Autumn through the ages: Folklore, whimsy and traditions in nature

Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is celebrated annually on 29 September. Occurring close to the autumn equinox, it was traditionally regarded as the point at which autumn truly began, marking the gradual shortening of the days. In England, Michaelmas is one of the four historic quarter days, alongside Lady Day on 25 March, Midsummer on 24 June and Christmas on 25 December.

Historically, Michaelmas was considered the deadline for completing the harvest, signalling the end of the growing season and the start of a new agricultural cycle. Saint Michael is recognised as one of the chief archangels and a protector against the forces of darkness. According to Christian tradition, he led the heavenly battle against evil forces, a connection that made him a fitting symbol for the seasonal transition into autumn, when daylight wanes and nights grow longer.

Celebrations typically included religious services, processions and communal feasts. Goose was traditionally served as part of the festivities and was believed to bring prosperity in the year ahead. This belief is reflected in the old saying: “Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day, want not for money all the year.”

Asters, or Michaelmas daisies, flower late in the season, bringing colour to gardens and landscapes at a time when many other plants are fading for winter. The flower became associated with Saint Michael and Michaelmas celebrations through its ability to bloom as the days grow shorter, symbolically standing against the encroaching darkness of the season. Michaelmas daisies can be spotted throughout the Rose Garden in Greenwich Park and the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in The Regent’s Park.

Autumn provides the perfect conditions for fungi to emerge and thrive, transforming parkland and woodland across the UK into a hidden world of curious shapes, colours, and textures. Today, fungi are enjoying a revival amongst nature enthusiasts, but the Victorians were equally captivated by these mysterious organisms.  

When thinking of fungi most people think of only mushrooms, but this fascinating group of organisms also includes yeasts, smuts, mildews and moulds. They are a vital part of many habitats, performing roles in decomposition of organic matter and delivering nutrients for plant growth.  

The Victorian era saw an explosion of interest in the natural world. Advances in science, greater access to green spaces and a growing enthusiasm for collecting and cataloguing species encouraged people to look more closely at the plants, animals and fungi around them.  

Mycology, the study of fungi, was a field in which Victorian women played a key role in research, documentation, and scientific illustration. Despite often being excluded from formal training and professional networks due to their gender, this did not stop pioneers like Anna Maria Hussey and Elizabeth Banning from making some of the most groundbreaking and fascinating contributions to the field. Beatrix Potter, famous for her children’s stories, was also a key contributor, producing hundreds of scientific illustrations of fungi and was one of the first in England to cultivate them from spores. These valuable contributions were largely ignored by the established scientific community at the time as studying fungi was considered decidedly unladylike.

Alongside important scientific contributions, fungi also occupied a special place in the Victorian imagination. Mushrooms appeared frequently in fairy tales, folklore and art, symbolising mystery, magic and the boundary between the real and supernatural worlds. Fairy rings, toadstools and woodland fungi became recurring themes in Victorian paintings and literature as their other worldly appearance and texture made them the perfect symbol of mystery.

Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park and Bushy Park continue to support a rich variety of fungi species. At The Royal Parks charity our conservation and Help Nature Thrive teams regularly carry out surveys and citizen science projects to record and better understand this over-looked world.  

This autumn, discover which fungi you are with our interactive quiz and when you’re exploring the parks take a moment to look beneath the trees and among the fallen leaves. You might find yourself sharing the same sense of discovery that captivated Victorian imaginations hundreds of years ago.

Richmond Park and Bushy Park are home to both red and fallow deer, which play an important role in the parks’ histories and ecosystems. Red and fallow deer have roamed in Richmond Park since the 17th century, when they were introduced by Charles I, and red deer were introduced to Bushy Park following the Second World War.

The deer mating season, also known as the rut, takes place from late September to early November, when the red stags and fallow bucks compete for females. The large males roar, bark and clash antlers to fight off rivals and attract as many potential mates as possible. This spectacle has echoed across these landscapes for centuries.

The rut is not just fascinating to watch, it’s a genetic filter. Dominant males often produce most of the offspring, reinforcing traits such as antler size, body condition, and behavioural dominance. Historically, the thunderous calls of rutting stags inspired stories, superstitions and folklore. In medieval folklore, hearing a stag’s call was considered significant, as people believed it was a sign that winter was just around the corner.

Deer were often seen as creatures that moved between the natural and supernatural worlds and the antlers that shed, and regrow each year, made them a powerful symbol of renewal.

Today, the rut remains one of the most spectacular wildlife events in London’s parks and the deer of the Royal Parks are not only part of the capital’s wildlife heritage, but also living links to the past, present and future of wildlife in London. If you’re planning to visit Richmond Park or Bushy Park this autumn, then we’d like to remind you to be extra vigilant and stay well away from the deer as there will be significant changes in their behaviour which can pose increased risk of injury to visitors. Dog owners are also asked to please always keep their dog on a lead or walk them elsewhere during this time.

Autumn has changed significantly since the days of Michaelmas feasts, woodland nutting and Victorian fungi-hunting expeditions, yet its appeal remains remarkably constant. Across the Royal Parks, the season continues to offer many of the same experiences that fascinated earlier generations: spectacular colours, shifting light, atmospheric mist, abundant wildlife and a powerful sense of seasonal change. Whether admiring early-morning fog drifting across parkland, discovering seasonal wildlife, or simply taking a quiet walk beneath falling leaves, autumn invites us to slow down, look more closely and reconnect with nature.

In 2026, that connection feels more important than ever. The changing season offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and experience nature at its most dramatic. The Royal Parks offer countless ways to make the most of autumn. Explore our guide to the top things to do this autumn in the Royal Parks and discover for yourself why this extraordinary season, that has captivated people for centuries, continues to do so today.