Things to Do in United Kingdom in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in United Kingdom
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Autumn color displays peak across the countryside - the New Forest, Lake District, and Scottish Highlands show brilliant rust and gold foliage, typically best in the first three weeks of October before leaf drop accelerates
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-35% compared to summer rates, particularly noticeable in London where mid-range hotels that run £180-220 in August drop to £120-160 in October
- Shorter queues at major attractions - the Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, and Stonehenge see 40% fewer visitors than peak summer, meaning you'll actually get decent photos without fighting crowds
- Cultural calendar hits its stride with major events - Frieze Art Fair in London, BFI London Film Festival, and Manchester Literature Festival all happen in October, giving you access to world-class programming that doesn't exist in summer months
Considerations
- Daylight shrinks noticeably through the month - you'll have roughly 11 hours of daylight at the start of October, dropping to just 9.5 hours by month's end, which means your sightseeing window compresses significantly
- Weather genuinely unpredictable - you might get crisp sunny days or three consecutive days of drizzle, and the forecast accuracy beyond 48 hours is honestly pretty rubbish, making it difficult to plan outdoor activities more than a couple days ahead
- Some coastal attractions and country hotels start closing for the season, particularly in Cornwall, the Cotswolds, and Scottish islands where smaller properties shut down entirely after mid-October
Best Activities in October
London museum exploration and gallery hopping
October weather makes this the ideal month for indoor cultural activities, and London's museum scene is genuinely world-class. The British Museum, V&A, Natural History Museum, and Tate Modern are all free for permanent collections. October also brings Frieze Art Fair and dozens of gallery openings in Mayfair and Shoreditch. The shorter daylight hours actually work in your favor here - you're not feeling guilty about being indoors when it's grey and drizzly outside. Crowds thin out considerably compared to summer, meaning you can actually stand in front of the Rosetta Stone without being jostled.
Scottish Highlands driving routes
October delivers some of the most dramatic Highland scenery you'll see - the heather moorlands turn deep purple-brown, the mountains get their first dustings of snow on the peaks, and the forests explode in autumn color. The midges that plague summer visitors are mostly gone by October, which alone makes this worth considering. That said, weather up here is properly variable - you might get stunning clear days or low clouds that obscure everything above 300m (985ft). The North Coast 500 route and Glencoe valley are particularly spectacular, though daylight constraints mean you'll need to plan shorter driving days.
Historic pub trail walking in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds in October hits a sweet spot - the summer crowds have cleared out, the honey-colored stone villages look gorgeous against autumn foliage, and the network of public footpaths is still accessible before winter mud sets in. The traditional approach is to walk 8-12km (5-7.5 miles) between villages, stopping at historic pubs for lunch and warming up. The Cotswold Way national trail offers the most dramatic ridge-top views, but shorter village-to-village routes like Bourton-on-the-Water to Stow-on-the-Wold work better if you're not hardcore hikers. Pack proper waterproof boots - the paths get muddy after rain, and you'll get rain.
Bath and Roman heritage exploration
Bath is actually better in October than summer - the Roman Baths themselves are an indoor attraction, so weather doesn't matter, and the Georgian architecture looks particularly beautiful in autumn light. The city gets genuinely crowded in summer, but October brings a more manageable flow of visitors. The Thermae Bath Spa rooftop pool is brilliant on a cool October evening when steam rises off the water. Combine this with visits to nearby sites like Stonehenge and Avebury stone circles, which are far more atmospheric under moody October skies than blazing summer sun.
Yorkshire Dales and Moors countryside exploration
October brings proper autumn to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors - the valleys fill with morning mist, the moorland turns bronze and purple, and the market towns feel authentically lived-in rather than tourist-focused. This is walking and driving country, with routes ranging from gentle riverside strolls to serious hill climbs up peaks like Pen-y-ghent. The historic abbeys like Fountains Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey are particularly photogenic against autumn foliage. Worth noting that weather can turn quickly up here - bring layers and waterproofs even if the morning looks promising.
Edinburgh festivals and ghost tours
Edinburgh in October offers a completely different vibe from the summer festival madness. The city returns to locals, prices drop significantly, and the darker evenings make the Old Town ghost tours and underground vault experiences genuinely atmospheric. The Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat are less crowded, meaning you can actually enjoy them. October also brings the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and various Halloween-themed events in the final week. The castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse are indoor-heavy attractions, making them ideal for variable October weather.
October Events & Festivals
BFI London Film Festival
One of Europe's major film festivals, screening 200+ features, documentaries, and shorts over two weeks. This is where you'll see award-season contenders before general release, often with director Q&As. Screenings happen across multiple London venues. Not a celebrity-spotting festival like Cannes, but genuinely about the films.
Frieze London Art Fair
Major contemporary art fair in Regent's Park bringing 160+ galleries from around the world. Even if you're not buying six-figure artworks, the fair is open to public with day tickets and offers a concentrated look at current contemporary art trends. Frieze Week also means dozens of gallery openings and art events across London.
Halloween celebrations and events
Halloween has grown significantly in the UK over the past decade. Major attractions run special events in the final week of October - think Warwick Castle, London Dungeons, Edinburgh's underground vaults, and various historic houses. These range from family-friendly to properly scary adult experiences. Book ahead as popular events sell out.