Making the Most of Your Experience at The Athenaeum
Staying at The Athenaeum means immersing yourself in the heart of Mayfair, one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. Beyond its prime location, the hotel offers […]
11th October 2025
Autumn gives London a character of its own. The mornings arrive with a crisp chill, the afternoons glow in softer light, and the city’s parks are transformed into mosaics of russet, ochre and gold. From The Athenaeum, you’re perfectly placed to experience more than one Royal Park. Green Park is directly across the road, and beyond it, some of the capital’s most beautiful autumn walks unfold.
Golden stroll through Green Park and St James’s
Slip beneath the branches of Green Park, and you’ll notice how quickly the noise of Piccadilly fades. The wide paths are littered with horse chestnuts, their shells split to reveal glossy conkers that children instinctively pocket for games on the way home. Between the trees, Buckingham Palace shimmers into view, a quiet reminder of London’s grandeur beyond the leaves.
Carry on into St James’s Park, and the pace changes again. The lake reflects the season’s colours, swans cut slow lines through the water, and flowerbeds hold onto the last of summer’s colour. From the Blue Bridge, you’ll see Buckingham Palace framed by trees that seem to glow in the afternoon light. It’s a simple loop, less than an hour, but it feels like a hidden pause in the middle of the city.
A longer wander through Hyde Park
If you’ve time to spare, pass under Wellington Arch and let Hyde Park open before you. Here, the paths are broad and the leaves crunch satisfyingly underfoot. The Serpentine glitters with reflections of red and amber, and at the Italian Gardens, fountains sparkle in the low sun.
On a bright afternoon, it’s still warm enough to sit outside with a coffee, watching the season at its most vivid. Add half an hour and you’ll find yourself in Kensington Gardens, where statues and tree-lined avenues add a sense of grandeur that feels distinctly London.
Back at The Athenaeum
Long autumn walks feel even better when they end in comfort. Wrap your hands around a pot of Afternoon Tea at 116, where cakes and pastries mirror the colours of the leaves outside. Retreat to the spa for an hour of warmth and stillness, or let one of our bartenders pour you a whisky flight in The Bar, each glass carrying the smoky, spiced notes of the season. In autumn, the hotel becomes both a launchpad into London’s parks and a cosy sanctuary to return to.
Why is October the moment
- Calmer parks. Fewer tourists, locals not yet in Christmas mode. London feels unhurried.
- Golden light. Early sunsets cast the plane trees in a glow that photographers chase all year.
- The turning point. Leaves are changing, so each week reveals a deeper palette.
Insider tips from our doorstep
- Choose shoes over umbrellas. Showers pass, but damp shoes ruin a walk.
- Look up. The branches often form golden arches overhead.
- Bring a small bag. Children, and sometimes adults, won’t resist filling it with conkers.
- Dogs are welcome. Four-legged guests have beds, bowls and biscuits waiting back at the hotel.
Make autumn yours
London is beautiful in every season, but autumn has a quiet magic. From crisp walks in Green Park to sunsets over the Serpentine, the city wears its most flattering colours now. As the leaves turn and London’s parks glow gold, there’s no better time to explore. Discover our Autumn Break offer and make the most of the season with a stay that celebrates the beauty just beyond our doors.
