Things to do in London

All you need to know about visiting London in November

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London, a renowned global metropolis, boasts a rich tapestry of history, from the medieval Tower of London to the modern marvel of the Shard. Each edifice echoes with tales of its own, waiting to be discovered. Embrace these narratives against the backdrop of November's brooding skies, adding a touch of drama to the city's iconic landmarks. Wander through the footsteps of kings, warriors, and commoners across the ages, delving into London's evolution into a vibrant economic and cultural hub. November presents an ideal window to explore London, offering a plethora of cultural happenings amidst the tranquil tourist shoulder season, allowing you to maximize both your budget and time. Dive into this guide for insights into what awaits and the myriad experiences to savor during your November sojourn in London.

What Makes London in November Special?


London in November
London in November

Classic British weather – London's weather remains as unpredictable as ever, whether in the peak of summer or the depths of winter! November brings its signature moody skies and frequent rainfall, prompting the need for raincoats and umbrellas. But fear not, for amidst the drizzle, cozy up with a comforting shepherd’s pie and a steaming mug of spiced cider, letting the romantic ambiance of the city envelop you in its warmth.
Grand festivals and events – November in London promises an array of captivating events to delight visitors. From the iconic Guy Fawkes’s bonfire night to the majestic Lord Mayor’s parade and the solemn Remembrance Day, alongside the soul-stirring melodies of the EFG Jazz Festival, there's no shortage of excitement in the air.
Fewer tourists –With November marking the shoulder season in London, visitors can revel in the tranquility before the bustling Christmas rush. Enjoy the attractions with fewer crowds, seize the opportunity for discounted airfares, and take advantage of more affordable accommodations, ensuring a peaceful and budget-friendly experience.

London Weather in November


London in November brings a definite chill, with average temperatures hovering around 12°C. Daytime highs reach 13°C, while nighttime lows dip to 2°C. Expect just 3 hours of daily sunshine amidst an average rainfall of 63mm. Take advantage of the off-season calm before December arrives, as London is notably less crowded during this time.

london in may - weather

Visiting London in November : Things to Do


1

Westminster Abbey

London - things to do - Westminster Abbey


Take an audio guide tour of the Westminster Abbey and walk the hallowed aisles that have been graced for a 1,000 years by kings, politicians and common folk alike. The Royal Church has seen 16 Royal weddings and is the final resting place of over 3,300 British who’s who.

November Timings
Monday – Friday: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Closed on Sunday for Service

Location

20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA,
UK
Getting There ›

2

Tower of London

Tower of London


Overlooking the River Thames and the City of London, The Tower of London has had a colourful history since its construction in 1078. Learn more about the castle and its past as a prison, armoury, treasury, and menagerie in the Crown Jewels and the Beefeaters tour.

November Timings
Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Sun – Mon: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Location

St Katharine's & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB,
UK
Getting There ›

3

Windsor Castle

London- things to do


Visit the Queen’s weekend home at Windsor Castle. The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world it has been home to 39 monarchs since it was built in 11th century by William the Conqueror. Take a day trip from London and visit Stonehenge and Oxford along with the Windsor Castle.

4

Stadium Tours

London in nov


London is at the heart of the sporting world – football, cricket, tennis – and its stadiums have hosted world championships that resound across the world. Take a tour of Wimbledon Stadium, Wembley Stadium, or the Emirates Stadium for a behind the scene look at where records are made.

5

West End Theatre

London in nov


A theatre show at the West End is a must-do on your itinerary in London. Catch one of the classics like The Lion King or The Phantom of the Opera, or be one of the first to catch the November premieres which include Mary Poppins, Touching the Void, Dear Evan Hansen, & Juliet and White Christmas.

Location

Square Underground Station, Leicester, London WC2H 0AP, United Kingdom
WC1A 2SE, UK
Getting There ›

6

Thames River Cruise

London in november


Admire London’s most iconic landmarks on a river cruise down the Thames. You can catch views of The Big Ben, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, The Shard, London Eye and more attractions on a river cruise. Most cruises run in the morning and afternoon in November, but evening cruises have insulated boats to ward off the cold.

Location

Pipers Island, Bridge St, Reading RG4
8AH, UK
Getting There ›

Free Cancellation
Westminster To Greenwich River Thames Sightseeing Cruise
Westminster To Greenwich River Thames Sightseeing ...
from
£13
Best Safety
Thames Rockets High Speed Boat Experience
Thames Rockets High Speed Boat Experience
from
£39
Best Safety
Lunch Cruise with Sightseeing on Thames River
Lunch Cruise with Sightseeing on Thames River
from
£34
Free Cancellation
Bateaux London: Lunch Cruise on River Thames
Bateaux London: Lunch Cruise on River Thames
from
£39
Best Safety
Evening Cruise with Sparkling Wine & Live Music on Thames River
Evening Cruise with Sparkling Wine & Live Music on...
from
£29
Free Cancellation
Bateaux London: Dinner Cruise on River Thames
Bateaux London: Dinner Cruise on River Thames
from
£79
Best Safety
London Showboat 4 Course Dinner Cruise on Thames River
London Showboat 4 Course Dinner Cruise on Thames R...
from
£70
Free Cancellation
Willow Room : Afternoon Tea Cruise
Willow Room : Afternoon Tea Cruise
from
£46
Best Safety
Unlimited Hop On Hop Off Thames River Sightseeing Cruise
Unlimited Hop On Hop Off Thames River Sightseeing ...
from
£17.8
Best Safety
Afternoon Tea Cruise on River Thames
Afternoon Tea Cruise on River Thames
from
£34

7

Shakespeare Globe Theatre

London in nov


The story of The Globe Theatre could very well be the subject of a Shakespearean play considering its rise from fires and disrepute. It was here that Shakespeare produced his plays, today you can take a tour of the Globe theatre to learn about the history of theatre and Shakespeare.

Location

21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT,
UK
Getting There ›

8

HMS Belfast

London in nov


The HMS Belfast is a London landmark and a survivor of the Second World War. A tour of the decommissioned warship will take you across the nine decks where soldiers lived and fought for weeks on sea. Learn about the war and view the weaponry that was used on D-Day.

November Timings
Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Location

HMS Belfast, The Queen's Walk, London
Getting There ›

9

London Palaces

London in nov


London has remarkable palaces that are brimming with history and heritage and some of the ones that should definitely make it to your itinerary are – Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. A London Palace pass would help you save money and time at queues.

Location

Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, United Kingdom
Getting There ›

London in November : Events to Look Out For


London in november

Bonfire Night

5th November 2023
‘Remember, remember the fifth of November’ that’s how the rhyme goes on Guy Fawkes Night. Elaborate fireworks and bonfires are showcased all over London with celebrations, notably at Battersea Park, Lambeth, Southwark, Crystal Palace, Blackheath and Royal Docks. Families feast on food and drinks in these street festivals.

London in november events

Lord Mayor’s Show

14th November 2023
The Lord Mayor of the City of London travels from the City of London to Westminster to offer allegiance to the Queen on this day. This is an annual tradition running from 1215 and it is celebrated with a spectacular procession with around 140 floats, 7,000 performers, and the Lord Mayor’s Coach.

London in November events

Remembrance Day

11th November 2023
Remembrance Day also is known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day is observed to remember those who martyred in the First World War. Silence is observed at 11 AM on 11th November and on 13th Nov or Remembrance Sunday parades and music events are conducted across London to commemorate veterans and martyrs.

London in November events

EFG London Jazz Festival

10th – 19th November 2023
The 10 day festival brings together the best Jazz musicians and singers in the city. Performances, concerts and events are conducted at Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Wigmore Hall. Veronica Swift, Hiromi, Marcus Miller & Camilla George, Sergio Mendes, Ron Carter and many more will be performing in 2023.

London in November : 3-day Itinerary


London in November : Essentials


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LanguageEnglish

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Time zoneGMT+1

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Country Code+44

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Socket Type G

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CurrencyPound (£, GBP)

London Weather in November

Winter is starting to show up in London in November. The average temperature hovers around 12°C and the days are getting shorter. Average day time reduces from 9 hrs 40 mins to 8 hrs 15 mins from start to end of the month. Sunrise is around 7:15 AM and sunset around 4:00 PM.

Where to Stay in London during November

London is a huge city and you will just have to find the right area based on your interests and what you want to do while in London. You will find a variety of accommodation and since public transport is efficient you can stay anywhere. Areas like West End (Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square and Oxford Street), Victoria, South Bank, City of London, Westminster and Camden are quite popular with tourists. Here are our favourite accommodation picks in London –

  • Luxury: Hotel 41, The Egerton House Hotel, The Nadler Covent Garden
  • Mid-Range: The Hide London, Ridgemount Hotel, Hotel Moonlight
  • Budget: Travelodge Wembley, Ibis London, Clink78

What to Pack for Visiting London in November

In November, London's weather tends to be chilly and damp, requiring strategic packing. Opt for waterproof ankle or calf-length shoes to stay cozy and dry during your sightseeing adventures. Embrace layering as your go-to strategy for navigating both indoor and outdoor conditions. Pack thermal wear, a winter jacket, and two additional warm layers to stay comfortably insulated. Don't forget to bring along an umbrella or rain jacket to shield yourself from unexpected showers. If you plan to visit churches, remember to dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees.

Getting Around London in November

London has a fantastic public transportation system and it covers all the 32 boroughs. In November you will have to deal with rain and cold, so it might be best to plan your transport in advance or just take a Hop-on Hop-off bus so you don’t have to worry about how to get there while caught in the rain! If you choose to use public transport you have an extensive choice – Metro or Underground Tube, Overground, Docklands Light Railway, Rail, Bus, Tram, River Boat, and Taxis. You can learn about these public transport options here and you can travel for free on them with the Oyster Travel Card.

Must-Try Dishes While Visiting London in November


London in November
Toad in the hole

No! Toads were never used to make this hearty pudding dish. It is made with sausages encased in Yorkshire pudding batter and is often served with a side of onion gravy and vegetables. The warm and filling meal will cheer you up on a cloudy November afternoon!

London in November
Welsh rarebit

The rarebit part of the name is actually a deviation of the word ‘rabbit’ but surprisingly this dish does not contain rabbit meat at all! The dish is instead a cheesy sauce mixed with loads of herbs and slathered over toast, you will want this deliciousness on a cold November day.

london in nov
Shepherd’s pie

The shepherd’s pie is quintessentially a British dish and the perfect comfort food for winters. The dish is made of lamb cooked in gravy with onions, peas, carrots or celery and baked with a crust of potato. Sometimes a layer of cheese is added on top and you can never have enough!

London in November
Bangers and mash

Bangers and Mash is unanimously Britain’s favourite comfort food, whether it is at home or the pub this quick dish is warm and fills up your soul! The dish is essentially fried sausages of a variety of meats laid on buttery potato mash and doused with onion gravy and sometimes a side of vegetables.

london in nov
Eton Mess

Can you ever have enough of whipped cream? You will find out while eating an Eton Mess! This classic English dessert was first sold at Eton College and is a mix of broken meringue, lots of whipped cream and fresh summer fruit including strawberries and raspberries.

Tips for Visiting London in November


  • Winter is setting in London and it’s time for the Winter Wonderland to start in Hyde Park. Starting 18th November Hyde Park transforms into a playground for kids and adults. You can enjoy the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, the Magical Ice Kingdom experience, circus shows, giant wheel, ice sculpting workshops and other fun stuff.
  • Despite the low tourists, places like restaurants and West End shows are frequented by local Londoners, which is why you should book spots and tickets in advance.
  • Potterheads can make a special pilgrimage to the Warner Bros Studio as the world of Harry Potter changes to its winter scenery in Hogwarts in Snow from 12th November 2022 until 15th January 2023.
  • Watch the Christmas lights come up for ‘Christmas at Kew’ at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew. It includes a mile-long trail through the gardens which are lit up with more than a million lights.

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