Autumn in London: Best Things to do and Gorgeous Autumnal Spots

Discover the best of London in autumn with our insider’s guide.

Autumn in London is a magnificent affair – tree-lined streets blaze with russet oranges and yellows, leaves crunch underfoot and the lure of hearty pub meals and blazing fires are impossible to resist.

We love the warm weather so for us, autumn in London used to mean melancholy and a fair bit of moping. We’ll let you in on a little secret though – the autumn months are really something special. Over the years we’ve learnt to embrace the best of the season, stomping through leaves and gawping at fireworks ‘n’ all. 

Need some inspiration? Here’s what you shouldn’t miss (PS: don’t miss my roundup of autumn events in London at the end either). 

Unmissable Things to do in Autumn in London

London Cocktail Week 

London Cocktail Week is back and we’re about to spill a little secret… it’s set to last a whole month. 

Never heard of London Cocktail Week? The event launched in 2010 and has been gathering momentum ever since. 

Whether you want to hone your cocktail-making skills, attend a masterclass or simply just enjoy a night out with friends, this month-long cocktail celebration has you covered. 

For those that want to go full throttle, there’s the option to purchase a London Cocktail Week £15 wristband which gives you access to £7 Signature Cocktails in over 250 of the best bars across the capital. If there was ever a more encouraging reason to immerse yourself back into London life this October, then this is it.  

See the Changing Leaves in One of London’s Gorgeous Parks 

London has no shortage of green spaces… perhaps russet spaces would be a better term as the season turns the green leaves to almost every imaginable colour on the red, orange and yellow spectrum. 

Wake up early to catch hovering seasonal mists casting their dreamlike spell over reality, or visit later in the day to catch the sun casting its glow amidst the kaleidoscope. 

Want to know where to catch the best woodland colours? The stunning weeping acer trees in Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden should put it on the top of your list of places to visit in autumn in London, while the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park bursts into an array of golden hues. 

Plus it’s rutting season for the deer that roam around the park (be sure to keep at a safe distance). It’s particularly stunning in October.

Ramble Over Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath really comes into its own in the autumn months. Few places in London are better suited to lacing on your hiking boots, thermos in rucksack, and going for a stroll that will take in gorgeous views of London whilst leaving you just the teeniest bit ruddy of cheek. 

Whether you’re just looking for a short walk or an all-day adventure, there are many different Hampstead Heath walks you can tackle – simply take your pick. Don’t forget to pop into pretty Highgate or Hampstead for a post-walk pint either – The Holly Bush is a beaut. 

Visit Kew Gardens 

With so many people going gaga over the colourful blooms in the summer and the pretty lights in the winter – it can be easy to forget that Kew Gardens is actually one of the best autumn spots in London.

Why? How about an arboretum packed with majestic trees that never fail to put on one of the best displays of autumn colour in the city? Yeah, thought so. There’s also the fascinating autumn festival which celebrates all things Japanese through iconic plants, art and culture. 

See the Bangers at Bonfire Night 

London does a rather cracking job of Bonfire Night – no doubt about it. In fact, with pretty much every park and outdoor space (large and small) turning into an impromptu backdrop for the colourful explosions, it’s difficult to decide which one to pick. 

Blackheath and Battersea are two of the best-known – both are undoubtedly brilliant, with Blackheath perhaps pipping it to the post thanks to the fact that it’s also free. 

Other excellent spots include Crystal Palace Park, Wembley Park, Ealing Cricket Club, Alexandra Palace and Victoria Park. 

Explore One of London’s Magnificent Seven Cemeteries 

Yeah, we’re kind of obsessed with the gothic beauty of London’s Magnificent Seven Cemeteries – the seven grand cemeteries built on what was then the outskirts of London in the Victorian era. 

Though they’re beautiful at any time of year, autumn is when they really shine – think crumbling stone and winding walkways sheltering under and covered by a golden carpet of leaves. 

Highgate is the best-known thanks to famous residents like Karl Marx and George Eliot but if you want a quieter (and free) time of it, head to one of the others like Kensal Green and Nunhead both of which are just as pretty but come without the crowds. 

Get Ghoulish for Halloween 

It’s no autumn without Halloween. In recent years London has embraced Halloween with gusto, giving you the chance to don your silliest outfit and party with the ghouls amidst buckets of (fake) blood.

Potter fans will want to check out Master the Dark Arts at the Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden and the London Dungeons are always good for a day out. 

Not quite raucous enough? Spooky cabaret at the Phoenix Arts Club delivers on jump scares, quirky costumes and a menu of delicious Halloween-themed cocktails, while Studio 338 lay on a big club night with Ilario Alicante on the decks

Have a Cosy Pint in One of London’s Historic Pubs 

Yeah yeah, we’re all about the beer gardens and large glasses of rosé in the summer, but autumn is when pubs really come to the fore. 

After all, what’s better than heading into a cosy pub and huddling over a pint of something good while you set the world to rights with a mate?

Now, it’s a well-known fact that not all pubs are created equal – autumn must-visits include Ye Olde Mitre in Farringdon, The Seven Stars in Holborn, The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead and The Mayflower – this historic pub from which the Pilgrims set off in search of America. 

Tuck into a Sunday Roast

Sunday roasts in the summer can be a little wrong. You know that feeling when you’re a bit hot and sweaty, and your dish is a bit hot and sweaty and it all feels a bit weird and fetid? Well, rest easy because you don’t get that in autumn. 

What better time to start working your way through some of the city’s best Sunday roasts? Start with The Quality Chop House and The Eagle in Farringdon – both are long-time London faves for those looking for a tasty and hearty meal accompanied by lashings of wine / beer / whatever tickles your taste buds. 

Other choice spots include The Camberwell Arms, The Harwood Arms and The Bull and Last in Highgate. 

Head Off On One of London’s Autumn Walks

Tempting as it is to hide under the duvet until spring (with brief forays out for Christmas and New Year’s obvs), that’s just not going to fly. Wrap up warm and head out for a gorgeous autumn walk in London. 

We’ve already talked about stomping around Hampstead Heath, but if you’re looking for more inspiration, the Regent’s Canal Towpath is a beaut at this time of year – it wends its way through some of London’s prettiest areas including Primrose Hill, Camden and Little Venice. 

The Green Chain Walk is another one of our autumn favourites. At 80km it’s far too long to tackle in the course of a weekend – but it’s the perfect challenge to see you through the autumn months. 

The walk takes you through many of South London’s beautiful green spaces (including Nunhead Cemetery and the Oxlea Woods), so is a great option when the colours start to change. 

Snuggle Up for a Film in a Fancy Cinema 

Skip the bland chains, London is brimming with fancy cinemas where you can snuggle up to watch a film in comfort (not to mention style). 

The Electric Cinema and Everyman Cinemas are the best-known – you can find The Electric Cinema in Portobello and White City and Everyman in numerous locations including Hampstead (the original), Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Muswell Hill. The tiny Curzon cinema at the bottom of Sea Containers Hotel is another personal pick.

Eat Out at a New Restaurant 

Autumn, they say, is the season of change. That’s never any truer than in London’s food and drink world. The season often sees a whole bunch of new openings. This September there are six very exciting new restaurants coming to London – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  

Joel Robuchon will have a London home again, as will the fantastic Chishuru – our favourite West African restaurant in London. Then looking forward a few months Kolae, a very exciting Thai restaurant will be opening in Borough Market. 

Then, of course, all those restaurants you already love will be releasing their autumn menus, taking advantage of the shifting seasons to cook up new and interesting dishes. Is it time to add another notch to your belt? Probably…

Read More: New Restaurants In London

Hit the BFI London Film Fest 

October is a high point in the year for the city’s film lovers. It marks the arrival of the BFI London Film Festival.

The event is a cultural bonanza of the best cinema releases, golden oldies and major film premiers. Some screenings to have on your radar: One Life, a new release starring Anthony Hopkins as a man driven to smuggle children out of Prague on the eve of Nazi invasion is being tipped as a hot ticket. 

David Finchers The Killer and Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon should also be on your radar, and if you’re looking for something a little more local, don’t miss Daniel Kaluuya and Kibwe Tavares’ The Kitchen – a cry against gentrification set in a London of the near future. 

Go Pumpkin Picking 

Perhaps it’s the bucolic scenes just outside our fair city. Perhaps it’s the fact that we live in what’s actually defined as a forest, but Londoners love getting close to nature. No doubt that has something to do with the craze of pick-your-own farm days out that has taken the city by storm. 

Driving out to a working farm and returning with armfuls of fresh veg is one of the greatest days out you can have. Obviously, these farms follow the seasons with their crops and as autumn sets in it’s time for pumpkin picking. 

There are heaps of options out there, and it’s easy to find something that’s accessible from wherever you live as there are farms in basically every direction. You can even just pop down to Covent Garden and skip the picking, but where’s the fun in that? 

Read More: Gourd-geous Pumpkin Patches in and Near London

Autumn Events in London You Should Have in Your Calendar 

London in Autumn: Practical Tips

• London’s autumnal weather is unpredictable. It can be cold in the morning and sunny in the afternoon, and (much like the rest of the year) it can rain at a moment’s notice. We suggest you dig out your waterproofs if you’re going out and about. 
• It’s likely that the weather will also get pretty chilly as the season wares on. Think twice before booking that terrace seating and remember to wrap up warm. 
• Autumn is a nice time to get out and about in the city as the summer tourist season will begin to drop off, meaning London feels a little less busy than it did in the recent past.