12 things to do in London in October

Would you like to know what you can do in London in October? Take note of these great plans!

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 movement - there is always something fascinating to do!

Also in October, a month full of events and fun activities to have a great time during your stay in the British capital, take a look at what you can 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 temperatures are still mild, to enjoy a cruise on the Thames, 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 pictures of your trip, while, thanks to the live narration, you will learn all the details and history of the city.

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

Book a Thames cruise

2. Step into the Harry Potter world

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 right destination. London has many activities around the saga of J.K. Rowling's 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? In that case, you have to book an excursion to Stonehenge from London, the city where Diana Gabaldon's work has its starting point.

With this tour you have included the transfer to and from London, so you can forget about how to get there, you will also have an audio guide at your disposal so you do not miss any detail and you will have the possibility to include a typical menu.

This plan has an approximate duration of 6 hours and a price 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 vacations in London you want to visit Kyoto Garden (one of the most curious secret places in the British capital ) you may also want to know the Kew Gardens' Japan Festival, one of the most fascinating events held in October.

Autumn in London is the ideal time to get lost walking in the gardens and parks of London. The landscape is transformed and gives way to an explosion of amazing colors that, for sure, 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 contemplating 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 art (Japanese flower arranging) and much more. Book your tickets for Kew Gardens and make a note in your schedule of this autumnal splendor!

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 Jack the Ripper London tour that will show you the most terrifying side of the city.

In addition to learning about the history of this famous and ruthless serial criminal, during the activity you will also discover other spooky enclaves 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 Jack the Ripper London Tour

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 in your suitcase because on the night of October 31 you will want to party in one of the clubs of the British capital.

But where to go? Here are some areas 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 the London nightlife.
  • Brixton: If you feel like listening to live music, the bars in Brixton 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 run out of your plan you have the option to book 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 visit 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 most popular tourist attractions in the city for that combination of dread and mystery that inspires its chilling history and the events that occurred 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 vicinity of 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 nineteenth century in Munich, but its joy, good vibes and cult of beer has made this festival transcend borders and is now celebrated all over the world in October.

And London could not be less! Canada Water, Ealing and Canary Wharf are the sites chosen to install the tents where you can have a good time between giant beers, pretzels and good music.

If you want to join the party, I advise you to go early to find a good place in the tents, as the Oktoberfest is one of the most anticipated events of the year and always gets crowded. And if you are short of experience, you can book a bike tour with a visit to a brew pub.

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 the month of October, the Illuminature festival is held at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes, a wildlife watching center that is home to a multitude of birds, amphibians, butterflies and other creatures.

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

To participate in the activity you need to get a ticket, which you can book on the center's website. At the exit you will have got some cool pictures 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 wonderful and you can enjoy some real artistic gems. However, if you have already visited them on several occasions and you feel like seeing something different, during the month of October there are two of the most important art fairs in the British capital that attract 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 favorite vacation plans is to get dressed up and go out to enjoy the night until the small hours, during October you will have the chance to experience the world's largest 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 more than 200 bars and pubs are participating and besides serving delicious cocktails prepared by the city's most talented bartenders, they also organize 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 take a look at the festival's website to take note of some of the best bars to go to.

12. Hang out among Earth's greatest superheroes

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

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

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 participate in the EuroCosplay competitions. You'll have a great time and get some of the coolest pictures of your vacation.

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 is 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 maximum and 11ºC minimum.

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, in October there are fewer visitors and prices are lower than in previous months.

Book an excursion to Downton Abbey and Oxford

What is the tourist flow in October?

Big Ben next to the Palace of Westminster from the London Eye.| ©TheeErin
Big Ben next to 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 for flights and accommodation. It is easier to find some interesting bargains!

In addition, the atmosphere in London is quieter as there are not as many tourists as in summer and the queues to access the main attractions of the city are shorter. In fact, it is 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

Traveling 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 are on a tighter budget you will find it easier to find good prices since the tourist influx to the city is not as high as in summer or Christmas.

Book a guided tour of the British Museum

What to pack for your trip to London in October?

Preparing your luggage| ©Vlada Karpovich
Preparing your luggage| ©Vlada Karpovich

If you are visiting London in October, it is best to pack several layers of clothing in your suitcase because the weather can be somewhat changeable. During the day the temperatures are still pleasant and in the evenings it tends to cool down. In addition, in this season the rains increase so it is important to add an umbrella to your luggage.

Another thing you can not miss in your suitcase to travel to London in October is a good costume. You will need it when you go to a Halloween party or if you sign up for the MCM London ComicCon.

Book the London sightseeing bus