Autumn in London: Where to find the best fall colours
Autumn in London is a stunning affair. The city transforms into pockets of kaleidoscopic colour where tendrils of vibrant red ivy cling to centuries-old facades and the distinct crunch of boots on leaves provides a soundtrack to the season. The first mists roll across the city as this brief intermission between summer and winter descends.
Autumn in London is one of the most beautiful times to visit. It’s also one of my favourites. Growing up in Australia, I was surrounded by the silvery green leaves of evergreen gums, acacias, and eucalyptus. The scenery didn’t change all that much as the seasons passed, unless it was springtime blooms with pops of fluffy yellow wattle and lilac jacaranda trees.
When I moved to London in 2016, it was in the dead of winter. The trees were stripped bare of their leaves by late January and the darkness set in before 4pm. I watched as life was revived come spring and the way the green of the leaves was unlike anywhere else by summer. Then came my favourite season of them all. Autumn.
Crisp mornings were accompanied by the yellowing of oak trees. Ivy that climbed the facades of centuries-old buildings transformed into vibrant shades of red, and entire parks became a playground of leaf-shaped confetti. London in autumn became a photographer’s dreamscape.
Soon enough, I found myself ambling around the streets of Notting Hill and Kensington, snapping away to capture the brief transition from summer to winter. Because, unlike spring, autumn in London is a swift affair.
So, if you’re wondering; do the leaves change in autumn in London? Or, where can I see the best fall colours across the capital? London has plenty of pockets across the city that are dressed in shades of vermillion, gold, and orange.
If you fancy a little bit of leaf peeping, here are the best places to find autumn leaves in London.
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in London?
If you’re looking for the best time to spot autumn colours in London, hues of saffron, rust, and crimson start to appear across London from late September or early October, peaking from mid-late October and occasionally lasting in November. How early or late the changing of the leaves to fall colours begin and how long it lasts depends on the weather.
If the cooler weather hits early then there are rarely any leaves come November. Though, if the warm breezes of summer linger long into September, then the autumn leaves don’t tend to appear until October in London.
Where to see the best autumn leaves in London
Hampstead Heath
Like its own little village, Hampstead is home not only to some of the cutest and most charming streets of London, it’s also the setting for the favourable Hampstead Heath. A weekend wander around the heath delights walkers with pops of colour in every corner.
The distinct crunch of fallen leaves beneath your wellies, a light breeze that makes you wrap your coat a little tighter, and all the autumnal magic you could hope for can be found at Hampstead Heath in autumn. I recommend heading here later in October for the best fall colours.
These photos were taken mostly down by the mixed bathing ponds near the East side of the heath.
Little Venice
Charming at any time of the year, there’s something extra-special about Little Venice during autumn. Brilliant shades of orange and yellow flank the edges of the canal and fallen leaves lay like sprinkles on top of the waterways.
Combine an autumn walk in Little Venice with a day out to London Zoo or a visit to Camden Market where you can load up on brilliant food truck treats, shop for awesome vintage wares, and see one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the city.
If you’d rather experience autumn from the comfort of the canal, hop aboard a narrow boat and take a canal tour passing by the elegant gardens of those stunning Regent’s Park homes.
St Dunstan-in-the-East
Tucked away in central London between London Bridge and Tower Bridge you’ll find St Dunstan-in-the-East. Set among the ruins of Wren Church, there is now a public garden offering a green oasis in the busy centre of London.
In autumn, St Dunstan-in-the-East’s leafy space turns shades of gold and saffron as the cooler weather sets in. Overgrown with vines and palms, there’s something magical about how hidden this autumn leaf-peeping spot feels. The best time to see fall colours at St Dunstan-in-the-East is in late October and the nearest tube stations are Monument and Tower Hill.
Kynance Mews
Nestled among the back streets of Kensington resides Kynance Mews. An Insta-famous hotspot, it manages to enjoy year-round features thanks to its beautiful floral and foliage displays. In spring you’ll find plenty of #wisteriahysteria content as one of the best places to see wisteria in London.
Kynance Mews really comes into its own in autumn though. Red-leafed vines cascade over the sandstone arch that separates the cobbled street from the main road and doorways are squirrelled away behind curtains of Virginia Ivy.
Notting Hill
A neighbourhood that is never lost for a good Instagramable corner, Notting Hill has plenty of autumn leaf-peeping attractions. Whether tucked down the quiet kaleidoscopic mews the area is known for or along some of the most popular streets, finding pops of orange and red in Notting Hill won’t have you searching too long.
Elgin Crescent and Portland Road feature some beautiful autumn leaf colours or head up to Westbourne Grove where you’ll find a few colourful corners. The much-loved St Luke’s Mews also comes alive with some autumnal foliage come October that is worth visiting too.
Chelsea Embankment
Chelsea Embankment is a brilliant place to soak up some of those glorious autumnal tones. Starting near Albert Bridge (my favourite bridge along the River Thames) walk along the riverside under the shade of oak trees as they transition seasons in shades of yellow, rust, and brown.
Once you’ve explored the riverside, head in to meander the streets of Chelsea, one of the most photogenic corners in London. Here, autumn colours will last from October to late November/early December depending on the year. I’ve still had those beautiful fall colours and leaves crunching beneath my feet while spotting Christmas displays.
Richmond Park
If there was a gold medal for autumn colours in London, Richmond Park would be crowned first place. The largest Royal Park in London, there are more than 600 red and fallow deer that call Richmond Park home and they’re one of the biggest draw cards for this beautiful green space.
Early to mid-November is the best time to visit Richmond Park in autumn if enjoying the changing colours is your reason for exploring. It’s an enormous 2,500 acres, so you’ll feel like you can have plenty of space to yourself.
There are plenty of bike paths here for cyclists or weekend riders, or you can amble through the woodland and feel like you’re miles away from the UK’s biggest city. Isabella Plantation, a 40-acre woodland garden planted in the 1830s is a prime autumn leaf location in Richmond Park.
Regents Park
This popular park transforms from green to gold as the area known as The Board Walk becomes a kaleidoscope of yellow as the trees lining the wide path change. Creating a carpet of amber as the leaves fall, Regent’s Park makes for one of the best autumn leaf destinations in Central London.
Conveniently located near London Zoo and Baker Street, the park was once known as Marylebone Park and was once the hunting grounds of King Henry VIII. Covering a little over 400 acres, the Park is full of various gardens, sporting areas and other attractions to keep you busy.
St James Park
The Royal parks are a great place to go leaf peeping in London in autumn. St James Park is no exception. For the best view, head over to the lake bridge and soak up the fiery shades of autumn. Looking across the lake towards the Horse Guards, the London Eye and stunning government buildings give this autumn spot an iconic shine.
Elsewhere across the park, you’ll find squirrels gathering and storing nuts for the impending winter. On a crisp day under blue skies, a walk through St James Park is one of the best locations in the city for an autumnal walk.
What is the weather like in London in autumn?
London is known to be prone to its temperamental weather, four seasons in one day and all that. Autumn tends to be a mix of clear, crisp days with blue skies that are perfect for walks in the park to admire the beautiful autumnal foliage. It’s also known to get a little wild, wet, and windy at times too.
Temperatures in autumn in London range from low 20s (degrees celsius) in September to high single digits by the end of November. Peak autumn leaf peeping viewing typically falls throughout October with temps averaging around 13-17 degrees celsius.
