Ultimate Guide to Visiting London This Autumn

Autumn in London is the perfect time of year to experience this incredible city in unique ways. Discover seasonal activities and events, the top events, and local traditions, and learn about the season’s typical weather in our ultimate guide to London and Fraser Suites Queens Gate in autumn. You’re sure to agree that the season is a great time to visit. We cover:

• Outdoor activities to do in autumn around London, near Fraser Suites Queens Gate
• Indoor things to do around London near Fraser Suites Queens Gate
• Nightlife around London near Fraser Suites Queens Gate in autumn
• What to pack for autumn in London and your stay at Fraser Suites Queens Gate
• What can’t you do around London in autumn
• Where to stay around London in autumn

Things to Do In Autumn In London, near Fraser Suites Queens Gate

Every season brings exciting things to do in London, and autumn’s no exception. A few amazing autumn events in London include:

K-Music Festival - 5 October-24 November: Discover the musical heritage of London’s Korean community with modern takes on ancient art forms, jazz, K-pop, and more.

Diwali - 9 October: Join London’s Hindu and Sikh communities in celebrating the Festival of Lights with an array of activities and special Diwali menus near Fraser Suites Queens Gate and around the city.

London Cocktail Week – Mid October: Indulge in a celebration of the city’s fabulous cocktail scene at four micro-hubs, such as Covent Garden in the West End, Devonshire Square in Liverpool Street, Eccleston Yards in Belgravia, and Borough Yards in Southwark.

London Bonfire Night - On and around 5 November: A quintessential thing to do in London in autumn, Bonfire Night offers fireworks and pyrotechnics displays, family fun, seasonal foods, and a whole lot of merrymaking.

Lord Mayor’s Show - 12 November: An 800-year-old tradition that sees London’s mayor travel to Westminster, the Lord Mayor’s Show is a day of parades, music, floats, and pageantry. It’s certainly a sight to behold!

In addition to enjoying these and other events during autumn in London, you can also visit famous attractions that are open all year round. Here is our pick of some of the best places to visit in autumn in London:

Tower of London: Explore the historic castle on the bank of the Thames, discover its grisly secrets, and be dazzled by the glittering Crown Jewels. Open daily.

The View From the Shard: Take in one of the best views of London from the city’s tallest building. Wednesday – Sunday. Opening times vary, so please check the website before going.

The London Eye: If the Shard is a little too high for you, enjoy sweeping views over the British capital from the London Eye. Early evening’s a particularly good time to go, as you can see the city’s twinkling lights start appearing as the sun sets.

St Paul’s Cathedral: An iconic London landmark, St Paul’s Cathedral is more than just beautiful architecture. The cathedral houses stunning artwork and is where you’ll find the fascinating Whispering Gallery.

Monday to Saturday (except Wednesday) 8.30am until 4.30pm, Wednesdays 10am until 4.30pm.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: Explore the reconstructed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre by attending a performance or joining a guided tour. The theatre’s open at specific times for performances or shows, and pre-booking is essential.

Be sure not to miss out on some of the once-off things to do in London in autumn 2022. Highlights include:

Parables For Happiness: Discover the colourful world of artist and designer Yinka Ilori at a new exhibition of artworks and installations at the Design Museum.

Open daily, Sunday-Thursday 10am until 6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am until 9pm.

The Art of Movement: Van Cleef & Arpels: See almost 100 pieces from the famous jewellery brand’s patrimonial collection, lender masterpieces, and archival documents at this Design Museum exhibition running until 20 October.

Open daily, Sunday-Thursday 10am until 6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am until 9pm.

Lucian Freud: New Perspectives: If you’re an art lover, you won’t want to miss the chance to take in the first major exhibition of Lucian Freud’s work in a decade. At the National Gallery from 1 October.

Open daily 10am until 6pm, and Fridays until 9pm.

Outdoor Activities to Do In Autumn In London, near Fraser Suites Queens Gate

Looking for outdoor activities and autumn events in London? Check out these highlights:

London Marathon - October: Usually held in spring, the 2022 London Marathon takes place in autumn. The route begins in Blackheath and passes landmarks including the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace.

Royal Parks Half Marathon - October: Whether you participate or spectate, the Royal Parks Half Marathon is one of the best outdoor activities in autumn. The route takes you through four of the eight Royal Parks, namely Hyde Park, Green Park, St James's Park, and Kensington Gardens, as well as through various Central London roads that will be closed for the event.

NFL In London - 2-30 October: Three NFL games take place in London this year, including Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers vs New York Giants at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, and Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium.

Frieze Sculpture Trail - Until 13 November: Follow the Frieze Sculpture Trail in Regent’s Park and admire the work of 19 artists, such as John Giorno, Ro Robertson, and Ugo Rondinone.

Admire Autumn’s Beauty: Enjoy the magical colours of autumn leaves by strolling through one (or more) of London’s parks and other leafy areas. Some of the best spots are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Kew Gardens, and the Chelsea Embankment.

Indoor Things to Do In London, near Fraser Suites Queens Gate

If you need to get out of the chilly outdoors, you’ll find plenty of indoor things to do in London in autumn. A few of our favourites include:

National Curry Week - Early October: A spicy curry is just the thing to warm you up from the inside. Celebrate one of Britain’s most popular types of food at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Amaya, Trishna, and Veeraswamy.

Cornelia Parker at Tate Britain - Until 16 October: Let your mind be blown by artist Cornelia Parker’s large-scale installations at Tate Britain.

EFG London Jazz Festival - 11-20 November: Get your toes tapping to the smooth sounds of jazz at different venues around London.

Shop at Covent Garden: One of London’s most famous covered markets, Covent Garden offers fabulous shopping on cold autumn days – plus you can enjoy music and performances by busking artists.

Nightlife Around London, near Fraser Suites Queens Gate

Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of nightlife in London near Fraser Suites Queens Gate. Although some attractions do close earlier from the beginning of November, others don’t vary their closing times. You’ll also find that many galleries, museums, and historical attractions stay open late (some as late as 9pm) at least once a week during autumn in London.

No mention of nightlife around Fraser Suites Queens Gate would be complete without including those archetypal favourite London evening activities of dinner, theatre, and/or a couple of drinks in a cosy pub. Most restaurants close between 10pm and 11pm, which usually coincides with the end of most shows at West End theatres. Evening performances usually begin at 7.30pm, so you might find it best to have an early supper before heading off to see the performance of your choice.

Alternatively, head to one of the nearby pubs and enjoy a hearty meal along with your favourite tipple. Like most attractions, restaurants in popular areas are not as busy in autumn in London as they are during the summer. That said, it’s still a good idea to book a table if you want to treat yourself to a meal in one of the city’s top restaurants.

What to Pack for Autumn In London

While summer is known for long, hot, and humid days, London in autumn is a different case altogether. The days become noticeably shorter, there’s a chill in the air, and it’s usually overcast, often with some rainfall. The average temperatures in September fluctuate between highs of 20C/68F and lows of 13C/55F. The average high and low temperatures in October are 16C/61F and 10C/50F, which drop to 12C/54F and 7C/45F in November.

It's important that you pack wisely for your autumn holiday in London. A lightweight umbrella and a good raincoat are two essentials you should bring, as you’ll undoubtedly need them! Comfortable closed shoes and/or ankle boots are great for keeping your feet dry. It’s also a good idea to bring a few long-sleeved t-shirts or shirts, a few sweaters and a hoodie, a couple of pairs of jeans, and a pair of trousers. Choose lighter rather than heavier clothing that you can layer, just in case you have the chance to bask in some rare sunshine. If you’re planning on going to good restaurants or the theatre, pack at least one nice outfit.

What Can’t You Do Around London In Autumn

Some of London’s best loved summer attractions and events close at the end of the season, while others don’t offer the splendour they do during summer. Among those attractions and events are the BBC Proms, the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, the Buckingham Palace Summer Opening and Tour, and the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. You’ll also find that the gorgeous summer flowers at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Chelsea Physic Garden, and Hyde Park’s Flower Walk have faded.

Where to Stay In London

As you can see, autumn in London is a magical time of year. There’s plenty to see and do, thanks to all the theatres, museums, galleries, other attractions, and autumn events in London around and near Queens Gate, and a delicious meal, a warm drink, or something a little boozy is never far away. The big question now is where to stay in London?

Make Fraser Suites Queens Gate your base for your stay in London, perfect for short weekend breaks or for longer extended London stays choose Fraser Suites Kensington. We offer serviced studio apartments as well as deluxe and executive suits, all of which are equipped with a kitchenette and have comfortable living and sleeping areas, as well as bathrooms. While staying with us, you can make use of our secluded patio garden, an on-site gym, and a self-service laundrette. What’s more, we’re located near excellent transport links. You’re sure to have the time of your life.