7 Reasons London is a Must Visit This Fall

By Erin Celletti, Brides

Why 'the Smoke' is the ultimate autumn destination.

London is always a good idea, but it’s an even better one in the fall. Here’s seven reasons why.

Cozy Pubs

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What’s more perfect than cozying up with your love in a quaint, traditional pub? Bonus points for finding one with a fireplace and delicious pub-grub. Throughout London, there are over 3,500 to choose from within the 607 square miles of the city. If you have a heart for history, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street dates back to 1538 and was frequented by Charles Dickens himself. A roaring fireplace and pint of ale will have you feeling like a local in no time. For a different experience, the Churchill Arms boasts a gorgeously floral and green façade, is bustling with charming decor and tchotchkes, and serves up authentic Thai cuisine, too.

Football

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Need a break from American football? You’re in luck. Fall is an excellent time to catch some classic English football, known in the U.S. as soccer. The English Premier League is home to five teams that play in and around London, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United. To make it even more interesting, consider placing a bet at one of the local Ladbrokes prior to heading to the stadium to really give you something to root for!

The Spas

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For many, fall is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. What better place to relax and restore than a world-renowned spa? If your response to that is “nothing,” then be sure to head to Ushvani while in London. Nestled in the idyllic neighborhood of Chelsea, Ushvani has been voted the U.K.’s best day spa by Condé Nast Traveler, and for good reason. As a traditional Malaysian spa, it offers world class massages, facial and body treatments, yoga classes, and more within a serene and distinctively Asian inspired setting that leaves you feeling as though you’ve traveled across continents for a unique and luxurious experience.

London Restaurant Festival

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The city of London boasts a versatile and eclectic food scene, which can make selecting a restaurant to dine at seemingly impossible. Thanks to the London Restaurant Festival, which runs throughout the month of October and is in its ninth year, you can wine and dine at some of the best eateries in the city, or even participate in restaurant hopping tours, in which you’ll sample five restaurants in one day. Special dining events such as Eat Film will allow you to enjoy film screenings with accompanied bites, while wine tastings and other tasting menus are sure to please even the pickiest of palates.

Incredible Scenery

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The colors (or as they say in London, colours) of autumn make London an even more magical and charming place to be in the fall months. With average temperatures in the mid 50s, the changing leaves brighten up the scenery, particularly throughout St. James Park at the southern tip of the St. James area of the city. During a romantic stroll through the oldest royal park, you’ll discover tons of beautifully painted flower beds, the Blue Bridge, monuments, and the St. James Park Lake. Keep your eyes peeled for incredible views of the London Eye and Buckingham Palace too.

Seasonal Events

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For Halloween fans and lovers of all things spooky, London boasts tons of celebratory events for the season. The London Month of the Dead, for example, is a series of events featuring tours, readings, walks, and lectures throughout the city that is sure to thrill and inform at the same time. The Tower Twilight Tours at the iconic Tower of London offers a unique approach to this hot attraction, where you’ll be enthralled with after-hours stories of the haunting and gruesome events that have lived within the tower walls for ages. Other fun fall events in the city include London Cocktail Week, the BFI London Film Festival, and Oktoberfest. (Why should Germany have all the fun?)

Tea Time

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Is there anything better than a warm cup of tea in the cool fall weather? Yes, in fact there is—when it’s served within a proper and traditional English tea time setting. For an elegant tea time experience, consider heading to Aqua Shard for afternoon tea, high above the city on the 31st floor of the Shard, where you can sip your choice of tea from Rare Tea company and enjoy savories, sweets, and treats along with incredible views.

See more: A Classic 3-Day London Honeymoon Itinerary

Afternoon tea at 11 Cadogan Gardens also provides all the classic accommodations on a gorgeous three-tiered tray of sandwiches, pastries, scones, and more within the luxurious accommodations of the elegant Victorian hotel. While enjoying the tea and surroundings, consider adding a glass of champagne (or two) for an extra special experience.