Why You Should Visit London in Autumn
With the inevitable cooler weather that autumn brings, many travellers are hesitant to visit London at this time of year. However, London in autumn can be an absolutely delightful experience. From the changing colours of the leaves to the jam-packed events calendar, London has so much to offer over the next few weeks. Read on to find out why you should visit London in autumn.
1. It’s less crowded
As autumn is the shoulder season in London, many tourists will be heading back home after spending the summer in the city. Everywhere will be much quieter, and exploring the likes of Madame Tussauds, the Tower of London and the British Museum will be more peaceful - you won’t have to queue for ages to get in.
There’ll also be fewer kids around as most will be back at school (except during half term, which falls on October 23rd to 27th this year). This makes London more enjoyable for anyone seeking a quieter visit to the capital.
2. There’s an abundance of events
If you’re visiting London in autumn, you can’t miss out on the cultural offerings. With Halloween and Bonfire Night on the horizon, there’s no shortage of events and festivals to choose from. Here’s just a glimpse of what you can expect:
Totally Thames Festival - an annual month-long celebration of the River Thames, featuring art exhibitions, performances, open-air concerts, river races and film screenings. (1 - 30 September)
Open House Festival - a two-week celebration of the city’s architecture. Members of the public will be able to enter buildings that are usually off-limits, such as the BT Tower, Prince Henry’s Room in Fleet Street and The Old Deanery in St Paul’s. (6 - 17 September)
London Fashion Week - attend runway shows and exhibitions at the hottest fashion event of the year. During the event, designers will showcase their latest collections for Spring/Summer 2024. (15 - 19 September)
BFI London Film Festival - a showcase of some of the most exciting upcoming films, with the chance to attend red carpet premieres and meet celebs. This year’s highlights include Saltburn, The Bikeriders, Poor Things, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and Killers of the Flower Moon. (4 - 15 October)
London Cocktail Week - Cocktail lovers rejoice! Discover the best bars in London and try new concoctions. (12 - 22 October)
MCM Comic Con - the hugely popular fan convention will return to ExCel in October, giving pop culture aficionados the opportunity to come together and dress up as their fave characters. (27 - 29 October)
But that’s not all - there are also many events across London for Diwali, Black History Month and Oktoberfest.
3. You can explore picturesque parks
Perhaps one of the best things about London in autumn is wandering around the parks and admiring the colourful trees. Take a crisp autumn walk through a London park and see the hues of red, orange and yellow that adorn the trees. Embrace your inner child and crunch through the fallen leaves. Befriend the squirrels that frolic amongst the autumn leaves and collect conkers to bring back home, to use as keepsakes or decorations. Regent’s Park, St James’s Park, Battersea Park and Greenwich Park are particularly stunning in autumn, and you won’t be able to resist capturing snaps for the ‘gram.
Be sure to catch the last of the summer sun in late September to mid-October before the days get shorter and the temperature drops.
4. It’s a great excuse to treat yourself to comforting food
As the weather changes (although let’s face it, summer hasn’t really been summering much this year), now’s the time for spending the evenings in a cosy pub and indulging in warming food amidst a roaring fire. You can’t go wrong with a hearty plate of Sunday roast or bangers & mash. Escape into an inviting independent cafe and sip on a mug of hot chocolate or PSL.
Oh, and while you’re exploring London, add a market or two to your list. At places like Borough Market and Spitalfields you can sample seasonal delights such as apple crumble, homemade pies and mulled wine, and stock up on chestnuts, apples and pumpkins to use in your own autumn-inspired recipes.
Autumn is an ideal time to schedule a trip to London, so book those tickets now!
Serena
