Firstly, the best parks for those photogenic colours and squirrels doing what they do best; squirrelling:

Richmond Park - Stunning autumn foliage and rutting deer season (September-October) including a 7 mile circular taking in the Isabella Plantation

Hampstead Heath - Golden leaves and crisp walks to Parliament Hill viewpoint, one of the best views of London

Greenwich Park - Royal Observatory views framed by autumn trees

Regent's Park - Queen Mary's Gardens with late-season roses 

Hyde Park - Serpentine Lake surrounded by changing leaves

St. James's Park - Pelican feeding continues through the autumn months

Kensington Gardens - Italian Gardens and Diana Memorial surrounded by autumn colours

It’s not all parks and trees, some other recommendations for London’s best head clearing walks include:

Thames Path Autumn Section - Westminster to Tower Bridge with golden plane trees 

Hampstead Heath to Kenwood - Through ancient woodland with stunning views 

Canal Walk - Regent's Canal from Camden to Little Venice with autumn reflections 

Literary London Autumn Tour - Keats House and poets' haunts in Hampstead

The calendar is full of events this season with a mixture of homegrown & adopted cultures as well as historical events providing the context: 

Diwali Celebrations the Hindu, Sikh and Jain festival of light with fireworks displays all over London including festivities at Trafalgar Square on Sunday 12th Oct 2025.  

Remembrance Sunday 9th November 2025 – head to the Cenotaph at Whitehall for a respectful and well attended ceremony and memorial services commemorating Armistice Day.  Please consider buying a poppy from the Royal British Legion.

Black History Month is in October in the UK rather than February in the US due to historical and culture differences. Watch out for free events, exhibitions, and talks celebrating Black heritage

London Oktoberfest draws on the Munich tradition which needs no explanation and takes place over three October weekends in Finsbury Park and Hammersmith. Lederhosen optional.

Hallowe’en (31st October) is muted in some areas and impressive in others, especially where there are American communities. Kensington, St Johns Wood and Knightsbridge are all excellent for trick or treating and instagrammable house decorations. Free Halloween activities include self-guided ghost walks through historic areas, Covent Garden and the West End for retail displays, pumpkin picking in some city farms such as Kentish Town and Stepney and underrated graveyard tours in Highgate and Kensal Green Cemeteries to take in the resting places and lore of bygone celebrities. The London Dungeon and The Tower of London are also excellent choices for the spooky season.

Bonfire Night - remember remember the 5th of November is famous for Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder plot when he tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King Charles I in 1605. [GF didn’t get the King in the end but the parliamentarians did later on when HRH was found guilty of treason and executed in 1649 resulting in a temporary republic. Irony eh?] We have been celebrating this failed/foiled attack with bonfires and fireworks ever since. The best locations for such cavalier displays are Alexandra Palace, Blackheath, Clapham Common and Victoria Park. Some events are tickets only.

Perhaps you have heard something about British weather being unpredictable.  Don’t stress as many of the best Autumn cosy experiences can be found indoors, including:  

British Library - Free exhibitions and warm reading rooms

Wellcome Collection – Free and special exhibitions with café 

Royal Festival Hall  - River views and free events

Barbican Centre - Brutalist architecture, lakeside dining and conservatory

Somerset House - Courtyard and river terrace

Historic & riverside pubs - The George Inn, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, so many others. Reward yourself with pub pit stops along the way

Traditional Sunday roasts - Many pubs offer reasonably priced meals but the best Sunday roast we have ever consumed was courtesy of the Builder’s Arms in Kensington where you can order a sirloin, chicken and lamb rump “to share” for a meagre 4,081 calories 

• Pack layers and thermos for longer outdoor exploring

• After 1st November it will get dark by 4pm so get up and out early 

• Use heating in cafés and museums as free warming stations

• Autumn is known for its harvest so choose produce at markets like Borough

• Always carry umbrella for sudden London showers

• Wear comfortable waterproof shoes for leaf-covered paths

• Check museum late-night openings for shelter during rain

• Keep an open mind- you may need to tweak your plans in line with the weather but with a good jacket you may still be able to sit outdoors in some cases.

Is Autumn a good time to come to London? Yes! The weather can actually be very mild and city breaks can be uncomfortable during a heat wave. It’s a great time to get away before proper winter.  

Where should I stay? Our choice would be either near the river or the parks if the outdoor scenes appeal to you and Eldon Chambers is ideal.  If you prefer the pre-Christmas retail vibe then perhaps you might prefer Interlude House.