London Days Out | October 2026
Autumn is one of the best times to visit Kew Gardens, and this October there’s more going on than ever. From an after-dark Halloween trail to a brand-new family adventure and a rare peek behind the scenes, here are five reasons to go.
1. Halloween at Kew is back
Returning for a third year from 16 October to 1 November, Halloween at Kew transforms the Gardens into an illuminated trail after dark. Look out for Dracula lurking in the shadows, mesmerising fire performers and the famous Headless Horseman. You choose from three categories when you book your time slot, and the later it gets, the spookier it becomes.
2. A new Hey Duggee trail for little ones
From 17 October to 1 November, young families can join a new Hey Duggee Squirrel Club adventure between Victoria Gate and the Palm House. Pick up an autumn guide at any gate, snap a family photo at the start, then complete hands-on challenges about plants and fungi to collect eight badge stamps. It’s a free drop-in, included with Gardens entry.
3. Plant Horror Tours
Led by the authors of Natural Thorn Killer: A Creeping Guide to Plant Horror, these tours reveal the plants and fungi with spooky adaptations that have inspired horror films, myths and legends, from plants in Day of the Triffids to parasitic mushrooms in the Fungarium basement and a glasshouse of creeping cacti. Tours run on 9, 23, 24, 25, 29 and 30 October.
4. Go behind the scenes at the Fungarium
For the first time, Kew’s Fungarium is opening its doors to the public on 27 October (adults only). It’s the world’s largest collection of fungi, with over a million dried specimens dating back to the early 18th century, including some collected by Charles Darwin. Fungi fans can also try a two-day mushroom drawing and painting course (8–9 October) or a goldwork embroidery class (6 October).
5. Henry Moore, sound baths and forest bathing
Henry Moore: Monumental Nature, the largest outdoor exhibition of Moore’s work ever, is on until 31 January 2027, with 30 monumental sculptures set around the Gardens. For some calm, there are sound baths in the Nash Conservatory (7 and 21 October) and forest bathing sessions (3 and 10 October). There are also free BSL, sensory and dementia-friendly tours.
Heading to Sussex?
At Kew Wakehurst, the woodlands are in peak autumn colour, and a new Wallace & Gromit: Fantastic Fungi trail runs from 17 October to 1 November. There’s also Halloween outdoor cinema from 2 to 4 October, and Glow Wild returns from 26 November.
Tickets and info
Kew Gardens, Richmond, London TW9 3AE
Halloween at Kew: 16 October – 1 November, 6pm – 10pm (16–24 Oct) and 4pm – 10pm (25 Oct – 1 Nov)
Hey Duggee trail: 17 October – 1 November, included with Gardens entry
Nearest station: Kew Gardens