Things to Keep You Going in London this Autumn
As lovely as summer is in London, there is nothing that can top beautiful autumnal colours - orange leaves falling from the trees against a crisp blue sky, hot tea and coffee on a bracing morning walk to work, or a piping hot pumpkin soup while getting your jack-o-lanterns ready for Halloween. Darker evenings and colder temperatures bring with them a whole new set of experiences and adventures to be had. Halloween and harvest are the two things that immediately come to mind, but there is a lot of cultural richness to be enjoyed as it becomes more and more appealing to cosy up in the cinema or at the theatre or to take a stroll around a lovely warm gallery. In the list below we detail some of the best of what London has to offer this October.
Concerts
October, with its longer evenings and cooler weather, is the perfect time to attend evening concerts. Mansion House, the office and home of the Lord Mayor are hosting an elegant evening this October, during which Julian Joseph Tenebrae will be performing music from Bach and Paganini. In the St James Garlickhythe church, José Scanu will perform more from Paganini’s sonatas, and arrangements of Rossini and Verdi. The church is a stunning venue, with history dating back to before the Norman conquest. Scanu has been described as Genoa’s living maestro, so this event is a must-see.
Get Out and See Some Art
For art lovers and for those who are hoping to become art lovers, there are some fantastic exhibitions in London this October. A major new Hew Locke exhibition is visiting the British Museum. The work focuses on the complex and troubling stories of colonialism, told through Locke’s colourful and eclectic eye. There is an exciting and intriguing AI installation at the Serpentine by Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst, and a group exhibition of Indian art at the Barbican—which is, incidentally, also an excellent spot to grab a coffee and sit and watch the leaves changing colour.
Attend the BFI London Film Festival
Who doesn’t love a chilly evening spent lovely and warm watching an excellent film? The BFI London Film festival will be host to a great number of fantastic films this year, including Steve McQueen’s World War II drama, Blitz. There will also be a number of talks, interviews, and parties taking place across the many venues taking part in the festival. You can see films at the Royal Festival Hall, BFI IMAX, BFI Southbank, and Bargehouse. This is not just a festival for critics and celebrities, this is one of the most accessible and exciting film festivals in the world and you should make sure to get tickets as soon as possible.
Get a Pumpkin for Halloween
Just because you live in a big city it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the excitement of picking out your very own pumpkin for carving. Of course, if you want to go to the corner shop you can, but why would you when there are so many great options for pumpkin picking near London? Head out to Garsons Farm in Surrey. There you will find plenty of pumpkins ready to pick come October. The farm is also close to Hampton Court Palace, so if you wanted to make a day trip of it you would find yourself very well entertained. You could also try the picturesque Cammas Hall pumpkin patch in Hertfordshire. Here, they offer night picking where spooky things come out of the darkness, making it the perfect spot for Halloween lovers.
Get Going to Halloween Events in London
There is a full calendar of social events in London during Halloween. For those who enjoy live music, cocktails, and costumes, the Sky Garden will be hosting live DJs with a Halloween theme for the month of October. Those who are avid theatre goers might enjoy a terrifying performance of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw at the Coliseum, or perhaps the Rooftop Film Club in Peckham to see Maxxxine, Scream, and Joker, among other films. There are also walking tours for those brave enough. The tours are organised by London Month of the Dead and take you through Brompton Cemetery and along the Thames. While you walk you will learn about different topics related to death and the afterlife.
If you’re the kind of person who feels a little depleted as the weather shifts from the warmth and endless sunshine of summer to the darker, cooler months then the best thing you can do is get out and about and enjoy all of the very special things autumn has to offer. In the list above you will find some of the best of what London has to offer this October, from stimulating concerts, to art exhibitions, toHalloween events. There is something for everyone to enjoy in the autumn.
