Month guide · London · United Kingdom
London in October
What October is really like in London: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dudley Miles, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 10.5 hours of daylight. Autumn colour in the parks and a full cultural calendar; the clocks go back on the last Sunday.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in London: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with September (20°C (68°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:24
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:08
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
Autumn (September–November). Settled September weather, film and art festivals in October and autumn colour in the parks; it turns wet and dark by November, when prices ease.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
- BFI London Film Festival (usually October)
- Frieze London art fair in Regent's Park (usually October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Westminster
Churchill War Rooms
Beneath Whitehall, the bunker from which Winston Churchill and his staff directed the Second World War is preserved much as it was left in 1945, including the Map Room with its pinned charts and the Cabinet Room.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
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Museum · Holborn
Sir John Soane's Museum
Stay for a demonstration in the Picture Room, where staff open hinged wall panels to reveal more paintings behind.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
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Castle · Tower Hill
Tower of London
William the Conqueror's White Tower, begun in the 1070s, stands at the centre of a fortress that has served as royal palace, prison and execution site.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Religious site · Westminster
Westminster Abbey
To experience the abbey without a sightseeing ticket, attend Choral Evensong, which is free and open to everyone.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 9°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit London?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
London in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit London?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colour in the parks and a full cultural calendar; the clocks go back on the last Sunday.
+How warm is London in October?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in London in October?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.