As the nights draw in, and you retrieve your scarf from the back of the wardrobe, you may be forgiven for thinking that it's a quiet time in the Royal Parks. But you couldn't be more wrong. Making pizzas in Regent's Park, minibeast hunting in Bushy Park, visiting the Fields of Battle exhibition in St James's Park - there is plenty to keep visitors engaged this autumn.
Make pizzas at the Harvest Festival in Regent's Park
On 21 September, from 11am-5pm, Regent's Park Allotment Garden will host its annual Harvest Festival. A clay oven has been built especially for the occasion, so visitors can make their own pizzas using fresh produce from the allotment. Entertainment will include live folk music, a children's treasure hunt and the popular 'guess the weight of the pumpkin' competition.
Find out more about The Regent's Park Allotment Garden
Go bird watching in Richmond Park
Join the Friends of Richmond Park on one of their fortnightly informal birdwatching walks. Some birds you may spot at this time of year include a spoonbill, a red necked grebe or the formidable 'buzzard'. Meet at 9.30am at the coffee kiosk at Pen Ponds car park, on the second and fourth Friday of each month. No need to book, just turn up.
Visit the Fields of Battle Exhibition in St James's Park
The Fields of Battle/Lands of Peace photographic exhibition is currently on at St James's Park. Dedicated to the First World War it features 60 powerful images from battlefields that include Flanders in Belgium and Gallipoli in Turkey. The outdoor exhibition is free and runs until Armistice Day (11 November).
Hang out with Peter Pan
On a visit to Kensington Gardens, stop by the Peter Pan statue and watch in awe as it magically comes to life. Simply swipe your smartphone on the nearby tag and receive a personal call back from Peter. On the other end of the line you will hear a dramatic three-minute Peter Pan monologue that has been written by acclaimed playwright Ella Hickson and voiced by Daniel Roche, star of popular BBC TV series 'Outnumbered'.
Go on an adult minibeast hunt in Bushy Park on 4 October 9.30am-3.30pm
Discover the secret world of minibeasts in Bushy Park with leading experts from the Field Studies Council. As well as using practical techniques to collect and identify invertebrates, you will also find out more about their fascinating lifestyles and the important role they play in the eco system. Cost: £15. Adults only.
Cheer on the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon runners on 12 October
Starting and finishing at Hyde Park, 16,000 runners will take part in the Royal Parks Foundation Marathon across central London, taking in world-famous landmarks on closed roads including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and four of London's eight Royal Parks. If you are not a runner, don't worry as there is something for everyone at the event's Food & Fitness Festival.
Visit Frieze London and Frieze Masters in Regent's Park 15-19 October
One of the world's biggest contemporary art fairs, Frieze London, returns to Regent's Park. Here you can browse and buy art from over 1,000 of the world's leading artists. The event will also feature debates, panel discussions and keynote lectures. New to this year's lineup is 'Live' - a new section dedicated to performance based installations.
Coinciding with Frieze London will be Frieze Masters which brings together 120 galleries specialising in pre-21st Century art.
Deer watch in Greenwich Park
In the sixteenth century, reigning monarch, King Henry VIII, introduced deer to Greenwich Park, and a small collection of red and fallow deer still feature today. See the 500 year tradition up close, by visiting the Flower Gardens which provides several viewing points of 'The Wilderness', an enclosed deer park in the south east corner of Greenwich Park.
Eat at the Smokehouse in Regent's Park
Award winning British restaurant, cafe and catering group, Benugo has re-opened the cafe on The Broad Walk in Regent's Park under the new name, 'Smokehouse'. It offers a fast paced BBQ menu of ribs, burgers, hotdogs and wings with sides, alongside vegetarian options, available to eat in or take away. The outlet is the second in Regent's Park to have been refurbished by Benugo (the Espresso Bar, at the junction of The Broad Walk and Chester Road, was completed before Christmas last year).
Have your say on restoration designs for Brompton Cemetery
The cemetery, which dates back to 1840 and is the final resting place of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, has been awarded £3.7 million of lottery money for restoration. The Royal Parks will be hosting a community consultation event on 4 October, 11am-1pm, which will include a presentation, display of project proposals and opportunity to comment.
