Hidden & Unusual Things to Do in London This October
If you’ve ever Googled “hidden gems in London,” you’ve probably noticed the same suggestions come up again and again. Neal’s Yard. Leake Street Tunnel. God’s Own Junkyard. Don’t get me wrong — those places are cool. But if you’re in London this October, you deserve something better. Something seasonal. Something you won’t find on every copy-paste blog.
October in London is a bit of a secret in itself. The crowds are thinner, the air is crisp, and the city leans into a moodier, more atmospheric version of itself. It’s the perfect time to go beyond the usual tourist trail and dip into the unusual corners of the city.
Here are the hidden and unusual things to do in London this October — the kind of experiences that make you feel like you’ve discovered a side of the city not everyone gets to see.
1. Wander Through London’s Cemeteries (They’re Stunning in Autumn)
Yes, cemeteries. Hear me out.
London’s “Magnificent Seven” Victorian cemeteries are atmospheric year-round, but in October they’re next-level. Highgate Cemetery is the famous one, with ivy-covered tombs and winding paths that feel straight out of a gothic novel. But places like Brompton Cemetery and Nunhead are quieter and just as beautiful when autumn leaves scatter across the gravestones.
It might sound spooky, but it’s also peaceful and perfect if you want to lean into October’s Halloween vibes without the gimmicks.
2. Find London’s Secret Gardens Before They Close for Winter
Hidden gardens in London are underrated. In October, they still hold onto the last of summer’s colour before shutting their gates. The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park is dreamy with autumn leaves reflecting in its pond. Postman’s Park, tucked near St Paul’s, is hauntingly beautiful with its memorial to “heroic self-sacrifice.”
And if you really want something unusual, head to Crossrail Place Roof Garden in Canary Wharf a futuristic glass-covered garden with plants from around the world. It feels like stepping into another city entirely.
3. Catch a Free Halloween Vibe Without Paying for a Tour
You don’t need to pay £20 for a Jack the Ripper tour to get spooky this October. Walk the streets of Whitechapel yourself, especially around dusk, and you’ll feel the history. Wander past old alleyways and Victorian pubs that still carry that eerie East End atmosphere.
For something lighter, check out Leadenhall Market in the City of London. Its gothic Victorian architecture looks like a film set which is fitting, since it was actually used in Harry Potter. In October, it looks even more magical with the autumn light pouring in through the glass ceiling.
4. Discover Hidden Art Underground
London’s biggest art shows aren’t always in galleries. The Vaults under Waterloo are a constantly changing canvas of immersive art, performances, and installations. Even if you just walk through the Leake Street graffiti tunnel, you’ll see new murals pop up daily.
And here’s a true hidden October gem: the Crypt Gallery in Bloomsbury. Yes, it’s an art space in an actual crypt. Exhibitions there often have a moody, atmospheric edge perfect for this time of year.
5. Explore Haunted Pubs & Quirky Taverns
Instead of queuing for the usual Soho spots, try one of London’s older, spookier pubs. The Ten Bells in Spitalfields is forever tied to Jack the Ripper lore. The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead has tales of highwaymen and ghosts. And in central London, The Viaduct Tavern sits on top of old Newgate Prison cells.
Even if you don’t believe in ghost stories, these pubs feel unusual and full of character a proper October experience with a pint in hand.
6. Take a Night Walk Along the River
Most people do the Thames Path in the daytime. But October evenings? That’s when it feels different.
Start at Southbank just before sunset and watch the skyline shift as you pass St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, and the Shard lighting up. The cool air, the buskers, the glow from riverside pubs it’s cinematic. And it costs nothing.
If you want to make it unusual, detour through Rotherhithe. Its cobbled streets and old wharves feel untouched by time. Hardly anyone goes there, and that’s exactly why it’s perfect.
7. Visit Eerie Hidden Corners of the City
There are parts of London that just feel different in October.
Charterhouse Square in Clerkenwell, built over a plague pit, has a strange stillness at night.
The Hunterian Museum, recently reopened, holds a collection of medical oddities that feel straight out of a Halloween display.
And if you want a truly hidden October experience, step into Wilton’s Music Hall in East London — the world’s oldest surviving music hall. The creaking floorboards and faded grandeur are atmospheric in the best way.
Final Thoughts
London in October rewards curiosity. Yes, you can tick off the big names like the London Eye and Buckingham Palace, but if you really want to connect with the city, go where most people don’t. Slip into a hidden garden, wander a cemetery, or find art in a crypt. The unusual side of London is often the most memorable and October is the perfect time to discover it.
And hey, if you’re into finding these offbeat corners and want more tips like this, come hang out with me on Instagram @london.yaar I share weekly guides, seasonal finds, and proper local gems that don’t usually make it into the mainstream blogs.