Winkworth Arboretum is one of several National Trust properties we’ve visited recently, POD and I were there just last month. We’d taken the access for all route which is a walk with no steps. Whilst our toddler loves walking outdoors, it’s inevitable she’ll need her buggy at some point.
The temptation to return to Winkworth Arboretum to see what had changed was too great this week. Especially with an Acer in our garden the most glorious red. It’s still a wonderful location too, even if many of the trees had lost their leaves.
The steep wooded valley of Winkworth and its lakes was bought by Dr Wilfrid Fox in 1937 so he could 
experiment with planting styles and different tree species. It was given to the National Trust in 1952 for what Dr Fox described as using plants to “paint a picture”.
It was a positive sign to see both the main and overflow car parks busy on arrival. Although strange not to have my toddler running beside me, I was also keen to investigate part of the challenging walk, which comprised of steep steps, to see the Boathouse.
After heading down the Fiona Adams Steps, the peaceful glade that is the Badgers Bowl with awash with hues of yellow, orange and red. The frost, chilly air and sunshine just added to the mystique. Squawking 
sounds could be heard in the direction of the Boathouse.
Rowe’s Flashe Lake was a haven of peace and tranquility, overlooked by the wonderful Boathouse. Following the path past wetlands to Rowe’s Flashe Meadow, a viewpoint framed the lake, Boathouse and surrounding woods beautifully.
The Azalea Steps were littered with colourful leaves, it reminded me a little of Alice in Wonderland. This pathway led to an idyllic spot where a superb collection of Acers stood tall above a carpet of red and yellow. A perfect Autumn display.
The Magnolia Wood was even more beautiful than our last visit and the view across The Bowl was incredible. Brightly coloured leaves were scattered everywhere – reds, yellows, greens and browns. POD would have had so much fun kicking them! Next time…
If you’d like to hear more about Winkworth Arboretum, October’s post is here. Other National Trust reads include The Sanctuary of Claremont, Exploring Polesden Lacey, Fairies & Bluebells and Maoris & a secret garden.
We’re linking this post up with How Does Your Garden Grow? at the Mammasaurus.
GORGEOUS!!! seriously. those orange and red trees look like they are on fire. xx
Thank you Claudia, it was an amazing sight it has to be said. Love the reds of Autumn, just wonderful 🙂
Mental colours – so vivid. There really is something fab to see everywhere you look there! I’m feeling all despondent that I haven’t made it out properly this past week. I’m making sure I get time early next week though – all work and no play is no fun for anyone 🙁
Super jealous of your lovely photos – and time outdoors x
(thanks for joining in again sweet cheeks – hope you have a good weekend ahead)
Thank you Annie, there really are some fabulous places around. You must make it out at the weekend, I always find fresh air does me the world of good however brief. Your photos are amazing Mrs 🙂
Beautiful – those reds are just fabulous! And I love that very first photo of the steps. Must have strange not to ave POD with you, although peaceful?!
Thank you Sara. It was very odd not having POD with me, felt like I’d lost a limb! That said I was able to investigate the stepped route and just take photos which was nice 🙂
Have ‘been’ strange not to ‘have’ – good grief, where are my typing skills today 🙂
We all know it’s a rarity though Sara 🙂
Beautiful photos. I love autumn, just a shame that it is over so quickly.
That’s very true, I wish it was longer too. Thank you 🙂
That really is painting a picture with plants. so Autumnal! I particularly love the shot of the bottom of the tree trunk and the reds. Lush.
Thank you Katie. I so thought I’d missed all the reds but how wrong I was 🙂
oh. my. goodness those reds are amazing!
They’re fabulous aren’t they Sarah, wish I’d taken more close-ups!
Is that an acer I spot? Soo want one! Really wanted to get here in Autumn too because of the colours but it’s not going to happen! At least I get to live vicariously through your photos 😉 x
It is indeed, they’re fabulous aren’t they Charlotte. I think the perfect time to visit would have been a week ago but it’s still looking rather fabulous I must say. I just love the reds on the trees 🙂
such wonderfully vivid photos, that acer is beautiful. We joined the NT at Winkworth, such a lovely place to visit x
Thank you Charmaine, it’s just fabulous there isn’t it. I love it 🙂
What a lovely place! Your photos are awesome.
Thank you very much indeed 🙂
The photos of the lake make it look grand! They are gorgeous, and the steps is a beautiful pictures as well.
Thank you very much Kathleen. It’s a wonderful place, the lake area was so peaceful too 🙂
I’m adding that little wooden house overlooking the lake to my Christmas list 🙂 Loving all this Autumn colour!
That’s a very good idea Gemma, wise choice. The views from it are wonderful 🙂
Beautiful place – I’d love to go. I find boathouses very mysterious and a little creepy! Sam x
Thank you Sam, it’s a beautiful place. It was incredibly calm round the Boathouse, quite surreal too 🙂
Gorgeous…. beautiful autumn scenery, and the colours are so warm and alive. We have an acer in our garden to – they’re lovely. X
Thank you so much Sarah, really kind of you. I just love Acers, they’re fabulous aren’t they 🙂
Thank you so much Hayley, just love all the reds. Chuffed with the award too 🙂
[…] lucky to have so many National Trust sites to visit in Surrey. From Winkworth Arboretum and Claremont to Polesden Lacey and Hatchlands Park, we’ve seen quite a few now. But there […]
[…] Many thanks to everyone who continues to join in – even though there’s not as much outdoors to photograph as earlier in the year. Some favourites from last weeks How Does Your Garden Grow? include: the early morning frost, the black and whites vs colours, the glances through rain pelted windows and the colour explosion. […]
I built those steps at Winkworth over 40 years ago. I never imagined they would last this long. It took me almost an entire summer to build them starting at the bottom and working my way up the hill.