Running throughout the month of October, harvest season marks the peak of autumn as the spoils of the year are in full bounty.
A number of Kent’s National Trust properties, from landscaped gardens to historic houses, will be marking the season with harvest festivals this month, for any nature enthusiasts looking for a day out to the countryside.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Emmetts Garden
When: October 10 – November 2, 2025
- Autumn Fair: October 10-12
- Photography Workshops: October 15 & 23
- Prices: Standard admission applies; photography workshops require pre-booking; trail sheet £3
Set high on a hill near Sevenoaks, Emmetts Garden is known for its sweeping views and vibrant autumn colours.
This year’s Autumn Festival combines seasonal spectacle with entertainment, beginning with a lively three-day fair.
Under a meadow marquee, artisan crafts and botanical-inspired goods will be on display, along with Sommi Pizzas if you get peckish.
Families can enjoy the themed trail, and live performances by Medway Concert Brass and the Biggin Hill Concert Band, if visiting between October 11 and October 12.
Photography workshops will also run on October 15 and October 23 for anyone looking to brush up on their autumn photography skills.
Chartwell
When:
- Playful Pumpkins Trail: October 18 – November 2, 2025
- Guided Estate Walks & Ranger Talks: October 15, November 13 & December 9, 2025
- Prices: Standard admission applies; trail £3 extra
The former home of Winston Churchill, Chartwell is steeped in history and surrounded by acres of woodland along with landscaped gardens.
In October, the kitchen garden will be turned into an autumnal display of pumpkins, squash and root vegetables, many still cultivated using traditional methods.
Harvest displays will be dotted across the grounds, while the orchard offers apples once enjoyed by Churchill himself.
Children can follow the fun pumpkin trail, while adults may prefer ranger-led estate walks or talks that bring Churchill’s landscape to life.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
When:
- Potpourri Workshops: October 10 & 11, 2025
- Pumpkin Picking: October 21 & 22, 2025
- Prices: Standard admission applies; pumpkin/apple picking £5 per participant
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The working farm and orchard offer a colourful array of quinces, apples and late vegetables.(Image: National Trust Images / David Sellman)
Renowned for its literary history and world-famous garden rooms, Sissinghurst is always a prime place to visit to see autumn colour.
The working farm and orchard offer a colourful array of quinces, apples and late vegetables, celebrated through seasonal workshops and family events.
Visitors can try their hand at traditional potpourri-making if visiting between October 10 and October 11 or enjoy the fun of pumpkin picking on between October 21 and October 22.
