10 autumn highlights at the National Trust near you!

From a Fungi Festival (yes, really) to Half Term fun – here’s the best of what’s on offer this season at your favourite National Trust Sites in Kent and East Sussex.

1. Autumn Colour Pop

Photo credit: ©National Trust/David Sellman

Seeing the trees turn from green, to a blaze of red, orange and yellow is a treat for the eyes as our countryside lights up. Whether you prefer a long walk, or a coffee with a view, there are plenty of places to enjoy the changing landscape.

If you’re feeling energetic climb the towers at 14th-century Bodiam Castle, East Sussex, (pictured above with mist rising from the moat) for far-reaching views over oaks with leaves changing from orange to gold. Or head to Emmetts Garden for its views across Ide Hill and the Kent Weald. Keep your eyes peeled for the liquidambar acalycina (or burgundy flush) or the fiery red winged spindle tree (yes, that’s really its name).

Enjoy the stunning colours as you walk down to the romantic ruins of Scotney Castle. Wander into the quarry, where you can see the exposed sandstone with the fiery shades of oranges and yellows from the beautiful Ghent azalea plants that surround it. Or soak up the deep reds from the large Japanese Acer trees – renowned for their varied and changing colourful foliage – that tower above.

2. It’s Harvest Time

Photo credit: ©National Trust/Chris Lacey

From apples and pears to pumpkins, there is plenty to enjoy at the National Trust this autumn. Take Chartwell – Winston Churchill’s family home near Westerham. Here you’ll find a Winston Churchill apple tree and although the tree is too young to produce fruit, the orchard is full of other varieties of cooking and dessert apples including Bramley, Pippin and Sunset. Plus, eagle-eyed nature-lovers will find a walnut tree in the centre of the Orchard.

In October, you’ll find pumpkins in the walled garden at Chartwell (and at at Scotney Castle too for that matter). Just a hop and a skip over the border in Burwash you’ll find Bateman’s, where autumn colours abound, especially in the orchard which is filled with varieties of apples and pears – the very same ones that would have been available to the Victorian gardener.

At Bateman’s this year, you can also learn more about the estate with a National Trust ranger on a guided walk across fields and stiles on Fri 14 Oct. Bring your boots as this may be muddy, (11am–1pm, £5 per person, booking essential). If you don’t fancy the hike, but just like the idea of sampling the produce, then head to the Mulberry tea-room where dishes are prepared using fresh ingredients from the kitchen garden.

3. Season’s best selfies

The golden light of autumn afternoons gives everything a warm glow that’s tinged with nostalgia for the summer just gone and a tingle of excitement for the crisp days to come.

The sun bathes houses, gardens, landscapes and faces in a honeyed light and your selfies will benefit from a naturally flattering filter that no software can reproduce.

For golden afternoon selfies head to Knole where, from Thurs 13 Oct, you can have your picture taken with The BFG as part of an exhibition from the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, curated by Quentin Blake and featuring reproductions of his illustrations. Why not have a go at drawing your own BFG, dress up as Sophie or the giant himself and have your photo taken in the giant chair? Then head into the parkland, enjoy the popular winter trail and collect your very own BFG prize at the end!

There’s also plenty to enjoy this autumn at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, the stunning gardens famously transformed Vita Sackville-West, the poet and writer, in the 1930s, with her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicolson. Snap a selfie in the area of their garden known as ‘Delos’, (it was inspired by Vita and Harold’s visit to the Greek isle in 1935). Or visit the art exhibition by Charlotte Smithson in the Oast House for a beautiful floral background. (Open now until 31 October).

4. Swishing, rustling leaves

Photo credit: ©National Trust/John Millar

A treat for all the senses, there is something incredibly satisfying about stomping your way through a huge pile of leaves – or sending them flying in the autumn breeze. The best places for leaf swishing are the ancient beech avenue in Kilndown Woods on the Scotney Castle estate, with its romantic garden and ruins and fairy-tale boasted castle. Or there’s the parkland at Chartwell or the woodlands at Emmetts Garden and Toys Hill.

Leaf swishing is entirely different to autumn colour, before you protest. Autumn colour is visual, something to notice while you’re doing something else, like going for a walk. Leaf swishing on the other hand, is a truly immersive activity. You need to commit, body and soul. Whether it’s the high-kick to watch the leaves tumble, or the flat-footed swish-swish to enjoy the rhythmic crackle and whoosh of the dry leaves, there are no half measures. It’s impossible to do it without a smile on your face.

5. Toffee Apple Tree

Photo credit: ©National Trust/John Millar

The Japanese katsura tree, also known as the burnt toffee tree, not only looks beautiful in autumn but also gives off an exceptional smell of burnt sugar or candyfloss. Seriously it’s true, this is a tree that needs to be seen (or sniffed) to be believed.

Have a sniff at Emmetts Garden, Ightham Mote and Bateman’s. At Ightham Mote you’ll find three of these trees giving off this tantalising scent that gives the trees their other name the ‘Toffee Apple Tree’. Is there anything more autumnal than that?

6. A Fungi Festival

Oh yes, that’s right! This year, for the first time ever, Emmetts Garden is hosting their first ever Fungi Festival, which will involve a month-long celebration of all things mushrooms and woodland-related, from 1 – 31 October. Putting the fun in fungi, they’ll be bringing together artists, makers, creative practitioners, innovative businesses, scientists, mycologists and experts, come and explore the fascinating world of mushrooms.

In the garden you’ll find three giant willow mushrooms created by artist Catherine Miles, which make a fab photo opportunity for kids (big and small). Plus colourful artwork featuring intriguing macro photographs and a sound recording installation for an immersive woodland world experience.

Then little ones can also enjoy craft activities including collage and woodland banner-making workshops or let loose in the natural play area! For full details of event dates and timings, particularly for kids activities around half term, please check the website. For the grown-ups there will be art installations, forest bathing and talks from a range of creatives and experts – definitely something a bit different this one!

7. Comfort food 

When autumn brings misty mornings and a cool breeze in the air, treat yourself to a warming lunch after a brisk walk. In the larger cafés, the National Trust development chefs have come up with some new recipes to make the most of the season’s produce.

Look out for Squash Macaroni Cheese; Thai Spiced Squash Soup; Harissa Roasted Aubergine or Apple and Honey Scones. The ever-popular Pumpkin Spice Latte will be back for autumn along with a butterscotch milk steamer with sprinkles for children (and the child at heart). Napkins at the ready!

8. Half term family fun

Photo credit: ©National Trust/John Millar

From big friendly giants, to kitchen gardens, there will be plenty to keep all the family entertained this October half term. Some of the Kent highlights include The BFG in Pictures exhibition at Knole (13 October – 23 December), Fungi Festival fun at Emmetts Garden and the dragon trail at Bodiam Castle. Let your kid’s imagination fly on this family-friendly trail (running in Half term from Sat 15 Oct – Sun 30 Oct 10am – 4pm).

You can also let the kids run off some steam at all the local National Trust play areas at Scotney Castle, Bateman’s in East Sussex (picture above of children collecting apples in the garden at Bateman’s), Ightham Mote, Emmetts Garden or visit the Canadian Camp at Chartwell.

9. Scarves and blankets

National Trust shop at Scotney Castle

Much as we love warm weather, the changing seasons allow you to cosy in, folding a scarf around you on chilly days or snuggling into a blanket on the sofa to hold off the annual central heating switch-on.

If you’ve ever visited one of the National Trust shops you’ll know there’s so many gorgeous items to gift – or give to your good-self. As well as books and foodie items, there’s soaps and toiletries, jugs and gins. Plus loads of seasonal treasures for the home and garden – for autumn ideas think candles, mugs, soft throws and blankets.

10. Rainy days

Okay so some folk might find it satisfying to pull on the wellies and go for a splash in the rain – especially when you know there’s a café to warm up in afterwards. But, for the rest of us who can’t face the rain, there’s the huge variety of houses and buildings to visit in Kent and East Sussex.

Photo credit: ©National Trust/Chris Jonas

Take Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill, where you can explore the house as it was when he lived there. As he famously said, ‘a day away from Chartwell is a day wasted’. Don’t miss the history of Winston Churchill in 50 objects, including those famous cigars. 

Or visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden and discover its diverse history; from the astonishing time as a prison in the 1700s, to being a home to the women’s land army. It was also a family home to some fascinating people and you can find out more about the lives and loves of Vita Sackville-West and her husband, Harold Nicolson and their time in Berlin in the new exhibition with UCL Affairs in Berlin: Harold in Germany, Vita in Love (running from 26 Sept to 17 Feb) and see how their love of nature inspired their home.

For a bracing, but dry day, why not take in the sea views at South Foreland Lighthouse, at St. Margaret’s Bay, Dover. It’s perfect for kite flying on windy days, or book onto one of the family-friendly lighthouse tours to escape the cold.

From medieval knights to American businessmen, Ightham Mote has had numerous owners and the manor house has been sympathetically added to and extended over its history. Inside, you’ll find Jacobean staircases and Gothic windows, and paintings by Churchill and John Singer Sargent.

At Bateman’s, the former home of famous author Rudyard Kipling, the 17th century house remains much as he left it. You’ll find the Nobel prize for literature, one of oldest clocks in the National Trust collection and paintings from The Jungle Book. Oh, dobee doo, I wanna be like you…

Surely, that’s your autumn fun sorted?

National Trust autumn days out and things to do in Kent

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