10 things to do in London in autumn

The autumn season is an ideal time to travel to London. The city and its parks have a special colour and the thermometer does not register excessively low temperatures.

Also, prices are not as high as at other times of the year and there are some important dates in the calendar such as Halloween or Guy Fawkes Night. Here are some of the things not to miss during your trip to the British capital between September and December.

Since 1997, the Thames Festival Trust has been held in the City of London, an event in which the River Thames takes centre stage. A full programme of artistic, educational and heritage activities is organised:

• Regatta or swimming competitions.
• Live music performances.
• Digital exhibitions.
• Workshops.

You can also take advantage of being in the area and book tickets for the London Eye to see the activities from above.

Interesting details

• When: Throughout September.
• Where: on the South Bank.
• Find out more... Read the articles views from the London Eye and tickets for the London Eye

If you're a foodie and your trip coincides with the month of October, you're in luck. For more than a decade, the London Restaurant Festival has been held, a festival during which the city's most popular restaurants design and offer different tasting menus.

It's the perfect opportunity to sample dishes from all over the world. You can also enjoy wine and beer tastings, masterclasses led by famous chefs, gastronomic events of all kinds and culinary experiences- a delight for all the senses!

Other gastronomic recommendations

• I recommend you to book a menu at the Hard Rock Café in London.
• Read the post 10 places to eat near London Eye.
• Go ahead and book a food tour in London.

The ultimate plan on your trip to London during the autumn season, especially from late September to early November, is to stroll through one of the city's major parks or gardens.

London has the same proportion of green space as it does urban space. In fact, it is said that if every one of the millions of Londoners living in the city wanted to hug a tree, there would be one tree for every one of them. Are you up for finding your tree? Here are some suggestions for your trip:

• St John's Lodge Gardens: located in Regent's Park, it is one of the most peaceful green spaces in the city.
• Hyde Park: in the heart of London, it is one of the favourite parks for both residents and visitors to the city.
• Richmond Park: one of my favourite choices. It is London's largest nature reserve and is home to a variety of free-roaming deer.
• St. James's Park: located next to Buckingham Palace, it is one of the most historic parks in the city.
• Victoria Park: it is a perfect option if you go with children, because it has different play areas and swimming pools.
• Chiswick Gardens: it stands out for its classical temples, monuments, lakes and its conservatory, which houses an important collection of camellias.
• Royal Botanic Kew Gardens: you will have to pay to enter, but it is a visit that is really worthwhile, as it has more than half a thousand acres of woodland and 50,000 plants.

A fun option for young and old alike is to book a visit to Harry Potter Studios Park, where you can immerse yourself in the original sets from the blockbuster films:

• Hogwarts Great Dining Hall.
• Platform 9¾.
• The teacher's office.
• Diagon Alley.
• Or the Forbidden Forest.

In the following post you can find out all the details of how to get to the Harry Potter Studios. And I recommend that you choose the month of November to visit them in autumn as this is the month of this season when you can find fewer visitors.

Book tickets to the London Dungeon to experience 17 interactive shows with terrifying sets, special effects and commentary by a variety of performers that bring visitors closer to some of the darkest events in London's history:

• The Great Fire of London 1666.
• The Gunpowder Plot.
• Or the Black Death plague. Plus.

You will learn in detail the story of Guy Fawkes, Sweeney Todd or Jack the Ripper. For Halloween, usually during the second half of October, they do some specials, so I recommend you to go if you are in London in October.

Another of the ideal autumn plans is to book tickets to the London Eye. Having the chance to see London at this time of year when the city is tinged with ochre and orange colours as if it were a postcard is incomparable.

And what better place to do it than from the highest Ferris wheel in Europe, which has a 360º panoramic view and you can take some fantastic photographs.

Read the post Views from the London Eye and you'll get an idea of what you can see on this attraction.

With more than 60 years of history, the London Film Festival is a world-class film event that takes place every year for more than ten days in October.

If you are a lover of the seventh art and your trip coincides with the weeks in which it takes place, I recommend that you come along as you will have the chance to enjoy some of the best and most recognised titles of films and series in the world.

In addition, there are also premiere galas, special presentations or immersive art experiences, among other proposals.

At the beginning of December, Santa Run London takes place, a charity run in which the contestants dress up as Father Christmas.

It's a great plan if you're visiting London with children, as all participants get a free Santa and there's a token run for under-eights.

Adults and children from that age can take part in two races, one of 5 kilometres and the other of 10 kilometres. And after the kilometres, they can recover with a snack while listening to Christmas carols.

October also sees Frieze London, an international fair of carefully selected contemporary art galleries at Regent's Park.

In addition, talks and different activities are organised throughout the five days of the event. This international fair is also organised in New York and Los Angeles.

From mid-November to the beginning of December you can live and feel Christmas in London. At this time of year you can:

• See the first Christmas markets.
• See the first Christmas markets.
• Enjoy the Christmas decorations and Christmas trees.
• Listen to Christmas carols.
• And go ice skating on one of the ice rinks like Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

If your trip to London coincides with the autumn season, bear in mind that temperatures start to drop gradually and considerably from the end of September.

They average 16°C in September, 13°C in October, 9°C in November and an average low of 5°C in December. It is also a very rainy season. In fact, October and November are the months with the most rainfall.

The number of tourists in London in autumn is very low compared to other times of the year, such as summer, Christmas, Easter... Therefore, I recommend that if you have the opportunity to travel from September to December, do not hesitate to do so.

You will have a greater choice of flights and hotels. In addition, the attractions will not be as crowded as at other times of the year. Even so, you should bear in mind that London is always busy, it's just that there are times when it's a little less crowded.

London prices in the autumn months are relatively cheap compared to other times of the year, especially in October and November.

However, there are some key dates when prices are higher, such as Halloween and December, when Christmas is in full swing.

Whatever month of autumn you're travelling in, it's advisable to pack warmly with jumpers and sweatshirts.

You'll also want to pack a mackintosh to protect you from the rain, as well as waterproof shoes.

Also, from November onwards, temperatures start to drop considerably, averaging between 5°C and 9°C, so it's essential to pack a warm coat.