Reasons to visit London in October

A key consideration for many people looking to visit London in October is the climate. Famously (or perhaps infamously) fickle, the English weather can play havoc with your plans, flattening that perfectly teased pompadour or embrowning previously pristine white stilettos at a moment’s notice. Still, only a loon heads to London in October expecting uninterrupted sunny skies.

But here’s the good news: the weather ain’t all that bad in October. Daytime temperatures between 57-64°F are actually pretty optimal for pavement-pounding: not too hot, not too cold. Goldilocks temperatures aside, you can expect a mix of clear, sunny days punctuated by clouds and the occasional downpour. But it’s very rare for October storms rough enough to stop you in your tracks, and snowfall at this time of year is even rarer than an Englishman without an umbrella.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s get on with the far more interesting business of looking at the essential events and things to do in London in October.

Parks are for summer, right? Wrong! To cast aside London’s green spaces just because the seasons have ticked over would be to miss out on sights that have enraptured everyone from botanists to kings, queens and, well, vacationing sightseers just like you.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less – is a treat at any time of year, its 300 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, lawns and hothouses bringing new and exciting color and drama with each new season. In October, it’s all about the fabulous fungi and fiery fall foliage. We’re talking chili reds, lava oranges and sunshine yellows from the collection of some 14,000+ trees, with Japanese maples, yellow gingkos and russet oaks putting on some of the best shows. Hit up the Arboretum and Treetop Walkway for the most Insta-worthy colors, and don’t skip the chance to take it all in from atop the Great Pagoda, an exquisite piece of 18th-century Chinoiserie located close to the Temperate House.

The mother of all gardens Kew may well be, but there are plenty more places to enjoy London’s fall foliage, which is at its peak late October into early November. Spot red deer camouflaging against fall colors in Richmond Park, take in fine fall river views in Greenwich Park, or get lost among the majestic reds and golds of Kensington Gardens. 

Regent’s Park takes fall colors to a whole new level in October, when its regal lawns play host to the Frieze Art Fair, an international extravaganza of contemporary art that fills several marquees and sees the park strewn with outlandish sculptures of all shapes and sizes. See something you like? Good news: it’s all for sale. Bad news: you might have to mortgage a kidney to afford it – most of the works on show here end up in galleries or the homes of deep-pocketed private collectors.

But if that’s whet your appetite for all things arty, you’re in luck. London is one of the culture capitals of the world, and many museums – including the mighty Tate Modern and National Gallery – are free to visit. Yes, you really can ogle van Gogh’s Sunflowers and Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Diptych completely gratis! 

Pro-tip: Entry to several of London’s paid galleries – including the Courtauld, Moco Museum and King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace – comes bundled with Go City London passes, which can save you an art dealer’s ransom on sightseeing at 100+ London attractions.

October is spooky season in London, and this creepy old capital doesn’t disappoint. More than 2,000 years of history has left its mark, with just about every old tavern, tower and dark street corner claiming its own resident ghost. So you don’t have to look far for a ghost tour if you fancy getting in the Halloween spirit – no pun intended.

Many attractions – like London Zoo and our old pal Kew Gardens – have Halloween trails to entertain both kids and adults. Then there are places like Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London, where the chances of running into one or more of gout-ridden serial monogamist Henry VIII’s former wives – with or without heads attached – seems frighteningly high. Heck, even Liverpool Street Station is said to have its own ghost, largely thanks to the plague pit that was discovered underneath it during 2015 excavation works. A little way east of the station, in Whitechapel, a chilling walking tour follows in the footsteps of one of London’s most notorious murderers: Jack the Ripper. 

Elsewhere, those with a taste for the macabre will get a kick from the Hunterian Museum, located inside the Royal College of Surgeons on Lincoln’s Inn Fields, with its creepy collection of primitive surgical instruments, pickled fetuses, syphilis-ravaged skulls and more. And there are theatrical (and slightly silly) jump-scares galore to be had at the London Dungeon and London Bridge Experience. 

Finally, there’s nothing more Halloween than witches, right? Right. In which case, get on that broomstick and hightail it over to the Apollo Victoria Theatre for a night of pure witchy entertainment courtesy of Wicked The Musical. 

Black History Month is a big deal in London, with a whole host of activities and events taking place across the city through October. Yes, we know North America celebrates BHM in February – don’t ask us why we Brits wait until October 🤷🏿.

Anyway, you can expect guided walks, photo exhibitions, foodie events and stacks of top-flight entertainment – live music, comedy nights and stage dramas – that showcases the best of contemporary British Black culture. 

Usually taking place in mid-October, Diwali is the annual Hindu festival of light. Celebrations begin in Trafalgar Square just after lunchtime with a series of dance troupes taking to the stage. As the afternoon progresses dancers give way to yoga demonstrations and the opportunity to taste authentic south Asian food.

You’ll find further family-friendly Diwali events taking place at the likes of the Museum of the Home in Hoxton and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Fireworks also feature heavily, with Wembley in north London the best place to head.

Hungry? Then we have good news: October is when participating restaurants fling open their doors for the London Restaurant Festival, with an array of specialty tasting menus and other unique dining experiences. We’re talking chef’s tables, celeb-chef cookery school masterclasses, supper clubs, hot new restaurant openings, and much more. Other events include beer, wine and gin tastings in some of London’s coolest neighborhoods, from St Katherine Docks to Notting Hill.

Londoners don’t need much encouragement for a stiff drink, with Oktoberfest the latest cultural import to take the capital by storm. You’ll find some of the biggest events in Hammersmith and Finsbury Park, where huge marquees decked out like traditional Bavarian beer halls serve up a seemingly endless supply of lager, bratwurst and lederhosen.

More of a Cosmopolitan or Manhattan guy or gal? London Cocktail Week has your back. Also taking place in October – which is turning out to be quite the party month – the event involves more than 250 bars across London, each showcasing its own signature blends, with many also hosting one-off events. Bottoms up!