10 Autumnal Views Around London

Autumn in London means it’s barely sunrise when I head to work and quite dark by the time I head home.

The days are shorter, and the nights are longer; but sometimes you find a couple of crisp autumn days that truly show off London’s colorful splendor. I’ve taken the photos below the last few weeks, often when I’ve been cycling around or running around the city.

Here are my 10 Autumnal Views Around London:

Battersea Park

Luckily, we live close to a lovely park, Battersea Park, which I’ve come to call my Central Park after my years of living in New York City. No matter what the season, I’m happy to walk, run or cycle through this 200-acre (83-hectare) green space located on the southbank of the Thames River.

Richmond Park

Since we got mountain bikes this past spring, going to Richmond Park has become much easier. Now, I just wish that cars were banned traveling through the park or there were better designated cycle paths. If you visit this spatial park during October or November, you may see the local deer population during rutting season.

Richmond Hill overlooking Terrace Field and Gardens

After cycling through Richmond Park, you’ll probably find us at the local pub sitting on top of Richmond Hill overlooking the Thames River. Again, this is a lovely spot no matter the time of the year, especially at sunset.

St. James Park

The other Sunday we actually had a full day out in London. On the weekends, I’m often working and when I’m not working, we try to travel around the UK or in Europe. But on this particular day, we started out by watching a BFI film in Embankment Gardens, then we strolled through the city and ended up in St. James Park. Honestly, I tend to avoid this part of London because it’s filled with tourists, but I guess, now and then, it’s kinda fun to play tourist in your own city.

 

Hammersmith Bridge

Back down by the riverside, Hammersmith couldn’t feel more different than other parts of the city. Check out the old-fashioned pubs or enjoy a relaxing stroll by the Thames and the Grade II historical listing Hammersmith Bridge.

Bishops Park

I find that Fulham is a slightly bizarre area to reach by public transport, but much more accessible by bike. Bishops Park, formally opened in 1893, was originally part of the grounds of Fulham Palace. At the end of the nineteenth century the population of Fulham was increasing rapidly and there was a call for public spaces to be made available to improve public health and to provide an alternative to the pubs…funny enough. (Guess this would have been about the time of the Temperance Movement.) The park is a strange shape with a long area beside the river and a spur reaching up to the Fulham Palace Road, but it’s a decent green space to wander through. 

Wandsworth Park

Another large park that was created around the same time is Wandsworth Park, formally opened in 1903. At the end of the nineteenth century, Wandsworth was a heavily polluted suburb centered around the River Wandle with its iron mill, brass industry and brewery, and there was a public demand for green space. Today, Wandsworth Park is one of my favorite areas to cycle through because of its large plane trees lining the path.

Kynance Mews in Kensington

I had no idea that this SW7 location was so famous on Instagram. This Kensington archway, with its tumbling red leaves, has become one of London's most photographed autumn spots. We just happened to wander by, and I thought, ‘how pretty.’ I stopped to take a photo and had to wait for young gals to finish modelling in front of the red leaves!

Covent Garden

From now until Halloween, check out the humungous one-tonne pumpkin located inside Covent Garden. The pumpkin comes from a farm in Lymington, Hampshire, and took 110 days to grow to its current size. This is another London location where you must fight the queues to take a decent photo. Ugh!

Afterwards, get away from the crowds and find a peaceful autumn presence at St Paul's Church. 

Westminster Bridge

Though Big Ben is still under major renovations, it pays to stroll down the Thames near the Westminster Bridge. I’ve seen photos online showing the trees here with bright red leaves, which is clearly doctored. The oak trees here shed yellow, green and brown leaves and are just as lovely.

Where are you enjoying autumn right now?

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