London is a historic, multicultural global capital known for its landmarks, extensive public transport, green spaces, and vibrant arts and finance scenes.
Down House is the historic home of naturalist Charles Darwin where he developed his theory of evolution. Visitors can explore the restored Georgian house with original furnishings, Darwin's greenhouse, and extensive gardens including the Sandwalk woodland path. The site offers both indoor historical exhibits and outdoor natural landscapes.
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.
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.
Ranger's House is a Grade I listed Georgian mansion in Blackheath, London, adjacent to Greenwich Park, housing the Wernher Collection of fine art and decorative objects from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Visitors can explore its historic architecture and rich art collection inside the mansion, reflecting its history as an official residence of the Ranger of Greenwich Park.
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.
9 Oct
A talk exploring the history of wet-nursing in England and its role in feeding babies brought to the Foundling Hospital. Attendees can hear about the experiences of wet nurses and infants, followed by an opportunity to ask questions; the talk is available in person or online.
Lullingstone Roman Villa is an archaeological site and museum featuring a Romano-British villa from the 1st to 5th century AD, notable for its early Christian chapel murals, intricate mosaics, and marble busts. Visitors can explore both the villa ruins and the surrounding grounds, gaining insight into Roman Britain's history and early Christianity.
The Wellington Arch is a Grade I-listed neoclassical triumphal arch in central London, featuring historical exhibits and offering elevated terrace views. It is notable for housing the largest bronze quadriga sculpture in Europe and its significance as a London landmark near Hyde Park Corner.
11 Oct (this Sunday)
A guided walking tour through Bloomsbury explores stories of people and events that shaped the area, including its literary and LGBTQ+ history. The tour starts outside the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel and ends at the Foundling Museum.
Eynsford Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Kent, featuring extensive stone ruins including a curtain wall, a moat, and the foundations of a great hall and gatehouse. Visitors can explore the historic site managed by English Heritage, situated overlooking the River Darent.
The Homewood is a Grade II listed modernist house near Esher, Surrey, designed by architect Patrick Gwynne and preserved by the National Trust. Visitors can explore its distinctive modern architecture, flexible living spaces, original furnishings and artworks, as well as its terrace, garden with ponds and swimming pool. The house offers a unique insight into mid-20th century English modernist design combined with a harmonious integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.
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.
Carlyle's House is a historic Georgian terraced house in Chelsea, London, preserved as a museum showcasing the home and belongings of Scottish historian Thomas Carlyle. Visitors can explore well-maintained Victorian period interiors, original furniture, books, artworks, and a small garden. The house offers a unique glimpse into literary history and Victorian middle-class life.
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.
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.
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.
St John's Jerusalem is a National Trust property in Kent featuring a 13th century Knights Hospitaller chapel and a garden moated by the River Darent, with historical medieval buildings and landscaped grounds accessible to the public.
Selsdon Wood is a 200-acre local nature reserve woodland in Croydon, London, offering outdoor trails, wildlife corridor, and historical significance as a preserved natural area within the London green belt.
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.
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.
Sutton House is a Tudor manor house built in 1535 located in Hackney, London, featuring historic interiors and operated as a museum with a café, art gallery, and community programs for children. It offers visitors an immersive combination of indoor historical exploration and outdoor access to its Tudor courtyard.
Ealing Broadway is a shopping centre in west London featuring 85 retail units indoors and in an outdoor courtyard, along with a town square and a library. It offers a mixed indoor and outdoor shopping experience and is easily accessible near Ealing Broadway station.
Osterley Park is a Georgian era country estate in west London featuring a historic house with notable neoclassical interiors by Robert Adam and extensive parkland open to visitors. The National Trust manages the property, which includes a café, formal gardens, and woodland footpaths suitable for outdoor walks and cultural exploration.
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.
Eastbury Manor House is an Elizabethan Grade I listed manor house in Barking, London, open most of the year as a museum presenting its rich historical heritage and architecture.
East Sheen Common is a spacious urban park in London featuring woodland, sports facilities including a cricket field, tennis courts, and a bowling green, as well as a newly added woodland play area and nature trail for children.
Winchester Palace is the historic ruins of a 12th-century bishop's palace in London, notable for its surviving great hall and rose window. The site is managed by English Heritage and reflects medieval and Tudor architecture, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich history as the London townhouse of the Bishops of Winchester.
Marble Hill House is an early 18th-century Neo-Palladian villa in Twickenham, London, famous for its architectural design and historical associations with British royalty. Visitors can explore its richly decorated interiors and extensive parklands offering leisure and sports facilities, with a restored Georgian ambiance.
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.
The London Wall is an ancient Roman defensive city wall built around AD 200 in central London. Visitors can explore surviving fragments of the wall and bastions, mainly outdoor ruins with historic significance spanning Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and medieval periods. A marked walking route follows the line of the wall with informative panels along the way. Many sections are scheduled monuments and partially accessible to the public free of charge.
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.
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.
Claremont Landscape Garden is a historic 18th-century English landscape garden in Surrey, featuring original design by notable landscape gardeners and landmarks like the Belvedere Tower and an amphitheatre. It offers an outdoor experience with scenic lakes, historic structures, and gardens.
Ham House is a well-preserved 17th-century Stuart era house in London known for its rare survival of original interiors, lavishly furnished state apartments, and extensive formal gardens along the River Thames. Visitors can explore the historic interiors, art collections, and enjoy the restored gardens, with facilities including a café. It is also a popular location for film and television productions.
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.
Eltham Palace in southeast London is a historic royal residence featuring a medieval great hall with the third-largest hammerbeam roof in England and an attached Art Deco house from the 1930s. Visitors can explore both the indoor period rooms and outdoor gardens with ruins, making it a unique architectural and historic experience.
London Designer Outlet is a semi-outdoor shopping centre in Wembley, offering over 70 stores including outlet shops, various dining options, and a Cineworld cinema. It is notable for being the first outlet centre in Greater London and is located next to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena.