12 Best London Parks for Fall Foliage Photography

A golden maple leaf spirals down through the crisp October air, landing softly on the dewy grass of Richmond Park as a red deer raises its majestic head in the distance. The morning mist clings to the ancient oaks, their branches ablaze with autumn’s final masterpiece. This is London in fall—a city transformed into a photographer’s paradise where every park becomes a canvas painted in burnished golds, fiery reds, and deep russets.

London may be famous for its grey skies and drizzly weather, but come autumn, this sprawling metropolis reveals a secret that even many locals overlook: it’s officially classified as a forest, with over one-fifth of the city covered in trees. From late September through November, these urban woodlands burst into a spectacular display of color that rivals New England’s famous fall foliage. Whether you’re a professional photographer hunting for that perfect shot or an Instagram enthusiast seeking to capture autumn’s fleeting beauty, London’s parks offer an embarrassment of riches.

What makes London particularly special for autumn photography is the sheer diversity of its green spaces. From the wild, untamed beauty of Hampstead Heath to the manicured elegance of St. James’s Park, each location offers its own unique character and photographic opportunities. The city’s temperate climate means the color change happens gradually, typically peaking between mid-October and early November, giving photographers a generous window to capture the transformation.

1. Richmond Park: Where Deer Roam Through Golden Forests

If there were an award for autumn colors in London, Richmond Park would undoubtedly claim the crown. Spanning 955 acres, it’s home to over 1,200 ancient trees, including the oldest oaks in the city. This vast expanse of wilderness in southwest London transforms into a photographer’s dream each autumn, offering endless compositions of golden meadows, ancient woodlands, and the park’s most famous residents—650 free-roaming red and fallow deer.

The magic of Richmond Park in autumn lies not just in its size but in its diversity. For maximum photo opportunities though, head to the Isabella Plantation, a 40-acre woodland garden. Acers and the ‘sacred bamboo’ plant are among the foliage offering fiery orange and blood red shades at this time of year, which reflect beautifully in the three ponds.

October and November mark the deer rutting season, when stags clash antlers in dramatic displays of dominance. Photographing these magnificent creatures against a backdrop of autumn foliage creates images that seem more suited to the Scottish Highlands than London’s suburbs. Use a telephoto lens (at least 200mm) to maintain a safe distance—the park authorities recommend staying at least 50 meters away from the deer, especially during rutting season.

Photography Tips:

• Arrive early morning for misty conditions and golden hour light filtering through the trees
• The view from King Henry’s Mound offers a protected vista all the way to St. Paul’s Cathedral, framed by autumn colors
• Pembroke Lodge provides an elevated position for panoramic shots across the Thames Valley

2. Hampstead Heath: Wild Beauty and Panoramic Views

The fall colors were gorgeous, and Hampstead Heath looked particularly striking in the bright autumn sunshine. This 790-acre expanse of ancient heath offers a completely different character from London’s more formal parks. With its rolling meadows, ancient woodlands, and swimming ponds, Hampstead Heath feels wonderfully wild and untamed, making it perfect for photographers seeking natural, unstructured compositions.

The way the light filtered through the trees was enchanting. It cast long shadows over the carpet of fallen leaves, giving it a haunting quality. Parliament Hill, one of London’s highest points, provides spectacular views across the city skyline—imagine capturing the distant silhouette of the Shard and St. Paul’s Cathedral through a foreground of golden autumn branches.

The heath’s numerous ponds offer exceptional opportunities for reflection photography. The Viaduct Pond, with its distinctive bridge, creates particularly striking images when surrounded by autumn colors. Meanwhile, the wooded areas around Kenwood House provide more intimate forest scenes, where you might spot a maple tree turning from dark green to golden red branch by branch.

Photography Tips:

• The Hill Garden and Pergola offer architectural elements draped with autumn vines
• Early morning mist often settles in the valleys between the hills, creating atmospheric conditions
• The mixed deciduous woodland means a longer color-changing season, from early October through late November

3. Kew Gardens: A World of Autumn Colors

With over 14,000 trees from around the world, Kew Gardens is a spectacular place to enjoy nature year-round and one of the best places in London to see the changing autumn leaves. This UNESCO World Heritage Site isn’t just a botanical garden—it’s a living museum of trees from every continent, each bringing its own autumn palette to the 326-acre landscape.

The crisp air creates an enchanting experience. As the leaves fall and the seasons change, Kew Gardens reminds us of the ever-changing cycles of life and the enduring beauty of nature. The arboretum alone offers endless photographic possibilities, with specimens ranging from North American maples that turn brilliant scarlet to Asian ginkgos that transform into pools of golden yellow.

The Treetop Walkway offers stunning views of colourful autumn leaves from up high. Also take the Lake Crossing to see the autumnal colours reflected in the waters. This 18-meter high walkway provides a unique perspective for photographers, allowing you to capture the canopy from above—a viewpoint rarely available in other London parks.

Photography Tips:

• The Japanese Gateway and surrounding acers create scenes reminiscent of Kyoto in fall
• For a satisfyingly symmetrical shot for the ‘Gram, head to the Pagoda Vista near the Victoria Gate, and look towards the Pagoda itself to find it framed in reds and oranges
• Visit on weekdays to avoid crowds and capture the gardens in peaceful solitude

4. Hyde Park: Central London’s Golden Heart

Pretty in golden tones and green hues, Hyde Park is one of the most famous of all the Royal Parks in central London. Covering 350 acres with over 4,000 trees, Hyde Park offers accessibility combined with stunning autumn displays. The park’s central location means you can easily combine photography here with visits to nearby attractions.

The rustle of fallen leaves underfoot as I stroll through the park is one of my favourite autumn sounds. The tree-lined avenues, particularly along the Serpentine Lake, create natural tunnels of gold and amber that are perfect for both landscape and portrait photography. The morning light filtering through the London plane trees along Rotten Row creates particularly magical conditions.

The Serpentine Lake itself becomes a mirror for autumn colors, with rowing boats adding charming elements to compositions. The Italian Gardens at the northern end of the lake provide architectural elements that contrast beautifully with the organic shapes of fall foliage.

Photography Tips:

• The view from Serpentine Bridge looking towards the lake’s fountains, framed by autumn trees, is iconic
• Early morning joggers and dog walkers add life and scale to wide landscape shots
• The park’s numerous benches, many with dedications, make poignant foreground elements

5. St. James’s Park: Royal Views in Autumn Splendor

Take St James’s Park — that stunning view from the lake bridge looking east towards Horse Guards goes technicolour at this time of year, with the London Eye and palatial-looking government buildings flanked by fiery hues. As London’s oldest Royal Park, St. James’s offers a more formal, manicured approach to autumn beauty, with carefully planned vistas that seem designed for photographers.

The park’s famous pelicans, a gift from the Russian Ambassador in 1664, make unique subjects when photographed against the autumn backdrop. The Blue Bridge spanning the central lake provides the park’s most famous viewpoint, where you can capture Buckingham Palace in one direction and Horse Guards Parade in the other, both framed by seasonal colors.

Photography Tips:

• The weeping willows around the lake turn a beautiful golden yellow and create curtains of color
• Duck Island in the center of the lake becomes particularly photogenic when surrounded by fall reflections
• The flower beds near the Mall often feature late-blooming plants that add pops of color to autumn scenes

6. Battersea Park: Riverside Autumn Magic

Battersea Park covers an area of about 200 acre by the River Thames between Chelsea Bridge and Albert Bridge. This Victorian park offers a perfect blend of formal gardens and naturalistic landscapes, with the added bonus of riverside views that become particularly atmospheric in autumn.

The park’s Sub-Tropical Garden creates unexpected photographic opportunities, with exotic plants providing unusual autumn colors and textures. The Old English Garden, with its traditional layout, offers more classical autumn scenes with structured beds surrounded by colorful trees. In Autumn and Winter that means lots of lovely leaves on the ground, beautiful light (especially around sunset) and photos with the bridge and temple and Battersea Power Station in the background.

The iconic Peace Pagoda, a gift from Japanese Buddhist monks, creates a striking focal point when photographed through autumn branches. The boating lake, surrounded by mature trees, offers perfect reflection opportunities, especially during the golden hour.

Photography Tips:

• The tree-lined carriageway creates a stunning tunnel of color in late October
• Albert Bridge, illuminated at dusk, makes a romantic backdrop for autumn portraits
• The riverside promenade offers unique angles combining fall foliage with Thames views

7. Regent’s Park: Autumn Avenues and Rose Gardens

Every autumn, the delightful Regent’s Park in central London lights up in stunning shades of warm oranges, golden yellows, and deep reds. With its 395 acres of carefully designed landscapes, Regent’s Park offers some of London’s most photogenic autumn scenes, particularly along its formal tree-lined avenues.

Over in Regent’s Park, the Broad Walk pedestrian path running north-south really comes into its own, the wide, tree-lined avenue becoming a golden tunnel. This spectacular avenue, designed by John Nash in the 1820s, becomes a photographer’s paradise in autumn, with its regiment of trees creating perfect symmetry and leading lines.

The Avenue Gardens: This section of the park is particularly enchanting in the fall. Stroll along tree-lined paths, and you’ll be greeted by a radiant canopy of red and golden leaves. The reflection of any fall color you can dream of in the nearby water features creates a mesmerizing canvas.

Photography Tips:

• Queen Mary’s Gardens retains some late roses that contrast beautifully with fall foliage
• The Japanese Garden Island offers intimate scenes with acers reflecting in the water
• Primrose Hill, technically separate but adjacent, provides panoramic views of London through autumn trees

8. Holland Park: Kyoto in Kensington

Situated in the borough of Kensington, Holland Park is both the name of a cute street and open park. Though relatively small at 54 acres, Holland Park punches above its weight in terms of autumn photography opportunities, particularly thanks to its famous Kyoto Garden.

I recommend Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park. The fiery maple trees create a stunning autumnal display, offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city. This authentic Japanese garden, created for the 1991 London Festival of Japan, features carefully placed maples, a waterfall, and koi-filled ponds that create scenes more reminiscent of Japan than London.

The formal Dutch Garden provides geometric patterns that contrast beautifully with the organic shapes of falling leaves, while the woodland walk offers a more wild, natural setting for photography. The remnants of Holland House, bombed during WWII, add a romantic, melancholic element to autumn compositions.

Photography Tips:

• Visit the Kyoto Garden early morning when the koi are most active and the light is soft
• The Opera House terrace offers elevated views over the park’s autumn canopy
• The Dahlia Garden often blooms into October, adding vibrant colors to autumn scenes

9. Hampstead’s Secret Gardens: Parliament Hill Fields

Beyond the main expanse of Hampstead Heath lies Parliament Hill Fields, a lesser-known gem that offers some of North London’s finest autumn views. The athletic track surrounded by plane trees creates interesting geometric compositions, while the more wild areas provide natural woodland scenes.

The nearby Hampstead Village streets, particularly Flask Walk and Well Walk, offer charming urban autumn scenes with Georgian houses framed by colorful trees. The historic Hampstead Cemetery provides atmospheric photography opportunities with Victorian monuments surrounded by ancient trees in full autumn dress.

Photography Tips:

• The bandstand on Parliament Hill Fields makes an excellent focal point for wide-angle autumn shots
• Gospel Oak station’s tree-lined approach creates a tunnel of color in late October
• The hidden Hampstead Pergola becomes draped with red Virginia creeper in autumn

10. Greenwich Park: Maritime Heritage Meets Autumn Splendor

Blackheath Avenue in Greenwich Park creates another of London’s spectacular tree tunnels in autumn. This royal park, with its maritime connections and hilltop observatory, offers unique photographic opportunities combining history with natural beauty.

The view from the top of Greenwich Park toward the Thames and Canary Wharf becomes particularly striking when framed by autumn foliage. The Flower Garden maintains color late into the season, while the ancient sweet chestnut trees, some over 400 years old, provide magnificent subjects for detail shots of bark textures and fallen leaves.

The formal avenue leading to the Queen’s House creates perfect symmetry for architectural photography, while the more naturalistic areas around the deer park offer wildlife photography opportunities similar to Richmond Park but on a smaller scale.

Photography Tips:

• The Rangers House rose garden retains some blooms into October for color contrast
• The meridian line at the Observatory creates interesting compositional elements with autumn trees
• Sunset from the hilltop, with autumn colors in the foreground and city lights beginning to twinkle, is magical

11. Victoria Park: East London’s Green Heart

The tree walks are especially beautiful in autumn when the foliage transforms into a spectacular canvas of reds, oranges, and golds. This 213-acre park in Hackney offers a more local, authentic London experience compared to the tourist-heavy royal parks, with the added bonus of fantastic autumn displays.

The park’s two lakes provide excellent reflection opportunities, while the Chinese Pagoda on the island in the West Lake creates an exotic focal point for autumn compositions. The tree-lined avenues, particularly those near the bandstand, create natural frames for photography, while the wide open spaces allow for dramatic sky and cloudscape backgrounds to autumn scenes.

Photography Tips:

• The model boat pond surrounded by plane trees offers intimate reflection shots
• The Old English Garden provides structure and late-season color
• Early morning mist often settles over the lakes, creating ethereal conditions

12. Alexandra Park: Panoramic Autumn Views

Here you can explore 196 acres of parkland with amazing views overlooking the London skyline in the distance. Much of the park has been left untouched with large trees and a surprisingly rural feel. Crowned by the iconic Alexandra Palace, this North London park offers something unique: the ability to capture autumn colors with the entire London skyline as a backdrop.

Autumn scene at Alexandra park with Alexandra Palace in north London creates dramatic compositions, especially when the palace is lit during evening events. The formal tree-lined avenues near the palace contrast with the wilder areas of the park, offering diverse photographic opportunities.

Photography Tips:

• The view from the palace terrace at sunset, with autumn trees in the foreground and London spread below, is unmatched
• The boating lake surrounded by weeping willows creates intimate autumn scenes
• The conservation area maintains wild meadows that turn golden brown in autumn

Planning Your Autumn Photography Adventure

When to Visit

Typically, the leaves begin to change colour in London around mid October, with the peak of the best of the leaves being towards the end of October. In an average year, most of the leaves have dropped by mid-November. However, London’s microclimate means different parks peak at slightly different times. Start monitoring Instagram hashtags and local photography groups from late September to track the progression.

Weather Considerations

Autumn tends to be a mix of clear, crisp days with blue skies that are perfect for walks in the park to admire the beautiful autumnal foliage. It’s also known to get a little wild, wet, and windy at times too. These varying conditions each offer unique photographic opportunities—misty mornings create atmosphere, rain intensifies colors, and wind adds movement to your shots.

Essential Gear

• Polarizing filter: Reduces reflections on wet leaves and intensifies colors
• Tripod: Essential for early morning and late afternoon golden hour shots
• Macro lens: For detailed shots of individual leaves and textures
• Wide-angle lens: To capture sweeping landscape vistas
• Waterproof camera cover: London’s autumn weather is notoriously unpredictable

Golden Hour Magic

Autumn’s lower sun angle means extended golden hours, particularly in the morning. The light quality between 7-9 AM in October is simply magical, with long shadows and warm tones that make autumn colors glow. Evening golden hour, typically 3-5 PM in late October, offers similar conditions but with different shadow directions.

Composition Techniques

• Leading lines: Use tree-lined paths to draw viewers into your images
• Reflections: Still water doubles your autumn color impact
• Framing: Use overhanging branches to frame distant subjects
• Layers: Combine foreground leaves, middle-ground trees, and background architecture
• Scale: Include people or wildlife to show the grandeur of London’s parks

Hidden Gems and Secret Spots

While the major parks offer reliable autumn displays, London’s hidden corners often provide the most unique photographic opportunities. Kynance Mews, especially in autumn time when all the leaves turn red, creates intimate urban autumn scenes. Nestled between London Bridge and the Tower of London, St Dunstan-in-the-East is a ruined church that now serves as a public garden where autumn vines create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.

The city’s Victorian cemeteries, particularly Nunhead and Highgate, offer atmospheric autumn photography with historical elements. Chelsea Embankment is a brilliant place to soak up some of those glorious autumnal tones, with the added bonus of Thames views and architectural backgrounds.

Beyond the Parks: London’s Autumn Streets

Don’t limit yourself to parks—London’s tree-lined streets offer excellent urban autumn photography. Elgin Crescent and Portland Road feature some beautiful autumn leaf colours or head up to Westbourne Grove where you’ll find a few colourful corners. These residential areas provide a different perspective on London’s autumn transformation, with colorful leaves contrasting against Georgian and Victorian architecture.

The Cultural Context

Autumn in London isn’t just about pretty pictures—it’s about capturing a city in transition. The parks that provided summer picnic spots and winter sledding hills reveal their most photogenic face in autumn. This is when London’s true character emerges: a city that, despite its urban density, maintains an intimate connection with nature.

The changing leaves coincide with cultural shifts too—children returning to school, the art world awakening with gallery openings, and the gradual transition from outdoor to indoor life. Capturing these human elements alongside natural beauty tells a more complete story of London in autumn.

Conservation and Respect

As photographers, we have a responsibility to protect the environments we document. Stay on designated paths, especially in conservation areas. Never break branches for a better composition or disturb wildlife for a shot. The famous deer of Richmond Park, in particular, should be photographed only with long lenses from a respectful distance.

Many of London’s parks are historical sites with protected status. The ancient trees you’re photographing have stood for centuries—treat them with the reverence they deserve. Leave no trace except footprints, take nothing except photographs.

A Season of Transformation

As November winds strip the last leaves from London’s trees, there’s a melancholic beauty in the bare branches against grey skies. But this is not an ending—it’s part of an eternal cycle that makes autumn photography so poignant. Each fallen leaf represents both an end and a beginning, a moment frozen in time through your lens.

London’s autumn transformation reminds us that beauty is fleeting and all the more precious for it. The same tree that provides shade in summer and shelter in winter offers its greatest gift in autumn: a brief, brilliant display that stops us in our tracks and makes us reach for our cameras.

Whether you’re drawn to the wild expanses of Hampstead Heath, the formal beauty of St. James’s Park, or the hidden corners of Victorian cemeteries, London’s autumn awaits your lens. Each park tells its own story, each tree offers its own palette, and each day brings new light and new possibilities.

So charge your batteries, clean your lenses, and set your alarm for dawn. London’s autumn spectacle is brief but brilliant—a few weeks when this grey city blazes with color, when every park becomes a gallery, and when photographers find magic in every corner. From the deer-filled meadows of Richmond to the panoramic heights of Alexandra Palace, from the Japanese tranquility of Holland Park to the wild beauty of Hampstead Heath, London’s parks stand ready for their autumn close-up.

The leaves are turning. The light is perfect. London’s greatest seasonal show is about to begin.

Are you ready to capture it?