The trees changing colours is without a doubt one of the best things about London in the fall. You might not think of London as a place to go “leaf peeping,” but it is. This is not my favourite phrase, but it is accurate, especially if you are an American. Parks, walkways, gardens, and even ivy-covered houses all change colours, making the whole city a riot of warm yellow, orange, and red.
After spring, my favourite time to visit London is in the fall. I’ve been there many times. Summer gets all the attention, but autumn in London is pretty great too. It’s cooler, flights are cheaper, and you can see the city as it changes.
Here are 13 of the best places in London to see the fall colours. (I put them in alphabetical order, but you should compare this list to your own London plans to decide which one(s) to see.
1. The riverbank in Chelsea
There are trees all along the Thames Path in London, but the Chelsea Embankment is one of the most beautiful places to walk under the golden leaves. Even though this neighbourhood is very pretty, you have to stop here if you want an autumn-themed Instagram photo.
2. Green Park
Green Park’s name makes it sound like the trees don’t change colour with the seasons, but they do. On a nice fall day, take a walk through the park. There are many paths to enjoy. On the way to or from Buckingham Palace, Constitution Hill may be the most beautiful place. Before the leaves fall, the trees on both sides of the street make a beautiful tunnel.
3. Greenwich Park
I’ve already told you why I think Greenwich is a great place to go for a day trip from London. In the fall, when Greenwich Park turns into a patchwork of colours, this is even more true. During your trip, you can see the best sights, but you should also try to walk a few different paths in the park, or bring a picnic lunch to one of the benches for a perfect moment.
4. The Hampstead Heath
You might think it’s a sin that Hampstead Heath didn’t make my list of the best views in London, but it’s so far away that the view isn’t as good as others (in my opinion!). Hampstead Head does have some beautiful green space in the north of London, as well as beautiful fall colours. It a bit of a trek to get to this area, which is far from where most tourists go in London, but if you want to see as many leaves as possible, it’s a must-see.
5. Holland Park
If you’ve never heard of Holland Park, that’s okay. It’s easy to miss because Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are right next to it. But the Kyoto Garden is there, so it’s worth stopping to look at the leaves. There are different kinds of trees in this beautiful Japanese Garden that add to the wide range of colours you can see elsewhere in London.
6. Kensington
Kensington is a big place, but this West London neighbourhood made the list because it has some of the best “urban” leaf-watching in all of London. Kensington is home to historic homes and some of the most beautiful mews in the city, among other things. Ivy grows on some of these old buildings. In the fall, it turns from emerald green to ruby red. It’s another great place to take pictures.
7. Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is a long way from the centre of London, but it’s worth the trip. After all, a garden is as likely as any other place in London to have fall colours. In fact, Kew Gardens is one of the best places. It has miles of trails, thousands of different kinds of trees and flowers that change with the seasons, and Victorian greenhouses that are beautiful and interesting all year round.
8. Mayfair
Like Kensington, Mayfair is a good place to walk around if you want to see the leaves change. With Hyde Park and Green Park on two sides, it’s no surprise that this wealthy area has many streets lined with trees that turn different colours in the fall. There are also mews to check out, and Grosvenor Square is beautiful and stately, which makes sense since it is surrounded by embassies.
9. Regent’s Park
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the park named after the royal family is well-known in London for its fall colours. (Did you catch that?) Regent’s Park is one of my favourite green spaces in London because it has hills, waterways, and the London Zoo. In the fall, you can walk the trails as the leaves fall for a truly autumnal moment. Rent a boat and go exploring on the water like you’re in a movie.
10. Richmond Park
I went to Richmond Park once when I lived in London. It was actually in the fall. Like Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park is far from Central London, so you’ll need at least a half-day to see it. But it’s the place to go if you want to feel like you got away from the city without going too far. In the fall, the leaves on the trees turn orange and brown, and elk freely roam the park, making the scene even more beautiful. (They are really there; I saw them!)
Do leaves change color in London?
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.