Autumn in Regent’s Park: a walk from Regent’s Canal to the park
Regent’s Park is the perfect place to go on an autumn day in London. The golden trees line the paths and secret gardens are home to beautiful fall colour. Plus, Frieze Sculpture is at home in the park in October, adding some art to a walking itinerary. By starting on Regent’s Canal near Paddington, you’ll be able to soak in all the autumn colour London has to offer. Read on for a complete guide from the canal to the park, plus extra wonderful things to do near Regent’s Park.
Start at Regent’s Canal near Paddington
This route starts at Regent’s Canal near Paddington station. The area near Rembrandt Gardens in particular is a good place to start, before heading east towards the park.
History of Little Venice and Regent’s Canal
This area is also known as ‘Little Venice’ with the canals creating charming waterways through London.
The Regent’s Canal system was created in the 19th century as a way to connect North London with the Thames and therefore make transportation of goods more efficient.
The canals are no longer used for industrial purposes, but the boats that line the canal and float down it are either residential or tourist boats.
Little Venice in particular is the neighbourhood that sprung up around this area of Regent’s Canal.
Things to do near Little Venice
Waterside Cafe is a cute riverboat cafe that you can eat inside. I don’t think the food is amazing, but the sweet little tables with a view on the water always tempt me, and how badly wrong can you go with a cream tea?
There’s also Clifton Nurseries and the beautiful Flotsam & Jetsam cafe if you’re looking for some brunch.
The London Waterbus Company runs boat tours between Little Venice and Camden Market, which is a lovely way to see the area.
GoBoat also operates in this area, which are small private boats you can rent to go wander the canal with friends. Lots of people pack picnics and take a slow ride through the canals.
Still, my preference is to keep walking. After wandering around the streets near Rembrandt Gardens, follow the canal east by walking along the pathways.
This will eventually bring you to Cafe Laville along the way, which again is not amazing food, but a lovely view from a bridge onto the canal.
2. Explore Regent’s Park
Following the canal will take you all the way to Regent’s Park. Once inside the park, start walking down (south) towards Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, after which you’ll explore the secret garden of St. John’s Lodge and the Frieze Sculpture garden in the English Garden area of the park.
Walking this route will also take you past the Islamic Cultural Centre (Regent’s Park Mosque) which is an architectural marvel built in 1977 as Britain’s first purpose-built mosque.
History of Regent’s Park
Did you know that Regent’s Park was once a royal hunting ground for King Henry VIII in the 16th century?
It wasn’t until the 19th century that the park as we know it began to take shape. Following the plans of John Nash, elegant design started to transform the park from hunting ground to regal setting. Nash’s plans included the outer ring of white houses, still framing the park today.
The various formal gardens and features of the park were added on throughout the 19th-20th centuries. For example, the London Zoo, which was opened in the 1820s.
Queen Mary’s Rose Garden
Queen Mary’s Rose Garden is right in the centre of that perfect circle on the map of Regent’s Park. It was established in the 1930s to showcase a vast array of rose varieties as well as other flowers. It’s one of the most wonderful places to see roses in London in the springtime, but surprisingly it is also likely to be hanging onto roses in the autumn if you visit before the first frost. Amazingly, I visited in early November last year and was still able to see a good number of roses.
Even without the roses, it’s a pretty place to wander around before you come to one of my favourite hidden gems in London: St John’s Lodge Gardens.
St John’s Lodge Gardens
St John’s Lodge Gardens is the secret garden of Regent’s Park. It took me years of living in London before I found out about it.
Just across the way from the entrance to Queen Mary’s Rose Garden is St John’s Lodge. It was built in 1818 and is now a private residence, but the garden behind is open to the public and is a well-kept London secret. It’s stunning at all times of year, and the fall foliage really suits the garden.
You’ll see an ornamental iron gate behind which is an arched walkway lined with foliage. Walk down and you’ll turn to see a beautiful formal garden open up in front of you.
The centrepiece of St John’s Lodge Gardens is an ornamental fountain with a bronze mythological sculpture. There are four intricate flower beds surrounding it, with seasonal flowers creating a lush scheme in all seasons.
The elegant architecture of the white lodge looks over a lawn lined with benches, a perfect place to sit and relax a while in the park.
Regent’s Park English Gardens and Broad Walk
After visiting the two gardens, head to the south east corner of the park where the more formal gardens are located.
The Broad Walk will be lined with golden trees changing colour and creating a perfect autumnal scene. Just to either side of the Broad Walk there are formal gardens with fountains and beautiful flower beds, which will also feature seasonal autumn colours.
Frieze Sculpture in the English Garden
The most exciting thing happening in Regent’s Park during the autumn season is the Frieze Art Fair.
Frieze is an enormous art fair held every year over a few days in mid-October. Frieze itself is held in a temporary tent in the park, but alongside this even there is the incredible Frieze Sculpture in the English Garden at Regent’s Park.
Every year, Frieze Art Fair displays a selection of contemporary sculpture outdoors in the area of the park to the east of the Broad Walk. This is different every year but runs from mid October to mid November. It’s such a treat to be able to see new sculpture in this setting and is one of the highlights of the autumn art exhibition season for me.
3. Other things to do near Regent’s Park
Miel Bakery
After exiting the park, Miel Bakery is the perfect stop for a treat. Everything I’ve tried here is delicious—I particularly enjoyed the chocolate tart and chocolate cookie and am hoping to be able to try their rice pudding soon.
Miel is a tiny bakery but is working on expanding and eventually offering workshops. Located on Warren Street near a pedestrianised zone, there’s lots of fun restaurants to explore around here and it’s worth a stop while in the area.
Fitzrovia Chapel
If you happen to be here on a Wednesday, Fitzrovia Chapel is a must visit. The gold mosaic interior is stunning and this London gem is one of the most beautiful churches you’ll see in town.
Built in the 19th century, Fitzrovia Chapel was once the chapel for Middlesex Hospital. However, it was never consecrated, meaning that it remains a secular space for weddings, events, and even art exhibitions.
There is a strong Byzantine influence on the chapel, with its glittering mosaics evoking masterpieces such as Ravenna’s mosaics. It’s a truly unique space in London and is worth visiting during the limited public hours, which are between 10 and 4pm on Wednesdays.
All Saints Church
A very different experience to Fitzrovia Chapel, All Saints Church is a late 19th century wonder, filled with thoughtful decoration. I find the style of it absolutely beautiful and unique among many other Victorian churches. It is more reliably open as it is a functioning church.
Art galleries
There are several interesting art galleries in the area, so it might be worth having a look at what’s on.
Pilar Corias
At the moment there’s an excellent exhibition of Tschabalala Self’s work on between the two Pilar Corias locations (the other is in Mayfair).
Josh Lilley
Josh Lilley is often showing exciting, colourful contemporary painting and sculpture.
Gallery Rosenfeld
Gallery Rosenfeld is another contemporary gallery, but focusing on international work.
Alison Jacques
Alison Jacques is currently showing Veronica Ryan’s exciting textile and sculpture work, nominated this year for the Turner Prize.
Cafe Deco
Cafe Deco in Bloomsbury does an ever-changing seasonal menu with beautiful food that would be the perfect ending to this autumnal day. It’s one of the most aesthetic restaurants in London, in my opinion.
An autumn day near Regent’s Park
There’s so much to see near Regent’s Park and Regent’s Canal, making it one of the best places to enjoy autumn colour in London. The canal itself is so picturesque, and the park holds many wonderful secrets from St John’s Lodge to Frieze sculpture. If you’re looking for a plan for an autumn day in London, this is the perfect one.
