As we ease into September, thoughts turn to autumn and all the treats it offers when you enjoy the season in London. Think autumn colours, park walks, traditional afternoon teas, snug pub visits, West End shows and new exhibitions. Read on for our recommendations for making the most out of your autumn visit to the capital.
The Great Outdoors
London’s numerous parks and gardens are all fabulous places to enjoy the colours of the season, but Richmond Park and its famous deer park and Kyoto Gardens at Hollard Park are truly spectacular at this time of year. You can also find stunning displays of autumnal foliage at the ruins of St Dunstan in the East, Notting Hill, Hampstead, Kynance Mews and Little Venice.
Afternoon Tea
Just across Shepherd Market is the fabulous Queens of Mayfair. Renowned for its superior range of coffees, it also offers a wonderful afternoon tea as well as brunch, lunch and cocktail menus. The afternoon tea menu includes finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and drinks. They also offer special menus for those who avoid dairy or gluten.
Sketch, which is located in Dior’s former atelier, offers 5 stylish Sketch eateries in a beautiful Georgian building. It’s a fabulous place to enjoy a seasonal afternoon tea; the French chefs add a twist to the traditional menu, so expect eclairs or tartlets to also be on the cake stand.
Local Pubs
At nearby Shepherd Market, we have a brilliant selection of historic pubs including The Three Jolly Butchers, The Market Tavern, Ye Grapes and our closest, The Chesterfield Arms. Each establishment serves excellent food – with a great variety of cuisines, there’s something for everyone.
West End Shows
London has some fantastic long-running titles including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, The Mousetrap and Oliver! This season’s new highlights include Hay Fever, The Standard of Living, The Cherry Orchard, Rent and One Day.
New Exhibitions
The most celebrated new exhibition for this season is The Bayeux Tapestry, which opens at the British Museum on 10 September.
The Burberry Trench: Crafting an Icon will be at the V&A from 21 September.
Ossie Clark & Celia Birtwell will run at the Fashion & Textile Museum from 2 October.
Renoir and Love will be showing at the National Gallery from 3 October.
At Tate Britain, The 90s: Art and Fashion opens on 8 October.
Freddie Mercury | Splendid Things will be at the V&A from 24 October.
A major retrospective of the celebrated crime novelist, Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery will open at the British Library on 30 October.
Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant: Inside Bloomsbury will be at Tate Britain from 12 November.
