12 things to do in London in October

What can you do in London in October? Take note of these great things to do!

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

10 min read

12 things to do in London in October

Aerial view of the City of London from the Sky Garden | ©MJ Tangonán

London is a city full of life and in constant motion - there's always something fascinating to do!

October is also a month full of fun events and activities to keep you entertained during your stay in the British capital - check out all the things to do in London in October!

1. Get your best snapshots of London from a cruise ship

Cruises London|©Arno van Marrewijk
Cruises London|©Arno van Marrewijk

What better time than in October, when the temperatures are still mild, to enjoy a Thames cruise, a plan that will captivate you.

You will have wonderful views of the main monuments of this dazzling city such as the London Eye, Big Ben, the Tower of London... and you will get the best photographs of your trip, while, thanks to the live narration, you will learn all the details and the history of the city.

You have numerous options with different timetables, prices and services to enjoy this experience. Here are a few suggestions:

Book a Thames cruise

2. Step into the world of Harry Potter

Harry Potter in London|©New York Habitat
Harry Potter in London|©New York Habitat

And if you're passionate about Harry Potter, you've come to the perfect destination. London has many activities based around J. K. Rowling's saga of novels.

On the one hand, you have the opportunity to take a Harry Potter tour or, my recommendation, you can buy your ticket for the Warner Bros Studio Harry Potter Park. Which option do you choose?

Book tickets for Kew Gardens

3. Take a trip to Stonehenge

Stonehenge|©Mark H. Anbinder
Stonehenge|©Mark H. Anbinder

And we continue with another literary saga: have you seen the Outlander series? If so, you need to book a tour to Stonehenge from London, the city where Diana Gabaldon's work begins.

This tour includes a return transfer from London, so you don't have to worry about how to get there, you'll also have an audio guide at your disposal so you won't miss any detail and you'll have the possibility to include a typical menu.

This tour lasts approximately 6 hours and costs from 82 euros.

Book an excursion to Stonehenge

4. Attend the Kew Gardens' Japan Festival

Kew Gardens' Japan Festival| ©Koji Moriya
Kew Gardens' Japan Festival| ©Koji Moriya

If during your holidays in London you are sure you want to visit Kyoto Garden (one of the most curious secret places in the British capital ) you might also be interested in the Kew Gardens' Japan Festival, one of the most fascinating events that take place in October.

Autumn in London is the ideal time to get lost in London's gardens and parks. The landscape is transformed and gives way to an explosion of amazing colours that you will want to capture with your camera. Especially the Kew Gardens' Japan Festival, where for a whole month you can celebrate Japanese culture and art while you contemplate the vegetation of this impressive botanical garden.

In addition, during the festival there are plenty of activities such as exhibitions, music and dance performances, workshops on ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and much more. Book your tickets for Kew Gardens and make a note in your schedule for this autumnal treat!

Book tickets for Kew Gardens

5. Track Jack the Ripper through the streets of London

Visiting the Jack the Ripper Museum on Tour| ©Matt Brown
Visiting the Jack the Ripper Museum on Tour| ©Matt Brown

Another plan to do in London in October if your visit coincides with Halloween is to book a tour of Jack the Ripper's London which will show you the most terrifying side of the city.

As well as learning about the history of this famous and ruthless serial criminal, during the activity you will also discover other spooky sites of London's black legend such as the Plague Pits, the first psychiatric hospital, the Traitor's Gate, the Tower of London or some haunted areas of the East End. Are you ready to have a frightening time?

Book a tour of Jack the Ripper London

6. Put on your best costume and go out and have fun on Halloween

Ready for Halloween| ©radiographie
Ready for Halloween| ©radiographie

If your stay in London coincides with Halloween, remember to pack a costume because on the night of 31 October you're going to want to party in some of the British capital's clubs.

But where to go? Here are some of the best places to go out in London at night:

  • Notting Hill & Marble Arch: Ideal for the younger crowd. There are both bars and pubs where you can have a bite to eat.
  • Camden: For those who are looking for a relaxed and indie atmosphere to enjoy London's nightlife.
  • Brixton: If you feel like listening to live music, Brixton's bars will not disappoint you.
  • Piccadilly Circus: If you want to move in a popular atmosphere and listen to commercial music to have a good time with friends.

And if you want to make sure you don't miss out on your plan, you have the option of booking a ghost tour:

Book a ghost tour

7. Explore the Tower of London

Inside the Tower of London| ©Doug Kerr
Inside the Tower of London| ©Doug Kerr

If you're visiting London in October you can take advantage of Halloween this month to explore the Tower of London, an ancient fortress that has stood for almost a millennium and is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions for its combination of dread and mystery inspired by its spooky history and the events that took place here.

The second wife of King Henry VIII was executed like so many others in the Tower of London and it is said that the ghost of Anne Boleyn wanders around the Green Tower with her head under her arm.

But don't worry, chances are you won't witness any supernatural events there, although you will see plenty of cute little crows swarming around the monument - they're quite the attraction there!

Book your ticket for the Tower of London

8. Raise a beer toast at Oktoberfest

Beer toast| ©Tembela Bohle
Beer toast| ©Tembela Bohle

Oktoberfest was born in the 19th century in Munich, but its joy, good vibes and cult of beer has made this festival cross borders and nowadays it is celebrated all over the world in October.

And London is no exception! Canada Water, Ealing and Canary Wharf are the places chosen to set up the tents where you can have a good time with giant beers, pretzels and good music.

If you feel like joining the party, I advise you to go early to find a good place in the tents, as Oktoberfest is one of the most awaited events of the year and it is always packed to the rafters. And if you're short on experience, you can book a bike tour with a brew pub crawl.

Book a bike tour with a visit to a brewpub

9. Enjoy the Illuminature light festival

Illuminature Festival| ©SecretLondon
Illuminature Festival| ©SecretLondon

Who doesn't love a good festival of lights? During October, the Illuminature Festival takes place at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes, a wildlife watching centre home to a multitude of birds, amphibians, butterflies and other creatures.

At dusk you can explore nature in a different and very original way, strolling through the ponds and reed beds which have been decorated with huge tunnels of light, colourful water lilies and large lanterns depicting animals such as swans, owls, flamingos and more.

To take part in the activity you'll need a ticket, which you can book on the centre's website, and by the time you leave you'll have got some great photos to upload to Instagram!

10. Bring out your cultural side and visit London's art fairs

At Frieze London| ©Yin Xiuzhen
At Frieze London| ©Yin Xiuzhen

London' s museums are a marvel and you'll be able to enjoy some real artistic gems. However, if you've already visited them a few times and fancy seeing something different, October sees two of the British capital's most important art fairs attracting artists from all over the world.

One is Frieze London in Regent's Park and the other is The Other Art Fair, in East London.

If you want to bring out your cultural side and take home a unique souvenir of your stay in the city, I recommend you drop by to catch up on the latest developments in the sector.

11. Celebrate London Cocktail Week... all month long!

Enjoying a good cocktail| ©Elzio Pilan Junior Pilan Films
Enjoying a good cocktail| ©Elzio Pilan Junior Pilan Films

If one of your favourite holiday plans is to get dressed up and go out for a late night out, October is your chance to experience the world's biggest cocktail festival in London: London Cocktail Week.

What started with one week has been so successful that it has been extended to the whole month and now involves over 200 bars and pubs serving delicious cocktails prepared by the city's most talented bartenders, as well as pop-ups, events and workshops.

With one of the London Cocktail Week wristbands you will have access to exclusive £7 cocktails in some of the most amazing bars in the British capital. Does the idea appeal to you? Then I recommend you check out the festival website for some of the best bars to go to.

12. Hang out with Earth's greatest superheroes

People in Costume at London ComicCon| ©sharky-san
People in Costume at London ComicCon| ©sharky-san

If you're a fan of comics and video games, you've got a date with MCM London ComicCon at ExCeL London in the east of the city at the end of October.

It's Britain's biggest pop culture convention, with three days packed with meetings, panels, cosplay events and a whole host of other activities! In fact, MCM London ComicCon attendees can dress up in cosplay and even take part in the EuroCosplay competitions. You'll have a great time and get some of the coolest pictures of your holiday.

So don't hesitate to pack your best costume for your trip to London - between Halloween and MCM, you'll get a lot out of it!


What's the temperature in October in London?

Autumn in Waterloo Gardens| ©carlfbagge
Autumn in Waterloo Gardens| ©carlfbagge

Autumn is a fantastic time to travel to London and enjoy all there is to do in London. The thermometers are around 16ºC at the highest and 11ºC at the lowest.

Temperatures are, therefore, very pleasant for sightseeing in the city because it is no longer as hot as in summer and the nights become cooler. In addition, there are fewer visitors in October and prices are lower than in previous months.

Book a trip to Downton Abbey and Oxford

How busy is the October tourist season?

Big Ben by the Palace of Westminster from the London Eye| ©TheeErin
Big Ben by the Palace of Westminster from the London Eye| ©TheeErin

Exploring London in October is a joy. In contrast to the summer, there are fewer tourists in autumn, which translates into lower prices on flights and accommodation - it's easier to find a great bargain!

Also, the atmosphere in London is quieter as there are fewer tourists than in summer and the queues to get into the city's main attractions are shorter. In fact, it's an ideal time to book a musical in London such as:

Book your ticket for a musical in London

What are the prices in London in October?

Paying for shopping| ©David Dvořáček
Paying for shopping| ©David Dvořáček

Travelling to London in October is not only a good idea from a weather point of view, but also from an economic point of view. If you're on a tighter budget, you'll find it easier to find good prices as the city is not as busy as it is in summer or at Christmas.

Book a guided tour of the British Museum

What to pack for London in October?

Packing your bags| ©Vlada Karpovich
Packing your bags| ©Vlada Karpovich

If you're visiting London in October, it's best to pack several layers of clothing as the weather can be a little changeable. Daytime temperatures are still pleasant during the day and the evenings tend to be cooler. There is also an increase in rainfall during this season, so it's important to pack an umbrella.

Another must-have item in your suitcase when travelling to London in October is a good fancy dress costume. You'll need it if you're going to a Halloween party or if you're attending MCM London ComicCon.

Book the London Sightseeing Bus