It’s the season’s crisp days, orange-hued leaves and fruitful produce that give autumn in England a charm that sets it apart from any other time of the year.
And with both harvest festivals and the fireworks displays of Bonfire night, it’s also a season that’s distinguished by its long-held traditions, bringing people together up and down the country.
From long, leisurely walks through London’s picturesque parks to sampling the best of the British game season, here are a few of our favourite reasons to visit England in autumn.
The Autumn Leaves
Perhaps the most immediate appeal of autumn is the arrival of the autumnal leaves when parks, gardens and tree-lined streets are enveloped in fiery red and orange foliage. On cool, crisp days like these, it’s the simple pleasure of taking a stroll beneath the trees that’s often most rewarding.
From the capital’s cultivated Royal Parks to the vast open spaces of Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park, there are a multitude of places to enjoy the great outdoors in London.
Richmond Park is one of the most alluring at this time when deer roam the vast pocket of greenery, and autumn leaves fall from the trees. Here, visitors can follow the park’s trails and hire a bicycle for further exploration.
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is another worthwhile trip and one that plenty of time should be dedicated to, with the Botanic Gardens, a Treetop Walkway and Kew Palace among its many attractions. In October, visitors to Kew can also join the ticketed Autumn Colour Photo Walk, which will be led by award-winning nature photographer Robert Canis.
The Season’s Cuisine
After September’s abundance of fresh oysters and flourishing apples, pears, and blackberries come to the pumpkins and artichokes of October, alongside wild mushrooms, foraged truffles, and hearty pheasant and partridge as we welcome Britain’s game season.
It’s then not long to wait for the chestnuts to arrive. In fact, the land flourishes with fresh produce during these fruitful months, from hedgerows and woodland to farmland and orchards.
These fresh ingredients are brought together by chefs in top restaurants across London, but it’s in the city’s farmers’ markets that this produce can be found in its natural state. Few of London’s gastronomic markets are as well known or respected as Borough Market, which displays the best British produce throughout the year, with skilled chefs cooking up aromatic fare and hosting the occasional cooking demonstration.
To take in London’s landmarks during your time in the city, join our London in One Day tour, or for further exploration, set out on a journey to the Lake District when the autumn foliage is at its most striking, ensuring an exceptional trip to England in autumn.
