AnyVan’s ultimate guide to London in Autumn

September 1, 2014

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When the temperature drops and the dark morning set in, it’s hard to get the motivation to head outdoors. Here at AnyVan, we love a cosy night in as much as the next person, but being in London means that there is always something on. So, to make sure you don’t stay indoors 24/7, we’ve selected the top 30 things for you to do, and popped them in our Ultimate Guide.

Whether you’re interested in drinking whiskey on the London Eye, trying your hand at cocktail making or developing your circus skills, we’re sure to have something for you to do this Autumn:

November

Enjoy the ultimate winter treat with a trip to Winter Wonderland (pictured above) in Hyde Park. markets, Ice skating and a ferris wheel are only a few of the attractions that make this one of the best events in London this November.

Regent Street Motor Show (November 1^st) – The usually busy Regent will be closed this November to allow car enthusiasts to get up close and personal with 300 rare cars, which represent 125 years of motoring. The event is the UK’s largest free-to-view motor show, so if you’re a petrol head it’ll definitely be a fun day out (and it shouldn’t be too hard on your wallet either).

Bonfire Night: London Fireworks Displays (November 5^th) – The anniversary of Guy Fawkes arrest will see the customary bonfires, burning of effigies and fireworks take place at various locations across the city, often in local parks, however there will be larger displays in central London – the possibilities are endless!

Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks (November 8^th) – The annual flamboyant procession returns and as usual, it will be a great family day out. Only a few days on from the excitement of Bonfire night, this is a show not to be missed.

Discover Dogs (November 8^th and 9^th) – If you’re a dog lover this is a great event for you. A great opportunity to meet and discover over 200 different breeds of dogs! You’ll learn all the different personalities of each breed as well as their common, and not so common, traits. To all the dog lovers, this is for you!

Remembrance Sunday (Sunday 9^th November) – A special series of events will be taking place this year, as it’s the centenary of the First World War. As usual, thousands will be at the Cenotaph as members of the royal family and politicians lay wreaths. There are also many other events, which can be attended to pay your respects, including a Ceremony of Remembrance at The Imperial War Museum.

Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (November 9^th – 16^th) – The climax to the men’s pro tennis season is returning to London’s O2 Arena this November. With the majority of the world’s best singles and doubles players, it will no doubt be one of the most entertaining sports events of the year.

Autumn Rugby Internationals: England v South Africa (November 15^th) – Head down to Twickenham this November to watch England in action. With the Rugby World Cup being hosted here in 2015, this will be a great taster of the atmosphere in store for the visiting teams. Come on England!

Winter Wonderland (From November 21^st) – The hugely popular annual event returns for its seventh year, with the usual observation wheel, Christmas market and other wintery attractions all out in full effect. A fun event for people of all ages, and if you’ve been before, we know you’ll want to go again.

Thanksgiving (November 28^th) – Thanksgiving isn’t usually the most celebrated of events in the UK, but more and more Londoners are beginning to embrace the event (any excuse for a holiday yeah?). There are numerous restaurants and locations in London that will make sure you indulge in an American culinary feast you will be thankful for.

Ice at the Tower (Starting November: Dates to be confirmed) – Ever wanted to ice skate at the Tower of London? Well, now you can! Ice at the Tower is the best way to usher in the festive season. Whether you’re a pro or a novice, grab a few friends and head down to the tower to enjoy an afternoon trying not to look like Bambi on ice!

October

Graffiti Kings, are holding workshops throughout October in the appropriate setting of the Banksy Tunnel off Leake Street.

Whisky Tasting Experience On the London Eye (October 4^th and 18^th) – Enjoy five of Scotland’s finest whiskeys while looking over the vast metropolis that is, London. You will be guided through the characteristics of the whiskeys, complemented by savoury snacks. There is also a Q&A session as well as entry to a 4D cinema experience.

Graffiti Kings: Graffiti and Street Art Workshops (October 5^th and 12^th) – Broaden your artistic horizons by taking part in a graffiti and street art workshop. Featuring guest artists and seasoned pro’s, visitors to the workshop will learn tips and techniques, gain and understanding of graffiti and street art and finally leave with a clear understanding of the distinction between the two.

London Cocktail Week (October 6^th – 12^th) – Pick up a valuable life skill by immersing yourself into the world of cocktail making. Taking place at over 100 cocktail bars across the capital, cocktail lovers and newbies alike can take part in a range of activities including tasting sessions, tours, parties and classes.

BFI London Film Festival (October 8^th – 19^th) – Film lovers unite! The London Film Festival is back. With highly anticipated films, including ‘The Imitation Game’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch premiering this year, plus the screening of over 200 films, the festival is definitely worth taking part in. Films will be shown at the BFI Southbank cinema as well as selected cinemas across the capital.

London Restaurant Festival (October 8^th – 27^th) – If you love food, then you’ll be in heaven at the three-week London Restaurant Festival. In its sixth year, the citywide celebration of London food and chefs includes culinary themed tours; food based activities and specially designed taster menus from some of the capitals best restaurants.

Frieze Art Fair 2014 (October 16^th – 19^th) – The highly-rated art fair returns for another year, with leading national and international art dealers and galleries descending on Regent’s Park to show off their work. This year the event also features ‘Live Spaces’ where a range of performance art will be on show.

NFL: Atlanta Hawks vs Detroit Lions @ Wembley (October 26^th) – The hugely popular NFL International Series returns to London, with the first of 3 games taking place at Wembley this October. Even if you’re not a huge NFL fan, attending a game is definitely something everyone should experience!

Circus Experience Days (October 18^th) – Ever wanted to try your hand at a range of circus skills? Here’s your chance. The National Centre for Circus Arts is giving you the chance to experience a range of circus skills including trapeze, juggling and acrobatics. A great introductory taster if you’re thinking of taking up a new hobby. There are also kids sessions available on October 11^th and 25^thand a few dates in November.

MCM London Comic Con (October 24^th – 26^th) – Britain’s largest festival of popular culture returns for its second show of 2014. The exhibition showcases a range of items from genres including film, videogames and comics. With major movie studios and video game publishers present, it’s definitely worth attending to get into the action packed activities.

Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience (Available Fridays – Sundays throughout October) – If you’re a big Faulty Towers fan then you’ll have a ball at the Faulty Towers Dining Experience. Available for lunch, early dinner and dinner, the two hour ‘eat drink and laugh sensation’ has been gaining rave reviews from fans around the world.

September

The drMM Installation Endless Stair has been configured to create a maze of walkways and a viewpoint towards the city's skyline across the Thames, as a part of the London Design Festival.

Totally Thames (September 1^st – 30^th) – The whole month of September has been dedicated to the River Thames, with a range of events taking part throughout the month.The Great River Race on September 27^this definitely worth attending. Known as London’s River Marathon, the 21-mile race attracts over 300 crews from around the world, battling it out for one of 35 different trophies.

Pizza Speed Dating (September 12^th – 26^th) – A quirky, unusual activity, which will certainly be good fun! Speed dating, but with a difference. Avoid the potential awkwardness of trying to find your soul mate, and instead find your perfect pizza! Taste test fifteen types of pizza, with an array of toppings and bases, accompanied by half a bottle of red wine and dessert.

London Design Festival (September 13^th – 21^st) - In its eleventh year, the London Design Festival returns, taking place over nine days at a range of venues across the capital. Expect to be immersed into a variety of design subcultures with pop-up shops, trade shows, talks and seminars all giving you the opportunity to engage in something different everyday.
Looking to deliver an item bought at the festival? Visit AnyVan.com to obtain a free delivery quote.

Open House London (September 20^th and 21^st) – A great opportunity to experience some of the amazing architecture London has on offer. With over 800 buildings open to the public at no cost, this is definitely an eye-opening activity that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

The Oblique Tropical Fiesta @ Floripa (September 20^th)–If you’re not ready to let go of those summer vibes, then the Oblique Tropical Fiesta is definitely for you. A brunch and all-day party with a tropical twist located in vibrant Shoreditch. Spend your Saturday afternoon sipping cocktails and dancing away, as if you were on a hot beach in the Caribbean!

Thriller Dance Class @ Drink Shop & Do (September 22^nd – 29^th) – At some point in your life, you must have tried to pull off the infamous Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ dance routine, and failed. There’s no denying it! All hope is not lost, though. Grab your most rhythmic friends and head down to Drink Shop & Do to learn the routine from a pro… just in time for the office Halloween party!

London Tattoo Convention (September 26^th – 29^th) – The annual London Tattoo Convention is back celebrating its tenth year, and returns boasting over 340 internationally recognised tattooists. There will also be live music, a bar, a range of food stalls and alternative clothing and lifestyle merchandise. Definitely worth attending if you’re looking to experience something new.

Japan Matsuri (September 27^th) – Broaden your horizons this September by engrossing yourself into the world of Japanese culture at Japan Matsuri 2014. With all things Japanese on show including music, food and delicacies and manga cartoons, the festival definitely has something for everyone

Festival of Heat (September 28^th) – Finally, if you’re a fan of all things hot, then head down to Spitalfields City Farm on September 28^th to experience the heat that is the Festival of Heat. The festival encompasses everything chilli related, ranging from international food to cooking demonstrations to live music and workshops.

London Literature Festival (September 30^th – October 13^th) – Celebrate and revel in the marvels of literature, with a series of exhibitions and Q&A sessions with big name authors. The festival provides a great environment for budding authors to interact with leading figures in both literature and the arts.

Whether you're new to the city or an avid Londoner, hopefully this post will give you plenty of reasons to leave the house and embrace the capital for all its merits!