Autumn in London

View from the tower at The Garden Museum, Lambeth

 An early post this week as I'm not going to be around in the coming week due to family commitments. So, for a change I thought I'd share some of my favourite places to check out in the autumn. Here we go:

The Garden Museum, Lambeth. This is always a nice place to spend time. Set over the road from the River Thames and next door to Lambeth Palace, the museum occupies an old church. I love all the stained glass windows, and upstairs is a display on gardening through the ages with tools and lots of information. There is currently an exhibition on by Rory McEwen, a botanical artist, called Nature's Song. The museum has a lovely cafe, and if you feel energetic, you can climb up the tower where you get a wonderful view across London.

The Garden Museum, stained glass window

Chelsea Emnbankment to Vauxhall, Thames Path. This is a gorgeous walk along the Thames Path in autumn because the trees look so beautiful in all their glorious colours. It has been a favourite walk for some time. This is also the area of many Blue Plaques on houses. Dante Gabriel Rossetti lived here with his menagerie of animals as well as other artists. Nearby is the Carlyle Museum the home of Thomas and Jane Carlyle in Cheyne Row. However, you need to be quick for this one as it's about to close for the winter, and only open for a couple of Wednesdays (see website). I've yet to visit this house. During the time of Halloween, many houses along here decorate their gardens, which is always fun.

This walk will be beautiful in the autumn (this is a summer shot)

Fulham to Hammersmith, Thames Path. This is another beautiful walk along the Thames, due to the trees overhanging the path. Stop off at Fulham Palace for a hot drink and a bite to eat. There is always something going on there, as well as the gardens and greenhouses to visit and a gift shop. Don;t forget to drop in at the All Saints Church, a splendid place. The section along this path that was once closed while Fulham Football Club was being renovated is now open (except on match days, I believe). If you walk beyond Hammermsith Bridge, there are some nice pubs as well as Kelmscott House where William Morris lived, and further down Emery Walker's House, a stunning arts and craft house. Emery Walker was a good friend of William Morris'. It is well worth going to see.

Thames Path - Fulham to Hammersmith (November)

Chapel, Fulham Palace

Trinity Buoy Wharf. See the stunning container city on the Thames and the only lighthouse on land. There is a tiny museum shed dedicated to Faraday and a riverside cafe, The Orchard Cafe. There are art exhibits everywhere as well as the river craft to look at. Across the river, you get views of the O2 building. From here you can walk to one of the old docks.

Michael Faraday Museum, Trinity Buoy Wharf

Landlocked Lighthouse

Dulwich Picture Gallery and Dulwich Park. The gallery is coming up to a changeover of their exhibits. I'm interested in the one coming in November. There is a cafe, but it is very often crowded and rather expensive, in my view. For a cheaper option, stroll over the road to Dulwich Park Cafe and enjoy the autumn trees and walkways as well. There is a large pond, but also boardwalks to inner ponds. A nice place to spend a sunny autumn afternoon after a visit to the gallery.

That's it for now. Hope these options have interested you enough to take a look for yourselves. Have a great week. Why not let me know your favourite haunts for autumn?

 

Emery Walker's house and garden. The garden backs on to the River Thames