10 reasons to visit London in autumn.
Autumn in London!
There’s always a good excuse to visit London all year round. It’s the city itself that is so inviting with millions of things to do and experience for every taste all year long.
But I believe that autumn, is the season that can offer the most out of it.
It’s because if you visit early in autumn, you might find nice weather and sunny days. You will also encounter fewer crowds as it’s not peak season.
Autumn also combines many holidays and festive days such as Halloween, Bonfire night and Christmas.
Even though technically Christmas is a winter holiday, the spirit of Christmas begins in November. In some places, it even starts from mid October.
Below you may find some good reasons why you should visit London in autumn:
1. Low-cost tickets
You can find some low-cost tickets for most of the season and especially for October. I use Skyscanner.com to compare economy tickets for my destinations. I usually create price alerts and they send me emails when prices change. Most of the times, I book tickets 2-3 months earlier because I like planning my travels ahead of time. Plus I save money this way. Remember that the priciest tickets are from Friday to Sunday and the cheapest ones are Tuesday and Wednesday.
2. Falling autumn Leaves
When the leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs start to fall off, it means it’s autumn. The trees change colours to many shades of red, golden yellow and orange. It’s astonishing and the views are so scenic that it’s hard not to admire this beauty. It’s the perfect scenery for long walks (and photographs) in the streets and the parks of London!
3. Halloween is here
Halloween decorations are very impressive with many pumpkins, skeletons, spiders, spider webs and witches across the city.
There are many Halloween parties, haunted sites and ghost tours that you can attend, so dust off your Halloween costumes and start applying some festive makeup and maybe some prosthetics, so you can look as scary as you wish to be.
If you don’t fancy parties, there are pumpkin and carving classes around the city that you can attend and it is really fun!
The staff of the famous Cyberdog in Camden Town are getting into Halloween spirit and their makeups are professionally scary. No pictures are allowed once you enter the store though – but worth the visit!
4. Fireworks night – 5th November
Remember – Remember the 5th of November!
If you are in London on or around the 5th November, chances are that you will see a lot of fireworks across the city. It’s called the Bonfire night or Guy Fawkes night. It’s a British tradition dating back to 1605.
So, Guy Fawkes, a Catholic Conspirator, was a member of Gunpowder Plot, who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and King James I. The plot was revealed to the authorities by an anonymous letter. Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder. At the trial, the conspirators including Fawkes were convicted and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.
Guys Fawkes arrest is celebrated every 5th November with bonfires and fireworks in London. Some places make this night spectacular with amazing fireworks displays such as in Alexandra Palace, Battersea Park, Wembley Park etc.
If you want to attend some of the events above, make sure to book your tickets early!
5. MCM London Comic-Con
If you are into video games, sci-fi, cosplay etc. then you will love it! MCM Comic-Con is a speculative fiction fan convention that is held twice yearly. In autumn is usually the last weekend of October. The exhibit hall has a large space for dealer stands and exhibitors which include media companies. There are also famous guests from popular media (actors, producers etc.) who are invited usually to promote their work. You can also take some autographs and/or photographs as well (but be aware that you will be charged for this). You will see some amazing cosplayers and if you fancy going there dressed up as your favourite hero then it’s your perfect chance!
6. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
London is an extremely popular destination for Christmas! Celebrations start from the early days of November. Christmas street lights is a thing here and are celebrated as an event yearly in the populous streets and neighbourhoods of London. For example, this year in Carnaby Street, the Christmas lights went on display on 7th November and it is an ocean-themed display. Marylebone Village lights will go on display on 13th November, while Regent street lights, on 14th November and so on. The most popular of all is Oxford street lights where this year the switching on ceremony will be on the 21st of November.
Christmas markets and wintertime festivals are all over the city with a variety of stalls that sell festive treats, gifts, lots of mulled wine and mince pies.
Some of my favourites Christmas markets and festivals are Leicester Square Christmas market, Southbank Winter Festival, Winter Wonderland and Christmas at Camden Market.
The streets are crowded with people and the atmosphere is cheerful and festive.
7. Winter Wonderland
Without any doubt, Winter Wonderland is the queen of all Christmas markets and festivals in London. It has winter street food stalls, Christmas markets, shows, festive roller coaster rides, festive bars. Live music and many more! On top of that, it has the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink. My all-time favourite is the Bavarian village. It is located in Hyde Park Corner and this year will open on the 21st November. The entry is free but various activities require payment such as the Magical Ice Kingdom, Winter Wonderland Comedy Club etc.
8. Christmas at Kew Gardens
Christmas at the world-famous Botanical Kew Gardens is getting more magical every year with festive illuminations after dark. Dynamic laser projections illuminate the iconic Temperate House. You will take a magical route of over one million twinkling lights amongst glittering spiral trees and illuminating buildings, dazzling arches of light, and the unique tree canopies in Christmas lights.
Watch the jumping jets of light dance across the water at the Palm House Pond.
9. Outdoor ice skating
One of the most magical winter experiences is to go ice skating! London has some spectacular places for this as well! One of the most famous and beyond any doubt the most iconic is ice skating at the National History Museum. It’s one of the greatest places to visit for ice skating or just enjoy the ice skaters from the warmth of the indoor café over a mulled wine or hot chocolate.
10. Warner Bros Harry Potter
Not that you can’t visit it during any other time, but I believe during Christmas time it’s more special. You can enjoy Hogwarts in the snow!
Even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan, I strongly suggest you should pay a visit as it’s Warner Bros studios we are talking about! Everything is impressive and professionally done to detail. You will see the iconic Hogwarts express locomotive, costumes, magical effects, spectacular props from the movie and whole sets that will blow your mind such as the Diagon Alley.
You will visit the Creatures Effects department where you will see the make-up effects and prosthetics of the characters. Then you will see the graphics and the architectural department where everything is well-planned to the very last detail! Then be prepared to be astonished once more with the stunning Hogwarts Castle! A 1:24 scale model castle, inspired by real castles, Scottish lakes and hillsides. Absolute perfection!
Do you have any other suggestions about London in autumn? I would love to hear from you!
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Until next time ♥
