London is a historic, multicultural global capital known for its landmarks, extensive public transport, green spaces, and vibrant arts and finance scenes.
8–10 Oct, 15–17 Oct…
An exhibition at Rainham Hall explores how the house was transformed for the film Sense and Sensibility, displaying costumes and props and documenting the filming process.
Rainham Hall is a well-preserved Georgian merchant's house in London with historic interiors, exhibitions, and an on-site café, showcasing a unique blend of domestic and commercial history from the 18th century onwards.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
A home education open day at RHS Garden Wisley for home-educating groups and families, with planting, seed exploration, herbarium sessions, talks, mini-beast activities, pond dipping, habitat mapping, leaf activities and access to library collections. Most activities are drop-in, while herbarium sessions require booking.
RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey is a renowned horticultural garden offering extensive outdoor garden grounds with world-class plant displays, accompanied by multiple dining options and a garden centre. It provides a rich outdoor experience for visitors seeking to explore diverse flora and enjoy seasonal food offerings.
8–25 Oct (another 16 days)
An exhibition explores J.M.W. Turner’s painting *Margate (?), from the Sea* and the history of his bequest to the nation. Visitors can see the painting alongside archival documents, letters and works by artists influenced by Turner.
Turner's House in London is a restored historic house offering guided tours, exhibitions, and accessible grounds reflecting the artist J.M.W. Turner's life and work. Visitors can explore both indoor spaces and the garden, with facilities accommodating mobility issues.
14 Oct (next Wednesday)
Children aged 7 and over can take part in a 90-minute workshop exploring how plants and pollinators interact, with activities matching pollinators to flowers, using UV light to discover patterns and identifying foods that depend on pollinators.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Families can follow an interactive garden trail based on Rachel Bright’s children’s book, helping squirrels Cyril and Bruce work together to find the last nut of the season. The trail includes games and takes place along the pathway around the lake.
15–16 Oct
A two-day garden design drawing course with designer Andrew Wilson. Participants will practise improving hand-drawn garden plans, rendering colour and character, and using one- and two-point perspective to create three-dimensional drawings.
Painshill Park is a large award-winning 18th century landscape garden in Surrey featuring winding paths, mystical follies including the Crystal Grotto, and beautiful parkland. It offers accessible routes, family-friendly facilities, a café, and seasonal food, making it ideal for a full-day outdoor visit.
18 Oct (next Sunday)
The Thames Chamber Choir performs two identical 30-minute concerts of music by Byrd, Tallis and other composers from the Jacobean era, alongside the William Larkin portraits from the Suffolk Collection.
Kenwood is a historic house located on Hampstead Heath featuring breathtaking interiors and a world-class art collection that visitors can enjoy for free. The venue includes tranquil landscaped gardens, children's activities, and a café, offering both indoor cultural experiences and extensive outdoor grounds to explore. It hosts seasonal events such as immersive Christmas light trails and exhibitions that appeal to families and art lovers alike.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Dr Michelle Asantewa gives a talk and reflection on the film *Sinners*, exploring African spirituality, ancestry, ritual and cultural memory. The event does not include a screening of the film.
Morden Hall Park is a large National Trust park in Morden, London, featuring historic buildings including Morden Hall, snuff mills, and a garden centre, set on the River Wandle with extensive parkland, footbridges, and a dog-friendly café.
18 Oct (next Sunday)
A volunteer-led tour of Fenton House’s garden explores its history and development, including its seasonal blooms and ongoing garden work.
17 Oct–1 Nov
Visitors can view more than 20 decorative cabinets and writing desks from Ham House’s collection opened for display, including examples of marquetry, lacquer and veneers. From 19 to 23 October, volunteer guides may also give short pop-up talks in the Long Gallery.
The William Morris Society is a museum in the coach house and basement of Kelmscott House, showcasing original textiles, wallpapers, and designs by William Morris. Visitors can explore the accessible main floor exhibits, garden, library, and printing room located on the Thames riverfront in London.
9 Jun, 7 Jul…
A Heritage Volunteer leads a one-hour guided walk around Claremont Landscape Garden, exploring a different tree-related subject each month. Attendees can learn about the garden’s trees and see areas of the grounds along the way.
The Homewood is a striking early 20th-century Modernist country villa near Esher, Surrey, designed by architect Patrick Gwynne. Open for pre-booked guided tours of its house and gardens from April to October, this unique property offers visitors a chance to explore architectural history alongside landscaped gardens in a private residence setting.
16 Oct (next Friday)
A six-musician ensemble performs rarely heard British anti-slavery songs from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, alongside readings from Black writers of the period. The concert concludes with an open discussion about the music’s legacy, memory and ongoing struggles for justice.
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
A weekly sale of seasonal produce grown by Marble Hill’s volunteer gardeners, including fresh vegetables and cut flowers. Visitors can browse and buy produce at the north-east corner of Marble Hill Park.
Clementi House in London is a historic home known for its musical heritage, notably as the residence of composer Muzio Clementi and a place where the young Felix Mendelssohn lived and performed. Visitors can see a playable original forte-piano and learn about the musical history associated with the house. Access is via pre-booked tours only.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An exhibition of intricately embroidered wedding shawls, baghs and phulkaris from the Karun Thakar Collection, displayed in the neoclassical rooms at Osterley. The textiles were made by young women in undivided Punjab for ceremonial use.
16 Oct (next Friday)
Obsidian Baroque perform instrumental chamber music by women composers of the Baroque era, alongside a new work by a contemporary female composer. The concert also explores the composers’ stories and their place in music history.
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery is a historic John Soane house featuring contemporary art exhibitions set within Regency-styled parkland, offering both indoor tours and outdoor park exploration, including a cafe and children's facilities.
8–9 Oct, 15–16 Oct…
An exhibition at Red House presents personally significant domestic objects selected by architects, designers, local residents and young people from Bexley, exploring the memories and stories connected with everyday possessions. It can only be visited as part of a guided tour of the house.
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Join National Trust staff and volunteers on a gentle circular walk from Rainham Hall, exploring the garden and the hidden history of Rainham Village.
Red House in Bexleyheath, London is a seminal Arts and Crafts building designed by William Morris and Philip Webb, featuring medieval-inspired architecture and original Pre-Raphaelite art. It serves as a historic house museum managed by the National Trust, showcasing Morris' pioneering design ethos and craftsmanship.
17 Oct–1 Nov
An October half-term event at RHS Garden Wisley invites visitors to explore a spooky plants trail and discover the secrets of plants, with additional activities also offered.
The River Wey and Godalming Navigations offer a 20-mile navigable waterway in Surrey, featuring historic locks and scenic towpaths managed by the National Trust, with connections to other canals and a visitor centre at Dapdune Wharf showcasing historic barges.
16–17 Oct
A nature guide introduces the lives and ecological role of spiders before leading a gentle evening walk to look for them around Morden Hall Park. The event is aimed at curious children and adults.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A digital folklore adventure in which groups use the Stranger Folk app to follow magical tasks, find mythical creatures and decide their fate while exploring Morden Hall Park. It is designed for children aged 7–11 to play with imaginative adults.
13 Oct, 20 Oct
A beginner-friendly salsa class followed by social dancing, led by the Salsa Got Soul team. Sessions are suitable for complete beginners and improver-level dancers, and no partner or prior experience is needed.
13 Oct, 25 Oct
A guided tour at Kenwood explores Lord Mansfield’s role in the abolition of slavery, including the James Somerset case, the 18th-century abolition movement and London’s Black community.
Fenton House is a 17th-century merchant's house in Hampstead, North London, featuring historically significant interiors, a notable collection of early keyboard instruments, paintings, and porcelain, alongside extensive walled gardens including an orchard and kitchen garden. It offers visitors a combined indoor and outdoor heritage experience.
12 Oct, 19 Oct…
Park Explorers is a term-time outdoor group for children aged 2–5 and their parents or carers. Sessions explore the natural world at Morden Hall Park through led activities and stories, with a different theme each week.
16 Oct (next Friday)
A volunteer musician guides visitors through Fenton House’s rare plucked-string keyboard instrument collection, with musical demonstrations and serenades along the way.
13 Oct, 20 Oct…
A weekly adult knitting group where crafters work on their own projects alongside one another and enjoy a knit and natter at the Coach House Cafe.
Chiswick House is a Neo-Palladian villa in London with historic gardens designed by William Kent, featuring notable architecture and a significant cultural heritage, now maintained by English Heritage and open to visitors.
17 Oct, 31 Oct
A beginner-level gardening course covering plant types, planting and care, propagation, cultivation, pruning and lawn care. Across two sessions, attendees take part in lecture-based teaching and indoor and outdoor practical activities.
West Horsley Place is a Grade I listed medieval manor house and estate in Surrey, rich in history with royal visits including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. It remains largely untouched for decades and offers tours and commercial events.