In Search of Autumn: Where to find fall foliage in London
Last Updated on 1st October 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Autumnal tones, cooler evenings and the changing of the leaves… There are few times that are prettier to visit London than in the autumn months. It’s especially a good time to go if you love photography and are hoping to capture the autumn leaves! Here’s where to go to find the very best fall foliage in London:
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When is the best time to see fall foliage in London?
The exact timing of when you can expect to see the leaves change colour depends entirely on the year and the temperatures that have been in the preceding weeks. Typically, the leaves begin to change colour in London around mid October, with the peak of the best of the leaves being towards the end of October.
In an average year, most of the leaves have dropped by mid-November. If there’s a particular spot that you’re interested in spying the fall leaves in (and that is known to be popular), then I recommend checking regularly the location on Instagram using the ‘locations’ feature. If you need to plan your travel in advance, then plan to visit the UK capital between the middle and end of October.
Best places to see the fall foliage in London
Kynance Mews
The lovely little mews street of Kynance Mews is pretty in the spring with wisteria and adorable in the autumn with trailing ivy and red leaves. Head here early in the morning to avoid the crowds that flock to the area since the rise of Social Media! If you’re able to, visiting Kynance Mews midweek will ensure that you encounter even fewer crowds.
St Lukes Mews
Featured in the film ‘Love Actually’, St Lukes Mews is easily one of the prettiest London mews streets. Head to number 27 St Lukes Mews and you’ll find a house that is pretty in pastel pink and surrounded by greenery. This was the property used as the home of ‘Juliet’ (played by Keira Knightley) in the film Love Actually. The rest of the street is filled with greenery which begins to turn lovely autumnal tones at the end of September.
Hyde Park
Pretty in golden tones and green hues, Hyde Park is one of the most famous of all the Royal Parks in central London. Here you’ll find Kensington Palace, a large lake where you can rent a rowboat (perfect for admiring all of the fall foliage in London) and speaker’s corner (an area of the park that has been used for public speeches and public debates since the 1800s.)
Holland Park
Situated in the borough of Kensington, Holland Park is both the name of a cute street and open park. The street is well worth a walk down, if only to see the Victorian Terraced Houses and pretty plants that cover them.
Holland Park itself is 54 acres in size and filled with gardens, trees and a wooded area- making it the perfect place to spot some autumnal tones. One of the hidden gems of the park that you should be sure to check out during your stay in the city is that of the Kyoto Garden, which has trees which turn golden oranges and reds during the autumn.
St Dunstan-in-the-East
The ruins of St Dunstan in the East are all that remains of an ancient church which was destroyed during the blitz. After much debate as to what to do with the ruins of the church, since 1971, the ruins of this place of worship have been transformed into public gardens.
Today, this free to visit garden is an oasis of green in the very heart of the city. The park itself is so secret that few locals even know of its existence and the space is easily one of the best secret spots in London. Another former church nearby that has also been transformed into a garden is Christchurch Greyfriars.
Richmond Park
Of all the best places to spot fall foliage in London, Richmond Park may well be the best spot of all. Pretty at almost any time of the year, this green space just outside of central London makes the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of modern city life.
Free to enter, the park was created by Charles I in the 17th Century as a deer park. Today, the park is still home to plenty of deer that you can see for yourself! When visiting Richmond Park, be sure not to approach of feed the deer!
Ham House
Located along the Thames, just a few kilometres away from Richmond-upon-Thames, you’ll find the lovely historic residence of Ham House. This 17th-Century house was built along the shores of the Thames and comes complete with formal gardens that turn lovely golden hues in the autumn.
A trip to Ham House can easily be combined with a visit to Richmond Park and the town of Richmond-upon-Thames itself. If you’re interested in even more history about the area, be sure to read all about the lost Richmond Palace.
Wimpole Street
If you spend any length of time looking at photos of London on Instagram, then no doubt you’ll have spotted the ‘Instagram Famous’ house covered in pretty red leaves at number 5, Wimpole Street.
This adorable house is located in the Marylebone area of the city and nearby, you’ll find cute cafés, plenty of independent boutiques and Daunt Books– one of the very best bookshops in central London.
Kew Gardens
If you’re looking for a great place to see the autumn leaves in London, then you need look no further than the pretty trees and plants of Kew Gardens. Although you have to pay to enter the gardens and green spaces, there’s plenty to see and do for every interest and taste.
From the treetop walkway which offers spectacular views over the treetops, to the Hive which highlights the life of bees, a visit is totally worth the entry fee.
Greenwich Park
Situated to the East of London, Greenwich is a beautiful area of London characterised by its naval history, many free museums, and countless green spaces. Should you find yourself with a spare half day while on a trip to the British capital, be sure to pay a visit to Greenwich.
After all, it’s here where you’ll find the likes of the Queen’s House (complete with the tulip stairs) as well as some of the best fall foliage London has to offer.
Hampstead Heath
Golden hues, plenty of trees and pretty reflections in the water, Hampstead Heath is not only one of the best places to spot the fall foliage in London, but also one of the most popular green spaces in central London. Here, you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy a picnic, play ball games and simply enjoy nature- if only for a while.
The Thames Path
Snaking its way along the river Thames, the Thames path is one of the best ways to see both the major sites the city has to offer and enjoy plenty of autumnal tones at the same time. The path mirrors the river for 184 miles from its source in the Cotswolds, all the way to the sea. The path can be enjoyed in small chunks, or you can be brave and walk the entire trail in one go!
