Autumn is one of the best seasons to experience in London. The city is less crowded as the summer tourists start to leave and there are a few more days of nice weather before the transition to grey and cold winter days.
The start of autumn is very different from the last month of the same season as the days are warmer and longer. Officially autumn starts on the 23rd of September however, the transition into autumn starts in the first few weeks of September when the temperature starts to drop and rains become more frequent.
There are many things to do in London during autumn from events and festivals with plenty of Instagrammable places to visit and seasonal food and drinks to try.
The Weather
The temperatures in London during autumn can vary between 19C and 7C. During September the temperatures are around 19C and 11C with an average of 9 days of rain during the month. The average temperature in October is around 16C dropping to 10C in the afternoon, and you can expect a lot more cloudy and rainy days. November will almost feel like winter with temperatures between 5C and 10C and shorter days as the sun sets at 5 pm. If you are arriving from the Southern Hemisphere or a hotter county you might want to ask your doctor for vitamins to avoid getting ill after arriving in the UK and decrease the chances of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
What to Wear
As the weather in autumn can vary a lot, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. You might get to experience a sunny warm day, gusts of wind, and intense rain in a matter of hours. An umbrella and a raincoat are autumn essentials in London, just like a good pair of boots. You should also carry a pair of sunglasses as the weather goes from cloudy to sunny in a matter of seconds. Layering is key to survive autumn in London; a long-sleeved shirt, light sweaters, and a denim or leather jacket might be enough to keep you warm during the day. However, you must always be prepared for the rain as it might start raining at any moment. The weather app might not be trustworthy during this season.
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How to Avoid Seasonal Depression
It might sound strange for some people, but the change of seasons can trigger a mental health condition called seasonal affective disorder and it is a biochemical disorder in the brain caused by winter weather, lack of sunlight, and vitamin D.
The most common symptoms are: Feeling sad or depressed, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, changes in appetite, an increase of sleep, increased fatigue, slowed movements, trouble concentrating and feeling worthless or guilty. If you feel identified by most of those symptoms you should look for help and visit your GP.
To decrease the chances of getting affected by seasonal depression you should try to:
- Stay active and have a balanced diet – Go for a run with friends, cycle or morning walks. Exercising releases endorphins and dopamine that help to relieve pain, stress and feel happy.
- Go out with friends and be social – Isolating will only make seasonal depression worse, calling a friend or going somewhere with friends even if you are feeling tired or sad will make you feel better.
- Go outside – Even if the weather is bad, you can’t let the weather interfere with your plans in the UK otherwise you will be locked inside 24/7. Making fun plans during rainy days will help you cope with the bad weather and seasonal depression.
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What to Do
An autumn must-do is walking around the parks to enjoy the beautiful autumn colors. Some of the best places to do so are; Chelsea Embankment, Richmond Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, and Hampstead Heath. Many events take place during autumn in London such as Totally Thames, London Fashion Week, London Halal Food Festival, Bonfire Night fireworks, London Cocktail Week, Oktoberfest, Open House London, and Diwali.
Some good sources to stay updated with events and things to do in London are Time Out and Visit London.
Photo by Bea Berces on Unsplash
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