The First Signs of Autumn at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens
Early colour, changing light and the first signs of a new season make September a beautiful time to explore Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens.
Autumn doesn’t arrive at Leonardslee all at once. In September, the gardens begin a gradual transformation, with the first leaves taking on warmer tones, the light becoming softer and the landscape starting to hint at the spectacular colour to come.
It is a season of subtle changes, rewarding those who take their time and look a little closer.
Early Colour Begins to Appear
While the full display of autumn colour is still to come, September offers the first glimpses of Leonardslee’s famous autumn palette.
The Acers are among the earliest trees to catch the eye. In the Rock Garden, look out for Japanese maples beginning to turn through shades of red, orange and gold. The Acer Walk also offers an impressive collection of varieties, each bringing its own character and colour to the changing landscape.
Elsewhere, the Katsura Tree begins its seasonal transition towards warm yellows and oranges, while hydrangeas continue to provide colour through September. Around the gardens, berries are also beginning to appear, offering a different kind of autumn interest.
For garden lovers, September is a chance to see the gardens in transition, before the fiery reds, bronzes and golds reach their autumn peak.
A Different Kind of Light
As the days begin to shorten, the quality of light across Leonardslee changes too.
Early morning brings a softer atmosphere to the garden paths, while later in the day, sunlight filters through the trees and catches the first changing leaves. Around the seven lakes, this creates beautiful reflections as foliage, sky and water come together.
The lakes are particularly rewarding at this time of year. Look closely at the water and surrounding trees for those first hints of autumn colour reflected on the surface. As the season progresses, mist can also settle across the lakes, adding another layer of atmosphere to the landscape.
September is also a wonderful month for noticing the smaller details. Moss-covered rocks, textured bark, seed heads and berries begin to take centre stage as the gardens gradually move away from the exuberance of summer.
Look Out for Wildlife
The changing season brings plenty to spot beyond the plants.
Around the lakes, keep an eye out for Common Darter dragonflies, which can remain active well into autumn, as well as Willow Emerald dragonflies around the weeping willows.
In the Deer Park, the changing season brings another exciting spectacle as the deer begin to enter their rutting season. With more than 100 Sika and Fallow deer across the estate, autumn provides opportunities to see these magnificent animals moving through the landscape.
And, of course, Leonardslee’s famous wallabies remain part of the experience. As the undergrowth begins to die back, they can become easier to spot among the gardens and Deer Park.
For those who enjoy birdwatching, September is also a month of transition, as some migratory birds begin their journey south while other species arrive from further north later in the season.
Take Your Time
Perhaps the best way to experience the first signs of autumn at Leonardslee is simply to slow down.
Follow the garden paths, wander beside the lakes and take a closer look at the trees, plants and wildlife around you. September rewards observation: a single changing leaf, a flash of colour reflected in the water or a dragonfly resting beside the path can be enough to signal that the season is turning.
The spectacular autumn display will build over the weeks ahead, but September has its own quiet beauty. It is the beginning of the transformation, when Leonardslee starts to shift from one season to the next.
