Best Ways to Enjoy London’s Royal Parks This Autumn

A trip to one of London's many Royal Parks is an activity you can enjoy throughout the year, from the first lights of spring to the depths of winter. Each season brings new and exciting ways to see these spectacular spaces in a different light. While summer may now be over, autumn brings with it plenty of fabulous options for exploring.

Whether you're heading for all of the parks or simply feel like venturing through a select few, we've compiled this brief guide to give you a little inspiration for an autumnal visit...

Have a Picnic

You might think picnics are best enjoyed during the spring and summer, but autumn is also a fantastic time to head for a Royal Park while staying at your Hyde Park London Hotel. There are lots of different parks to choose from, and great benefits to having an autumn picnic.

Firstly, there are likely to be fewer fellow picnic-fans taking up space, so you will have a greater variety of options on where to place your picnic blanket. Secondly, the weather during a British autumn is changeable, but still offers lots of delightfully sunny days, without the baking summer sun making you want to run for cover.

To make the most of your picnic, pop to one of the city's major department stores such as Fortnum & Mason or Harrods. Here you'll find lots of delicious foods to stock up on, as well as authentic traditional picnic baskets and picnic blankets, sure to help you feel extra-luxurious while you lounge in a Royal Park of your choosing.

Discover how to grow your own produce

The Royal Parks aren't just about great aesthetics; some also feature allotments and special growing initiatives, where you can discover more about how to grow fruit and vegetables and step into a world of self-sufficiency.

This year, the parks are offering free harvest festivals, celebrating this aspect of their continued success. These events are sure to be particularly popular with families, as they offer a range of fun events for kids to enjoy and lots of talks and tastings. A particular area of focus will be on how we can all help bees to thrive in our own gardens, as well as the chance to taste some locally-sourced honey. Key events will be taking place at the Kensington Gardens Allotment and The Queen's Orchard at Greenwich Park during October.

At the events, there will be experts from The Royal Parks Guild available to answer your questions about growing food at home.

Join a Halloween-themed event at Hyde Park

There'll be some wonderful Halloween events happening in London this October, and the Royal Parks are taking part! Ideal for younger visitors to the city, Hyde Park will be hosting a variety of different interactive events direct from a specially designed 'witches den', as well as providing opportunities to make a bat mask, find out more about medicinal plants in the gardens, and offering a spooky walk through the Hyde Park nature trail.

Dressing up is encouraged to help you get into the spirit, and there's no need to book. Simply arrive between 11am – 3pm on 25^th October 2019 to get involved in the celebrations while staying at your Hyde Park accommodations.

Head for a walking tour of St James's Park

One of the most beautiful Royal Parks, St James's Park also has a fascinating history, interwoven with many of the city's major events. On this walking tour, you'll be taken on an hour long journey through some of the key stories from St James's Park, as well as looking closely at areas such as Horse Guards Parade and The Mall.

Led by an expert on the local area, you will also be able to feed the pelicans in the park and have a chat with the St James's Park Wildlife Officer, making this a great option for animal lovers staying at 4 star hotels near Hyde Park this autumn. For more information on booking, take a look at the official Royal Parks website.

Visit a Royal Park Rose Garden

During your stay at Hyde Park Hotels, why not go to one of the Royal Parks and admire a stunning rose garden? This particular flower continues to bloom throughout the autumn months, and there are some great spots for grabbing a few photos!

Queen Mary's Garden in Regent's Park is particularly impressive, as the home to the largest collection of roses in London (around 12,000 at the most recent count). In addition, visitors can explore 85 varieties, as well as the official 'Royal Parks' rose. After a trip to Regent's Park, you can also explore more rose gardens by continuing your journey to Greenwich Park and Hyde Park.

Explore Brompton Cemetery

One of London's most beautiful cemeteries, Brompton Cemetery looks particularly impressive during the autumn, and during 2019 there's the chance to either discover the venue by yourself, or join a free tour at designated times in October.

Led by Roy Vickery, a member of the South London Botanical Institute, here you can find out more about the flora and fauna of the cemetery, and discover fascinating facts about the space itself.

Take a stroll to Bushy Park

If you're in the mood for an autumnal stroll, then Bushy Park is a fantastic destination to head for. The park itself covers around 1,099 acres, and is connected to the historic splendour of Hampton Court Palace by Longford River. Here you'll find abundant nature, alongside scenic waterways, grassland and manicured gardens.

Key features to find include the Diana fountain, which is cast from bronze and located in Chestnut Avenue, designed by famed architect Sir Christopher Wren – who is best known for St Paul's Cathedral. There is also lots of birdlife to look out for, such as kestrels, woodpeckers and kingfishers, all of whom are also enjoying the park at this time of year.