London October — red autumn leaves floating on a park lake in Westminster

London · United Kingdom

October

Autumn London at a good price — October half-term aside, crowds are manageable and culture is rich.

Strong option

#7 of 12 months

There are better months for London — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

15°C

Low

9°C

Rain

65mm

Sun

3.4hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How October scores in London

Weather
Above average
Value
Very good
Crowds
Very good
Events
Good
Atmosphere
Very good

What you gain in October

  • London Film Festival (mid-October): two weeks of world cinema at the BFI and venues across the city — tickets accessible without industry accreditation
  • Autumn colour in Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, and the Royal Parks genuinely beautiful in mid-October
  • Prices down 30–40% from summer peak — a comfortable central hotel costs what a budget room did in August

What you sacrifice

  • October half-term (late October) briefly crowds family attractions and spikes some accommodation rates
  • Rainfall rising (65mm) and sunshine falling to 3.4 hours — outdoor London increasingly weather-dependent
  • The clocks go back in late October — sudden short days require adjusting afternoon plans

How October compares to May (best month)

FactorOctoberMay
Weather
5
8
Value
7
6
Crowds
7
6

October in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within London, not across destinations. Methodology →