The best autumn walks in the capital according to south Londoners

The temperature has dropped, the nights are starting to close in, and jumpers and coats are once again a thing. All of which is to say; autumn is here.

While last week’s heatwave may have surprised Londoners with a few final days of sunshine, the weather is definitely now more what is typically expected in mid-October.

And although the shift in temperature means you are unlikely to be getting your shorts and T-shirt back out of the wardrobe any time soon, autumn opens a whole other side to London to enjoy. One being the changing colours, and walks which take on a new aesthetic over the next few months.

But what are the capital’s best spots to enjoy a stroll? We headed to Crystal Palace to see where south Londoners would recommend visiting this autumn.

Highgate Wood and Finsbury Park

Asked to name his favourite places for a walk, Johnny was quick to reel off two well-known north London spots; Highgate Wood, and Finsbury Park.

He said the Parklands Walk, which starts next to Finsbury Park and runs up towards Alexandra Palace, is also worth a visit.

“There’s a path that goes along an old railway line that’s now disused, and all of the leaves fall down and it’s beautiful,” he said. “The colours are exquisite, you walk along a little river bank. It’s quite amazing.”

Crystal Palace Park

Keen to keep it local, Ash said his favourite green space around the city is the nearby Crystal Palace Park.

“There’s everything you need there,” he told LondonWorld. “They’ve normally got food huts around, you can get some food, they’ve got the dinosaurs, the historic dinosaurs, the maze. Everything, and it’s just a really relaxing place, really nice people Crystal Palace.”

City walks

Somewhat different to everyone else LondonWorld spoke to, Michael said his favourite place for a walk in London is not a park, but the city centre.

“I live near Norwood Junction, so for me, it’s a fast train, 12 minutes to London Bridge, and whenever I go I just go there and I have a walk around.”

Whether in the West End or the City, Michael said he enjoys how “nice and quiet” parts of central London are, perhaps contrary to most people’s expectations.

Richmond Park

Recommending west London’s Richmond Park, Caron said she loves the wildlife, especially the deer, and the space the site affords those visiting.

“It’s all open, even though there’s lots of people around. There was lots of people when I went last Monday. It’s so big that you can just get lost in it and find your own little space to be on your own,” she said.

“It’s really beautiful, it’s a really beautiful place.”