Welcome to my favourite London season… autumn is my absolute favourite time of year in the city. If you’re spending October half term in London with kids, there’s so much to do. London locals who haven’t booked a holiday can make the most of staying home, while visitors will be absolutely spoilt for choice.
I’ve devised a three-day October half-term itinerary in London for primary-school children, roughly aged 5–11. I’ve mixed Halloween events, classic London attractions, museums and seasonal family experiences. Now, I’m a firm believer in not trying to squeeze too much in, so don’t feel pressured to do the full day as suggested, or even all three days. You can always choose just one.
Itinerary at a glance
| Day | Morning | Lunch | Afternoon / Evening |
| Frights at London Icons | Tower of London | Coppa Club Tower Bridge | Tower Bridge |
| Museums and Villains | London Transport Museum | Disney Villains Afternoon Tea | Hyde Park or Twist Museum |
| Bears and Scares | Paddington Bear Experience | Lunch on the South Bank | Kew Gardens at Dusk |
Follow all three days or choose your favourite. You can also swap a day for pumpkin picking – see the alternative below.
Before you Book
For this three-day itinerary, I’ve focused on events and activities during October half term, from 17 October to 1 November 2026, allowing for different school holiday dates. A few of the Halloween activities only run from 24 October, so check the dates beneath each stop before planning your day.
Book your main experiences in advance, then plan lunch and any optional extras around your entry times. Leave enough time for travelling between stops, particularly on the day you’re heading to Kew Gardens.
The age guidance is a starting point: you know your children’s stamina and tolerance for scares best. If you’re bringing younger siblings, keep the afternoon activities optional and check the Halloween experiences carefully before booking.
October half term in London Day 1 – Frights at London Icons
These stops are all in one area, so there’s little travelling between them. The Tower of London is a big day out in itself, so if both attractions feel too much, skip Tower Bridge and enjoy a longer visit.
Morning: Tower of London
Start with chilling tales and haunting history at the Tower of London this October half-term. Once a royal palace, formidable fortress and notorious prison, it makes an atmospheric setting for a Halloween adventure.
Expect ghostly residents in theatrical costumes, ghoulish make-up and atmospheric sound effects throughout parts of the Tower. There are also spirited gatherings at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.45pm.
SilverSpoon Tip: Leave the Halloween costumes at home for this one: visitors wearing costumes will be refused entry.
Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026
Best for: Primary-school children who enjoy spooky stories; costumes and sound effects may unsettle sensitive children. The intention is to ‘delight rather than fright.’
Duration: Allow at least 3 hours, but you could easily stay longer.
Price: Adult £38, Child (5-15) £19. Halloween activity included in admission.
Getting there: Nearest tube is Tower Hill.
Booking: Book here.
After the Tower visit take a pause for lunch…
Lunch
Coppa Club Tower Bridge is a great choice for lunch in this area and is a one-minute walk from the Tower of London. The restaurant is right by the Tower of London with views of Tower Bridge and The Shard. Parents will love the riverside terrace and both adults and kids will enjoy dining in the iconic igloos. There’s a kids menu, afternoon tea and Sunday roast.
Alternative: If you want to keep your day more fast-paced and moving there’s plenty of grab-and-go lunch options including well-known ‘take aways’ like Pret and Paul as well as stands serving hot food.
From Coppa Club, it’s approximately 15 minutes to Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge
Did you know you can actually step inside Tower Bridge? Explore the high-level walkways for panoramic views of London, learn about the bridge’s history and visit the Victorian steam engines that once powered it.
Keep the “scares” coming by seeing who dares to step onto the glass floor and look down! For another highlight, check the bridge lift schedule before your visit to see whether you can watch it opening for a passing vessel.
SilverSpoon Tip: Follow the Tower Bridge Cat Trail, collecting stamps at different locations as you explore.
Best for: Primary-school children who enjoy heights, engineering and interactive trails.
Duration: Allow around 90 minutes for the full experience
Price: Adult £18, Child (5-15) £9.
Getting there: Nearest tube is Tower Hill.
Booking: Book here
October Half Term in London Day 2 – Museums and Villains
Morning: Take a break from the Halloween scares and start your day in the famous Covent Garden where you can grab a pastry for breakfast from Chestnut Bakery and take a wander around the piazza. Your first stop is London Transport Museum, which is not only ideal for transport buffs but a museum that explores the history of London through the story of its transport network.
What’s on at London Transport Museum
For October half-term, London Transport Museum is celebrating 120 years of the Piccadilly line. There are different family activities throughout the week, including designing trains and stations of the future, storytelling and hands-on challenges. Activities are included with museum admission, and children go free.
SilverSpoon Tip: Children will love burning off steam in the All Aboard play zones, which are designed for children up to the age of seven. There’s plenty of other things to do and interactive activities, including climbing aboard a real big red London bus.
Dates: 24 October–1 November
Best for: Transport-obsessed primary-school-age children or anyone who loves the history of London.
Duration: Allow around 2 hours to enjoy the museum.
Price: It’s £27 for an adult unlimited annual pass. Children go free.
Getting there: Nearest tube is Covent Garden.
Booking: Book here
For a lower-cost lunch or brunch option, the Transport Museum has a pancake menu, with children’s pancakes from just £4.90.
Alternatively hop on the tube at Covent Garden and it’s four stops on the Piccadilly Line to Hyde Park Corner.
Once Upon a Villain Afternoon Tea
Lunch: Head to Park Corner Brasserie at the Hilton Park Lane for the Once Upon A Villain afternoon tea. Villains have taken over the Disney Princess afternoon tea for Halloween. Expect treats inspired by Snow White’s apple, Dr. Facilier’s top hat and Maleficent’s hat, alongside a little role for children to play. As honorary Princess Consultants and official taste testers, they vote for their favourite creations using a royal voting card and take home a certificate.
SilverSpoon Tip: Oscar loved spotting the characters in the treats, and I loved that he had something to get involved in alongside eating them! Dress up as your favourite baddie for extra fun.
Best for: Disney fans and children who enjoy a themed afternoon tea
Duration: Allow around 90 minutes
Price: £70 per adult; £45 per child
Booking: Book here
Afternoon: As it’s already been an expensive day, a great option for the afternoon is exploring Hyde Park, one of London’s largest and most famous Royal Parks. It’s right opposite the Hilton on Park Lane, so after a filling afternoon tea you can slow things down with a walk, kick through crunchy leaves and enjoy London in its autumn colours.
SilverSpoon Tip: If you’re planning to visit the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, just bear in mind that it’s at the opposite end of the park from the Hilton, so I wouldn’t add it as a quick stop unless your children still have plenty of energy!
Rain Day Alternative
If you’re unlucky enough to have a rainy day, another museum is a good option – but this one is completely different grom the Transport Museum. You can get to the Twist Museum (located on Oxford Street) from the Hilton Park via a (rainy!) twenty minute walk or a fifteen minute taxi. The number 390 bus is an alternative but I’d avoid the tube as once you’ve walked to the different tube stops you might as well have walked to the museum.
Twist Museum is getting a spooky makeover for Halloween with surprises alongside its 80+ interactive illusions. Children can follow a free UV Ghost Trail, collect a UV keychain and prizes, and enter the costume competition. There’s also Halloween candy for children and daily magic shows from 24 October–1 November.
SilverSpoon Tip: This is a good one to save for a rainy day because almost everything is indoors and interactive. Plus some of the optical illusions make brilliant family photos.
Dates: 17 October–1 November 2026 (with the magic shows from the 24th)
Best for: Children who enjoy interactive exhibits, illusions, magic and cool photo opportunities.
Duration: Allow around 60 – 90 mins for this museum.
Price: Halloween extras included with admission. Starting at £20 for children and £24.50 for adults
Booking: Book here
October Half Term in London Day 3 – Bears and Scares
Morning: I’d suggest starting with a shorter activity, as your main event comes later in the afternoon. Start with the riverside views before stepping into the Paddington Bear Experience for an adventure through London and Peru.
Explore interactive sets with live performances, and themed activities inspired by everyone’s favourite bear. For Halloween it’s Trick or Treat at Windsor Gardens with autumnal decorations and an exclusive trick-or-treat package including: pumpkin bucket, sweets, Paddington ears, a Paw Biscuit and a Halloween Paddington postcard.
SilverSpoon Tip: The experience ends at Marmalade Day, where children can enjoy some free play and meet Paddington himself. Don’t rush off as soon as the main experience finishes as you can stay here a little longer.
Dates: Open daily from 10am. 17 October – 1 November for the Halloween special
Best for: Paddington fans, especially preschool and primary-school-age children although parents will enjoy the nostalgia too.
Duration: Around 70 minutes
Price: From £39. The Halloween Trick or Treat package is an additional £15 per child.
Lunch: Stay around the South Bank for an easy lunch before heading west. There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants around County Hall and the Southbank Centre, so I’d keep this relatively casual ahead of the evening at Kew. We like Cote Brasserie for a sit-down lunch.
Optional extra: London Eye
As the Paddington Bear Experience is quite short, if you’re the sort of person who has FOMO and likes to fit a lot into a day then you can book the London Eye which is right next to the Paddington Bear Experience. Your Halloween at Kew slot won’t be until later in the day, so this is a good way to fill some time. There’s nothing quite like soaring above London in the London Eye capsule.
SilverSpoon Tip: The experience is only 30 minutes, but I warn you your ticket time is your queue-entry time, rather than the exact time you’ll board. Queues can be longer at weekends and during school holidays, so consider upgrading to a Fast Track ticket to reduce your wait. Or at least factor the wait time into your schedule.
Best for: Children who want to see iconic views of London
Duration: Around 30 minutes (but factor in queuing time)
Price: From £39
Booking: Book Here
Afternoon: From the Southbank walk back to Waterloo and take the train towards Kew Bridge, then walk to your allocated Kew Gardens entrance. The event starts at dusk (16 October – 24 October: 6pm to 10pm, 25 October – 1 November: 4pm to 10pm). This is your ‘big’ activity of the day, so give yourself plenty of time to get there.
Halloween at Kew is one of London’s most popular and sell-out events. The gardens will transform into a thrilling, illuminated trail packed with scary encounters, live actors, surprises and shocking moments for brave visitors of all ages.
Use the code ANGIESILVER10 for 10% off.
SilverSpoon Tip: I haven’t experienced Halloween at Kew myself, but I’d choose your time slot carefully with younger children. Kew specifically recommends the earlier Daylight sessions for very young visitors, with the scare factor increasing through Twilight and Moonlight.
Dates: 16 October – 24 October 2026: 6pm to 10pm, 25 October – 1 November 2026: 4pm to 10pm
Best for Primary-school-age children and confident younger children. Choose an earlier Daylight slot for little ones.
Price: From £23 per adult / £17 per child. When booking, select the ‘Garden Entry + Halloween at Kew’ ticket type if you’d also like daytime entry to the gardens.
Getting There: Nearest tube is Kew Gardens. Halloween at Kew has three entrance gates: Victoria Gate, Elizabeth Gate and Brentford Gate. Your allocated entry gate will be clearly shown on your ticket.
Booking: Book here
Alternative option
If you’d prefer to stay on the South Bank rather than travel out to Kew Gardens, Fright on the Thames is a good alternative. It’s close to the Paddington Bear Experience and keeps the Halloween theme going without adding a long journey across London.
What to expect: A 60-minute Halloween river cruise with live actors telling spooky stories from London’s past. Hear tales of Captain Kidd, Jack the Ripper and haunted Old London Bridge as you sail past the city’s landmarks. Tickets include a hot chocolate or a glass of prosecco.
SilverSpoon Tip: Bear the 7pm start in mind with younger children. If you’ve done Paddington in the morning and skip the London Eye, you may prefer to head back to your hotel for a break before returning for the cruise.
Best for: Primary school children who enjoy ghost stories.
Duration: 1 hour
Dates: 24 October–1 November 2026, daily at 7pm
Price: £24.50 per adult; £23.50 per child
Getting there: London Eye River Cruise, Boarding Point 2, South Bank
Booking: Book here. Tickets are for the cruise only and don’t include the London Eye.
Swap a day for pumpkin picking
Stay in London
The London Pumpkin Patch is perfect if you don’t fancy leaving London. It’s located in Parsons Green, with more than 10,000 pumpkins, winding pathways, autumnal displays and plenty of photo opportunities bringing a little slice of the countryside into South West London.
As you explore the patch, children can encounter interactive characters along the way, while there are lots of seasonal backdrops for those all-important autumn family photos. Its biggest selling point is the location, particularly if you don’t have a car (and we don’t) or don’t want to spend half the day travelling out of London for a pumpkin!
SilverSpoon Tip: One of the most convenient options for London families and a great choice if you want the pumpkin patch experience without committing to a full day at a farm. It’s also high on our list to visit this autumn.
Best for: London families, younger children and anyone looking for an easy, accessible pumpkin-picking experience
Dates: 24 October – 1 November 2026
Price: From £6
Getting there: Nearest tube: Parsons Green.
Booking: Book here.
Make a day trip of it
We went to Willows Activity Farm last year for pumpkin picking and pumpkin carving and it completely changed my mind about pumpkin patches. It was so much more fun than just choosing a pumpkin and leaving!
There’s a full programme alongside the pumpkin patch itself, including arts and crafts, a Halloween maze, character shows such as Patch the Pumpkin, a Halloween disco and tractor rides.
SilverSpoon Tip: Willows is one of my top choices for pumpkin picking near London. There’s plenty to entertain children all day making the journey from central London really worth it.
Best for: Families with younger children, especially toddlers and preschoolers
Dates: 10 – 31 October 2026
Price: £22.95 (includes pumpkin)
Getting there: By public transport, take the Tube to High Barnet, then the 84 bus towards St Albans and get off at The Bull, London Colney. From there it’s a short walk to the farm.
Booking: Book here
For more pumpkin patches in London and further afield, read my full guide to pumpkin picking near London.
More ideas for October Half Term in London
I hope this itinerary has given you some ideas for making the most of October half term in London with primary-school children. There’s so much happening across the city at this time of year, but you definitely don’t need to do it all. Pick the days and activities that suit your family best, leave plenty of breathing room, and enjoy London in one of its most atmospheric seasons.
Looking for even more inspiration? I’ve rounded up the best things to do in London with kids this October half term, including seasonal events, shows and family days out. For something spookier, take a look at my Halloween events in London with kids guide, or keep costs down with my guide to the best free things to do in London with kids.
PIN IT!!
