October in London feels cosy, colourful and much easier to enjoy when you plan around the rain, the shorter days and the half-term rush. This is the second episode of our monthly London bonus series from London Travel Planning, where we look ahead each month at what is on, what to book, and what will sell out before you get there.
This episode is sponsored by WalksDevour, and I am joined again by Charley Sullivan from their London team.
Everything you need to know if you are visiting London in October 2026, from the weather to the tickets to book now for Christmas.
* October weather: highs around 16°C (61°F), lows around 10°C (50°F), and rain on roughly one day in three
* Daylight and the clocks: shorter afternoons, and the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October
* Half term (26 to 30 October): what it means for the Tower and the Abbey, and the quieter times to visit
* What to pack: a fold-up waterproof, comfy shoes and plenty of layers
* Autumn leaves: St Dunstan in the East, Little Venice, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Crystal Palace Park
* Halloween at the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kew, plus Charley's picks
* Exhibitions and theatre: Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Frida at Tate Modern, the David Bowie Centre and The Lives of Others with Keira Knightley
* Diwali on the Square and the three NFL games in London
* Book now: Christmas at Kew, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Bonfire Night at Alexandra Palace
* Sold out for 2026: the Bayeux Tapestry and Her Life in Style, and the dates for 2027 tickets
* Ceremony of the Keys: how to still go this October with the VIP WalksDevour evening
* October's most booked tour: Tastes, Tales and Traditional Ales
* Tour of the month: the new Express Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace tour, and who it suits
* Your questions: visiting in half-term week, and the Changing of the Guard in October
* A quick note: the regular Changing of the Guard runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sundays have a separate Sunday Parade, so check the Household Division calendar before you go
EXCLUSIVE LISTENER OFFER: 5% off WalksDevour tours with code LTP5. Book before midnight UK time on Thursday 8 October 2026, valid on any tour departing to the end of 2026.
👉 Book with WalksDevour here
Do you have a question about visiting London? Leave us a message on SpeakPipe, and I will answer it in the next bonus episode, London in November, on 29 October.
📝 Show Notes - Bonus episode 2
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