Visiting Winkworth Arboretum this Autumn

A landscape view of the colour trees from the meadow winkworth arboretum — Plan your visit to Winkworth this Autumn | © Andrew Butler

When autumn arrives, Winkworth bursts into colour, its yellows, oranges and reds painting a breath-taking picture across the landscape. Learn more about Wilfrid Fox's visionary collection and find out about the best time to see the plants at the peak of their autumnal finery. Autumn is our busiest time of year at Winkworth, please be aware of the following options to ensure you get to enjoy Winkworth at this special time of year.

Planning your visit

Autumn is our busiest time of year and we want to ensure everyone gets to enjoy Winkworth at this special time of year. We've put together the following tips to help you plan your visit.

Visiting at peak times

Please note that our peak visiting times are at weekends between 10am and 1pm where queues are likely and you may be turned away. Please visit mid-week if you can or in the afternoon when it is a little quieter. Please respect our neighbours by not marking where you shouldn't. There is plenty of parking in Godalming town centre where you can catch a bus to Winkworth. Thank you.

Pre-booking is not required and parking is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that the lower car park and overflow is on rough terrain and can get muddy at time.

During busy periods, stewards will be on hand to get you parked as soon as possible. However, if there is a long queue on the main road at our entrance, to respect our neighbours, please consider visiting at another time or parking in Godalming two centre. The No42 bus stops right outside the Aboretum and can picked up from both Godalming town centre and Guildford bus station. You can view the bus timetable here.

Please inform stewards when you arrive if you require accessible parking.

To help relieve pressure on our car park and allow more people to visit, please consider car sharing.
A more sustainable way to visit Winkworth Arboretum is to travel by public transport.

There are regular direct trains from London Waterloo to Godalming station, operated by South Western Railway.

The No42 bus stops right outside the Aboretum and can picked up from both Godalming town centre and Guildford bus station. You can view the bus timetable here.

A taxi from Godalming station costs approximately £12.00

National Rail 2 for 1 Offer

If you visit by train, you can take advantage of the National Rail 2for1 entry offer. A great opportunity if you're not currently a member of the National Trust (where entry is already free).

How to get claim 2 for 1 entry?

Visit the National Rail Days Out website here.

Fill in the journey details and your personal details.

Download and print out the voucher.

Travel by train.

Present your voucher and tickets at the Kiosk.

Forgotten your voucher?

Don't worry, our free wifi is available at our kiosk and tea-room where you can complete the instructions above and we can print out the voucher for you.
Autumn colour usually starts from mid-September with mid-November but it is dependent on the weather. Winkworth is planted with a variety of species that reach their peak at different times so there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the arboretum.

Our peak visiting times are at weekends and particularly the half term week (28 October - 3 November). If you are able, we would recommend that you visit mid-week when it is much quieter.

Follow us on social media

Autumn colour can start as early as mid-September and last until mid-November. It usually peaks in the second half of October. There's always something to see throughout the season, so follow us on social media to keep up to date with which trees are reaching their peak.

A Japanese maple in Autumn with red leaves — The Japanese maple adding a blaze of colour to your Winkworth walk | © John Miller

What to look out for during your visit

Maple marvels

Hundreds of maple trees burn bright with colour in September and October. Japanese maple groves can be found below Sorbus Hill, by the Azalea Steps, and in the bowls.

Colourful conifers

Not all autumn colour is broadleaved. Admire fiery larches in the upper arboretum and dawn redwood near the boathouse.

Admire the view

Dr Fox used plants to paint a picture in the landscape - and the best way to truly appreciate his work is from a distance. For the best views, seek out the viewpoints on the edge of the Magnolia Wood, the top of the Azalea Steps, the lakeside Boathouse and the eastern Meadow.

Bountiful berries

Don't miss the berries for the trees - holly, rowan, spindle, Chinese dogwood and Harlequin beauty berry all put on brilliant displays in the autumnal period.

Fascinating fungi

Along with this seasonal extravaganza of leaves, nuts and fruits, autumn also brings with it a season of spectacular fungi. Often hidden amongst the trees, nestled into roots, or growing in nooks and crannies, there’s a whole world of mushroom oddities waiting to be discovered. Whilst beautiful, some fungi can be extremely poisonous, so please do not pick or touch fungi in the wild.

Keen photographers will enjoy the chance to capture images of the fungi, which can appear as anything from small, delicate, toadstool like mushrooms, much like those in fairy tales, or as huge bracket fungi clinging to the bark of trees. They have names to match too, whether it’s oakbug milkcap, giant puffball or orange-peel fungus.

Multi-hued liquidambars

Liquidambar, or sweet-gum, conjures up a fascinating palette of crimsons, yellows and purples in the autumn season. Find them in the Badgers Bowl.

Yellow splendour

Some of the best autumnal yellows are found on the hickory and the tulip trees in Badgers Bowl. More tulip trees can be seen on the main pathway.

Pair of ducks swimming in the Upper Pond at dusk in the park at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

Donate

Everyone needs nature, now more than ever. Donate today and you could help people and nature to thrive at the places we care for.

Make a donation

Article

Shaun the Sheep™ – Find the Flock: Saturday 23 November to Sunday 19 January

Get ready for a baa-rilliant winter adventure at Winkworth Arboretum this festive season. We’ve teamed up with Wild In Art, to bring to life Aardman’s mischievous Shaun the Sheep™ with a Christmas trail around the Arboretum. Come and find twelve super-sized Shaun sculptures, each uniquely designed and decorated by talented artists. With fun games, children's carousel, engaging activities and delicious winter treats from the tearoom, a visit to Winkworth Arboretum this Christmas will be an unforgettable day out for all ages.

Visitor carrying a tray of coffee and cake in the cafe at Llanerchaeron, Wales

Article

Eating at Winkworth Arboretum

Rest and refuel with a warm welcome in the tearoom at Winkworth Arboretum, serving locally sourced light refreshments and fresh bakes.

A white dog on the lead at Calke Abbey with the legs of two people behind

Article

Visiting Winkworth Arboretum with your dog

Winkworth Arboretum is a two pawprint rated place. Well-behaved dogs and their owners are welcome to explore Winkworth at any time of year. Find out more about bringing your four-legged friend with you when you visit.

Areas A-Z

Things to do

Place types

Visiting Winkworth Arboretum this Autumn