Best autumn walks in London – Where to see fall colour like a local

By Doris Chan, founder of London Adventures · Greenwich resident for 35+ years · Updated September 2026

London’s best autumn walks run from late September to mid-November, with peak colour in the last week of October and first week of November. My own favourite starts on my home turf in Greenwich Park, but Richmond Park’s dramatic deer rut, the wild heathland of Hampstead, the blazing Arboretum at Kew Gardens, and a riverside stroll along the South Bank all put on a spectacular seasonal show.

Where to See Autumn Colours in London

I’ve lived in Greenwich for more than 35 years, and autumn is still the season that stops me in my tracks. There’s a particular morning — cold enough to see your breath, with the mist still sitting low over the park — when London goes quiet and gold all at once. It’s the same feeling I want every visitor to have: London slows down in autumn, and it rewards anyone willing to wander rather than rush

This guide covers six of my favourite autumn walks, starting with the one I know best.

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Greenwich Park — history, deer and a view over the whole city

Greenwich Park is one of London’s oldest royal parks, and it’s the one I know like the back of my hand — I studied at the University of Greenwich, just below the hill, and I still walk here most weeks. In autumn, the tree-lined avenues turn a deep gold, and the climb up to the Royal Observatory rewards you with one of the best views in London: the skyline of Canary Wharf rising behind a foreground of fiery red and amber trees.

The park has its own small herd of fallow and red deer in the Wilderness enclosure — calmer than Richmond’s, but worth a quiet look. Down the hill, the Old Royal Naval College (ORNC) is home to the Painted Hall, often called Britain’s “Sistine Chapel,” and it’s every bit as dramatic in low autumn light coming through the windows.

Plan this walk

• Distance and time: roughly 2–3 hours for the park and Old Royal Naval College together
• Getting there: Cutty Sark DLR (5-minute walk) or Greenwich rail/DLR (10 minutes, uphill)
• Cost: the park is free; Painted Hall general admission is £19 and converts to a free annual pass
• My tip: go early on a weekday morning — Greenwich gets a lot of coach-tour traffic by midday, and you’ll want the park to yourself for photos

Richmond Park — the autumn deer rut

Richmond Park is London’s largest royal park, and autumn is when it puts on its biggest show. From late September through early November, the rutting season brings roaring stags and clashing antlers as the males compete for mates — one of the UK’s genuine wildlife spectacles, right inside a city of nine million people.

A safety note, because this matters: the Royal Parks charity asks all visitors to keep at least 50 metres from the deer at all times, rising to 100 metres when they’re active or rutting. These are wild animals weighing well over 100kg and capable of real speed — admire them with a zoom lens or binoculars, not a phone held at arm’s length.

Walkers can follow the wide Tamsin Trail or wander off into wooded pockets and quiet ponds. The standout viewpoint is King Henry’s Mound, a protected sightline all the way to St Paul’s Cathedral, framed by autumn trees.

Plan this walk

My tip: visit at first light for stags emerging from the mist — it’s the most atmospheric hour of the whole season

Distance and time: the full Tamsin Trail is 7.5 miles, but a shorter loop of 2–4 hours covers the highlights

Getting there: Richmond station (rail and District line), then a short walk or bus into the park

Cost: free

Hampstead Heath & Kenwood House

Hampstead Heath feels like proper countryside, and it’s only twenty minutes from central London on the Northern line. Autumn adds a rustic charm here that few London green spaces match — real woodland, open meadows and hidden ponds, painted gold and red.

Climb Parliament Hill for one of the best protected skyline views in the city, the whole of London shimmering under autumn light. At the northern edge of the Heath, Kenwood House is a beautifully restored 18th-century mansion with a genuinely excellent art collection — including a Rembrandt self-portrait — and entry is completely free (donations welcome). The house is open daily, 10am to 5pm.

Plan this walk

My tip: end in Hampstead Village for tea — its cafés are some of the coziest in London on a cold afternoon

Distance and time: 2–3 hours for the Heath and Kenwood House together

Getting there: Hampstead station (Northern line), then a 15–20 minute walk across the Heath

Cost: free

Kew Gardens — autumn colour and the Treetop Walkway

Kew Gardens is London’s most famous botanical garden, and autumn is one of its two best seasons (spring is the other, for an entirely different reason). Leaves blaze amber, crimson and gold across the 11,000-tree Arboretum, and the Treetop Walkway lets you take it all in from 18 metres up, level with the canopy.

Money-saving tip: Kew has just launched £10 entry every Tuesday, running from 8 September through 29 December 2026 — a genuinely good deal on a ticket that’s normally around £20. If your visit is flexible, build it around a Tuesday.

On a wet day, the Temperate House — the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse — is a warm, lush alternative.

Plan this walk

My tip: check kew.org for the day’s Treetop Walkway hours before you go — it occasionally closes in high winds

Distance and time: 3–5 hours for a proper visit; the gardens cover 326 acres

Getting there: Kew Gardens station (District line), a 5-minute walk to Victoria Gate

Cost: £10 on Tuesdays this autumn, otherwise from around £20 (book online, always cheaper than on the day)

Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill

Regent’s Park is a peaceful, easy walk in central London, its ornamental gardens and tree-lined avenues glowing with seasonal colour. Early mornings bring a light mist over the boating lake — a lovely, quiet time for photography before the park fills up.

Stroll the Avenue Gardens, then climb Primrose Hill, just north of the park, for a sweeping view of the London skyline in golden afternoon light. It’s a shorter, gentler walk than Richmond or Greenwich, and a good choice if you’re short on time or prefer flat, well-paved paths.

Plan this walk

My tip: combine this walk with a nearby theatre evening or dinner in Marylebone — it’s an easy pairing

Distance and time: 1.5–2.5 hours

Getting there: Baker Street or Regent’s Park station, both a few minutes’ walk from the park

Cost: free

South Bank to Tower Bridge – Riverside Autumn Vibes

The South Bank is a wonderful autumn riverside stroll, alive with culture along the way. Start near the London Eye and follow the Thames eastward, passing the National Theatre, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. Cross the Millennium Bridge for a view of St Paul’s, then continue toward Borough Market for a warm bite among the autumn food stalls.

Finish at Tower Bridge, which looks especially good at sunset, with the autumn sky painting the city orange and pink behind it.

Plan this walk

My tip: if walking the full stretch feels like a lot, take the Thames Clipper back west afterwards with your Oyster card or contactless payment

Distance and time: 2–3 hours at an easy pace, about 3 miles end to end

Getting there: start at Waterloo or Westminster station; finish near Tower Hill or London Bridge

Cost: free (the walk itself — Borough Market food and any attraction tickets are separate)

Best Autumn Walks in London

My favourite time of year in London

Autumn in London is unforgettable, and after 35 years here, it’s still the season I look forward to most. Whichever walk you choose — deer in Richmond, history in Greenwich, art at Kenwood, colour at Kew, or a riverside stroll to Tower Bridge — you’ll see a slower, more golden side of the city.

Want help building these walks into a full London itinerary? Try our Itinerary Planning Service or book our London VIP Concierge Service with me directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see autumn colours in London?

Colours typically start appearing in late September, build through October, and peak in the last week of October into the first week of November. Weather can shift this by a week or two either way, so plan a flexible window if you can.

Is Richmond Park safe to visit during the deer rut?

Yes, if you keep your distance. The Royal Parks charity recommends staying at least 50 metres from the deer at all times, and 100 metres when they’re active during the rut (late September to early November). Never approach, feed or attempt to photograph them at close range — bring binoculars or a zoom lens instead.

Which autumn walk is best for a first-time visitor?

Greenwich Park is my top pick for first-timers — it combines autumn colour, royal history, a genuine deer park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of London’s best skyline views, all within a compact, easy-to-navigate area.

Are these walks suitable for older or less mobile visitors?

egent’s Park, Greenwich Park and the South Bank all have flat, well-paved paths and plenty of benches and cafés along the way. Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath have more uneven, natural terrain, so sturdy footwear is worth packing.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

The parks themselves are free and need no booking. For paid attractions — the Painted Hall, Royal Observatory, or Kew Gardens — booking online in advance is cheaper than paying on the day and guarantees entry.

What should I wear for an autumn walk in London?

Layers, a weatherproof jacket, and sturdy shoes or boots — October can turn from bright and crisp to wet within the same afternoon. A scarf and gloves are worth having for early-morning starts.

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