Location: East Barnet, north London

Oak Hill Wood is an ancient woodland thought to date back to at least the 11th century. This steeply-sloping medieval woodland is home to hornbeam, oak and ash, which all look stunning in autumn as the leaves turn gold.

Species to spot:

• Treecreeper
• Tawny owl
• Great spotted woodpecker
• Wild service-tree
• Sparrowhawk
• Beefsteak polypore
• Common inkcap

Visit Oak Hill Wood

Location: Dulwich, South East London

Sydenham Hill Wood is a surviving part of the ancient Great North Wood which used to cover much of what is now central south London. It’s home to more than 200 species of trees and plants as well as rare fungi, insects, birds and woodland mammals. Keen ears can hear owls and kestrels and the drumming of woodpeckers. It’s also a great place to spot several species of fungi. 

Species to spot in autumn:

• Tawny owl
• Kestrel
• Firecrest 
• Nuthatch
• Sessile oak
• Hornbeam
• Hazel
• Fly agaric
• Sulphur tuft
• Jelly ear fungus

Visit Sydenham Hill Wood

Location: Hillingdon, north-west London

An ancient oak and hazel coppice woodland in North Hillingdon, Gutteridge Wood is a haven for birds all year long. A visit to Gutteridge Wood can form part of a day out to three nature reserves - Ten Acre Wood to the east and Yeading Brook Meadows south from there are all connected by the Hillingdon Trail.  

Species to spot in autumn:

• English oak
• Hazel
• Kestrel
• Little owl
• Kingfisher
• Great spotted woodpecker
• Green woodpecker
• Nuthatch
• Hare’s ear fungus

Visit Gutteridge Wood