Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.exbury.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Exbury Gardens (opens in a new tab)">Exbury Gardens</a>, New Forest</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Exbury-autumn2.jpg" alt="Exbury Gardens New Forest Autumn colour Hampshire leaf peeping" class="wp-image-20343" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Exbury-autumn2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Exbury-autumn2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Exbury-autumn2-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Exbury-autumn2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Exbury-autumn2-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Always a showstopper at Exbury, the 200-acre woodland landscape is ablaze with seasonal colour in autumn. The striking acer collection here dazzles vibrantly in red. Headlining Nyssa and Oxydendrum trees, part of a National Collection, are brilliantly beautiful in orange and yellow hues. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Hinton Ampner (opens in a new tab)">Hinton Ampner</a>, near Arlesford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Hinton-scarecrow-1.jpg" alt="Hinton Ampner, near Arlesford Autumn colour Hampshire leaf peeping" class="wp-image-20349" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Hinton-scarecrow-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Hinton-scarecrow-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Hinton-scarecrow-1-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Hinton-scarecrow-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Hinton-scarecrow-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>National Trust favourite <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hinton-ampner-alresford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hinton Ampner </a>is well known for its superbly-tended garden. Autumn never fails to disappoint. Root vegetables grow in the walled garden looked over by Hinton’s scarecrow and his little dog. The parkland at the back of the house is filled with yellow and gold foliage from ancient oaks and beeches and the deep red of the Norway maple – an autumn colour paradise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Sir Harold Hillier Gardens (opens in a new tab)">Sir Harold Hillier Gardens</a>, Romsey</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="960" height="640" src="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Sir-Harold-Hillier-acervalley.jpg" alt="Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Autumn colour Hampshire leaf peeping" class="wp-image-20347" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Sir-Harold-Hillier-acervalley.jpg 960w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Sir-Harold-Hillier-acervalley-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Sir-Harold-Hillier-acervalley-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Sir-Harold-Hillier-acervalley-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Sir-Harold-Hillier-acervalley-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>



<p>This beautiful 180-acre garden and arboretum was established in the 1950s by – you guessed it – the nurseryman Sir Harold Hillier. He gifted to Hampshire County Council in the 1970s. Catch a few leafy snaps as you stroll through Acer Valley. You&#8217;ll find an atmospheric valley of Japanese and other maples and shaded by mature oaks. Look out too for the golden reflection of branches overhanging the lake. Très tranquille.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Vyne (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne" target="_blank">The Vyne</a>, Sherbourne St. John, near Basingstoke</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="983" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/The-Vyne-lake-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Virginia-Langer11012019-07-1-min.jpg" alt="The Vyne National Trust Hampshire autumn colour" class="wp-image-28761" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/The-Vyne-lake-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Virginia-Langer11012019-07-1-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/The-Vyne-lake-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Virginia-Langer11012019-07-1-min-800x524.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/The-Vyne-lake-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Virginia-Langer11012019-07-1-min-1000x655.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/The-Vyne-lake-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Virginia-Langer11012019-07-1-min-768x503.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/The-Vyne-lake-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Virginia-Langer11012019-07-1-min-801x525.jpg 801w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Often overlooked in favour of the Tudor mansion itself, <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-vyne-basingstoke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vyne</a>’s extensive gardens and woodlands are great fun to explore. The trails are also not too taxing for littlies to walk around. Rustle through fallen leaves looking out for ancient oaks. Bright red American liquidambar trees change to yellow and orange as the seasons shift. And beautiful autumn colour is reflected beautifully in the lake here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Mottisfont (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont" target="_blank">Mottisfont</a>, near Romsey</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Mottisfont-estate-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1450054-1-min-1000x667.jpg" alt="Mottisfont estate in autumn National Trust best gardens Hampshire" class="wp-image-28762" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Mottisfont-estate-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1450054-1-min-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Mottisfont-estate-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1450054-1-min-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Mottisfont-estate-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1450054-1-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Mottisfont-estate-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1450054-1-min-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Mottisfont-estate-in-autumn-National-Trust-Images-Hugh-Mothersole-1450054-1-min.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another National Trust big-hitter, spot striking reddish orange and yellow autumn leaves on the trees at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/mottisfont-near-romsey/" target="_blank">Mottisfont</a>. You can&#8217;t miss the National Collection of plane trees, including the colourful (and vast) great plane. Chestnuts, hornbeams and the acid green-turned-golden leaves of two magnificent tulip trees also put on a colourful show. Fancy helping out? After a kick around, gather big handfuls of crunchy autumn leaves (satisfying). Deposit them in leaf bins and Mottisfont&#8217;s gardeners will add them to the estate&#8217;s compost mix. And just a few minutes’ drive from the gardens, there&#8217;s a six-mile walk beginning at Spearywell, crossing historic farmland. Paths wind through old woodlands where chestnuts, oak and beech are in full autumn colour.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osbourne House</a>, East Cowes, Isle of Wight</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Osbourne-House-in-Autumn-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28756" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Osbourne-House-in-Autumn-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Osbourne-House-in-Autumn-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Osbourne-House-in-Autumn-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Osbourne-House-in-Autumn-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/10/Osbourne-House-in-Autumn.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Autumn colour lasts late into the year at Queen Victoria&#8217;s Osbourne House. With her beloved Prince Albert, she loved taking walks and grow vegetables with the children. Together, the couple planted hundreds of trees &#8211; a perfect place for a woodland walk. During autumn many species of rare and unusual fungi can be seen opening up on the lawns and among fallen leaves. Insta moment? Named as one of English Heritage’s best historic autumn views, this October 2022, they&#8217;ve <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/autumn-days-out/?fbclid=IwAR3P-zafy-E6103f5r8gAfgQXQ-leWuraowXEs1X4qqIflcDvbn8ufgVXFg" target="_blank">just unveiled a golden viewing frame installation</a> here.</p>


6 best local gardens for autumn colour

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