Autumn has well and truly arrived. The evenings are drawing in and there's a definite nip in the air, but October is one of the best months to be in London. The clocks don't go back until Sunday 25th October, so you still have some lovely daylight to explore by, and when the rain comes (as it definitely will) the city has plenty of fantastic indoor entertainment: cinemas, theatres, galleries, historic pubs and bakeries that smell wonderful on a chilly morning.
London is easy to get around, too. The London Underground (“the tube”) and buses will take you almost anywhere, and many of the best things are within walking distance of each other.
So here are five of our recommendations for the month ahead. Just remember - dress in layers and carry an umbrella!
1. BFI London Film Festival – 7th to 18th October
The London Film Festival turns 70 this year, and it's still one of the few big film festivals where the public can buy tickets, not just industry insiders. This year's programme has 251 films, series and shorts from 88 countries, including 33 world premieres.
The festival is centred on the South Bank and the Royal Festival Hall, with screenings in cinemas across the West End as well. There are galas and talks with filmmakers, and the programme is grouped into themed strands such as Love, Laugh, Thrill, Cult and Family, which makes it much easier to find something you'll enjoy. You'll find big-name premieres alongside hidden gems from around the world, restored classics and plenty for families.
A tip: popular screenings sell out quickly, so book early and check the BFI website for returns. If you can't get a ticket, a stroll along the South Bank during the festival is lovely anyway.
2. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - Soho Place until 19th December
If you like your theatre sharp, funny and a little bit dangerous, this is the one. ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ - Edward Albee's classic drama- has returned to the West End with Gillian Anderson as Martha and Billy Crudup as George, directed by Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Company).
The story takes place over one boozy night after a faculty party. George and Martha invite a younger couple, Nick and Honey (played by Josh Dylan and Phoebe Horn), back for "one last drink", and what follows is a ferocious battle of wits, secrets and old wounds.
It's staged in the round at Soho Place, so the audience is practically in the living room with them, and there's nowhere to hide.
Allow around three hours including the interval. It's a long evening, but it's gripping, and Soho's restaurants are right on the doorstep for a pre-theatre bite or a post-theatre debrief. You may well need one!
3. Renoir and Love, National Gallery – from 3rd October
Opening on 3rd October and running until 31st January 2027, this is the National Gallery's first major Renoir exhibition since 2007. More than 50 paintings have been gathered from the Musée d'Orsay, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and other collections around the world.
The exhibition looks at love in all its forms, not only romance but friendship, flirtation, family life and the pleasures of café and theatre society. It focuses on Renoir's most celebrated years, from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s. The star attraction is Bal au Moulin de la Galette, one of the most famous paintings in the world, which has never before been shown in the UK. The gallery's own The Umbrellas is part of the show too.
Tickets are around £20 (a little more on Fridays and Saturdays), and under-18s go free. Book ahead, and perhaps allow time to wander the rest of the National Gallery and enjoy Trafalgar Square afterwards. It's a wonderfully romantic way to spend an autumn afternoon, whoever you bring along.
4. Hampstead Heath Conker Championships – Sunday 4th October
For something gloriously British (and completely free), head to Parliament Hill bandstand on Hampstead Heath for the annual Conker Championships. It has been going for years, and in 2011 it set a Guinness World Record for the biggest ever knockout conker tournament, with 395 competitors.
Anyone can take part. There are separate categories for under-8s, 8–12s, 13–17s and adults, with a "Conker Meister" to oversee the rules and adjudicate, and conkers are provided, so there's no need to bring your own (or soak it in vinegar, which is very much frowned upon!) Registration opens at 12.30pm and the competition starts at around 1pm, with the finals taking place in the "squared conker circle" in front of the crowd. There are also nature activities for children, and often live music on the bandstand.
Even if you don't fancy swinging a conker yourself, it's a joyful afternoon and a great excuse for a walk on the Heath. Climb Parliament Hill afterwards and you'll be rewarded with one of the best views of the London skyline. Wrap up warm and finish with a hot chocolate at one of the local cafés.
5. Halloween across London – Saturday 31st October
This year Halloween falls on a Saturday, and it coincides with half term for many London schools, so the city is full of spooky fun for all ages.
For families, the Tower of London is a classic: it's hardly short of ghost stories, and it hosts Halloween events from 24th October to 1st November. Halloween at Kew is also popular, with its illuminated trail. Slightly older children might enjoy the London Dungeon, or a ride on the Ghost Bus Tour, which promises haunted palaces and unmarked burial grounds as it winds through the city. Harry Potter fans can head out to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, which gets a Halloween makeover, and Hyde Park has free nature-themed Halloween activities.
Grown-ups are well catered for as well. There are costume parties at venues such as the Clapham Grand and Ministry of Sound, and theatre-lovers might enjoy seeing Wicked in the West End on Halloween night. Quieter spooky options include the Tower of London after dark or an evening in a historic pub.
Whatever you choose, book ahead for the more popular attractions, and don't forget the costume.
Where to stay?
If you're looking for comfortable and affordable guest accommodation in London, whether you're a tourist, visiting friends and family or here for work, why not consider La Gaffe Hotel in Hampstead?
We have single, twin and double rooms (not to mention a family room if you're coming with children). You'll receive a warm Italian welcome (and excellent coffee), and our rates include a continental breakfast. Book directly with us for a great price!
We're only a few minutes' walk from the tube and a stroll from Hampstead Heath, so you get the charm of a village combined with quick, easy access into central London, and the Conker Championships are right on our doorstep.
A happy October to you all.