Autumn at the Treasure Houses of England

From 1st September autumn in England officially begins. Dubbed the second spring the Treasure Houses of England would like to invite you to immerse yourself in russet tones and see spectacular autumn colours in the floral displays as well as cultivated and wild parkland.

Where else than Beaulieu, meaning 'beautiful place' to admire autumn? Find peace and tranquillity in the walled cloisters and herb garden. Take a tour of the Ornamental Kitchen Garden complete with 1870's restored vine house. Walk hand-in-hand along the scenic Mill Pond walk and wander into the natural splendour of the Wilderness Garden. Don't miss the Fireworks Spectacular, lighting up the autumnal parkland on 29 October. Choreographed to music this is one of the biggest events in the South.

As autumn sets in at Blenheim Palace, 2000 acres of parkland will be transformed with an array of warm colours, making this a beautiful time of year to come and take in the stunning landscape and views. Celebrating 300 years of 'Capability' Brown, visitors can take the Viewpoints Trail and see the best of Brownian views in all their autumnal glory. Other highlights include Michelangelo Pistoletto at Blenheim Palace, Art Exhibition (14 September – 31 December) and the Blenheim Palace Festival of Literature, Film & Music (13-16 October).

Don't miss the Burghley Flower Festival (1 - 9 October) an autumnal celebration which will transform Burghley's State Rooms with floral displays created by local flower societies. Be inspired by the botanical theme 'Royal Households of Europe' in celebration of the Queen's 90th birthday, with the 17th Century art situated under opulent painted ceilings. Plus explore the 'Capability' Brown landscape and deer park as well as the Garden of Surprises and Sculpture Garden until Sunday, 30 October.

Take a stroll through Ray Wood at Castle Howard and marvel at the season's striking tones and resplendent autumn colour, from the many shrubs and trees, and huge array of ripened fruit and berries. Crunch through the leaves before enjoying tea and cake in one of the cafés and heading into the house to warm up by a crackling log fire. During half term, from 22 - 30 October, children will be able to enjoy outdoor adventures too with seasonal activities.

Having evolved over more than 450 years, the 105 acre Chatsworth Garden continues to change today. There is plenty to discover at every turn, including the Lancelot 'Capability' Brown talk and guided tour on 17 September. This talk and guided tour will explore Brown's involvement in the landscaping of Chatsworth during the 18th century.

There are over 100 acres of gardens at Harewood. They are full of variety, with plants from all over the world - all in the setting of a landscape created by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Harewood's renowned Bird Garden is home to exotic species including penguins, owls, flamingos and parrots and the Himalayan Garden is an extraordinary world in miniature, a plant-hunter's paradise. There's also scarecrow trails around the grounds.

Hatfield House forms the centre-piece of the largest private estate in Hertfordshire, with the woodlands covering an extensive spread across the county. Thus they offer a rich diversity of habitat and species. The woodland types range from the traditional coppice with standards, woodland and include commercial conifer broadleaved mixtures, continuous cover systems and minimum intervention woodlands.

Stock up on garden essentials and a great array of plants at Holkham Hall's Plant Fair from 24 - 25 September. A highlight of this year's fair will be a series of gardening 'Masterclass Talks', where Holkham's gardeners will teach green-fingered visitors how to truly get the most from their gardens.  Or for a chance to see the spectacular arboretum with its many unusual and rare specimen trees resplendent in their autumn foliage, book onto one of the Autumn Tours of the Private Gardens on 16 October.

Set in 500 acres of picturesque parkland, Leeds Castle is the perfect setting for an autumn day out.  Take a stroll through the Wood Garden, which follows the curve of the River Len to the Pavilion Lawn. The Festival of Flowers returns to the Castle from 24 – 28 September with the theme of 'A Queen's Castle'. See the Castle rooms transformed into works of art using displays by international and award winning florists and floral designers. Take part in floral workshops, talks and demonstrations throughout the event. The official opening will be hosted by English garden designer and television personality Joe Swift on Saturday 24 September.

Woburn Abbey's tranquil Abbey Gardens are open for everyone to enjoy the brilliance of Humphry Repton. Make your way through approximately 30 acres of serene formal and natural garden environments: from manicured lawns and colourful flower beds to peaceful woodland glades and ponds teeming with life.  Discover the bog garden, a recent addition with it carnivorous plants, the romance of the Doric Temple which was carefully restored last year and watch the recreation work in progress on the rockery and grotto.

ENDS

Treasure Houses of England

• The Treasure Houses of England are 10 of the most magnificent palaces, houses and castles in England today. Together they attract in excess of 2.8 million visitors annually.
• Members are Beaulieu, Blenheim Palace, Burghley House, Castle Howard, Chatsworth, Harewood, Hatfield House, Holkham Hall, Leeds Castle and Woburn Abbey.