10 Things to Do in London in autumn

Fall is the perfect time to visit London. The city and its parks take on a special hue, and temperatures aren’t too cold.

Plus, prices aren’t as high as they are at other times of the year, and there are several notable events on the calendar, such as Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night. Below, I’ve listed all the must-see events you shouldn’t miss during your trip to the British capital between September and December.

Since 1997, the Thames Festival Trust has taken place in London, an event where the River Thames takes center stage. A full program of artistic, educational, and heritage activities is organized, such as:

• Rowing and swimming competitions.
• Live music performances.
• Digital exhibitions.
• Workshops.

Plus, you can take advantage of being in the area and book tickets for the London Eye to view the activities from above.

Points of interest

• When: throughout the month of September.
• Where: on the South Bank.
• To learn more... Read the articles Views from the London Eye and Tickets for the London Eye

And if you’re a foodie and your trip happens to fall in October, you’re in luck. For over a decade, the London Restaurant Festival has been held, a festival during which the city’s most popular restaurants design and offer various tasting menus.

It’s the perfect opportunity to sample dishes from around the world. Plus, you’ll have the chance to participate in wine and beer tastings, attend masterclasses led by famous chefs, enjoy a wide variety of culinary events, and experience different culinary adventures. A delight for all the senses!

Other culinary recommendations

• I recommend booking a set menu at the Hard Rock Café in London.
• Read the post “10 Places to Eat Near the London Eye.”
• Go ahead and book a food tour of London.

The top plan for your trip to London during the fall season, especially from late September to early November, is to take a stroll through one of the city’s main parks or garden areas.

London has an equal amount of green space as it does urban space. In fact, it’s said that if each of the millions of Londoners living in the city wanted to hug a tree, there would be one for each of them. Fancy finding your own tree? Here are a few suggestions for your trip:

• St John’s Lodge Gardens: located in Regent’s Park, this is one of the city’s most peaceful green spaces.
• Hyde Park: right in the heart of London, it’s a favorite park for both residents and visitors alike.
• Richmond Park: This is one of my favorite spots. It’s London’s largest nature reserve and home to a variety of deer roaming freely.
• St. James’s Park: located next to Buckingham Palace, it is one of the city’s most historic parks.
• Victoria Park: a perfect choice if you’re visiting with children, as it features various play areas and swimming pools.
• Chiswick Gardens: stands out for its classical temples, monuments, lakes, and its conservatory, which houses an important collection of camellias.
• Royal Botanic Kew Gardens: You’ll have to pay to enter, but it’s a visit that’s truly worth it, as it features over 500 acres of woodland and 50,000 plants.

A fun option for both kids and adults is to book a visit to the Harry Potter Studios Park, where you can immerse yourself in the original sets from the blockbuster films:

• The Great Hall at Hogwarts.
• Platform 9¾.
• The Headmistress’s Office.
• Diagon Alley.
• Or the Forbidden Forest.

In the next post, you can find all the details on how to get to the Harry Potter Studios. And I recommend visiting in November to experience them in the fall, as this is the month when you’ll encounter the fewest visitors.

Booking tickets to the London Dungeon means experiencing 17 interactive shows with terrifying sets, special effects, and narration by various performers who bring visitors face-to-face with some of the darkest events in London’s history, such as:

• The Great Fire of London in 1666.
• The Gunpowder Plot.
• Or the Black Death. Plus.

You’ll learn all about the stories of Guy Fawkes, Sweeney Todd, and Jack the Ripper. For Halloween, usually during the second half of October, they put on some special events, so I recommend going if you’re in London in October.

Another great plan for fall is to book tickets for the London Eye. Having the chance to see London at this time of year, when the city is bathed in ochre and orange hues like a postcard, is truly unbeatable.

And what better place to do so than from Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view and lets you take fantastic photos.

Read the post “Views from the London Eye” and you’ll get an idea of what you can see from this attraction.

With over 60 years of history, the London Film Festival is a premier film event held annually for over ten days in October.

If you’re a film lover and your trip coincides with the weeks the festival takes place, I recommend you check it out, as you’ll have the chance to enjoy some of the best and most acclaimed films and series in the world.

Additionally, premiere galas, special screenings, and immersive art experiences are organized, among other offerings.

In early December, Santa Run London takes place—a charity race where participants dress up as Santa Claus.

It’s an ideal activity if you’re visiting London with children, as all participants receive a Santa Claus costume, and there’s a symbolic race for children under eight.

Adults and children aged eight and older can participate in two races: a 5-kilometer and a 10-kilometer race. And after the race, they can recharge with a snack while listening to Christmas carols.

October also sees Frieze London, an international art fair featuring a selection of carefully curated contemporary art galleries, held in Regent’s Park.

Additionally, talks and various activities are organized throughout the five-day event. This international fair is also held in New York and Los Angeles.

From mid-November through early December, you can already experience and feel the Christmas spirit in London. During this time, you can:

• See the first Christmas markets.
• Witness the lighting of the Christmas lights.
• Enjoy the Christmas decorations and Christmas trees.
• Listen to Christmas carols.
• And go ice skating at one of the rinks, such as Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

If your trip to London falls during the fall season, keep in mind that temperatures begin to drop gradually and significantly starting in late September.

They average 16°C in September, 13°C in October, 9°C in November, and a minimum average of 5°C in December. It’s also a very rainy season. In fact, October and November are the months with the highest rainfall.

Tourist traffic in London in the fall is much lower compared to other times of the year, such as summer, Christmas, and Easter… Therefore, I recommend that if you have the opportunity to travel from September to December, don’t hesitate to do so.

You’ll have a wider selection of flights and hotels. Plus, the attractions won’t be as crowded as they are at other times of the year. Even so, keep in mind that there are always tourists in London; it’s just that there are times when there are slightly fewer.

Prices in London during the fall months are relatively affordable compared to other times of the year, especially in October and November.

Even so, there are key dates when prices are higher, such as Halloween or December, when the Christmas spirit is already in the air.

No matter which month of fall you visit, it’s advisable to dress warmly with sweaters and hoodies.

It’s also a good idea to bring a raincoat to protect yourself from the rain, as well as waterproof shoes.

Additionally, starting in November, temperatures begin to drop significantly, averaging between 5°C and 9°C, so it’s essential to bring a coat.