Best Spots to go Leaf Peeping Around London

Some people might think I'm mad, but my favourite season of the entire year is actually autumn. Not spring time when daffodils and tulips are flowering and lambs are frolicking in the meadows. Not summer when the days are long and sunny and the footwear of choice are flipflops. And definitely not winter with its grey and dreary weather.

 I love Autumn. I love it when the days get shorter and you come home from work in the dark. It's that time of year when I can brighten up my home again with lovely smelling candles and fairy lights. I love the festivals and holidays, like Halloween, bonfire night, Thanksgiving and the whole run-up to Christmas. I love taking walks in the woods and smelling the wet and decaying leaves on the ground and spotting colourful mushrooms.

And most of all, I love the leafs changing colour and making parks and woodlands look like they've been draped in a patchwork blanket. Even though England doesn't get the same intense colours as New England, but you can still spot some pretty colourful trees around here in the UK.

Here are some of my favourite leaf peeping spots in and near London.

Epping Forest

Still on the Underground system, this forest is very easy to get to. It's a lovely woodland with lots of walking and biking trails. It's great if you're into outdoor activities, but not so keen on travelling too far to do them. It's a lovely place to wander around at any time of year, but autumn transforms this park into a pretty colourful affair.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens in South West London has plants and trees from all over the world, which means that the Canadian Maple leaf that gives the trees in the north of the US and Canada that intense red glow in the fall, are present here as well. However, this urban city park is only a train or tube ride away.

South Downs National Park

Slightly further away, but still only a train ride away from London, the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park are bathing in yellows and orange hues from late October till late November. It sure makes the hiking trails around here a sight for sore eyes.

Cowdray Castle 

Winkworth Arboretum

Winkworth Arboretum is the proud owner of some 1,000 species of plants and shrubs. It started as a personal collection of a man who just loved plants and trees very much. In autumn it is a lovely place to take a stroll at, colourful views guaranteed.