Reasons to Visit London in the Autumn

Published: July 17, 2024

Planning your trip to the English capital? Keep reading to find out why you'll want to avoid the crowds and take in London in the Autumn

While some of you may be mourning the end of long and hot Summer days, we're excited to welcome Autumn! The days are shorter, the air is crisper and despite the odd rain-shower, we've got the lowdown on why you'll want to visit London in the Autumn. From autumn walks through London's parks and cosy pubs to outdoor ice-skating and more, there's plenty going on in London during the Autumn season. So what are you waiting for? Head out and enjoy it!

Beat the crowds

London's top attractions tend to be busy all year round, however, during the Autumn months, the tour groups aren't as regular an occurrence and it is noticeably quieter. Whilst the city is a buzzing hive of tourist activity during the Summer months, a quieter vibe descends upon the city once September rolls around which means less time queuing at attractions such as Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and Shakespeare's Globe, and fewer crowds to weave through in the museums so you get more time to see the exhibitions and artefacts.

Layer up

Flex your fashionable muscles and layer up for the chilly Autumn weather! Arguably the most stylish time of year, immerse yourself like a London local with your chic trench coats and knee-high boots!

Spooktacular Fun

While us Brits may not be automatically associated with big Halloween celebrations, you'd be surprised! With a whole month dedicated to the macabre, ghost tours and family-friendly events around town, there's plenty going on through October to celebrate the spooky season. Don't forget to pop by the London Zoo for their annual "Boo at the Zoo" spooktacular with arts 'n crafts, animal demonstrations and hands-on fun!

Autumn Walks

Whether you're strolling along the River Thames, walking through the leaves in Hyde Park or admiring the chestnut trees in Greenwich Park, there's no shortage to outdoor activities in the Autumn. With plenty of green spaces dotted around the city, London's parks and gardens appear to be doused in a golden hue; paired with the crisper temperature, outdoor strolls are an almost compulsory activity if you plan to visit London in the Autumn. Bonus: take a stroll down to the river and hop on a City Cruise boat tour to take in the riverside sights, bathed in a golden Autumn hue.

Wildlife Watching

While we're outdoors - Autumn is a great time of the year to sneak a peek at the wildlife in some of London's green spots. Head over to the London Wetland Centre to see wading birds, ducks, water voles, bats, lizards and otters enjoying the Autumn sunshine.

Cultural Season

When the weather cools down outside, it's time to head indoors and enjoy the range of cultural events during the city's autumn season. From exhibitions and plays to musicals and more, there's plenty of culture to indulge in this Autumn. Don't forget to check out London Pass Concierge where London Pass holders can enjoy exclusive discounts and deals.

Image via Tower of London facebook

Outdoor Ice-skating

Strap on those skates because it's time to hit the ice! Every autumn and winter, iconic attractions around the city set up outdoor ice-skating rinks so you can glide along the ice in the grounds of stunning landmarks such as the Tower of London and the Natural History Museum. Don't forget your gloves!

Museum Wandering

If you're visiting London in the Autumn, there is a chance it can drizzle outside, so if you want to warm up, head to one of London's iconic museums and prepare to lose yourself wandering through all the art and artefacts. Whether you're visiting the mummies at the British Museum, warming up with tea and scones at the V&A or coming face to face with portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, it's easy to spend hours wandering the halls.

Cosy pubs

Us Brits have made a hobby of going to the pub so it's no surprise that in spite of the change in weather, you will still find us gathering with friends down the local pub. The best part about heading to the pub during the Autumn is that the inside becomes a cosy, warm and inviting sanctuary from the cooler outdoors and most pubs start serving heart-warming tipples such as mulled wine and hot toddies.

Vanessa Teo
London Travel Expert

Build your unique London itinerary with our trip planner

Who's going?
Adult
1
Child (5-15)
0
How many days?

What do you want to see?

Continue reading

Tower of London
Blog

Top 7 Photography Spots in London (& Giveaway!)

Go City x MPB Giveaway! Go City is teaming up with MPB, the world’s largest platform for used photo and video kit, to giveaway a chance to make your photography trip dreams come true. One lucky winner will win an attraction pass to any Go City destination, plus £500 worth of used camera gear from MPB! Two runners-up will also receive a Go City attraction pass and £250 credit to spend at MPB. The giveaway opens for entries from December 1st, 2022 to December 31st, 2022, so don't miss your chance to enter! Simply fill out your details and keep your eyes peeled on your inbox on the 10th January 2023, when the winners will be picked at random. We've put together a list of the top 7 photography locations in London to get you started on your photography adventure: 1. The Shard This one's a no-brainer. Standing at a whopping 309.6 meters, the Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom so it's no surprise that the pictures you'll capture from the observation deck will be top-notch. We recommend heading up to the top at golden hour for some pretty spectacular sunset shots of the city, or if you're willing to play around with long exposure shots, visiting at night will provide you with amazing images capturing the buzz from above. You can also get creative from the street level. Wander through the narrow lanes of Southwark to capture the giant structure from below and lit up in all its glory. 2. Tower Bridge Tower Bridge, the most iconic bridge in the city, is another of our fave photo ops. Not only are you able to get some pretty impressive snaps from the riverbanks on either side, but taking a visit inside will provide you with some even more spectacular content. Capture stunning panoramic views of the city from the walkways between the towers and take a daring walk over the glass floor to snap a fleeting moment of London life. The best time to photograph the bridge is early in the morning, as you'll capture the sun casting its silhouette as it rises. It doesn't get much better than that. 3. Tower of London Just over from Tower Bridge on the north bank, you'll stumble across the Tower of London. Officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and home to the Crown Jewels and Yeoman Warders, a visit to this attraction is a history lovers' dream. Besides this, there's also some great content for photographers. The striking historical architecture appears great on camera, so take your time on your visit to snap some interesting shots of the grounds as you're sure to get something wonderfully unique! 4. London Eye A shot of the London Eye can't be missed as it's Europe's tallest observation wheel. Get the perfect snap of the most popular London attraction from across the river on Victoria Embankment. You'll be away from the chaos of tourists which will allow you to get creative with angles and lighting. 5. Chinatown Contemporary art statues, ornate gold lions, bright and bold dragons, glistening lanterns, and glowing neon lights, you won't be short of things to capture as you stroll through the streets of this East Asian enclave in central London. Don't miss the famous gate at Wardour Street. This location provides you with the perfect opportunity to gain an insight into Chinese culture and religion, right in the heart of the city. Why not stop for a bite to eat whilst you're here? It would be rude not to. 6. Southbank The riverbanks of the Thames are a brilliant photography location as you can see so much in one go! Take a stroll along Southbank on a sunny Sunday afternoon and you'll capture the hustle and bustle of the city at the weekend. Whether it's the stunning historical building of St Paul's Cathedral, the modern engineering of Millenium Bridge, skaters in action at the famous undercroft of Southbank Centre, or people simply enjoying their London vacation, you're guaranteed to find multiple interesting shots along Southbank. 7. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Fancy capturing something a little bit different on your vacation to London? Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 50,000 different species of flora. A trip to the gardens gives you the opportunity to take photos of the best nature has to offer. Among the variety of plants and trees, you'll find all sorts of wildlife and some spectacular structures such as the Great Pagoda in the Japanese Gardens or the Temperate House, a beautiful Victorian glasshouse housing over 10,000 endangered species. Anyway, enough from us. We've given you the locations, the pass and all the gear so now it's your turn to get out there and see what you can do. All images in this blog were taken by MPB using the London Pass to gain entry to London's top attractions! Happy snapping!
Cara Merren
London Zoo
Blog

Win an Overnight Stay in London Zoo this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. WIN an overnight stay in London Zoo this Black Friday Ever wondered what it's like to be in the zoo once the gates are shut? Well now's your chance! Come behind the scenes at the Land of the Lions exhibit and spend the night in a ZSL London Zoo Lodge. Bed down within roaring distance of the Asiatic lions and wake up to the sounds of roaring lions, singing gibbons, honking flamingos and neighbouring native wildlife. Escape to the jungle without even leaving the city! What's included? Once you arrive you'll be treated to a complimentary drink as well as, not one, but two exclusive after-hours tours of the zoo – one at sunset and one after-dark. You'll enjoy a delicious two-course dinner on the night and a tasty breakfast buffet in the morning, before you head off on yet another exclusive tour where you'll get to meet and chat with a ZSL Zookeeper. Still up for more? You'll also get free entry into ZSL London Zoo for two days either side of your stay and on the second day you can also visit ZSL Whipsnade Zoo for even more animal adventures. How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any London Pass® between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions.
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield

Get your free guidebook!

Plan your perfect trip with our insider guide – top attractions, itineraries and local tips straight to your inbox.