13 things to do in London in November
Do you have original plans to do in London in November? Take note of these ideas to have a great time!
In November, the nights get longer and the days get colder. It's a great time for more indoor cultural activities, but whenever possible take advantage of the sunny days to enjoy the great outdoors. Want to know what November has to offer in London? Read on!
1. Travel back in time with a trip to Stonehenge
If you're an Outlander fan or a history buff, you can't miss a trip to Stonehenge and see the megalithic ruins in Salisbury. And November is a great month to do it, as the scenery around the monument is spectacular.
With this tour you won't have to worry about how to get there, as the air-conditioned coach transfer from London is included. And you won't miss a thing thanks to the audio guide and entrance to the visitor centre. However, you should know that for some time now, in order to preserve the monument, the stones cannot be touched and access to the inside of the circle is not allowed, except during the summer and winter solstices.
On this six and a half hour experience, you will also be able to enjoy a typical menu that will allow you to immerse yourself in the local gastronomy.
2. Take a trip to the Cotswolds
Another great way to explore the English countryside is with a trip to the Cotswolds and November is the perfect time as it's not as crowded as at other times of the year.
With a professional guide, you'll learn about the history of medieval villages such as Burford and Bibury and discover the beauty of the countryside.
- Burford is a well-preserved historic medieval town known as the "Gateway to the Cotswolds", with historic buildings over 500 years old.
- Bibury is known as the prettiest village in England. Highlights include the iconic Arlington Row, characterised by weavers' cottages.
In addition, on this tour, which lasts approximately 10 hours, you can stop for lunch in Bourton-on-the-Water. Popularly known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds', it's a great place to stroll along the riverside and cross the bridges.
3. Visit London's best museums
My favourite thing to do at this time of year is to visit one of the city's museums, because if the weather's a bit nippy you can take shelter. There is a wide range on offer. There are proposals for lovers of painting, sculpture, ancient history, science... If there's one thing London has, it's something for everyone.
I really enjoyed myself at the British Museum. However, I didn't get to take full advantage of it until I decided to go on a guided tour. It has such a large collection that it is difficult to make the most of the visit if you go on your own.
On the other hand, if you're going with your family and want to have a good laugh, I recommend you book your tickets for the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London. Here are some other options for guided tours:
- Private guided tour of the Natural History Museum in London - from £78.
- Private guided tour of the British Museum in London - from £82.
- Private guided tour of the National Gallery of London - from £82.
- Private guided tour of the National Gallery of London for children - from £173.
4. Experience the passion for football in London
Ever since England invented football, the sport has brought great joy to the world. But here it is lived with a special passion and is one of the most exciting spectacles you can attend in London in November.
There are several London teams playing in the Premier League (Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace) so you have plenty of opportunities to catch a good football match during your stay in London.
But if you can't fit a match in your agenda there are other possibilities to vibrate with English football and its history and that is visiting the museums of some of the stadiums of these teams such as:
- Chelsea FC Stadium Tour & - Museum - from £43.
- Emirates Stadium Tour and Museum - from £31.
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour - from £34.
- Wembley Stadium Tour - from £26.
The Dare Skywalk experience at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium also offers the chance to climb to the top of the stadium and crown the golden cockerel, the club's emblem. With The Dare Skywalk climbing experience provided with full safety equipment, you'll be able to stand 50 metres above the ground and view the impressive stadium from the top, as well as the spectacular 360-degree panorama of the City of London.
5. Visit London Photo Show
If you're a photography enthusiast and during your London holiday in November you fancy a break from the usual London museum circuit, I recommend a visit to the London Photo Show (11-14 November) where photographers from all over the world come together to share and sell their work as well as participate in interesting workshops and talks about the industry.
Visiting the London Photo Show is sure to introduce you to new photographic styles and a trip to London is an excellent opportunity to unleash your creativity. It's a city where there's always something interesting to see beyond the usual tourist attractions. Charming places that will make all the difference in your photographs.
So, if you are passionate about photography, make the most of your hobby with a guided photography tour of London, which will show you the most interesting and unknown side of the British capital. You'll be accompanied by a local guide who will help you capture the city not with the eyes of a tourist, but with those of a Londoner, and give you some photography tips to help you make a dazzling souvenir album.
6. See the cars at the Regent Street Motor Show
Strolling through central London in November you might stumble across the Regent Street Motor Show at the beginning of the month, one of the biggest free car shows in the country. Whether you're a motor enthusiast or not, it's always a joy to walk down Regent Street with no traffic and, let's face it, the vehicles on show are a blast - you won't be able to stop taking photos of them!
There are some eye-catching century-old pieces, almost as much as the friendly drivers in period costume who accompany them. But they're not the only ones - the Regent Street Motor Show also showcases late-model sports cars and motorbikes.
If you're a fan of motoring, you might want to take a tour of London in a classic car such as a Mini Cooper. On this 4-hour private tour you'll be taken around the city's main attractions while a professional guide tells you the history of each of the sights.
7. Attend Bonfire Night
Around 5 November, London celebrates Bonfire Night, a festival commemorating the night when Catholic revolutionary Guy Fawkes took part in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in an attempt to kill King James I, who was opposed to giving some religious tolerance to Catholics in the kingdom.
During the event, bonfires are lit to burn puppets representing Fawkes while the sky is filled with colourful fireworks. It's a spectacle that is sure to impress if you've never seen it before.
Some of the places you can go to see the bonfire night are Wimbledon Park, Morden Park or Battersea Park, among others. There will also be musical events, family activities and plenty of food and drink to keep you entertained.
8. Celebrate 'Thanksgiving' in London
If you've never had the chance to celebrate 'Thanksgiving' before , perhaps your trip to London is a good time to get carried away and put this centuries-old American custom into practice on British soil.
It's celebrated there too, and in style! Many restaurants in the city are decked out in typical autumnal decorations and prepare succulent menus with roast turkey and pumpkin pie as the absolute stars.
There is a huge range of food on offer in London, both in terms of flavour and price. If you fancy celebrating 'Thanksgiving' on your trip to London in November and treating yourself to a feast, take a look at the following posts for ideas on where to eat:
- Where to eat near the Tower of London.
- Places to eat near the London Eye.
- Best places to eat near The Shard in London.
9. Take a stroll around the first Christmas markets
Almost a month before Christmas, London is decked out in lights, decorations and markets to get Londoners and tourists in the Christmas spirit.
The city looks beautiful in November. At the beginning of the month, many of the Christmas decorations are lit up (Regent Street, Covent Garden, Carnaby Street and Marylebone Village) and several Christmas markets are set up, giving the landscape of the British capital an intimate and special atmosphere.
If you want to treat yourself to a unique souvenir and sample a host of Christmas delights accompanied by a glass of mulled wine, don't miss The South Bank's Christmas Market, Winter Wonderland, Christmas by the River, Leicester Square, Selfridges Christmas Market or Kingston Christmas Market, among others. You'll have the time of your life!
10. Enjoy the best jazz music at EFG London Jazz Festival
If you're interested in the history and culture surrounding jazz, your visit to London in November is a good opportunity to attend the EFG London Jazz Festival, an event which since 1970 has been bringing together emerging talents and internationally renowned artists for an electrifying evening of live jazz music.
I recommend you take a look at the festival website to check the artists performing each year and the dates of the concerts. Hurry to book your tickets because they sell out in the blink of an eye!
11. Get your boots on at Taste of London festival
If you're one of those travellers who love to try new culinary delights, you'll want to make a note in your diary during your trip to London in November for the Taste of London food festival, a multi-day event in Regent's Park which brings together some of the city's most famous chefs.
To enter the festival you need to pay an entrance fee but it's well worth it as you'll have the chance to enjoy a whole host of new gourmet offerings from popular restaurants such as Cin Cin, Toastie Toastie, Anju and Country Fire Chicken to name but a few.
You can also attend wine tastings and workshops to learn how some dishes are prepared and even listen to music played by a DJ in the Taste of London's VIP Lounge. And if you're still in the mood to continue enjoying the best British food, I recommend joining a food tour through the streets of London. Great plan!
12. Discover the Diwali festival in London
London is a cosmopolitan city where a multitude of cultures from all corners of the planet coexist. During the month of November, the festival of lights or Diwali takes place, the most important festival of the year in India, which the Hindu community also celebrates in the British capital.
A time to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. During the five days of Diwali, a multitude of clay lamps are lit to symbolise the light that protects each family from the darkness and a large number of activities are also organised to celebrate this important date in the calendar.
If your trip to London in November coincides with Diwali, don't hesitate and come to this unique religious festival with the best Indian food, Bollywood classics or the fireworks show in Byron Park in Harrow.
13. Experience a magical night of music and candlelight
You've probably got plenty of things to do during the day on your trip to London, but the evening is also a great time to get out and enjoy yourself.
How about going to a live music concert by candlelight? It's a romantic experience, especially if you're visiting London as a couple.
Throughout the month of November there are many concerts featuring some of the greatest composers in history- take note of some of the best!
- The Best of Bond at Butcher's Hall.
- Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Freemasons' Hall.
- John Williams' Best Works at Butchers' Hall.
- Moonlight Sonata Concert at St. James' Church.
- Best of Magical Movie Soundtracks at Butchers' Hall.
What is the temperature in November in London?
If you're thinking of travelling to London in November, don't hesitate, because autumn is a great time to visit the city, although temperatures are starting to drop. The thermometers hover around 12ºC maximum and 7ºC minimum.
During this month, the days and nights are cool, although occasionally a sunny day dawns with pleasant temperatures. On the other hand, after the summer, rain starts to fall and clouds settle in the sky. There are fewer daylight hours, which can affect outdoor activities.
In November, morning fog is also common, but as the hours go by it dissipates. Keep this in mind if you plan to see certain attractions such as the London Eye or The Shard in the morning.
What are the crowds and prices in November?
November is a good time to visit London, but depending on the fortnight, both footfall and prices can vary because the Christmas period is approaching and during this month the Christmas lights, ice rinks and Christmas markets start to be put up to brighten up the atmosphere during this season.
Thus, in the first fortnight of November the footfall is lower which means that the main tourist attractions in the city are less crowded and there are fewer queues to get in. In addition, prices are somewhat cheaper compared to Christmas.
However, things change during the second half of November. As the Christmas period approaches , more and more travellers decide to head to London as the city is already decked out in winter decorations and the streets and shops look spectacular. This means a slight increase in prices, as well as queues to get into the various places of interest, so bear this in mind when you're planning your getaway!
What to pack for London in November?
During November, the weather is generally cold. Although a sunny day may dawn, winter is just around the corner and at this point in autumn the days and nights are chilly. To combat the cold temperatures, it's best to pack several layers of warm clothing in your suitcase.
This way you can put on and take off clothes depending on whether you're indoors or outdoors, where the temperature is changeable. It's the easiest and most comfortable way to dress in London at this time of year. Also take some gloves or a hat to wear on cooler days.
November represents the last days of autumn. Skies may become more cloudy and there may be some showers. Humidity increases, so you'll also want to pack a mackintosh and umbrella.