The best autumn riverside walks in Richmond await you

Autumn riverside walks in Richmond take on a particular character as October arrives, when the Thames Path between Richmond Bridge and Petersham Meadows catches the low afternoon light and the turning leaves settle across the towpath. The Royal Parks have just published their seasonal calendar, and Richmond Park appears prominently with guided walks, photography workshops and extended access hours designed to make the most of the autumn display before the clocks change at the end of the month.

The Royal Parks have released their autumn activities programme, with Richmond Park featuring several guided walks and workshops timed to the seasonal change.

The riverside routes worth your time this season

Richmond offers three particularly rewarding autumn walks along the Thames.

The classic route runs from Richmond Bridge to Petersham Meadows, a two-mile stretch that stays close to the water and passes beneath mature plane trees that turn golden by mid-October. If you prefer a longer circuit, the Terrace Gardens path climbs above the river for elevated views across the bend toward Ham House, then drops back down to rejoin the towpath at Petersham. For a quieter alternative, the route from Kew Bridge toward Strand-on-the-Green takes you past the towpath gardens where residents plant seasonal displays that are often at their best in early autumn.

Each route works equally well in morning or afternoon light, though photographers tend to favour the Petersham stretch for the westward-facing views as the sun drops behind the trees.

What Richmond Park is offering this autumn

The Royal Parks programme includes guided autumn walks in Richmond Park every Wednesday morning through October.

Led by park rangers, these walks focus on seasonal wildlife including the red and fallow deer during rutting season, fungi identification along the woodland paths, and the park’s collection of veteran oak trees as they change colour. The walks are free but require advance booking through the Royal Parks website, with spaces limited to 25 people per session. The park is also running two weekend photography workshops on the first and third Saturdays in October, aimed at capturing autumn light and landscape composition.

The Isabella Plantation usually closes its gate entrances in late October for annual maintenance, but the surrounding woodland paths remain open and offer some of the park’s best autumn colour.

The deer rut peaks between late September and mid-October, which means early-morning visits often reward you with sightings near Pen Ponds and Queen's Ride.

What this means for you

If you want to join one of the guided walks, book through the Royal Parks website by the Friday before each Wednesday session, as spaces fill quickly in October. For photography workshops, registration opens three weeks ahead and costs £15 per person. The best light for riverside photography typically occurs between 3pm and 4:30pm in October, when the sun sits low enough to catch the water and illuminate the turning leaves without creating harsh shadows. Wear layered clothing, as riverside paths can be several degrees cooler than inland routes, and check the tide times if you are walking the Thames Path sections below Richmond Bridge, where high spring tides occasionally flood the lower stretches of the towpath near Petersham.

Autumn in Richmond offers some of the year’s most rewarding walking conditions, particularly along the river and through the park’s ancient woodlands. The combination of seasonal colour, extended light, and organised activities makes October the ideal month to explore routes you might otherwise save for summer.

The Royal Parks organisation has already introduced extended autumn opening times at Bushy Park and Greenwich Park, and Richmond Park typically follows the same seasonal pattern, which means you can expect the gates to remain open until dusk rather than closing at a fixed time through October and November.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see autumn colour in Richmond Park?

Peak autumn colour usually arrives in Richmond Park during the second and third weeks of October, though this varies by a week or two depending on September temperatures and rainfall. The oak, beech and sweet chestnut trees around Pen Ponds and along Queen’s Ride typically turn first, followed by the woodland areas near Ham Gate and Spankers Hill Wood.

Are the riverside paths accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs in autumn?

The Thames Path between Richmond Bridge and Petersham Meadows is fully paved and accessible year-round. However, fallen leaves can make surfaces slippery in wet weather, particularly on the steeper sections through Terrace Gardens. The towpath toward Kew is also paved but narrower in places, and occasional flooding during high tides can block sections near the Old Deer Park between October and March.

Do I need to book in advance for Richmond Park walks?

Yes, the guided Wednesday walks require advance booking through the Royal Parks website, as group sizes are limited to 25 people. The photography workshops also need pre-registration and payment. You do not need to book to simply walk in the park on your own, as Richmond Park remains open to the public every day with free admission.

Where can I park for autumn walks along the Richmond riverside?

The Terrace Gardens car park on Petersham Road offers the most convenient access to the riverside path, though it fills quickly on sunny autumn weekends. Alternatively, park at one of the Richmond Park car parks near Pembroke Lodge or Roehampton Gate, then walk down to the river through Petersham Meadows. On-street parking is available on Petersham Road itself, but check restrictions carefully as some bays are residents-only during weekdays.

Useful resources

• https://www.royalparks.org.uk/whats-on
• https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park/visitor-information