London may not be the first place that pops into your mind when considering a fall destination, but it checks all the boxes with golden autumn leaves, cozy coffee shops, and crisp fall air. Keep reading to discover the best places to experience fall in London!
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8 Best Places to Experience Fall in London
Table of Contents
- Regent’s Park
- Host Cafe
- Little Venice
- Daunt Books
- St. Dunstan in the East
- Notting Hill
- Hyde Park
- Borough Market
- Final Thoughts
Regent’s Park
If I had to pick one favorite fall spot in London, it would be Regent’s Park.
This land was once a hunting ground for King Henry VIII, but was redesigned into a public park in the early 1800s for Prince Regent (who later became King George IV).
Today, this 410-acre park near the Marylebone neighborhood is one of London’s eight official Royal Parks.
While the entire park is beautiful, the Broad Walk is a dream in the fall. Here, you’ll find a tree-lined promenade that leads up to the Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Fountain.
This pathway turns into a tunnel of golden leaves during autumn, with benches along the pathway to sit and enjoy a cup of cocoa, read a book, or simply soak up the atmosphere.
The park does get busy, so visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Host Cafe
There’s nothing better on a chilly fall day than finding a cozy coffee shop. Especially when it’s a coffee shop that’s hidden in a centuries-old Gothic church.
Host Cafe is one of the prettiest and most unique cafes in London, where you can eat lunch while sitting in the church pews of St. Mary Aldermary Church.
St. Mary Aldermary Church is one of the oldest churches in London, with a history that dates back to the 12th century. The current Gothic design was rebuilt in 1682 by the famed architect Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.
Host Cafe serves coffee, tea, smoothies, pastries, soups, and focaccia sandwiches. I ordered the sun-dried tomato and mozzarella focaccia with a hot chocolate, and it was so delicious. The rich and creamy hot chocolate was made with hot milk poured over chocolate squares. Perfection on a cold day!
There are tables set up, or you can sit in the church pew to enjoy your lunch while admiring the beautiful architecture.
St. Mary Aldermary still has an active congregation, so it is closed on weekends for worship. The current hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4 pm.
Little Venice
Little Venice is one of London’s prettiest hidden gems, especially in the fall.
The 19th-century Regent’s Canal system near Paddington was originally built to transport goods between North London and the Thames.
Today, it’s a tranquil neighborhood lined with golden autumn trees, colorful houseboats, and leafy walkways.
I love just strolling along the canal, but you can also book a boat tour to cruise through the canals. You’ll pass by beautiful neighborhoods, popular landmarks, and you’ll even travel through a working lock.
If you want to grab a bite to eat, Cafe Laville sits on a bridge overlooking the water with a beautiful view of the canal. There are also a few different boats that have been repurposed into floating cafes, such as Waterside Cafe.
Daunt Books
Fall and books just go hand in hand, and Daunt Books is the perfect place to get lost among the shelves.
Daunt Books is a popular independent bookseller with shops all across London, but the prettiest and most iconic shop is the Marylebone location.
The bookstore is housed inside a historic 1912 Edwardian-style building that is believed to be the world’s first custom-built bookshop. Although the bookstore has changed names and ownership over the years, it has been devoted entirely to books for over a century!
This 3-story bookshop features oak balconies, skylights, and endless wooden shelves filled to the brim with a curated selection of books. It really is a book lover’s dream!
The neighborhood of Marylebone, where the bookstore is located, is darling as well. I love wandering these streets dotted with colorful leaves and lined with charming shops and cafes.
St. Dunstan in the East
If you love places that feel straight out of a storybook, don’t miss St. Dunstan in the East.
This medieval church was heavily damaged during the London Blitz in WWII, with only the tower, steeple, and a few exterior walls remaining.
Instead of tearing it down, the city used the shell of the church to create the most beautiful and unique public garden. It stands as a moving reminder that beauty can rise from ruins.
Walking into this space feels like you’ve discovered a secret garden. It has a haunting beauty that fits perfectly with the fall vibe.
Golden leaves blanket the ground where the nave once stood, and vines creep across moss-covered walls. The arched stone windows, once filled with intricate stained glass, now stand as ghosts of the past.
This hidden garden is located in the heart of the city, but it feels like you’ve stepped into a different world!
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is one of my favorite neighborhoods in London, but it’s especially charming in the fall.
I love strolling down Lansdowne Crescent, where golden leaves pop against elegant white row houses and the porches are adorned with pumpkins and fall decor.
On a gusty fall day, tuck into Layla Bakery to warm up with a hot chocolate and a buttery pastry. Or, cozy up in the Notting Hill Bookshop, which inspired Hugh Grant’s bookstore in Notting Hill.
You can spot other famous filming locations, like the blue door on Westbourne Park Road from Notting Hill, or the pink house in St. Luke’s Mews from Love Actually. You can also stop by Alice’s Antiques, which appeared as “Gruber’s Antiques” in the Paddington films.
The colorful rowhouses on Lancaster Road have also been featured in several movies, including A Hard Day’s Night.
If you’re visiting on the weekend, you can’t miss the famous Portobello Road Market, a one-mile stretch of vendors selling vintage treasures, antiques, and street food. You may just find the perfect vintage wool coat or boots for the fall!
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is another popular Royal Park, and is one of the best places to see the changing fall leaves.
Just as with Regent’s Park, Hyde Park also has a Broad Walk lined with colorful trees and inviting park benches.
It’s one of my favorite spots for an autumn stroll. There is just something magical about the sound of crunching leaves underfoot and golden leaves drifting down from the trees above.
Hyde Park also borders Kensington Palace, the official Royal residence since 1689. It is the former home of Princess Diana, and the current home for Prince William’s family.
I highly recommend taking a self-guided audio tour of the palace, where you can wander through the royal apartments and learn about the history of Britain’s monarchs.
There is so much history in this palace, and I loved hearing the stories that took place within these walls.
After your tour, grab a pastry and a hot drink from the cute Orangery Cafe located at the palace.
Borough Market
Borough Market is a good idea any time of year, but there is something extra special about visiting in the fall.
You’ll find that many of the food stalls feature seasonal flavors, like pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon, that can only be found in the fall.
One of my favorites is the Apple Cinnamon Crumble from Humble Crumble, with simmering apples and cinnamon, topped with a short-bread streusel and a warm custard sauce.
The seasonal donut flavors at Bread Ahead Bakery are also to die for, like the Pumpkin Spice donut filled with a spiced pumpkin and caramel custard.
The raclette from Kappacasein always hits the spot with hot cheese melted over seasoned potatoes.
For more recommendations, see our guide 5 Foods You HAVE to Try at London’s Borough Market.
Final Thoughts
While summer may be London’s busiest season, fall is arguably the most magical time to visit. You’ll find fewer crowds, lower hotel prices, and parks boasting beautiful fall foliage.
The best time to see the autumn colors is late October, when the leaves are at their peak. Yes, October and November are London’s rainiest months, but the moody weather adds to the cozy ambiance. When the drizzle starts, it’s the perfect excuse to duck into a cozy café or pub.
From golden parks to hidden cafés, London in the fall is pure magic. Hopefully, this list inspires you to bundle up, grab a hot chocolate, and see the city in all its autumn glory.
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