Top ten things to do in the Royal Parks this autumn
Mourning the end of summer? Turn that frown upside down because the leaves’ changing colours is one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles—and where better to see it than in a Royal Park? Add to that contemporary art fairs, candlelit classical concerts, historical walks and Halloween-themed activities and you’ll realise there’s a lot to look forward to this autumn.
1. Marvel at the different shades of autumn in a Royal Park
With over 170,000 trees across eight Royal Parks, Londoners are spoilt for choice in places to experience the changing of the seasons. In particular, the Isabella Plantation, a 40-acre woodland garden in Richmond Park, is magical at this time of year, with buttery yellow leaves and fiery hues in abundance. Check out The Royal Parks’ downloadable autumn leaflet, which directs visitors to locations in the plantation where the changing colours are most apparent, such as the Japanese maple tree by the Still Pond.
2. Get scared at a classic horror film screening in Hyde Park
Come to the LookOut in Hyde Park on Friday the 30th of October for Halloween fun with Beetlejuice—or Halloween frights with Stephen King’s Carrie. On Halloween itself, Saturday the 31st, catch a viewing of The Cabin in the Woods, a brilliant combination of horror and humour, or see the classic Hitchcock flick Psycho. Tickets are available from The Nomad Cinema.
3. Cheer on runners at The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon on October 11
Starting and finishing at Hyde Park, 16,000 runners will take part in the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon across central London, taking in world-famous landmarks on closed roads including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and four of London’s eight Royal Parks. From 10:30am to 4pm, a free Food & Event Fitness Festival will take place. Expect tempting street food, live music and lots of free things to do including children’s arts and craft activities, wall climbing and football and tennis coaching.
4. Appreciate art in The Regent’s Park, October 14–18
Visit Frieze London in The Regent’s Park to see some of the best work from leading and emerging contemporary artists. The event will also feature performance-based installations, debates, panel discussions and keynote lectures. Coinciding with Frieze London is Frieze Masters, bringing together 120 galleries specialising in pre-21st century art.
The Sculpture Park, a three-minute walk from Frieze London, returns to the beautiful English Gardens in The Regent’s Park. Free to enter, the exhibition is hand selected by Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s Director of Programmes, Claire Lilley.
For tickets to Frieze London and Masters and further information, please visit their website.
5. Warm up with a game of tennis in a Royal Park
As the nights draw in it’s tempting to stay indoors, but why not get your blood pumping and endorphins going with a game of tennis in a Royal Park. The Regent’s Park, Greenwich Park and Hyde Park all have tennis courts where you can book in advance or just turn up and pay. In addition, The Regent’s Park tennis centre has table tennis and a mini court just for juniors.
6. Visit Brompton Cemetery in the London Month of the Dead
Throughout October and concluding on All Souls Day (the 2nd of November), The London Month of the Dead will investigate the capital’s relationship with its deceased residents. Events in Brompton Cemetery will include a guided walk by London historian and gravestone expert Robert Stephenson, a candlelit performance of classic string quartets, and a talk on the great plagues of London. A percentage of all ticket sales will be donated to the restoration of Brompton Cemetery, a 39-acre Grade I listed burial ground managed by The Royal Parks.
On the 17th and 24th of October, The Royal Parks Foundation has organised a guided walk in Hyde Park to explore its dark history as a former site of public execution. The tour will include a visit to the Hyde Park Pet Cemetery, rarely open to the public. All funds from ticket sales will go to the Brompton Cemetery Restoration Project.
If you would like to donate to the conservation project visit the Royal Parks Foundation website.
7. Learn about creepy crawlies in Bushy Park on 30th October
Visit Bushy Park in Halloween fancy dress and join in with a gruesome pond dipping session! Find out about all the creatures lurking beneath the water and then make your very own to take home. The session is delivered by the Field Studies Council, one of The Royal Park’s education providers. For further information or to book your place, email enquiries.ldn@field-studies-council.org. Places are limited, and the cost is £15 per family (two adults with up to three children).
8. Make a spooky mask and carve a pumpkin on Halloween
Starting in Victoria Tower Gardens at 11am on 31st October, children can check out the newly refurbished Horseferry Playground and create a spooky mask and hat.
From 4 to 6pm, the free festivities will move to St James’s Park (by Inn the Park), where there will be ghoulish face painting and pumpkin carving.
9. Discover the truth about Guy Fawkes on a historical walk on the 5th of November
Every year on the 5th of November, people throughout Britain commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes with bonfires and fireworks, in some cases even burning an effigy of Guy. In a stroll through Victoria Tower Gardens, a park that lies adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, uncover the real truth about Guy Fawkes and the plot to blow up Parliament over 400 years ago. Walks last an hour and will start at 11am and 1pm. Meeting point is the Emmeline Pankhurst statue at the entrance closest to the Palace of Westminster.
10. Become a MoRunner in Greenwich Park on 28 November
In November grow a moustache and show it off at the Greenwich Park MoRunners 10k on November 28. It’s not just MoBros that can enter; MoSistas can paint or stick on a moustache and race too. Entrance is £22 and profits go to the Movember Foundation, a global charity that raises funds and awareness for men’s health.
For a full list of events in the Royal Parks visit www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on
