The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Canary Wharf In Autumn

London in autumn is chilly, grey, and often wet with intermittent sunshine, but the British capital is alive with exciting possibilities. Find out what you can get up to in Canary Wharf in October and November, from seasonal activities, top events, local traditions, vibrant nightlife, and more. Use our ultimate guide to visiting Canary Wharf in autumn to discover:

• Things to do in autumn
• Outdoor activities to do in autumn
• Indoor things to do in autumn
• Canary Wharf nightlife in autumn
• What you can’t do in autumn
• Where to stay in Canary Wharf

Things to Do in Autumn

Autumn may be one of the shoulder seasons of the tourism year, but there’s certainly enough going on in this incredible city to keep you busy every day of your Canary Warf extended stay. Take a look at these fantastic things to do:

Black History Month - 1-31 October: Attend poetry readings, go on historic walking tours, see exhibitions, and enjoy an array of other activities around the city honouring the complex history of black people in the UK and further afield.

Illuminated River Boat Tours: Back this autumn, Thames Clippers’ Illuminated River boat tours are the best way to see London Bridge, Cannon Street Railway Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Westminster Bridges, and others lit up in various ways.

Milton Avery at the Royal Academy of Arts - Until 16 October: Be mesmerised by the exquisite paintings of Milton Avery at the Royal Academy of Arts. 

Halloween at the Tower of London - 22-31 October: Listen to terrifying tales of torture, tour the Bloody Tower, and come face-to-face with some of its ghostly inhabitants.

London Restaurant Festival - 1-31 October: Celebrate London’s foodie scene by going restaurant hopping, attending cooking demonstrations and classes, and indulging with special menus at venues around the city.

Bonfire Night - On and around 5 November: A local tradition celebrated with gusto, Bonfire Night is a night (or two or three) of fireworks, pyrotechnical displays, merrymaking, and mischief.

EFG London Jazz Festival -11-20 November: Enjoy an abundance of jazzy gigs and performances in clubs and other venues around the city as part of one of the highlights on London’s musical calendar.

Black Friday - 25 November: Take advantage of mind-boggling discounts at shops around London (make sure you get to your preferred shops early) on Black Friday.

The London Eye: Gain a new perspective on some of the capital’s most famous landmarks and features by going for a ride on the London Eye. Late afternoon and early evening are particularly magical times.

Canary Wharf in October

There are all sorts of interesting and entertaining things planned for Canary Wharf in October. Here are just a few to whet your appetite:

Meditation and Mindfulness with Dr Padma Coram - 10 October: De-stress and learn more about the art of meditation and mindfulness with Dr Padma Coram in the Crossrail Place Roof Garden.

Darkfield - 12, 16, 19, 23 October: Enjoy three unique and immersive theatrical experiences in shipping containers.

Black History Month - 8, 15, 19, 22 October: Poet’s Corner: Listen to poems and stories about the black experience.

Outdoor Activities to Do in Autumn

Don’t let autumn’s fewer hours of daylight and sunshine stop you from enjoying great outdoor activities. A few of our favourite picks for areas such as Canary Wharf in October and November include:

Whether you're an experienced skater or a first-timer, the Canary Wharf Ice Rink is the perfect place to enjoy some winter fun. OK, the famous Ice Rink Canary Wharf isn’t exactly outdoors, but you’ll soon forgive and forget that while whizzing around on the ice under a roof festooned with fairy lights.

Scale Matters: Angela Glajcar - Throughout October and until 11 November: Be mesmerised by artist Angela Glajcar’s site-specific paper installations.

State of Play - Throughout October and until 11 November: Explore 11 playful art installations by various artists around the estate.

Henge - Until 20 October: Part of the London Design Festival, Stanton Williams’ Henge is a participatory sculptural pavilion fashioned from slabs of 150-million-year-old Jurassic limestone at Wren Landing.

Stroll or cycle the Regent’s Canal towpath: Autumn is a fine time of year to stroll or cycle along the picturesque Regent’s Canal towpath. If you want to do the route from the beginning, start at King’s Cross station. Make Little Venice your destination and enjoy a well-deserved beverage (and a hot meal) while enjoying the scenery from the canal side Bridge House pub. Hire a Santander Cycle in London from £1.65 for 30 minutes.

See the autumn colours of Greenwich Park: A hop, skip, and a jump from Canary Wharf, Greenwich Park is famous for offering incredible views of London. The park’s even better for a relaxing stroll, a brisk walk, or jogging at this time of year thanks to the exquisite autumn foliage.

Indoor Things to Do in Autumn

There’s no shortage of awesome indoor things to do in London in autumn. Here are a few great options:

Kidzania: Bringing the kids on holiday? They’ll have a blast at Kidzania, an indoor amusement centre that lets them run the city (and you’ll have a blast watching them).

London Oktoberfest - 1-22 October: German beer, food, and music are the order of the day at the capital’s take on this great Bavarian tradition. You’ll find several Oktoberfest events happening around London, with the main one in Camden Town.

Visit museums: London’s museums can be chaotic in summer, which makes autumn one of the best times of year to visit them. A few fantastic options include the Museum of London Docklands, the National Maritime Museum and the Cutty Sark, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Get your toes tapping in top music venues: There’s always live music to enjoy somewhere in London, whatever your preferred genre. Check out venues such as Canary Wharf’s the Big Easy, as well as Oriole (below Smithfield Market), Camden’s the Dublin Castle, Shoreditch’s Old Street Records, the Notting Hill Arts Club, and Kensington’s the Troubadour.

Discover London’s markets: Chilly autumn days are perfect for discovering London’s charming indoor markets. Browse the stalls and do a spot of shopping at Brixton Village Market, Wood Street Indoor Market, Greenwich Market, Camden Lock Market, and Covent Garden Apple Market.

Shop in the city’s top shopping destinations: Spoil yourself with some retail therapy in London’s best shopping destinations. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, Knightsbridge (for Harrods and Harvey Nichols), St James’s, Piccadilly, Jermyn Street, Bond Street, Mayfair, Westfield shopping centres White City and Stratford, Carnaby Street, Seven Dials and Sloane Street.

Canary Wharf Nightlife in Autumn

There’s not too much difference between the nightlife in Canary Wharf in October and the summer months. While there certainly are evening events that take place, the majority of visitors to the estate enjoy the many drinking and dining options offered by the area’s many restaurants and bars. Most restaurants close between 10pm and 11pm, while most bars close between midnight and 2am. In summer, restaurants and bars can be rather crowded. They’re still busy in autumn, although there won’t be quite as many people.

Looking for fabulous food? Make your way to Gaucho, Hawksmoor, Plateau, Six by Nico, and the Manhattan Bar & Grill. Some of the estate’s best bars include the Alchemist, the Lowback, the Parlour, the Pearson Room, No.35 Mackenzie Walk, BrewDog Canary Wharf, Electric Shuffle, and Boisdale of Canary Wharf. Find out more from our guide on the best restaurants in Canary Wharf. 

What Can’t You Do in Autumn

Due to the dropping temperatures and often-grey skies in October, many of the summer based activities are unavailable around Canary Wharf in autumn. Some of the activities you can’t do in autumn include open water swimming in the Thames, Minigolf by Craig & Karl, Ping Pong (closes 31 October), Summer Concerts in Canada Square Park, Outdoor Theatre, and Summer Screens.

Where to Stay in Canary Wharf

If you’re planning on visiting Canary Wharf in October and November to enjoy lively activities, excellent food and drink, thrilling events, opportunities to get active, and a healthy dose of culture. To ensure you make the best of your stay, choose Fraser Place Canary Wharf for your accommodation needs. We offer welcoming comfort, modern conveniences, and subtle sophistication, everything you expect from a visit to London.

Our 108 apartments, from studio flats to penthouse suites, have fully equipped kitchens, flatscreen TVs, and stunning views. Selected apartments also have private balconies or roof terraces that offer dazzling views of the riverfront. You’ll also find a breakfast room serving continental breakfasts, as well as a gym at our hotel. What’s more, you’ll be a few steps away from great dining and nightlife, the O2 Arena, and ExCel London. Fraser Place Canary Wharf is close to major attractions such as the Tower of London, the Old Royal Naval College, and the Houses of Parliament.