Perfect autumnal days out in London
It's the perfect time of year for bracing walks and roast dinners with our pick of London outings where the fall factor is turned up to 11
Grab a scarf and some sturdy leaf-crunching shoes, it’s time to embrace autumn in London. From glowing sunsets, to bracing walks, cosy pubs, healthy harvests and a barrel load of warming whisky, here are eight autumnal outings in London guaranteed to get you in the mood for smashing conkers. Summer, we’re so over you.
Perfect days out in London this autumn
Kew Gardens
They’ve got a tree or two down at Kew Gardens – actually, around 14,000 of them – so if you want to see autumnal colours across the skyline, it’s the place to be. Climb the 118 steps up to the Treetop Walkway to watch nature’s greatest art show.
Get the full autumn effect
Dig out the wellies and go on a rainy day for that primo autumn smell.
Richmond Park
More than 600 deer call Richmond Park home, and come autumn they’re feeling amorous. Keep an eye out amid the rust-coloured leaves and long grass, and you might witness stags bark and roar as they clash antlers to impress the ladies. Bit like a night out in Clapham.
Get the full autumn effect
Hire a bike from Roehampton Gate and pedal off into the wilds.
Regent’s Canal
The towpath of the Regent’s Canal is perfect for an autumnal stroll – or cycle, if you’re feeling energetic. The smell of wood-burner smoke from the picture-book narrowboats makes it extra special. Wind up in Little Venice and you can keep an eye on the scenery from inside the canalside Bridge House pub.
Get the full autumn effect
Don’t just look at the boats – wrap up warm, hop aboard and cruise from Little Venice to Camden and back with the London Waterbus Company.
Greenwich Park
Kick your way through the fallen leaves from the many horse chestnut trees in Greenwich Park. And once you’ve stocked up on conkers, check out the dreamy views across the river Thames and the amazingly autumnal red deer in the Deer Park.
Get the full autumn effect
Grab a freshly baked treat from the White House Café – time it right and it’ll still be warm.
Milroy’s of Soho
What could be more appropriate on a chilly evening than a wee dram of whisky? Milroy’s is a slice of old Soho and its whisky selection is, frankly, mindblowing. If you’re not into the amber stuff, check out the bookcase at the back – it’s the entrance to the cosiest speakeasy in London, with a bespoke cocktail menu and resident pooch.
Get the full autumn effect
Do one of Milroy’s regular masterclasses so you can dazzle everyone with your whisky nous all winter long.
Venue says We pride ourselves in our knowledge and enthusiasm for whisky. Everything on our shelves is hand-picked by us and there because we love it.
Nunhead Cemetery
Huge areas of Nunhead Cemetery have been almost completely overtaken by nature. But as the leaves drop away, you’ll see some of the most ostentatious monuments the Victorians made for their dead. The vista across London is pretty Insta-worthy too, particularly on a misty autumn day.
Get the full autumn effect
Go on a Saturday and swing by Brockley Market, where you can stock up on all the ingredients for a perfect roast.
The Spaniards Inn
Once a slightly scary highwayman’s hangout, The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead is now a welcome sight for weary walkers who’ve spent the afternoon on the Heath: all wood paneling and comfy leather seats. Order one of London’s best roasts and snuggle up to wait for it near the pub’s open fires.
Get the full autumn effect
Ask about the pub’s three resident ghosts – then maybe go to the toilet in twos.
Borough Market
A foodie’s paradise at the best of times, Borough Market is a riot of colour in the autumn months. There are squashes, pumpkins and gourds as far as the eye can see, not to mention barrels of rosy apples and the strangest array of mushrooms known to man. Your soup game will never be stronger.
Get the full autumn effect
Have a hot spiced brew from The Cider House while you browse the market stalls.
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