Parks and gardens form the green lungs of urban spaces. They facilitate refreshing lunch break walks, provide a lovely setting for evening strolls, and offer a playground for families. Many urban parks are particularly attractive in autumn, when the cooling temperatures turn the green leaves of trees and shrubs into a dazzling array of yellows, oranges, and reds. Here are our seven picks for the most beautiful parks and gardens to visit in the fall.
Richmond Park - London, England
Any of London’s Royal Parks are a delight to explore during autumn; however, Richmond Park — the largest of them — is especially lovely during this season. From King Henry’s Mound, you’ll have a perfectly framed view of distant St. Paul’s Cathedral surrounded by bronze leaves. Spread across almost 2,500 acres, Richmond Park was originally designed for King Charles I in 1625 as a place where the monarch could hunt red and fallow deer. Centuries later, some of the original trees and a population of more than 600 of these magnificent animals remain. In fall, temperatures drop, leading to chilly mornings, but it’s worth getting up early while the moisture still hangs heavy in the air for the chance to see the antlered stags emerge from the mist. They mostly roam free, though they’re fenced out of managed areas such as Prince Charles’ Spinney, Sidmouth Wood, and Isabella Plantation.
Butchart Gardens - Vancouver Island, Canada
Jennie Butchart’s passion for horticulture is still evident in her eponymous 55-acre garden that she created in Brentwood Bay near Victoria, on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. Open to the public since 1904, the garden repurposed a redundant quarry and is still family-owned, employing a team of around 50 gardeners to keep it in immaculate shape. In 2004, it was named one of the National Historic Sites of Canada. Though there are many beautiful zones within the garden, in fall, the Japanese Garden is a standout. The bold hues of dahlias, coneflowers, and chrysanthemums pop against a backdrop of red and russet acers, which frame a lush green lawn. It’s also a time to reflect on the work that goes into such a display , as the gardeners plant more than 300,000 tulip and daffodil bulbs to be ready for spring.
Koishikawa Korakuen Park - Tokyo, Japan
Considered one of the “three great gardens” of Japan, Koishikawa Korakuen is the best one to visit in fall, when the leaves of the maple trees around its ponds turn bright orange and red. Laid out during the Edo period in the 17th century, it’s one of the oldest gardens in Tokyo. Today, this park finds itself in the heart of the sprawling capital beside the Tokyo Dome. Yet, despite this decidedly urban setting, the garden provides a calm oasis, where it’s possible to imagine you are far from the world’s most populous city. Walking trails lead to carefully positioned viewpoints and bridges where you can immerse yourself in nature. Be sure to spend enough time here to discover the stand of gingko trees in the southeastern corner of the park, whose contrasting foliage adds a bold splash of yellow to the serene setting.
Turaida Castle Garden - Turaida, Latvia
The name “Turaida” translates as “God’s garden,” and the forested valley which surrounds this Latvian castle (located an hour outside of the country’s capital city of Riga) certainly appears celestial in fall. Climb to the top of the 138-foot-high Donjon Tower to take in an extraordinary bird’s eye view of the Turaida Museum Reserve. From this elevated position, a dense canopy of trees crowds around the turreted medieval castle, which dates to 1214. With the changing of the season, the forest’s leaves take on the colors of dried apricots, marigolds, roasted carrots, and butternut squash. Nearby, you’ll find the Folk Song Garden, where statues representing some of the country’s favorite folk songs are scattered among the trees.
Powerscourt Estate - Enniskerry, Ireland
The story of the gardens at the Powerscourt Estate began back in 1731, but they are as pleasing to the eye now as they were then — proving that a great garden is timeless in its appeal. Richard Wingfield, the 1st Viscount Powerscourt, built a grand Palladian mansion in this village in County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, which forms the impressive backdrop to a manicured formal Italian garden styled around an elegant statuary and a fountain. The mansion looks out over a more natural landscape beyond: One of the highlights of a visit to this part of the 47-acre grounds is the chance to see Ireland’s highest waterfall up close. The 398-foot-tall Powerscourt Waterfall is impressive year-round, but it’s especially photogenic when flanked by autumnal trees.
Central Park - New York, New York
New York’s most famous park truly shines in fall — when its oak trees, maples, elms, and sweetgums put on a spectacular display of autumn colors. You can track the progress of the fall foliage on the NYC Parks website to time your visit just right. (November is often ideal.) Trek over to the northwestern corner of the park, between 101st and 110th Streets, where the intense colors of the North Woods are at their most splendid as summer fades away. Then, stroll east towards the Ravine, a section of the park where deciduous trees frame three human-made waterfalls along a stream known as the Loch, which was designed to mimic the landscape of the Adirondack Mountains. It’s one of a series of less-trafficked parts of the park. The money shot, however, is no secret: The rows of elms that line the Mall leading to the Bethesda Fountain form a glorious golden avenue.
Mount Lofty Park - Adelaide, Australia
If the Northern Hemisphere winter has set in and you can’t bear to wait until next year for your fix of fall foliage, then hop on a flight Down Under. Adelaide in South Australia is home to Mount Lofty, a botanical garden and cool climate arboretum which is highly regarded for its autumnal displays. Time your trip in April to coincide with the most dramatic displays — lawns, gullies, and copses surrounding a gorgeous lake. Reflected in the water, the rich color palette of the various tree looks extraordinary on a still, sunny day. Follow the scenic Lakeside Trail to admire the views or book a guided tour to learn more about the shrubs, trees, and flowers throughout the garden.
