What is it about autumn?
Crisp mornings that hold a whisper of winter, the comforting smell of damp earth and woodsmoke, the fleeting yet glorious transformation of leaves into fiery shades of orange, amber, and red. The air is crisp, the leaves crunch beneath your feet, and from here, London feels both grand and grounded.Autumn always feels like a reminder of impermanence - beautiful, bittersweet, and gone before we’re ready.

Here are some of my favourite autumnal spots to wander in London (and a few day trips beyond), where you can soak in the magic of the season.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
*To Autumn,* by John Keate.

Hampstead Heath Pergola & Hill Garden

Yes, I know — this place has been everywhere on Instagram. But despite its fame, the Pergola still holds its own charm, especially in autumn. The romantic, ivy-wrapped walkways glow in gold, and the leaves trailing down the stone arches make the place feel like a secret garden from another world.

It does get busy now, but if you go early in the morning, you might catch mist clinging to the gardens. Or try sunset, when the light slants through the arches and the whole place feels cinematic. Even if the main pergola is crowded, wander further along and you’ll always find a quiet corner to yourself.

Richmond Park

Few places in London showcase autumn quite like Richmond. Misty mornings roll across the wide-open fields, while deer roam through the bracken turned bronze. The trees here stretch endlessly, offering golden tunnels of leaves. It feels less like a park and more like a countryside escape within the city.

Little Venice

Tucked past Paddington, Little Venice feels slower, softer. The Regent’s Canal winds its way through this neighbourhood, once built for trade in the 19th century, now lined with houseboats and cosy waterside walks.

In autumn, the trees lean into the canal, their golden reflections shimmering on the water. I love the stroll between here and Regent’s Park — a quiet escape where the city feels far away.

Regent’s Park & The Broad Walk

In October, Regent’s Park turns into a living painting. The Broad Walk becomes a glowing avenue of yellow and orange, and the secret gardens tucked away are dusted with seasonal colour.

If you come during the Frieze Art Fair (mid-October), you’ll also find contemporary sculptures scattered across the English Garden — art meeting nature in a fleeting autumn exhibition.

Highgate Wood & Cemetery

Highgate feels timeless in autumn. The ancient woodland of Highgate Wood crunches beneath your boots, and the air smells of moss and fallen leaves. Nearby, Highgate Cemetery carries its own kind of beauty — ivy-draped Victorian tombstones framed by golden light. Both are atmospheric, both slightly haunting, both unforgettable.

Brompton Cemetery

One of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries built in the 19th century, Brompton Cemetery is a blend of history, architecture, and autumn magic. The long avenues, lined with trees, turn to fire at this time of year, and there’s something calming in the way nature softens the solemnity of the place.

Gunnersbury Park

A little out of the way, but worth the journey, Gunnersbury Park is a true hidden gem in West London. The wide lawns, woodlands, and lakes take on a golden glow in autumn, and it’s usually far quieter than the central London parks.

The park also has an interesting history: it was once part of the Rothschild family’s estate in the 19th century, and the grand Gunnersbury Park House (now a museum) still stands at its heart. Walking through in autumn, you’ll find a mix of landscaped gardens, historic architecture, and peaceful corners perfect for slowing down.

St James’s Park

Cross the lake bridge and look east: the London Eye and Horse Guards rise above a sea of scarlet and orange leaves. Around September and October, the view looks almost unreal — a postcard-perfect autumn scene right in the centre of the city.

Day Trips from London

When autumn feels too fleeting in the city, there are places just outside London where the season truly takes hold.

Dunsborough Park, Surrey – Open only a handful of days each year, and autumn is its most spectacular season. Golden avenues and serene lakes make it worth the journey.
Stourhead (National Trust, Wiltshire) – One of the most famous autumn landscapes in England, with its sweeping lake and Palladian bridge framed by fiery trees.
Westonbirt Arboretum (Gloucestershire) – A cathedral of maples, oaks, and acers, this is perhaps the ultimate place to experience autumn in England.
Winkworth Arboretum (Surrey) – A hillside of colour, where every turn of the path reveals a new shade of autumn.

Autumn is fleeting. One strong wind, one heavy rain, and the leaves that glowed so brightly are gone. But perhaps that’s why we love it so much — it reminds us to pause, to breathe in the earthy air, to look up at the canopy blazing above us, and to simply be present.

So take a walk, take a photo, take a moment. This is autumn in London - and it doesn’t last long.

Follow my adventures on Instagram and TikTok for more hidden corners and travel inspiration.

Thanks for wandering with me! x

With love,
— Seire