Alright, autumn? Nice to see you. This season, London is brimming with amazing autumnal activities. While we start to layer up, enjoy the crunching of leaves under our boots (dug out from the back of the wardrobe) and find an excuse to enjoy pumpkin-spiced everything, the city is ready to offer all kinds of great things to do. And yes, we’re all about planning your days out, but we all know there's nothing like making a last-minute decision to explore parts of the city you may never have thought about. With that in mind, we’re highlighting some of the best stuff you can enjoy in London. And thanks to Transport for London’s affordable fares (including frozen fares until March 2025*, daily capping at £8.50** and the £1.75 Hopper fare***!), it couldn’t be easier to act on impulse and spend your autumn seeing London in a whole new light.
Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street Overground
No matter the weather outside in Shoreditch, you’re guaranteed a cosy, warm atmosphere in this much-loved jazz venue inside the Truman Brewery. Catch live jazz, soul, funk, and DJs numerous nights a week, with many gigs either free or under a tenner.
91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. Various dates and times.
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Nearest stations: Lloyd Park/William Morris Gallery bus stop (123) and Walthamstow Central Overground and Tube
You’ll recognise the now-iconic wallpaper and furnishing designs of William Morris, the founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement. But did you know that they were inspired by Islamic art? Get up close to over 60 works, including textiles, ceramics, metalwork and more, demonstrating how some of Morris’s best-known creations were inspired by Islamic design.
Lloyd Park, Forest Rd, E17 4PP. Tue-Wed, 10am-5pm; Thu, 10am-8pm; Fri-Sun, 10am-5pm. Nov 9-March 9. Free, suggested donation of £5.
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Nearest station: Cambridge Heath Overground
This quirky subterranean museum – The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History, to give it its full title – is filled with all kinds of wonderful objects and oddities. From taxidermy birds in elaborate settings to not-so-historical artefacts and weird artworks, you’ll be amazed by what you’ll find here. Keep an eye out for highlights such as dodo bones and the hidden fairies around the space.
11 Mare St, E8 4RP. Tue-Fri, 3-11pm; Sat, noon-11pm; Sun, noon-10pm. £10 (plus booking fee)
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Nearest station: Walthamstow Central Overground and Tube, and Walthamstow Bus Station on the SL2 Superloop network.
Branding itself as ‘Walthamstow’s answer to Britain’s Got Talent only much, much better’, CNN Karaoke takes over Walthamstow Trades Hall every second Friday of the month. This popular spot will have you belting out classics from Whitney to Busted, all in a fun and friendly setting, so it doesn’t really matter whether you’re a natural singer or not.
61-63 Tower Hamlets Rd, E17 4RQ. 8.30pm-1am, every second Friday. £3.
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Nearest Tube: Mile End
A Finnish sauna in Mile End? Don’t mind if we do. Perfect for relaxing after a go on the climbing wall (or not), these sauna sessions are a steaming hot 80-110°C, meaning you can truly sweat out all your troubles (or just relax after a session on the wall). Afterwards, you’ll want to make full use of the outdoor shower and whisky-barrel plunge pool to walk away feeling extra refreshed.
Haverfield Rd, E3 5BE. Daily. £5 off-peak session, £10 peak session.
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Nearest bus stop: Blake Hall Crescent (101, 308, W19)
This idyllic spot is part of Wanstead Park and is very popular with walkers in the autumn months. Enjoy a ramble through lush woodland, where you can spot wild birds and bluebells while soaking up the crisp autumn air. And while you’re there, make sure to stop by the Temple, a historic site in the park, for a nosey around.
Chalet Wood, E11 2LU. Daily. Free.
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Thanks to Transport for London’s affordable fares, you can get even better value as you travel across the city.
Download TfL Go to your iOS and Android devices to plan your journey and check live arrival times or visit TfL’s website.
*Take advantage of frozen fares
TfL’s pay as you go single fares on bus, Tube, DLR and Tram are frozen, as are the majority of pay as you go single fares on the Elizabeth line and London Overground, including the £1.75 bus Hopper fare, until March 2025.
**With the daily cap, you can make unlimited trips all day long in Zones 1-2 and never pay more than £8.50.
Always use the same card or device when touching in. Excludes London Cable Car, River Bus and Southeastern highspeed services. Daily capping applies to trips completed between 4.30am and 4.29am the following day.
***Pay just £1.75 with the Hopper fare
Travel as many times as you like within an hour for £1.75. Applies to buses and trams. You can also make unlimited bus trips all day long for £5.25 with daily bus fare capping. Always use the same card or device. Daily capping applies to bus and tram trips taken between 4.30am and 4.29am the following day. For full terms and conditions, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/hopper.
Wherever you’re going, by choosing public transport you’re making a good choice for you and a more sustainable choice for London.
