Fall – or autumn – in London can be a magical time. Following the busy summer season the city calms down, as children from Europe and North America return to school and the crowds begin to recede.
This guide to London in autumn – or London in fall, if you prefer – will help you plan for spending some of September, October, or November in the UK capital. Covered here is all you should know about what it’s like in London during the season between summer and winter.
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need about autumn in London. From weather conditions including temperatures, daylight hours, and days of rain to things to do in London in autumn, everything you really want to know can be found below. We even give some guidance regarding what to take with you.
Don’t plan your autumn trip to London before checking out this complete guide. Keep reading to find out all about London autumn events, activities, weather and much more.
Autumn in London | What to Expect
Weather
The autumn weather in London varies throughout the season. At the start, in September, you can expect warm temperatures, but the weather will be cold by the end of November. There are 8 to 10 days of rainfall per month, on average, during fall. There are less hours of daylight as autumn progresses, before the winter solstice in late December.
So when is autumn, or fall, in London? This can be decided in two ways. According to the meteorological calendar, autumn begins on 1st September, and lasts until the 30th November. Astronomical autumn, though, starts around 23rd September each year, and lasts until the winter solstice, which takes place around 22nd December.
The meteorological calendar is used in this guide, meaning that autumn in London comprises the months of September, October, and November. Here’s a brief rundown of the average autumn temperatures in London to expect.
Monthly temperatures and rainfall
September
- Average high: 20°C / 68°F
- Average low: 13°C / 55°F
- Average days of rain: 8
October
- Average high: 16°C / 61°F
- Average low: 10°C / 50°F
- Average days of rain: 10
November
- Average high: 12°C / 54°F
- Average low: 7°C / 45°F
- Average days of rain: 10
If you’re wondering what to expect from London in fall, temperatures are marginally higher than spring, but there’s slightly more rain, plus shorter days.
Autumn weather in London
Warm to cold weather
Autumn is a transitional season, between summer and winter. So at the start, in September, it can still feel very summery, with warm to hot temperatures. By the end of November, though, it can get very cold, especially during the evening, though on some days it may feel pretty mild.
Changeable weather
London has changeable weather during any season, due to the UK’s maritime climate. If you spent the whole of fall in London, then you’d experience temperatures ranging between hot, warm, mild and chilly.
Dressing in layers is therefore the best approach, and you’re more likely to need an extra garment in the morning and evening. It’s always worth carrying a rainproof jacket and/or compact umbrella, too. It’s true that Brits love to talk about the weather, particularly the inaccuracy of their weather forecasts!
Wet weather
During autumn, eight days of rain are average for September, increasing to 10 in October and November. In reality, a wet spell will often last for several consecutive days, or more, rather than being spread evenly throughout the month. Always be prepared for rain in London – even when it isn’t forecast.
Daylight hours
At the start of autumn, hours of daylight in London are longer, but darkness sets in early by the end of the season, as winter approaches. As fall begins, sunrise is at around 6.15 am, with sunset at about 7.45 pm. By the end of November, the sun rises at about 7.40 am, and sets at around 3.55 pm.
- Sunrise: Between about 06:15 and 07:40
- Sunset: Between about 19:45 and 15:55
British Summer Time
During late October in the UK, the clocks go back one hour. This occurs around 27th October, and is due to the end of British Summer Time (BST). The time then reverts to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Because of this, sunrise is an hour earlier after the clocks go back, with sunrise an hour later. This means the sun rises and sets earlier, at the end of October, than it did at the start of the month.
What to pack
When packing for London in autumn, long-legged trousers plus long or short sleeved tops, and sweaters to layer over these, are ideal. You’ll also need a travel umbrella, and a light to warm waterproof jacket, depending on when in the season you’ll be visiting. Comfortable shoes for all the walking you’ll do are also essential.
When visiting London, England in autumn, you can expect the weather to be anywhere between warm to hot, in September, and mild to chilly, by November. Bring some sweaters and a waterproof jacket for cold mornings and evenings, and rainy days. There are plenty of places to buy affordable clothing in London if you need to, from department stores and clothing shops, to market stalls.
Footwear
Whenever you visit, you’ll do a lot of walking while exploring London. It’s thus necessary to bring shoes you’ll be comfortable in all day. For autumn, a pair of waterproof hiking shoes or boots is ideal, plus trainers, sneakers, or tennis shoes for the evenings. As well as any smarter footwear you think you’ll need for more formal occasions – like afternoon tea at a top London hotel.
Outerwear
Pack a waterproof jacket for autumn. Earlier in the season, a lightweight one will suffice, but after the weather “turns’, usually in October, you might want a warmer one. To last throughout fall, a waterproof jacket with a detachable inner fleece is ideal. In September and early October it can still get warm in the afternoons, so bring a daypack with space for carrying extra layers.
Layering
While it might be what the Brits call “t-shirt weather” during early autumn, you’re highly likely to need a sweater, hoodie, or cardigan as well by late October and November. Carrying a waterproof jacket in your daypack also gives you an extra layer when required. Jeans are good, but fast-drying hiking trousers can be better when the weather is wet.
Accessories
Which accessories to bring depends on when in autumn you visit. In September and early October, you might well need sunglasses and a sun hat or cap. By Halloween and Bonfire Night in October and November, you’re likely to want a warm hat, scarf, and gloves. At least for evenings, and chilly mornings, if not during the daytime.
Essentials
Pack a compact umbrella plus a waterproof jacket, and don’t forget to bring several sweaters. A comfortable daypack with space for additional layers and accessories is also essential. Even in autumn you’ll need a good water bottle, which can be refilled on the go. Don’t forget you’ll need to store it somewhere, such as in a daypack with a water bottle sleeve.
Visiting London in Autumn | FAQs
What is autumn like in London?
As the season between summer and winter, what autumn is like in London depends on when you visit. At the start, in September, it can be warm to hot. Generally, the weather “turns” sometime in October, and by the end of November temperatures can be chilly, but may also be mild.
Average autumn temperature highs are typically between 20°C to 12°C (68°F to 54°F), with lows between 13°C and 7°C (55°F to 45°F). There’s usually about eight to 10 days of rain, increasing a little as the month wears on.
What is there to do in London in the autumn?
There is so much to do in London in autumn, and the city is more peaceful than in the busy summer season. You can have a summery picnic in the park in September, see autumn colours in London, attend Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations, and even be shopping at Christmas markets by late November.
What is the best park to visit in London in autumn?
According to The Royal Parks, the best park in autumn is Hyde Park in central London. Bordered by Bayswater, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and Kensington, the 350-acre park is a vast green space in the city. In fall, though, it turns to gold, amber, bronze, and fiery shades of orange and red, as the leaves on around 3,000 trees change colour.
Where can I see autumn foliage in London?
If you want to see stunning fall colours in London, you can do so all over the city. The parks – such as Hyde Park, St. James’s Park, Green Park, Regents Park, Greenwich Park, and Richmond Park are good places to start. Should you want to explore further, spots like Chelsea Embankment, Kynance Mews in Kensington, Notting Hill, St Dunstan-in-the-East, Little Venice, and Hampstead Heath all offer spectacular displays of autumn foliage.
Top 7 Things to do in London in Autumn
There’s so much to do in London during fall. Here are some of the best things to see and do in September, October, and November.
Take an autumn walking tour
- When: throughout autumn
- Where: all over London
- Closest tube: varies
Join one of the many organised autumn walks in London and you can enjoy crunching leaves underfoot. Depending on timings, you can also crunch leaves underfoot, look out for Halloween decorations, or even spot festive lights.
Here are some ideas for the top walking tours of London in autumn.
- British Royalty walking tour | 3 hours | Palaces & parks | Book here
- Secret Old London walking tour | 1.5 hours | Hidden historic sites | Book here
- Hidden London walking tour | 1.5 hours | Fleet Street area | Book here
- Street Art walking tour | 2 hours | East London area | Book here
- Harry Potter walking tour | 2.5 hours | Magical and iconic sites | Book here
Go leaf-peeping
- When: Mid-October to mid-November
- Where: All over London
- Closest tube: varies
You can go looking for autumn leaves in London, all over the city centre and beyond. The best time is between the middle of October and early to mid-November.
Top spots include any of the parks, such as Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park, Regents Park, Richmond Park, or Greenwich Park. You could also head to Chelsea Embankment, Notting Hill, Kynance Mews in Kensington, Little Venice, Hampstead Heath, or St Dunstan-in-the-East.
Book a day trip from London
- When: throughout autumn
- Where: varies
- Closest tube: departure points vary
Autumn is also a great time to explore beyond the city. If you head out of London during the fall foliage season, you also get to see colourful autumn leaves in other UK locations.
Here are our suggestions for the best autumn day trips from London.
- Small group Cotswolds villages tour | 10 hours | Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | Book here
- Oxford and the Cotswolds tour | 10 hours | City and countryside | Book here
- Downton Abbey and Oxford tour | 10 hours | TV locations and city | Book here
- Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath tour | 11.5 hours | Royalty, ancient history and Roman baths | Book here
- South Downs and White Cliffs tour | 9.5 hours | Southern hills and cliffs | Book here
Celebrate Halloween in London
- When: 31st October in the evening
- Where: all over London
- Closest tube: varies
Halloween is big in the UK, and you’ll see decorations all over London throughout October during the build-up. On the night itself, people tend to host fancy-dress parties, and kids go trick-or-treating, also in costume.
Halloween events are held at pubs and other venues. If you’re visiting with children, you could even take them out trick-or-treating, London style! Ask at your hotel what neighbourhood is good, or pick a tube or bus stop at random and head out from there.
Attend a Fireworks Display
- When: 5th November in the evening
- Where: all over London
- Closest tube: varies
Bonfire Night, Guy Fawkes Night, or Fireworks Night takes place on 5th November. Though Halloween has taken over somewhat in recent times, Bonfire Night is traditionally the UK’s big autumn event. It commemorates Guy Fawkes’ failed gunpowder plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the king, back in 1605.
There are fireworks displays all over the city. Look out for social media posts, posters advertising events, or ask staff at your hotel which one to go to.
See the Christmas lights
- When: Mid to late November
- Where: all over London
- Closest tube: varies
It might seem a little early, but mid to late November is a great time to see the festive lights of London, before the city gets really busy in December.
The best places include popular shopping areas like Oxford, Regent and Bond Streets. You can also expect special displays in hot spots like Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Southbank. Find the top 17 places for London Christmas lights here.
Shop at a Christmas market
- When: mid to late November
- Where: all over London
- Closest tube: varies
Like the lights, Christmas markets in London set up their stalls from mid to late November. Whether you simply want to wander around, taking it all in, or get your festive shopping sewn up early, the twinkling lights and pretty displays are a lovely sight.
Some of the top Christmas markets in London can be found in Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Winter by the River at London Bridge, Southbank, Leicester Square, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, Kings Cross, Borough Market, Spitalfields, and Greenwich.
Will you spend London in Fall?
If you were thinking of travelling to London in autumn, then this season really does have so much to offer! There’s the warm, sunny days of early September, or celebrating Christmas in late November, with Halloween and Bonfire Night sandwiched in-between.
Be prepared for changeable weather, and you can enjoy autumn in London, whatever the weather brings. With fewer crowds than summer and the festive season, fall really is a fabulous time to be in the city.
Read more
- London in January
- London in February
- London in March
- London in April
- London in May
- London in June
- London in July
- London in August
- London in September
- London in October
- London in November
- London in December
- London in Spring
- London in Summer
- London in Winter
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