Top 10 Things to do in London this Autumn

Autumn in London isn't just about watching leaves turn golden in Hyde Park or sipping pumpkin spice latte. The city offers a plethora of unique experiences that capture the essence of the season. From foraging in ancient forests to paddling through neon-lit canals, we've curated a list of ten extraordinary autumn adventures that will help you see London in a whole new light. So grab your coat, embrace the crisp air, and get ready to explore the city's hidden autumnal gems.

1. Foraging Workshop in Epping Forest

As the leaves begin to turn, Epping Forest transforms into a forager's paradise. This autumn, instead of just admiring the foliage, why not learn to identify and collect nature's bounty? 

Join a guided foraging workshop in this ancient woodland on the outskirts of London. Expert foragers will teach you to spot edible mushrooms like chanterelles and puffballs, and how to distinguish them from their poisonous lookalikes. You'll also learn to identify autumn berries and nuts, as well as edible plants that thrive in the cooler months.

Not only will you connect with nature and London's wild side, but you'll also go home with a basket of foraged goodies. It's a fantastic way to appreciate autumn's abundance and see the forest through new eyes.

2. Neon Night Kayaking on Regent's Canal

As the days grow shorter, embrace the darkness with a unique twist on London's waterways. Neon Night Kayaking on Regent's Canal offers a truly psychedelic autumn experience.

Don a provided wetsuit and hop into a kayak decked out with colourful LED lights. As you paddle along the canal, you'll create a mesmerising light show on the water. The reflection of the neon lights on the dark water, combined with the silhouettes of overhanging trees and passing buildings, creates a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere.

This 90-minute guided tour takes you past landmarks like the London Zoo and through the echoey Islington Tunnel. It's a unique way to see familiar sights in a completely new light and add a splash of colour to those darkening autumn evenings.

3. Underground Supper Club in a Decommissioned Tube Carriage

For a truly unique dining experience this autumn, head to the Basement Galley's Underground Supper Club. Hosted in a decommissioned 1967 Victoria line carriage, this pop-up restaurant offers a memorable meal in an extraordinary setting.

The carriage, parked in a secret location in Walthamstow, has been converted into an intimate dining space. Chefs serve up a seasonal menu featuring the best of British autumn produce, with dishes that might include roasted pumpkin soup, venison with blackberries, or apple and cinnamon crumble.

As you dine, you'll enjoy the novelty of sitting in a piece of London's transport history, complete with the original fixtures and fittings. It's a perfect way to celebrate autumn's harvest while experiencing a slice of London's past.

4. Taxidermy Workshop at Last Tuesday Society

If you want something a bit different, embrace the Victorian gothic vibes of autumn with a taxidermy workshop at the eccentric Last Tuesday Society in Hackney. This quirky venue, part cocktail bar, part curiosity museum, offers beginners' taxidermy classes that are particularly fitting for the season.

Under the guidance of an expert taxidermist, you'll learn the basics of this macabre art form. You'll be provided with a mouse specimen and all the necessary tools to create your own taxidermy piece. 

As you work, you'll be surrounded by the Society's collection of oddities and curiosities, adding to the delightfully spooky atmosphere. It's a hands-on way to connect with the Victorian traditions that still influence London's autumn ambiance.

5. Autumn Gin Blending Masterclass

As the weather cools, warm up with a bespoke gin blending masterclass. Several distilleries in London offer these experiences, but look for one that focuses on autumn-inspired botanicals.

In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn about the history of gin in London and the distilling process. Then, guided by expert distillers, you'll create your own unique gin blend using a variety of botanicals. For an autumnal twist, you might experiment with ingredients like apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, or even pumpkin.

At the end of the session, you'll bottle your own personalised gin to take home a perfect souvenir of your London autumn adventure and a great addition to those cosy nights in. Some venues even keep your recipe on file so you can reorder your custom blend in the future.

6. Jack the Ripper Escape Room Experience

As the nights draw in and a chill settles over London, immerse yourself in one of the city's most infamous historical mysteries with a Jack the Ripper-themed escape room in Whitechapel.

This immersive experience transports you back to Victorian London, where you'll step into the shoes of detectives trying to solve the Whitechapel murders. The room is meticulously designed to recreate the atmosphere of 1888 East London, complete with gas lamps, cobblestone streets, and period-accurate props.

You and your team will have 60 minutes to decipher clues, solve puzzles, and uncover the identity of Jack the Ripper before he strikes again. It's a thrilling way to engage with London's dark history and perfect for those crisp autumn evenings when you're in the mood for something spine-chilling.

7. Canopy Walkway at Kew Gardens

Experience autumn colours from a whole new perspective at Kew Gardens' Treetop Walkway. This 200-metre long, 18-metre high pathway takes you on a journey through the canopy of some of Kew's most beautiful trees.

As you stroll among the treetops, you'll be surrounded by a spectacular display of autumnal hues. The bird's-eye view offers a unique opportunity to observe the changing seasons, from the gradual transformation of leaves to the activity of wildlife preparing for winter.

Along the walkway, interactive displays provide information about the surrounding ecosystem and the science behind autumn's colour changes. It's a chance to see one of London's most beloved gardens from a new angle and gain a deeper appreciation for the seasonal cycle.

8. Twilight Tour of Highgate Cemetery

For a hauntingly beautiful autumn experience, join a twilight tour of Highgate Cemetery. As dusk falls and shadows lengthen, this Victorian necropolis takes on an ethereal quality that's perfect for the season.

The tour takes you through the atmospheric East Cemetery, final resting place of numerous notable figures including Karl Marx and Douglas Adams. You'll learn about Victorian funerary customs, symbolism in grave architecture, and the famous (and infamous) residents of the cemetery.

As darkness descends, the tour guide's lantern will cast flickering shadows among the ivy-covered tombstones and angel statues, creating a delightfully spooky ambiance. It's a unique way to explore one of London's most significant historical sites and embrace the gothic mood of autumn.

9. Secret London Pub Crawl

Discover the hidden corners of London's drinking scene with a secret pub crawl focused on historic and unusual venues. As the weather turns cooler, there's nothing quite like a cosy pub to warm your spirits.

This isn't your typical pub crawl. You'll visit hidden speakeasies, historic taverns with literary connections, and pubs with quirky themes or intriguing histories. Each stop on the crawl will offer a seasonal ale or an autumn-inspired cocktail to sample.

You might find yourself sipping a spiced pumpkin ale in a pub that was once Charles Dickens' favourite haunt, or trying a blackberry and thyme gin fizz in a secret bar hidden behind a bookcase. It's a fantastic way to explore London's lesser-known nooks and crannies while indulging in some seasonal libations.

10. Autumn Bat Walks in Richmond Park

As twilight descends earlier in autumn, seize the opportunity to witness London's nocturnal wildlife with guided bat walks in Richmond Park. This after-dark adventure offers a unique way to experience one of London's largest Royal Parks.

Led by experienced bat ecologists, you'll use specialist equipment including bat detectors to locate and identify different bat species. As you wander through the park's ancient woodlands and open grasslands, you'll learn about the various types of bats that call London home, their behaviours, and their crucial role in the ecosystem.

The walk typically starts just before sunset, allowing you to witness the park's transition from day to night. As darkness falls, you'll see (and hear through the detectors) bats emerging to feed, offering a rare glimpse into their mysterious nocturnal world.

To Conclude

There’s so much to do in London in Autumn, from foraging in ancient woodlands to kayaking through neon-lit canals, creating your own autumn-inspired gin to solving Victorian mysteries, these unique experiences showcase a different side of London. They allow you to engage with the city's history, nature, and culture in new and exciting ways.

As the days grow shorter and the air gets crisper, let these extraordinary autumn adventures inspire you to explore London beyond the typical seasonal activities. Embrace the changing season with experiences that will create lasting memories and give you a fresh perspective on this amazing city!