries, playgrounds, and rolling lawns.

Seasonal blooms highlight: Colourful borders line the West Lawn by the playground. A mix of familiar herbaceous favourites inspired by the legendary Gertrude Jekyll are a highlight, while exotic houseplants bring constant colour in the glasshouses.

Capel Manor Gardens, London
This 30-acre site features themed gardens, a maze, and even a small zoo. Families can wander from a Japanese garden to a sensory garden before refuelling at the café.

Seasonal blooms highlight: In September visitors may spot some rosehips, adding a touch of colour to the autumnal garden. The wingnut tree will also show its long green hanging catkins.

Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden, Norfolk
Covering 130 acres of woodland and waterways, this peaceful escape offers trails, bird hides, and boat trips. There are also wild swimming sessions, paddleboarding and canoe trails available.

Seasonal bloom highlight: Hydrangeas, Philadelphus and many wild flowers dominate the borders in late summer and early autumn.

Tatton Park, Cheshire
One of the North West’s most popular estates, Tatton Park offers ornamental gardens, a working farm, and adventure playgrounds with the chance to see the park’s famous deer or go on a colourful bear hunt sculpture trail.

Seasonal bloom highlight: The Rose Garden has many beautiful varieties to see such as ‘Rosa Albertine’, ‘Generous Gardener’ and ‘New Dawn’ along with ripe pear trees and colourful Hydrangea.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire
This world-renowned arboretum is famous for its extraordinary plant collections. Kids will love the treehouse, Hilltop Adventures playground, and the Children’s Education Garden with its dipping ponds and Bamboo Music Classroom.

Seasonal bloom highlight: The Sambucus ebulus, a species of Elderberry, adds to the autumnal theme in the gardens with its deep dark red colour. 

Ness Botanic Gardens, Cheshire
Owned by the University of Liverpool, Ness spans 64 acres overlooking the River Dee. Families can explore rock gardens, Mediterranean borders, and sweeping meadows. Kids can join Little Acorns sessions or Ness Explorers Kids Club, while parents might enjoy forest bathing or floral design workshops.

Seasonal bloom highlight: Magnolias and rhododendrons are plentiful earlier in the year, but late summer brings vibrant displays of hydrangeas, asters, and ornamental grasses.

Tips for a Stress-Free Garden Adventure with Kids

Bloom & Wild share their top tips on making plants and blooms fun and a day out as stress free as possible: 

1. Arrive early: Crisp autumn mornings are quieter, cooler, and filled with golden light making them perfect for giving little ones space to run before crowds arrive.
   
2. Bring a scavenger hunt: Adapt flower-spotting for autumn by including leaf colours, pinecones, conkers, acorns, fungi, or migrating birds for kids to tick off. Many gardens also provide child-friendly activity sheets.
   
3. Pack a picnic (and a flask): Scenic lawns and woodland clearings are ideal for an autumn picnic. Hot chocolate or tea in a flask makes a warming treat during a chilly walk.
   
4. Dress for all weathers: Autumn can bring sun, showers, and mud all in the same day. Sturdy shoes, waterproofs, and layers will keep children comfortable and far less likely to complain.
   
5. Mix play with pauses: Alternate between energetic activities (like trails, mazes, or playgrounds) and calmer moments (resting under a tree, feeding ducks, or enjoying a snack) so kids don’t tire too quickly.
   
6. Make it hands-on: Encourage children to sketch a tree in its autumn colours, photograph fungi or acorns, or collect fallen leaves (where allowed) for craft projects at home.
   
7. Check for seasonal events: Many gardens run special autumn activities, from pumpkin trails and storytelling sessions to harvest festivals and Halloween events.
   
8. Set a mini challenge: Ask kids to spot the reddest leaf, the tallest tree, or the strangest-shaped pumpkin – a fun way to keep them engaged without it feeling like a task.