6 Must-See Spots During Autumn in London
Autumn is such a beautiful time to visit London, as there are beautiful Autumn colours, there are so many fantastic cultural events and you are likely to experience a somewhat less-busy London than over the summer months. The temperatures are still mild, although we can’t make any promises about the rain (that’s the case all year round though!). Whether you want to get a glimpse of glamorous Fashion Week, see the stunning Autumnal leaves across the city or pick up some London souvenirs, Autumn is one of the best times to visit this wonderful city. If you are considering visiting London in Autumn, these are 5 must-see spots whilst you are in the city.
Regents Park
When people think about visiting a park in London, often they will immediately jump to Hyde Park. However, Regent’s Park is also very central in London and is exceptionally beautiful in the Autumn. All of the trees leaves turn to the most beautiful Autumnal colours, forming a beautiful golden layer on the floor. This is one of the Royal Parks in London, and it is certainly not hard to see why. This is one of the most beautiful spots you can see in Autumn, making it perfect for a stroll inbetween exploring the busy streets of London.
A free music festival also runs from mid-summer to around mid-September every year, with a whole host of free performances from some of the city’s best artists. Perfect for a summer picnic, if you are visiting just at the beginning of Autumn, make sure to head to the film festival.
Whilst you’re in the area, you need to stop off for some lunch at The Queen’s Head & Artichoke, where there is some exceptional tapas dishes in an old Victorian style pub! Start with the trio of dips and then the Greek meatballs for an incredible meal.
Kyoto Garden
If you want a smaller park to explore that is still very central in London, then head to Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. This is an absolutely beautiful garden that is filled with colourful plants, tranquil water features and relaxation spots all nestled in a Japanese-style landscape. All year round Kyoto Garden is breathtakingly beautiful, but in the Autumn especially, the colours are just stunning, with bright red and rusty orange leaves overwhelming the space. Take a drink with you, have a wander round and take in everything this unique garden has to offer.
You’re just around the corner from some of the city’s most famous museums, including the Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. Then you can go for lunch at Edera Restaurant, a stunning Italian restaurant offering Sardinian specialties. It’s also very reasonable for London in terms of pricing!
London Fashion Week
London is definitely one of the fashion capitals of the world, and often London Fashion Week is held around late September, so if you are in London around that time, definitely check to see if it’s on! You can purchase tickets for immersive events, or do a bit of research to find out where your favourite designers shows are so you can go and see all of the celebrities and fashion moguls arriving. Plenty of fashion companies put on fun and interesting events, including Vogue’s Fashion Night Out where you are given an interactive map to find out where designers will be appearing, where you can get some freebies and any important launches throughout fashion week.
Shows are held all over the city, so no matter where you are staying, you will get a glimpse of some of the world’s best fashion. If you are really into your fashion, you can actually apply to get tickets to different shows, so it is worth a try!
The River Thames
Somewhere else you need to visit in London when you visit in the Autumn is the River Thames, and the best way to do it when the weather gets a bit chillier is by hiring a hot tub boat! You can hire a hot tub boat that seats up to 7 people and takes you down the River Thames, so you can see some of London’s most iconic landmarks whilst enjoying a few drinks and having a very unique experience of being in a hot tub! You have one assigned driver who can’t drink throughout the 75 minute experience, but for everyone else, you can go wild. This is such a fun and different way to see beautiful parts of London if the weather isn’t so good, or if you’re not a fan of the cooler weather.
Jack The Ripper Ghost Tour
If you’re into tales of serial killers, then when you are in London in Autumn, taking a Jack the Ripper Ghost Tour is an absolute must. Whilst these tours do run all year round, there is something extra spooky about doing it around Halloween. You can park at Care Park Semley Place by Victoria Station or get the underground into Victoria, then you’ll be picked up from the Coach Station itself.
You will be driven through some of the sinister and haunted streets of London, hearing about various stories of the dark past that these streets have seen. You will then do a Ghost Walk around Smithfield market, before moving onto the details of Jack the Ripper himself, looking at the murder sites and discussing the evidence. Find out for yourself exactly who Jack the Ripper was!
London Film Festival
Last but certainly not least we have London Film Festival, usually running for around 10 days in mid to late October. The festival takes place in Southbank, where there are all sorts of events, from screen talks to premieres and conferences. Even if you don’t attend any events, head there anyway and have a look what is going on, as you’re sure to be entertained!
You’re also right by the London Eye when you head to Leftbank, so you can kill two birds with one stone and make the most of this different part of the city. Plus, you’ll be really close to The Duke of Sussex, a fantastic gastropub where you can get yourself some classic British food and drinks that will help fuel you for the rest of the day whilst you explore!
Final Thoughts
London is such a beautiful place all year round, particularly in the winter, but there is something very special about visiting in the Autumn. So, once you arrive, head to see some of these great Autumnal places/activities that will let you see London in a unique light.
Just remember to pack your waterproofs or an umbrella, as autumn is pretty unpredictable when it comes to the weather in the UK! However, the great thing is that even if it does rain, there is so much you can see or do, so it definitely won’t impact how much fun you have on your trip.
