Photo: Alan Hunt, CC BY-SA 2.0Surrey gardens for autumn and winter
For autumn colour in Surrey, go to Winkworth Arboretum near Godalming, famous for its trees turning, and for winter interest try the Savill Garden in Englefield Green with its winter garden, or Painshill in Cobham, which is open all year. Sunbury Walled Garden in Sunbury-on-Thames is free and open daily from 7.30am.
Surrey's gardens have their best moments at different times of the year. Winkworth Arboretum is the place for autumn colour, with more than 1,000 trees and shrubs. The Savill Garden in Englefield Green has a winter garden, and Claremont Landscape Garden in Esher has camellias in flower from January to May.
Opening hours change in winter. Painshill in Cobham is open all year, with winter hours from Wednesday to Sunday, while Ramster Garden near Chiddingfold closes for winter after early November and reopens in spring. Painshill's Tea Room opens Wednesday to Sunday from November to January. Check before you travel.
For a warm stop, the Glasshouse at RHS Garden Wisley has tropical, temperate and dry zones. Booking online in advance is cheaper than paying on the day. Sunbury Walled Garden is free, and its gallery displays the Sunbury Millennium Embroidery.
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Autumn colour and opening
Gardens to see in the autumn, and when they close for winter.
Photo: Alan Hunt, CC BY-SA 2.0Winkworth Arboretum
A hillside arboretum of more than 1,000 trees and shrubs planted by Dr Wilfrid Fox, running down to a lake and boathouse, and famous for its autumn colour. A visitor centre with a café and shop sits at the top.
Why it's here: More than 1,000 trees and shrubs running down to a lake and boathouse, famous for autumn colour. Autumn is the busiest time of year, and no pre-booking is needed.
Image: Ramster Hall And GarRamster Garden and Tea House
A family-run woodland garden of about 25 acres south of Chiddingfold, with a collection of rare trees, rhododendrons and azaleas. The tea house serves lunches and afternoon tea.
Why it's here: A family-run woodland garden of about 25 acres south of Chiddingfold, with rare trees, rhododendrons and azaleas. It is open Wednesday to Sunday in the autumn season, and closes for winter after early November.
Photo: ChrisParkinson, CC BY-SA 3.0Polesden Lacey
The Edwardian country retreat of the society hostess Margaret Greville, set in a 1,600-acre estate of downland and ancient woodland with views across to Ranmore Common. The ground-floor rooms hold her collection of paintings, ceramics and French furniture, and the gardens include a walled rose garden and long herbaceous borders.
Why it's here: A walled Rose Garden and double herbaceous borders in the grounds of an Edwardian estate. The garden, café and shop open daily in autumn, from 10am to 4pm.
Winter gardens and warm stops
Winter gardens, glasshouses and paths that are worth the walk when the days are short.
Photo: Daderot, CC0The Savill Garden
A 35-acre garden in Windsor Great Park, created by Eric Savill from 1932 and open to paying visitors since 1953. Themed areas change through the year, from the winter beds and spring magnolias to summer roses and autumn colour in the woodland.
Why it's here: A winter garden with dogwoods, daphnes and early bulbs, plus the Queen Elizabeth Temperate House. Booking online by 9am on the day costs less than paying at the gate.
Photo: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0Claremont Landscape Garden
An 18th-century garden shaped by Vanbrugh, Bridgeman, William Kent and Capability Brown, once a royal retreat for Princess Charlotte and later bought by Queen Victoria. Paths lead round a serpentine lake to a grass amphitheatre, a grotto and the Belvedere Tower.
Why it's here: Camellia Terrace is in flower from January to May. Dogs on short leads are welcome in most areas.
Photo: Amandajm, CC BY-SA 3.0Painshill
A 160-acre 18th-century landscape garden in Cobham, laid out as a series of views around a serpentine lake with follies placed along the way. It is run by an independent charity, Painshill Park Trust, and the old house is private and not part of the visit.
Why it's here: Open all year, with winter hours from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and the Crystal Grotto beside the lake. It can close in dangerous weather such as high winds, snow or flooding.
Image: RHS Garden WisleyRHS Garden Wisley
The Royal Horticultural Society's flagship garden, just off the A3 north of Guildford, with formal gardens, a large Glasshouse, the historic Old Laboratory and RHS Hilltop, its home of gardening science. There are several places to eat and a large garden centre on site.
Why it's here: The Glasshouse, with tropical, temperate and dry zones, is indoors. Only guide, assistance and service dogs are allowed.
Photo: David Howard, CC BY-SA 2.0Sunbury Walled Garden
A restored two-acre 18th-century walled garden in Sunbury Park, run by Spelthorne Council and holder of Green Flag status. Knot gardens, parterres and Victorian and modern rose gardens surround the Lendy Memorial, and the gallery displays the Sunbury Millennium Embroidery.
Why it's here: Free, with a restored two-acre walled garden of knot gardens, parterres and rose gardens. The gallery and café are open Tuesday to Sunday.
Questions people ask
Which Surrey gardens have the best autumn colour?
Winkworth Arboretum near Godalming is famous for its autumn colour, with more than 1,000 trees and shrubs and a lake and boathouse. Ramster Garden near Chiddingfold is also open in the autumn season, with rare trees and woodland paths.
Which Surrey gardens are open in winter?
Painshill in Cobham is open all year, with winter hours from Wednesday to Sunday. The Savill Garden in Englefield Green has a winter garden with dogwoods and early bulbs, and Claremont Landscape Garden in Esher is open daily with camellias from January to May.
Is there a free garden to visit in Surrey in winter?
Sunbury Walled Garden in Sunbury-on-Thames is free and open daily from 7.30am, with knot gardens, parterres and rose gardens. Its gallery and café are open Tuesday to Sunday.