Impact
The Ultimate Guide To Going Green In London This Autumn
Enjoy guilt-free autumn in the city by taking part in some eco-friendly activities.
If you’ve decided to visit London in autumn, you’ll quickly find it is one of the best seasons to spend in the capital, with fewer crowds, but plenty of fun things to do. The weather may just be turning but you can still enjoy the beautiful colours of the trees in many of London’s parks and gardens, and if it gets a little too chilly then you can head for the warmth in the museums or shops, or warm your cockles in a cute coffee shop.
London is one of the most diverse and forward-thinking cities in the world so it’s no surprise that there is a wealth of activities you can do in London that are sustainable and eco-friendly, from theatre shows to fine-dining options. Here are some of the best…
Shop Sustainably
London is a shopping mecca and has everything from the luxury stores of New Bond Street, household names on Oxford Street and quirky markets in both the east and west of London. As we’re all becoming increasingly conscious of the impact of fast fashion and mass production on the environment, it might be time to check out a much more sustainable option.
Buck Market is a new concept in the heart of Camden Market. It has over eighty eco-friendly shops and cafes made entirely of reused shipping containers. Not only does the market have a zero single-use plastic policy, but any leftover food goes into generating electricity via composting.
However, there are also many eco-friendly options in West London, such as the pretty Portobello Road Market where you can easily spend a day browsing antiques and further up, the huge food market which has a range of veggie and vegan options. If you’re simply wanting to do a grocery shop, Whole Foods is a great option in the heart of Kensington, or you could stop by one of the many local farmer’s markets that take place on weekends in South Kensington, Notting Hill and Earl’s Court, to grab some fresh British ingredients so that you can cook up a delicious and organic meal.
Stop For a Climate Conscious Coffee
On your way back to drop off all your new, guilt-free goodies, there’s no doubt you’ll need a caffeine hit to keep you going through the day. In West London, you’ll find the excellent Over Under Coffee in Earl’s Court, which has entirely compostable packing and ethically sourced beans from Borneo. Iris & June is another cute, green café conveniently located in Victoria if you need a quick coffee while travelling, it only uses seasonal foods and encourages customers to use reusable cups.
Another of the city’s greenest cafes, Kiss the Hippo has sustainable coffee shops across the city, including in Richmond, Sloane Square and Fitzrovia if you’re staying in West London. Their coffee is not only fairtrade and ethically sourced but also uses sustainable roasting and is completely carbon negative, because all of their pods and products are recyclable. You’ll never feel guilty about getting a cup of coffee from these cafes, that’s for sure!
Get Out Into Nature
If the weather is on your side, there’s no better time of year to explore Kew Gardens. London’s most beautiful and famous botanical gardens, you can wrap up warm and take a stroll through its vast parkland, visit the famous pagoda and check out the fun tree-top walkway. If you get caught in the rain, head into the Temperate House, the world’s largest Victorian greenhouse.
The best part of spending the day here is that it’s self-powered by you. Not only is it a fun and eco-friendly way to see one of London’s best attractions, but it’s a chance to get out in nature and get some exercise – you can even bring your own picnic! Grab some locally sourced ingredients from a market or pop into Daylesford Organic for British-grown, organic produce such as cured meats, cheese and fruit.
Grab a Seasonal Dinner
If you’re on the hunt for the most sustainable restaurant around, Farmacy in Notting Hill could be the perfect spot. The delicious menu here is filled with fresh, healthy and seasonal food so you can enjoy everything from brunch to dinner and even afternoon tea made with local ingredients. All of the food is plant-based and dairy-free, plus it doesn’t contain any additives, sugar or chemicals.
All produce used to make the dishes are grown either on their own farm or is sourced from local, eco-friendly suppliers. Some of the tastiest dishes include the Pad Thai salad and Garden Pizza, plus you can even try vegan cocktails and wine. While away the evening enjoying great food, drink and company while helping the environment – sounds good to us!
Catch a Carbon-Neutral Theatre Show
London’s West End is popular with visitors from around the world for showing some of the best and biggest theatre shows. However, if you’re willing to venture a little further out, you’ll discover a unique and sustainable theatre experience which features diverse shows and promotes new talent.
We may be located on the opposite side of the city to The Arcola Theatre in Dalston, but nevertheless, we love this company who are championing not just underrepresented groups but also saving the environment. Performing arts have been hit hard by the pandemic so by going to a show you can enjoy a fun night out while giving back. The Arcola aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral theatre, using solar panels to heat its water and carbon-neutral heating systems.
This year you can catch a range of shows, from lesser-known plays such as Sin: The Musical to famous hits like The Ring Cycle and The Magic Flute. So, order a drink at the cute outdoor bar and settle in for a night of music, dancing and drama with a green twist.
Shop, Eat and Stay Sustainably
For the ultimate in eco-friendly living, top off your trip by staying in one of Nestor’s beautiful, eco-friendly West London properties. You’ll be right at the centre of the action in Kensington, Earl’s Court or Victoria meaning you can reach all of these sights and more via public transport, by bike, e-scooter or on foot.
Nestor aims to use vegan and sustainable products throughout each property, and if you book through us, we’ll plant a tree on your behalf, making it as easy as possible for you to enjoy an eco-friendly holiday to remember.