From dazzling displays of autumn colours to spectacular winter gardens, a huge array of England's gardens are at their best in the colder months. As the Year of the English Garden draws to a close, VisitEngland rounds up some of the best.

Autumn colours

Immerse yourself in the many shades of seasonal colour with a visit to England's arboretums, woodlands and landscaped gardens.

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire – a designated National Nature Reserve and home to some of the oldest trees in England. The park looks beautiful as the leaves gradually change colour to every shade of red, yellow and brown. Calke is also home to roaming red and fallow deer, providing a memorable autumnal sight as the bucks lock antlers to compete for the does. Standard park entry only costs £3.40 per adult and £1.70 per child. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey

Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire – Renowned for its autumn colour, Westonbirt Arboretum is set in 600 acres of historic woodland and contains a whopping 16,000 different trees all showing off their best autumnal shades between September and November. Try one of the specially-prepared seasonal trails, where you'll see the colours at their finest or take a bird's eye view from the new Treetop Walkway, which transports visitors 13 metres high into the canopy. Adults £9, children £4. www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt

Harewood, Yorkshire – the Lakeside Gardens are particularly spectacular in autumn when the changing leaf colours can be seen reflected in 'Capability' Brown's enormous 32-acre lake. On 28 and 29 October, visitors can 'join Capability Brown' on a special tour through the autumn colours to showcase his work at Harewood. Walks are included in a Grounds and Gardens tickets; £12.50 per adult and £7.50 per child. www.harewood.org 

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Cheshire – the informal woodland of The Duckery is especially beautiful in autumn. A tranquil setting and the perfect spot to sit and relax to the sounds of nature. On 30 October, visitors can enjoy the Cholmondeley Pumpkin & Autumn Festival, with a family Pumpkin trail against the backdrop of autumn colour. Adults £7.00, children £4.00. www.cholmondeleycastle.com

Bateman's, East Sussex - The Wild Garden is the focus of autumn colour at Bateman's, East Sussex, with a range of ornamental trees and shrubs, such as Liquidamber styraciflua and Fraxinus excelsior. The family home of Rudyard Kipling is also renowned for its orchard. Visitors to Bateman's Apple Day on 16 October will have the chance to make their own apple juice with a homemade apple press, as well as stock up on locally-produced mulled cider, honey and jams. Bateman's is also running two autumnal photography workshops with Roger Bloxham on 11 & 20 October covering how to choose the best vistas, making the most of natural light and framing images. Tickets cost £15 per person, including tea and cake. Booking essential on 01435 882302. Standard entry costs £10.00 per adult and £5.00 per child including house entry. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans

Winter wonderlands

With a sprinkling of Jack Frost, England's gardens are at their most magical during the winter months.

Dunham Massey, Cheshire – the seven-acre winter garden is the largest of its kind in England with over 700 different plant species and 1,600 shrubs, trees and evergreens. Set in a magnificent 300-acre deer park, Dunham Massey has colours and scents to delight the senses throughout the winter season. Standard garden only entry costs £8.00 per adult and £4.00 per child. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland – crisp frost and low sunshine show off Belsay's sharp and symmetrical formal beds filled with strongly-scented flowering Christmas box. Don't miss the pinkish red rhododendrons which burst into flower in the quarry garden in November, with a large Chusan palm planted by Sir Charles Monck adding a taste of the exotic among the ice and snow. Standard entry £8.50 per adult and £5.20 per child. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Yorkshire – winter provides magical scenes of rolling frost-tinged fields, bold-coloured stems, fragrant winter flowering shrubs and ornamental grasses creating drama. Enjoy brisk winter walks, a hot drink in Bettys and some early Christmas shopping in the large RHS gift shop. Standard entry £10 adults, £5 children. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr  

Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge – the Winter Garden brings together coloured stems, bark and foliage texture with winter flower and fragrance. Follow the gently curving path and watch the light of the setting winter sun flood into the shallow valley. Standard adult entry £5.00, children under 16 free. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

Blenheim Palace Christmas Trail, Oxfordshire

The new Christmas Trail, opening 25th November 2016 – 2nd January 2017, will light up Blenheim Palace's Formal Gardens transforming the outdoor space landscaped by 'Capability' Brown into a magical illuminated wonderland. The hour long trail will include scented fire gardens, singing Christmas trees and a lake aglow with brightly lit boats filled with snowflakes and presents. Other highlights include the fairy-lit arbour and the lakeside boathouse, which will become a temporary home for Santa Claus, and the Cascades, which will also be bathed in light. Adults £16.00 and children £10 when booked in advance. www.blenheimpalace.com/christmas

Welford Hall, Berkshire - February is snowdrop season, with properties across the country opening their gardens for the occasion. Welford Hall in Berkshire, most famous as the location for the Great British Bake Off tent, is also home to a magical display, which they believe were planted by the Norman monks to decorate their Church for the feast of Candlemas, and also for medicinal use. The Snowdrop Garden is next open from 1 February to 5 March 2017. 2017 prices tbc. www.welfordpark.co.uk/snowdrops

Ends

For further press information and images please contact: Evelina Andrews/ Louise Ferrall / Rebecca Lowe VisitEngland Press Office  Tel: 020 7578 1437 / 020 7578 1429 Email: Evelina.Andrews@visitengland.org / Louise.Ferrall@visitengland.org/ Rebecca.Lowe@visitengland.org 

Notes to Editors:

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