A Complete Guide to Visiting London This Autumn (2024)

Updated: 11 marzo 2024
 By Margaret

London is a fun and family-friendly city to visit this fall. There are plenty of fun and free things to do all around the city, and this is your guide to enjoying the best of London this fall.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN LONDON IN FALL

This is a Top 10 list of things to do in London this Fall. For more ideas on popular things to do in London, check out our posts on bus tours and walking tours of the city.

Some of the items listed in this post are included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass


Take a Sightseeing Tour

London is such a big city with so many things to see - make sure you see the best of it with a sightseeing tour! Of course, we recommend our pay-what-you-like walking tours.

We have themed tours for street art, the Soho and Chinatown neighborhoods, Harry Potter, and more. Here are some of our most popular:  

If walking tours aren’t your thing, maybe consider a cruise down the River Thames? Hop-On-Hop-Off buses are also very popular and make it easy to get around London.

Several great tour options are included for free or at a discount with the purchase of a London tourist pass.


2. Autumn Scenes in the Parks

London boasts some beautiful parks that can be enjoyed year-round. These parks are especially enjoyable in the fall when the leaves turn colors!

Hampstead Park consists of rambling woodlands, paths and ponds, cafes, and one of the best views in the capital atop Parliament Hill.

Hyde Park sits in the center of London and had walking trails, bike paths, and even equestrian paths! For a list of the parks to visit in London, click our link here.


3. London Museums at Night

London boasts some amazing museums, but have you enjoyed them after dark? 

In case you can't make it out to Museums at Night, we still think you should visit a museum on your trip to London. Below is a video of all the free museums to visit in London:


4. Catch a Concert

A number of big names are coming to London this autumn that you won't want to miss! Below is a list of just a few of the shows you're going to want to get tickets for:


5. Ghost Tours

Autumn brings on a spooky vibe, and you don't have to wait until Halloween to go on a ghost tour!

Our Ghost Tour takes guests on a walk through London’s most fascinating dark heritage and explores the most disturbing and haunting tales of the Old City.

The tour includes a number of grizzly sights, including a walk down “disgraceful Cheapside" that features tales of cannibalism and canine haunting before continuing on to the Old Bailey Courthouse, the site of countless executions and the trial of a Victorian serial killer 100 times more prolific than Jack the Ripper! To book your spot, click here

Jack the Ripper sketch

Speaking of Jack the Ripper, we have an entire tour dedicated to him! Free Tours By Foot offers the very first Jack the Ripper tour, on which our guides lead guests through an in-depth look at the case, making this the perfect hair-raising tour. 

For a full review of ghost tours in London, click here


6. Enjoy a Sporting Event

Premier League football (soccer) is in full swing in fall, which means there will be plenty of games to attend!

London is home to 3 of the top football teams within the Premier League and many others outside the League, so you can take your pick of matches.

Football 

American Football will also be making an appearance in London with the Chicago Bears playing the Oakland Raiders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 6th.

To get tickets, click here

Tennis 

Nitto ATP Finals are taking place in London in November. You can get your tickets here

Rugby

Men's and women's teams from England, Ireland, USA and France will be competing this October in the RugbyX tournament. Get your tickets here


7. London Restaurant Festival

The London Restaurant Festival takes place Oct. 1-27, 2023 and is the perfect chance to try a new dining experience. With over 60 events throughout the month of October, London Restaurant Festival showcases local cuisine and favorited chefs.

In addition to special menus and discounted prices on many offerings, the festival will also host restaurant-hopping tours, chef-hosted lunches, and various tasting menus among other things.

We recommend finding a pub with a fireplace to try Sunday Roast, the perfect hearty dish for an autumn day.

If you miss the London Restaurant Festival or want to keep the feasting going, we recommend our pay-what-you-wish London Food Tour. We'll give you an idea of where to start on your food journey through London!

Of course, there are also some great self-guided food tours.


 8. London Film Festival

The London Film Festival has been taking place every year since 1956, and will take place this year from Oct. 5- 23, 2023. This year 225 films from 77 countries will be shown in about 15 venues around the city, guaranteeing something for everyone.

Whether it's one film or many you're planning on seeing, there are different passes for the different levels of film enthusiasts. To get your tickets and learn more, click here

For more festivals happening in London this fall, check out our festival section below. 


9. Open House London

Open House London is the event of the year that showcases the architecture of London. But it's not just for architecture enthusiasts! Go inside of buildings you've only ever been able to admire from the outside.

This event entices both tourists and locals alike, as access is granted to over 800 buildings around the city for tours, walks, and talks for the month of Sept 2023.

You can plan ahead, too! Order a guide ahead of time, download the app, and show up ready to admire and learn about the incredible architecture of London. 

To learn more, click here


10. Look into a Tourist Discount Pass

Fall is a great time to spend a few full days seeing the sights and exploring London’s unique attractions.

One cost-effective way to see more attractions, tours, and landmarks is by getting a London tourist pass

These passes work by bundling together several tourist attractions and tours into one single price and can save you up to 55%.

They also can save you time by allowing you to skip the ticket queue at several locations.

Depending on which pass you get, admission to the following activities and attractions is included:

Make sure to read the full post covering London discount passes.

Tourist Passes Reviewed

For more ideas for any time of year, be sure to read our master post on Things to do in London. 


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THINGS TO DO FOR FREE IN FALL

Many of our Top Ten don't cost much but check out our post about Free Things To Do in London for a more complete guide.  Below you will find a couple of other options to keep to a budget.


Guy Fawkes Fireworks

Guy Fawkes Day, or Bonfire Night, is celebrated each year on Nov. 5th to commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

The event is celebrated with fireworks and is a great free activity to enjoy for all ages. 


Lord Mayor's Show

The Lord's Show is the oldest civic procession in the world. This tradition dates back about 800 years and is when the newly-elected Lord Mayor of the City of London goes to Westminster to swear loyalty to the Crown.

This year the event takes place on Nov. 11, 2023 and includes floats, bands, and even gilded carriages! The event is free and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

To learn more, click here


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PACKING GUIDE FOR AUTUMN IN LONDON

Packing to go to a city you've never been to can feel daunting- how much is too much? There's also the fear of meeting unexpected weather and not having packed something essential. Below are some FAQ about packing we want to answer for you:

  • Does it rain a lot in the fall? London is known for rainy weather, and while fall isn't the worst time for rainfall in London, we recommend bringing a rain jacket and umbrella if you're planning on being outside for long periods of time. 
  • What to pack: London has one of the mildest climates in the UK; however, as the weather is changeable, we recommend bringing a light to medium weight waterproof jacket. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes and if they are waterproof, all the better. 
  • Going out for a drink or nice restaurant in the evening? A lot of establishments in London are fine with casual clothes, especially if you're visiting a pub. If you're thinking of going to a more upscale place, we recommend packing a nicer outfit just in case.

We have a monthly post section below if you want to read up more on the specifics of the weather to better decide what clothes to bring on your Fall trip to London.



HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS

There are a number of festivals taking place this fall in London, and below is a list of the most popular ones to attend:


MONTHLY POSTS

To learn more about what do to in specific months here in London, click the links below:

About The Author

Margaret

An American simply by accident of birth, Margaret moved to London over 16 years ago and hasn’t looked back since! With a keen interest in History – and a BA degree to match – Margaret prides herself on her knowledge of the amazing city she calls home and she's been guiding here now for nearly a decade. Social history is her real expertise, with sound understanding of the day-to-day lives of Londoners over the past centuries. Read More...
Updated: marzo 11th, 2024
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