Discover the best places in London to appreciate the season in all its glory
Thanks to a wet spring and a warm summer this autumn is shaping up to be one of the most colourful for years, so get out there and enjoy it while you can. We’ve chosen five places in and around London to see the season in all its technicolor glory, so pull on your wellies and get exploring!
BURNHAM BEECHES, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
A golden carpet of rustling beech leaves awaits you at this beautiful ancient woodland to the west of London, just outside Slough. Many of the trees are pollarded – a technique that controls a tree’s height and encourages the production of more branches, but also extends its lifespan, hence their enormous age and girth!
THE KYOTO GARDEN, HOLLAND PARK
Acers have perhaps the most colourful foliage of all trees, and one of the best spots to see them is in the Kyoto Garden in London’s Holland Park. Created in 1991 for the Japan Festival of London, the garden also features a carp-filled pond complete with waterfall, bridge and viewing platform.
KEW GARDENS, KEW
Not all autumnal colour has to come from foliage - the glorious hues of pumpkins and squashes can brighten up the dullest veggie patch. The spectacular Pumpkin Pyramid in the Waterlily House at Kew Gardens showcases some 75 varieties, and pumpkin carving classes are also on offer this week until 3rd November.
OSTERLEY PARK, ISLEWORTH
A Robert Adam masterpiece, Osterley Park has enough architectural interest to keep you happy for hours. But at this time of year, it has to vie for your attention with the surrounding park and gardens, transformed into a fiery landscape of scarlet, gold and yellow. Acers, mulberries and rowan trees all add their colours to the mix, as do horse chestnuts – ask the rangers where to find the best conkers!
HAMPSTEAD HEATH
Hampstead Heath (pictured top) occupies a special place in our hearts – after all, it’s where GROW London will be happening next summer. With a variety of habitats and over 800 identified veteran trees autumn is always a photographer’s dream, and it’s also the perfect time to explore the heath looking for some of the 350 different types of fungi that flourish there. The next foray is on 9th November – call 020 8458 0652 for more details.