Where to See Autumn Leaves in London: 15 Beautiful Places for Golden, Orange and Red Foliage

There is a moment every autumn when London suddenly looks different.

The trees that were green for most of the year begin turning yellow, orange, copper and deep red. Paths fill with fallen leaves, parks become quieter, and even some of the busiest parts of the city start to feel surprisingly peaceful.

And you don't have to leave London to experience it.

From enormous royal parks and ancient woodland to botanical gardens and smaller corners hidden between busy neighbourhoods, there are plenty of places where you can see autumn leaves in London.

The trick is knowing where to go and when.

Autumn colour is never perfectly predictable. Different trees change at different times, and weather can affect how long the leaves stay on the branches. But October and November are generally the months to start looking, with some locations becoming particularly spectacular as the season progresses.

Here are 15 places worth putting on your London autumn list.

1. Richmond Park

If you want autumn scenery on a huge scale, start with Richmond Park.

The park combines wide-open grassland, ancient trees, woodland paths, hills and wildlife, which makes it feel very different from a typical city park.

Autumn is particularly atmospheric here. The changing trees create colour across the landscape while the park's famous deer continue to roam through it.

The Royal Parks specifically highlights Richmond Park as one of its recommended autumn walks, with routes taking you through colourful foliage, wooded areas and panoramic viewpoints.

For a longer walk, look at the Tamsin Trail, an approximately 11km route around the park. If you want something shorter, there are plenty of sections where you can simply wander without committing to the entire circuit.

Best for: Huge autumn landscapes, wildlife and long walks.

Local tip: Go earlier in the day if you want a more peaceful experience. And remember that deer are wild animals, so give them plenty of space, particularly during the rutting season.

2. Kew Gardens

If your idea of autumn leaves involves dramatic colours, interesting tree species and somewhere you can spend several hours, Kew is hard to beat.

Kew Gardens has one of London's most impressive collections of trees, and its Arboretum contains around 11,000 trees.

Kew itself specifically recommends autumn as a great time to see its colourful foliage. Maples bring deep reds, sweet gums turn orange and ginkgoes provide striking yellow tones. The Treetop Walkway also gives you the chance to see the canopy from above.

It is one of the places where you can turn seeing autumn leaves into a full day out rather than simply taking a walk.

And if you're visiting in October 2026, there is another seasonal reason to go: Kew's Halloween light trail runs from 16 October to 1 November 2026.

Best for: Photography, tree collections and a full autumn day out.

Local tip: Don't just stay around the main entrance. Give yourself time to explore the Arboretum and quieter parts of the Gardens.

3. Hampstead Heath

For an autumn walk that feels surprisingly wild considering you're still in London, head north to Hampstead Heath.

The Heath is not manicured in the same way as some central London parks. That is exactly what makes it interesting in autumn.

You get woodland, open fields, winding paths and changing views across the city.

The combination of fallen leaves and the Heath's natural landscape gives you a completely different kind of autumn experience.

And then there is Parliament Hill.

After walking through the Heath, you can head towards the viewpoint and look back across London. On a clear day, you get an autumn walk followed by one of the city's most recognisable skylines.

Best for: A more natural autumn landscape with a London skyline.

Local tip: Wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy. Autumn weather can quickly turn some paths into slippery sections.

4. Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park is one of the best places to combine autumn foliage with classic London views.

The park rises towards the Royal Observatory, so an autumn walk here can include trees, historic buildings, gardens and a spectacular view across Greenwich and the Thames.

The Royal Parks specifically highlights Greenwich Park's autumn scenery, including its Japanese maple trees. The park is also home to some remarkably old trees, including the historic Queen Elizabeth Oak and old sweet chestnuts.

The best part is that you don't have to stop when you leave the park.

After your walk, head downhill into Greenwich for the market, cafés, historic streets and riverside.

Best for: Autumn leaves plus views, history and a neighbourhood day out.

5. The Regent's Park

For a more classic London park experience, visit The Regent's Park.

The park is particularly photogenic in autumn because its formal gardens and tree-lined paths create a more structured landscape than places such as Hampstead Heath.

The Royal Parks recommends an autumn walking route through Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, where you can combine seasonal foliage with views across London.

The Broad Walk is an obvious place to start, but don't feel that you have to stick to the busiest paths.

You can also continue towards Primrose Hill and finish your autumn walk with one of the best elevated views of central London.

Best for: Tree-lined walks and a classic London autumn atmosphere.

6. Hyde Park

Autumn in Hyde Park is an easy option if you're staying in central London.

You don't need to plan an entire day around it.

You can walk through the park after visiting Kensington, Knightsbridge, Paddington or Mayfair and still get a proper autumn experience.

The Royal Parks highlights Hyde Park's autumn walks, including Lover's Walk and the areas around the Serpentine.

The combination of mature trees, open lawns and water makes it particularly good for photographs.

Best for: Seeing autumn leaves without travelling far from central London.

Local tip: Walk beside the Serpentine rather than simply crossing the park. The reflections and trees make the scenery more interesting.

7. Kensington Gardens

Next door to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens offers another excellent autumn walk.

The atmosphere is slightly different from Hyde Park, with formal gardens, tree-lined paths and landmarks such as Kensington Palace.

One of the advantages of visiting Kensington Gardens is that you can easily combine autumn foliage with museums and attractions nearby.

You could start with a morning walk through the Gardens, continue towards Kensington Palace and then spend the afternoon in one of the nearby museums if the weather turns.

Best for: A central autumn walk combined with sightseeing.

8. St James's Park

If you want autumn leaves without leaving the heart of London, don't overlook St James's Park.

This is one of those places where you can get a surprisingly scenic autumn walk while being surrounded by some of London's biggest landmarks.

Walk around the lake and you'll get seasonal trees, water, bridges and views towards Buckingham Palace and the London skyline.

The Royal Parks' current autumn guide also highlights St James's Park among its seasonal landscapes.

It is especially useful if you're already exploring Westminster.

Best for: Autumn scenery surrounded by famous London landmarks.

9. The Green Park

Another central option is The Green Park.

It is not necessarily the first place that comes to mind when people think about autumn foliage in London, but its mature trees and long paths make it worth including.

Its location makes it particularly convenient.

You can walk through Green Park from Buckingham Palace towards Piccadilly, St James's or Hyde Park, turning a simple journey through central London into an autumn walk.

Best for: A quick autumn walk between central London attractions.

10. Epping Forest

If you want something that feels more like a forest than a city park, head east to Epping Forest.

This ancient woodland stretches across a huge area and gives you a completely different autumn landscape.

Instead of carefully landscaped flowerbeds and formal paths, you get woodland trails, old trees and much more of a feeling that you've escaped the city.

Autumn is arguably one of the best times to explore it because the changing canopy becomes part of the experience.

Best for: Woodland walks and a more immersive autumn atmosphere.

Local tip: Don't arrive expecting to cover the whole forest. Choose a section and explore it properly.

11. Holland Park

Holland Park is a great choice if you want autumn colour with something a little more varied.

You can move between woodland areas, gardens and open spaces, making the walk feel less repetitive.

The famous Kyoto Garden is also inside the park, although it is better to explore the wider park rather than treating the Japanese garden as the only destination.

This is a particularly nice option if you're already spending time around Kensington and Notting Hill.

Best for: A varied autumn walk with gardens and woodland.

12. Dulwich Park

South London has plenty of autumn colour too, and Dulwich Park is a good example.

The park has wide paths, mature trees, open lawns and water, giving you plenty of space to enjoy the season without feeling like you're following a tourist checklist.

It also works well as part of a wider South London day.

You could combine a walk around Dulwich Park with Dulwich Village, independent cafés and nearby galleries.

Best for: A slower South London autumn day.

13. Battersea Park

Battersea Park is another underrated option.

Its location beside the Thames means you can combine autumn trees with riverside scenery, while the park itself has gardens, paths and mature trees.

It is particularly useful if you've already explored central London and want somewhere less obvious.

You can also pair the walk with Battersea Power Station and the riverside afterwards.

Best for: Autumn leaves with a modern London backdrop.

14. Queen Mary's Gardens in Regent's Park

If you are already visiting Regent's Park, make time for Queen Mary's Gardens.

Queen Mary's Rose Garden is best known for its roses, but the surrounding Regent's Park landscape gives you plenty of autumn scenery beyond the rose beds.

This is a good reminder that seeing autumn leaves isn't necessarily about finding one enormous forest.

Sometimes the best experience comes from combining several smaller landscapes during one walk.

Best for: Combining gardens with a wider Regent's Park autumn walk.

15. Victoria Embankment Gardens

For something completely central and much smaller, try Victoria Embankment Gardens.

This isn't where you go for an enormous woodland adventure.

You go because you're already in central London and want a little seasonal greenery without travelling across the city.

The gardens sit close to the Thames, the Strand and Covent Garden, making them easy to include in a walking route.

Best for: A short autumn stop during a central London day.

When Is the Best Time to See Autumn Leaves in London?

This is where you need to be a little flexible.

There isn't one official “autumn leaves weekend” in London.

Different species change at different times, and weather conditions can speed up or delay the process.

Generally, October is a very good month to start looking for autumn colour, while November can bring deeper colour and more fallen leaves. Some trees may change earlier, while others can remain colourful later into the season.

Kew notes that its autumn displays vary through September, October and November, while The Royal Parks similarly presents autumn as a changing season rather than a single peak date.

So if you're planning a photography trip, don't wait for one supposedly perfect date.

Check the weather, look at recent photographs from the location and be prepared to adjust your plans.

The Best Places Depending on What You Want

Not every autumn location is right for every visitor.

For the most dramatic landscapes - Richmond Park

For photography - Kew Gardens

For woodland - Epping Forest

For a city skyline - Hampstead Heath

For autumn leaves and history - Greenwich Park

For a central London walk - St James's Park or Hyde Park

For a quieter South London day - Dulwich Park

For autumn and modern London - Battersea Park

For a classic London park - Regent's Park

How to Plan an Autumn Leaves Day in London

You don't necessarily need to spend the whole day looking for trees.

A better approach is to build the autumn scenery into a wider London day.

For example:

Richmond: Richmond Park → Richmond town centre → riverside walk → pub or café.

Greenwich: Greenwich Park → Royal Observatory → Greenwich Market → riverside.

Hampstead: Hampstead Heath → Parliament Hill → Hampstead Village → café or pub.

Kew: Kew Gardens → Kew village → riverside walk.

Regent's Park: Regent's Park → Primrose Hill → Marylebone → evening in central London.

This way, even if the foliage isn't at its absolute peak, you still have a worthwhile day.

A Few Tips for Photographing Autumn Leaves

If you're heading out with a camera or phone, don't only photograph a tree from a distance.

Look for layers.

A path covered in leaves can create a natural leading line. A bright tree beside dark green foliage creates contrast. Water can give you reflections, while a viewpoint such as Primrose Hill or Greenwich Park can put the autumn landscape against London's skyline.

And don't forget to look down.

Some of the best autumn photographs aren't of colourful trees at all. They're of fallen leaves covering a path, boots walking through them or a quiet bench surrounded by colour.

What Should You Wear?

London autumn weather can change quickly.

Wear comfortable shoes because some park paths can become muddy or slippery after rain. Layers are useful, and a lightweight waterproof jacket is worth carrying even when the morning looks clear.

You don't need to dress for the coldest possible day.

You need to be prepared for a London day that starts sunny, becomes windy, gets wet for twenty minutes and then somehow becomes sunny again.

That's autumn here.

Final Thoughts

You don't need to travel outside London to experience autumn properly.

One weekend could take you through the enormous landscapes of Richmond Park. Another could be spent beneath the trees at Kew. You could watch the city from Hampstead Heath, walk beneath Japanese maples in Greenwich Park or disappear into the woodland of Epping Forest.

And that's what makes autumn in London so good.

The season isn't confined to one part of the city.

It appears everywhere sometimes dramatically, sometimes quietly, and sometimes in places you walk past without noticing.

So when the leaves start changing, don't just look at the weather forecast.

Look up.

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