Your guide to the best autumn walks in Richmond Park

The best autumn walks in Richmond Park are already drawing locals out as the leaves turn gold and bronze across 2,500 acres of ancient parkland. With Halloween events, creative workshops and seasonal trails on offer through October and November, you have more reasons than ever to lace up your walking boots and explore the changing landscape on your doorstep.

Richmond Park is offering a full programme of autumn activities this year, with events running throughout the season to help you make the most of the changing colours and cooler weather.

Seasonal walks and trails to explore

The autumn palette is at its finest in Richmond Park between mid-October and late November.

The Pen Ponds circular walk offers a gentle 2.5-mile route that takes you past the two ornamental ponds where you can watch the reflections of turning leaves on still water. For a longer walk, the Tamsin Trail runs for seven miles around the entire perimeter of the park, giving you sweeping views across the landscape as the bracken turns russet and the ancient oaks shed their leaves. Early morning walkers will find the best light for photography and the greatest chance of seeing the park’s famous red and fallow deer, which are particularly active during the autumn rutting season. Remember that the deer are wild animals at their most territorial now, so keep at least 50 metres distance and never walk between a stag and his hinds.

The changing season transforms familiar routes into something new each week, so your regular loop never looks quite the same twice.

Halloween events and creative workshops

The Royal Parks programme includes family-friendly Halloween activities this October.

Special guided walks are running on selected weekends, with storytelling sessions designed for children that weave in the park’s history and natural features. Creative workshops are also on offer, including autumn wreath-making sessions using foliage gathered from the park, and nature photography workshops that teach you how to capture the season’s colours and the dramatic morning mist that often rolls across the grassland. Booking is required for most workshops, and spaces fill quickly, so check the Royal Parks website well in advance if you are interested. The events are designed to be accessible for all ages and fitness levels, with most activities lasting between one and two hours.

These organised activities give you a reason to visit parts of the park you might not normally explore, with expert guidance included.

What this means for you

Check the Royal Parks website for the full autumn events calendar and book any workshops or guided walks at least a week in advance, as popular sessions sell out quickly. If you prefer to walk independently, aim for mid-morning on weekdays when the park is quieter and car parks are less congested. Pembroke Lodge car park gives easy access to the western section of the park where the best autumn colours tend to be, while Roehampton Gate is convenient for the Pen Ponds walk. Wear layers, as the temperature drops noticeably in the open parkland, and bring sturdy footwear after rain when paths can become muddy. The park gates close at dusk throughout autumn, with closing times moving earlier each week, so check the current hours before you set out to avoid being locked in.

Autumn in Richmond Park offers something for walkers of all interests, whether you want a quiet hour among the trees or a guided experience with local experts. The season is short, so make your plans now while the colours are at their peak.

Frequently asked questions

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

The peak autumn colours typically appear from mid-October through late November, with the exact timing depending on weather conditions each year. Early to mid-morning offers the best light for viewing and photography, and weekdays are quieter than weekends.

Are dogs allowed on autumn walks in Richmond Park?

Yes, dogs are welcome in Richmond Park but must be kept on leads at all times during deer rutting season, which runs from late September through November. The deer are more territorial at this time and off-lead dogs can provoke defensive behaviour.

Do I need to book in advance for autumn events?

Guided walks and workshops require advance booking through the Royal Parks website, and popular sessions fill up quickly. The park itself remains free to enter for independent walks, with no booking needed.

What time does Richmond Park close in autumn?

Closing times change throughout autumn as the days shorten, moving from 8pm in early September to around 4. 30pm by late November. Check the Royal Parks website for the current week’s closing time before you visit to avoid being locked in after dusk.

Useful resources

• Royal Parks autumn events programme
• Richmond Park opening and closing times