Avg highs 15 °C / 59 °F; crisp air, frequent light rain; pack waterproof layers.
Golden leaves blanket royal parks while blockbuster art and film festivals energize cool evenings. Days stay comfortable for walks, though showers pop up suddenly—carry a compact umbrella. Book major exhibitions early, and time museum visits during school-term weekdays to skip half-term lines later in the month.
Category
September
October
November
Weather
Mild 19 °C; late-summer sun, occasional showers.
Cooler 15 °C; frequent drizzle, vivid foliage.
Chilly 12 °C; damp winds, early frosts possible.
Crowds & vibe
Early month busy, easing mid-Sept.
Shoulder; calm until half-term bump.
Quiet off-season aside from fireworks night.
Key events
Totally Thames, Open House, Fashion Week.
Film Festival, Frieze, Cocktail Week, Diwali.
Bonfire Night, Jazz Festival, Christmas lights switch-on.
Best for
Outdoor explorers and late-summer picnics.
Culture vultures, art lovers, foliage photographers.
Museum hoppers, bargain hunters, early festive shoppers.
Book early?
Yes for Design Festival hotels.
Only for festival tickets and half-term family rooms.
Easy except fireworks displays—buy tickets ahead.
Transport notes
Fewer strikes; weekend engineering works resume.
Leaf-fall may slow suburban rail; carry umbrella.
Short daylight; plan journeys before 11 pm to avoid night bus waits.
Budget
Shoulder-season hotel deals mid-month.
Rates moderate; drop after Oct 15 except half-term.
Lowest prices until late-Nov shopping weekends.
Festivals
Date
Event type
Location
What to expect?
BFI London Film Festival
8–19 Oct 2025
Exhibition
Premieres, director Q&As, and global indie gems—book Gala nights early; standby lines rare after 5 pm
Frieze London & Frieze Masters
15–19 Oct 2025
Exhibition
Two giant art tents host blue-chip dealers; off-peak tickets give cheaper entry before noon.
London Cocktail Week
9–19 Oct 2025
Festival
£8-signature drinks at 250 bars with digital pass; avoid Friday 8 pm crush by starting mid-week.
NFL London Games
12 Oct 2025 (TBC)
Sporting Event
Regular-season gridiron attracts jersey-clad fans; plan Jubilee line detours to dodge post-game crowds.
Diwali on Trafalgar Square
26 Oct 2025 (TBC)
Cultural Festival
Dance troupes, vegetarian stalls, and diya-lighting at dusk; arrive by 2 pm for rangoli demos.
Black History Month citywide events
1–31 Oct 2025
Cultural Festival
Museums, libraries, tours
Talks, walking tours, and gospel concerts spotlight Black London heritage—most programs are free but require sign-up.
London Horror Festival
14–31 Oct 2025
Theatre Festival
Indie horror plays and live radio dramas—cheap thrills for spooky season; venue bar serves themed cocktails.
Tower of London After-Hours: Haunted Royals
29–31 Oct 2025
Exhibition
Limited-ticket night tours explore Traitors’ Gate by torchlight—pack layers, stone corridors stay chilly.
Short-crust parcels stuffed with pheasant and venison appear on pub menus once shooting season starts. Rich gravy comforts chilly nights.
Where to eat: The Jugged Hare, 49 Chiswell St.
Market stalls coat tart Bramley slices in molten sugar, then wrap them in buttered crêpes—perfect hand-warmer snack.
Where to eat: Borough Market, Southwark
Craft brewers spice small-batch ales with cinnamon and nutmeg; limited kegs tap out fast—order halves to sample widely.
Where to drink: The Craft Beer Co., Clerkenwell.
Yorkshire oat-ginger cake reaches peak stickiness after resting a week; cafés serve slices with clotted-cream scoops.
Where to eat: Konditor, 159 Gray’s Inn Rd.
Expect light showers most weeks, but downpours rarely last hours. Carry a compact umbrella and explore museums when clouds burst.
Yes—temperatures stay around 15 °C. Parks glow with color, and boat cruises run normal schedules; just bring a windproof layer.
Hotel and flight prices drop about 20 % after mid-month, except during half-term week. Book early for the best central deals.
Tower of London, Sky Garden, and Warner Bros Studio still sell out. Reserve at least two weeks ahead.
Smart-casual works everywhere. Bring a light coat or blazer; many bars keep windows open for ventilation.
Night Tube runs Fri–Sat on five lines; otherwise use 24-hour buses or licensed rideshares. Check last train times before midnight.
Yes—look for themed tours, Tower of London lates, and costume nights in Shoreditch clubs around Oct 31.
Absolutely. London mains water is safe; refill bottles at museum fountains or pub taps.
Nearly all shops, markets, and transit accept contactless payments; cash is only essential for a few small traders.
