There is something particularly special about spending a day exploring London in the autumn. Crisp mornings, golden light, cosy cafes and world class exhibitions make October, November and December some of our favourite months to rediscover familiar corners of the city.
For this month’s The BWoM Edit, we’ve created the perfect seasonal itinerary around some of the venues we’re fortunate to work with throughout the year. Whether you’re planning a cultural day out, searching for a new neighbourhood to explore or simply looking for inspiration for the weekend, these are the places we’d recommend visiting this season.
The British Museum
Start your morning with coffee and pastries from Fortitude Bakehouse (we recommend their new pumpkin spiced cream beignet with salted caramel and snickerdoodle biscuit crumb), a beloved local spot tucked away in nearby Russell Square.
From there, take a leisurely walk through Bloomsbury’s elegant garden squares before making your way to the British Museum.
This autumn marks a particularly exciting moment for the museum. The Bayeux Tapestry, one of the world’s most famous historical treasures, will be displayed in England for the first time in almost 1,000 years. Tickets are in high demand, so keep an eye on the museum’s website for the latest release dates. The next release date will be the 21st of October.
After immersing yourself in centuries of history, enjoy lunch at The Brunswick Centre or settle into one of Bloomsbury’s many independent bookshops with a hot drink before wandering back through the neighbourhood’s beautiful Georgian streets.
The National Gallery
There is no better time of year to spend a few hours inside the National Gallery than on a crisp autumn day.
Begin your morning at Toklas Bakery, a short walk away from Trafalgar Square, before heading into the gallery to explore masterpieces from Monet, Van Gogh and Turner. This season also offers the opportunity to experience Renoir and Love, an exhibition exploring the artist’s depictions of affection, companionship and modern life through some of his most celebrated works. You also have the chance to see Renoir’s famous painting ‘Bal au Moulin de la Galette’.
Afterwards, take a walk through St James’s Park, where the changing leaves create one of London’s most picturesque seasonal landscapes. For lunch, head to Arlington, opened by restaurateur Jeremy King on the site of his beloved former restaurant Le Caprice and serving classic European dishes with impeccable service in its timeless dining room.
Finish your day in Trafalgar Square as the city lights begin to appear and the surrounding theatres start to fill for the evening.
Tower of London
Start with breakfast overlooking the Thames at hip coffee shop WatchHouse Tower Bridge, before strolling along the riverside towards one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
A visit to the Tower of London offers centuries of royal history, stories of intrigue and the chance to see the Crown Jewels up close. As the weather turns cooler, fewer crowds and softer light make autumn a particularly enjoyable time to visit.
Continue your exploration by either hopping in a black cab or walking 40 minutes to Tiella Trattoria in East London. The menu is filled with seasonal Italian dishes you really want to eat such as ricotta, Calabrian chilli and wild Sardinian honey, chicken Milanese with green apple, celery, fennel and creme fraiche and, for pudding, bay leaf panna cotta with blood oranges.
Two Temple Place
One of London’s most enchanting hidden gems, Two Temple Place feels especially magical during autumn.
Begin with coffee from The Black Penny in Covent Garden before wandering along the Strand towards the Embankment. The walk itself offers views of historic London architecture before revealing this extraordinary neo-Gothic mansion overlooking the Thames.
Whilst, Two Temple Place is only open on select days to the public, even just taking in its exterior is worth the trip. The next exhibition will be from the 23rd of January 2027 for ‘Gathering Rest’ – an exhibition on rest as an act of healing, imagination an Embodiment.
Spend the afternoon exploring nearby Somerset House or if you are up for a long walk around the city – follow the river east towards the South Bank. You can then walk down South Bank all the way past St Pauls, Shakespeare’s Globe and end up at Borough Market – where we recommend trying The Black Pig’s ‘The Best one’ sandwich made up of a dazzling combination of slow roast free range pork, honey truffle parm mayo, fennel apple slaw, pepperoncini Sott ‘olio, salsa verde and aged parmesan. It’s a long walk but worth it for the sandwich!
St Stephen Walbrook
Many Londoners walk past St Stephen Walbrook without realising the remarkable history contained within its walls.
Start with coffee from one of the City’s independent cafes before spending the morning exploring nearby Leadenhall Market, one of London’s most beautiful covered markets.
Visit St Stephen Walbrook to admire Sir Christopher Wren’s breathtaking architecture. It is only right to visit St Stephen Walbrook before visiting St Paul’s as it was Wren who rebuilt both buildings after the Great Fire of 1666. The church’s remarkable dome is often described as a prototype or precursor to the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, where Wren refined his ideas on a much larger scale.
End the day with cocktails overlooking the skyline from one of London’s many rooftop bars.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Hidden away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Sir John Soane’s Museum remains one of London’s greatest treasures.
Start with breakfast at Holborn Dining Room before exploring Soane’s remarkable former home, filled with architectural models, paintings and fascinating curiosities collected throughout his lifetime. We recently had a candlelight tour of the museum, and it was truly extraordinary and would definitely recommend doing the Highlights Tour – tickets are £25.
Afterwards, spend some time wandering through Lincoln’s Inn Fields before heading into nearby Covent Garden for lunch and an afternoon of shopping, theatre or people-watching.
It is a wonderfully eccentric and endlessly inspiring way to spend an autumn afternoon.
St Paul’s Cathedral
Begin with coffee at Rosslyn Coffee before taking a stroll through the City as it comes to life.
Climb to the top of St Paul’s Cathedral for panoramic views across London’s skyline before exploring the magnificent cathedral interiors below. Few places capture London’s history quite like St Paul’s, and the low autumn sunlight filtering through the cathedral creates a particularly memorable atmosphere.
For lunch, head to Bread Street Kitchen or enjoy a riverside walk across the Millennium Bridge towards Tate Modern.
As evening falls and the cathedral becomes illuminated, you’ll understand why it remains one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
The Wallace Collection
Tucked away in Manchester Square, the Wallace Collection offers a quieter alternative to some of the city’s larger museums.
Start your day with breakfast at Chiltern Firehouse Bakery or one of Marylebone’s many charming cafes before exploring the collection’s impressive galleries, which house everything from Old Masters to decorative arts and armoury.
Afterwards, spend the afternoon wandering Marylebone High Street, browsing independent boutiques and enjoying lunch at Trishna. It’s an Indian restaurant specialising in Indian coastal cuisine that has held a Michelin star since 2012. We have worked with its head chef, Sajeev Nair, on events in the past and his food is exceptional.
It’s one of London’s most elegant neighbourhoods to explore during the autumn months.
Guildhall
Start your day with breakfast in the City before exploring the historic streets surrounding Guildhall.
Visit the nearby remains of London’s Roman Amphitheatre, discover hidden alleyways and historic churches, then spend time exploring the architecture that sits between old and new London.
For lunch, head to The Ned, before taking a walk towards Bank and the Royal Exchange as the afternoon light reflects off the City’s glass towers.
Guildhall sits at the heart of London’s history, making it the perfect place to end a day spent uncovering some of the capital’s most fascinating stories.
Hampton Court Palace
Last but certainly not least is Hampton Court Palace.
Throughout the Halloween season, the palace comes alive with atmospheric projections, eerie soundscapes and immersive experiences that embrace its famously haunted reputation. Families visiting during October half term can enjoy an autumnal trail filled with pumpkins, scarecrows and seasonal surprises, while taking time to explore the historic kitchens and beautiful gardens.
We recommend stopping by Mada Deli – a cosy, quirky cafe within a short walk of the Palace offering delicious breakfasts and lunches.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for world-famous exhibitions, hidden cultural treasures, riverside walks or neighborhood cafes, London comes into its own during the final months of the year. These venues are places we’re proud to work within, but they’re also destinations we’d happily recommend for a day spent exploring the city.
So, if you’re searching for weekend inspiration this season, consider this your invitation to experience London through a fresh lens, one extraordinary venue at a time!
The BWoM Edit returns next month with another collection of places, people and ideas currently inspiring us.