Exciting things to do close to the capital in November 2024, all easily accessible in a day trip. Browse our Beyond London section for ideas for other day trips and weekends away.
FIREWORKS EVENTS: Buzzing for Bonfire Night, and willing to go beyond London to get your fireworks fix? We’ve picked some of the biggest Bonfire Night events in south-east England, including the famous Lewes bonfire procession, and fireworks over a fairytale castle. Until 10 November
STARGAZING EVENING: If there’s one advantage to these darker nights, it’s that stargazing becomes a whole lot easier. You could try looking to the skies in London, but you’ll have more success at a purpose-built observatory in the Sussex countryside. The Observatory Science Centre at Herstmonceux offers a stargazing evening inviting you to use an array of telescopes, and listen to talks. 2 November (East Sussex)
ANTIQUES AND VINTAGE FAIR: If you’re into collectables and the like, get yourself to the Detling Showground for the Antiques and Vintage Fair. Up to 400 stalls are present selling all manner of goods from garden items to silverware and jewellery to vintage clothes and plenty more. 2-3 November (Kent)
BRIGHTON FILM FESTIVAL: Films from around the world are shown at the Brighton Film Festival, which takes place at several venues around the seaside city. Feature and short films on a variety of topics are shown, along with preview screenings, director Q&A sessions and more. Read our guide to things to do in Brighton before you set off. 8-17 November (East Sussex)
Fireworks over Leeds Castle and lake
The Leeds Castle fireworks are worth travelling for
GROUNDDOG DAY: Waterperry Gardens features eight acres of beautiful landscapes. Naturally, the horticultural team are proud of it, and don’t usually allow dogs in, but for one day only, Fido, Rover and the whole canine gang are invited in for Grounddog Day. Dogs must stay on a lead, and you must clear up after them. 10% of garden entries for the day go to the Oxford Animal Sanctuary. 10 November (Oxfordshire)
SIMPLY SMART: The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu made our list of the best things to do in Hampshire. This month it hosts a gathering, not of classic cars or Lamborghinis but… smart cars. Simply Smart invites all owners of the weeny wheels to park up in the museum grounds. 10 November (Hampshire)
JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL: Over five days, Rochester Cathedral hosts musical greats for its Jazz and Blues Festival. Bag tickets to see the likes of James Taylor Quartet, and the BBC Big Band. Peruse our guide to the town for other things to see and do, and places to eat and drink. 12-16 November (Kent)
CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARADE: Scores of towns and cities switch on their Christmas lights this month (not forgetting the London Christmas lights too), but we particularly like the sound of the festive shindig in Canterbury, which includes a Christmas Light Parade winding its way through the city centre, culminating in the festive lights being switched on and the launch of the German-style Christmas market. 15 November (Kent)
CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAILS: As the fireworks fade, the Christmas illuminations begin. Palaces, castles and gardens within easy travelling distance of London hold their own winter light trails, many opening this month — including one which takes place around the UK’s tallest Christmas tree.
