雖然已經告別了夏天,但 10 月的倫敦仍有豐富多元的活動,能滿足每個人的需求。 美食愛好者會很高興得知這座英國首都在 10 月舉辦的各項餐飲盛事,而藝術愛好者則有一場大型博覽會值得期待。 文化愛好者可以關注倫敦黑人族群被遺忘的歷史,而恐怖片愛好者則能及時抵達開膛手傑克所在的城市,參與萬聖節的驚悚活動!
倫敦 10 月的天氣狀況
10 月造訪倫敦時,天氣是首要考量因素。 眾所周知——或者說惡名昭彰——的天氣變幻莫測,不少人都曾在 10 月的倫敦遇過絕佳的天氣。 但也同樣有許多人遇到過大雨掃興的情況。 不過,沒人會期待前往倫敦時能一直遇上晴空萬里的天氣。 平均而言,這個月有一半的時間會是陰雨天,降雨量總計達 5.4 公分。 10 月初的日間氣溫約為 18°C,到月底則會略微降至 14°C。 風暴很少會影響 10 月的倫敦生活,而降雪就像英國人家裡沒雨傘一樣罕見。 瞭解完天氣情況後,讓我們來看看 10 月份倫敦的首選活動和必做清單。
充分感受秋紅之美
公園是專屬於夏天的,對吧? 錯了! 如果您只因為季節更替就捨棄倫敦精選的綠地,那您將會錯過令植物學家及國王皇后都為之著迷的美景。身為聯合國教科文組織世界遺產的 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 在 10 月會變成一片金黃。 園內擁有 14,000 棵樹木,結合雕塑、玻璃溫室以及十層樓高的中式塔樓,確保您總能看到新奇的景象。 位於倫敦東部的維多利亞公園可從攝政運河步道(Regent’s Canal Walk)前往,在維多利亞女王捐贈了部分皇室地產後,該公園於 1845 年作為倫敦首座公共公園開放。 從美如畫的小湖到由舊倫敦橋碎片改建而成的座亭,這些特色景致讓公園的歷史躍然紙上。
發掘下一位畢卡索 (Picasso)
在 10 月期間花一週的時間探索攝政公園 (Regent’s Park),秋季美景將與弗里茲藝術博覽會 (Frieze Art Fair) 的臨時帳篷及戶外雕塑交相輝映。 作為僅專注於當代藝術家最大的博覽會之一,這裡所有的藝術品均可出售,但您的動作必須快,因為大多數作品都不會停留太久,很快就會進入國際畫廊或私人收藏。 先前曾在弗里茲 (Frieze) 展出的藝術家甚至入選了泰特現代藝術館 (Tate Modern)。 泰特現代藝術館坐落於泰晤士河畔一座由發電廠改建的建築中,緊鄰 Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre 並與 St Paul’s Cathedral 隔河相望,是英國參觀人數最多的博物館。 渦輪大廳 (Turbine Hall) 高達五層樓且免費入場,為專門委託創作的作品提供了展示空間,而藝廊牆上則掛滿了從畢卡索 (Picasso)、馬諦斯 (Matisse) 到透納 (Turner) 和沃荷 (Warhol) 等大師的傑作。
感受萬聖節氛圍
雖然南瓜燈可能不常見,但這並不代表 10 月的倫敦沒有超自然的搞怪活動。 兩千多年的歷史意味著有充足的時間讓鬼魂在首都留下痕跡;參加倫敦古老巷弄的導覽鬼屋健行是聽取這些傳說的好方法 —— 儘管之後可能不太容易入睡。 London Bridge Experience 也帶領遊客深入探索倫敦歷史中較為陰暗的角落,從詳細記錄蓋伊·福克斯 (Guy Fawkes) 沿著泰晤士河前往倫敦塔 (Tower of London) 並在那裡受盡折磨直到無法簽名的過程,到開膛手傑克 (Jack the Ripper) 在白教堂 (Whitechapel) 犯下的暴行。 門票包含倫敦陵墓 (London Tombs) 恐怖體驗,該景點建於鼠疫受害者的埋葬地之上。 前往西邊的 Hampton Court Palace,這裡是亨利八世 (King Henry VIII) 最喜愛的官邸,在那裡您可能會冒著撞見據說在走廊出沒的兩位妻子的風險。 如果這位前王后的身影看起來完整,那應該就是因生下愛德華六世 (Edward VI) 而去世的珍·西摩 (Jane Seymour)。 任何沒有頭的軀幹都很可能是亨利八世的第五任妻子凱瑟琳·霍華德 (Catherine Howard),她於 1542 年因通姦罪被斬首。
慶祝倫敦的多樣性
10 月從北美的旅客前往倫敦,您將有第二次機會參與 Black History Month。 通常在 10 月會舉辦一系列特別活動,從博物館展覽到講座和導覽,旨在紀念黑人歷史在塑造現代多元文化倫敦中所扮演的角色。 Diwali 通常在 10 月中旬舉行,是一個燈火節。 慶祝活動於下午早些時候在特拉法加廣場 (Trafalgar Square) 開始,一系列舞蹈團將登台演出。 隨著時間推移,隨後將進行瑜珈示範,並有機會品嚐道地的南亞美食。 其他活動則在霍克斯頓的 Museum of the Home 和格林威治的國家航海博物館 (National Maritime Museum) 舉行。 煙火是活動的一大亮點,北倫敦的溫布利 (Wembley) 是最佳的觀賞地點。
滿足您的食慾
10 月也是倫敦美食節 (London Restaurant Festival) 秋季版舉行的時間。 參與活動的餐廳向饕客們敞開大門,提供一系列特色菜單。 其他活動包括在聖凱瑟琳碼頭 (St Katherine Dock) 到諾丁丘 (Notting Hill) 等倫敦最受歡迎的地點舉行啤酒、葡萄酒和琴酒品酒會。 倫敦人對烈酒的喜愛也無需過多理由,Oktoberfest 慕尼黑啤酒節正是席捲這座首都的最新外來文化。 活動地點包括東倫敦的加拿大塘 (Canada Water) 和南倫敦的克羅伊登 (Croydon)。 現場設有佈置成傳統巴伐利亞啤酒大廳的帳篷,並提供近乎無限供應的拉格啤酒、德國香腸和皮褲。 但如果您更偏好柯斯摩波利丹 (Cosmopolitan) 或曼哈頓 (Manhattan) 調酒,10 月份的倫敦調酒週 (London Cocktail Week) 將能滿足您的需求。 超過 250 間酒吧參與其中,除了舉辦多場限定活動外,更提供多款招牌調酒。
在 10 月探索倫敦
起初,10 月或許看起來不是造訪倫敦的最佳時機。 然而,我們都知道外表往往具有誤導性。 大膽嘗試在 10 月前往倫敦度假,豐富的景點正等著您來探索。 搭配 Go City旅行,您同時還能以更優惠的價格進入許多倫敦最熱門的景點!
But first: the weather…
But first: the weather…
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.
Make the most of the fall colors
Make the most of the fall colors
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.
Discover the next Picasso
Discover the next Picasso
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.
Get into the Halloween spirit
Get into the Halloween spirit
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.
Celebrate London’s diversity
Celebrate London’s diversity
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.
Eat, drink and be merry!
Eat, drink and be merry!
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!
Looking for more info on London’s best bits? Find things to do in and around some of the city’s most popular districts: Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Chelsea.
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