Exciting things to do close to the capital in November 2025, all easily accessible in a day trip. Browse our Beyond London section for ideas for other day trips and weekends away.
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. 30 October-16 November (East Sussex)
REGENCY AFTERNOON TEA: Channel your favourite Bridgerton (or Jane Austen) character and take your carriage out to Wivenhoe House Hotel near Colchester for a one-off Regency afternoon tea. A string quartet provides the backing track as you enjoy delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and handcrafted patisseries in a Regency setting. 2 November (Essex)
FIREWALK CHALLENGE: Feeling the cold already? Ward it off by taking part in the Firewalk Challenge, a fundraising event for the Kent Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre. Hosted by Scott Bell, twice holder of the Guinness World Record for the greatest firewalking distance, all brave participants will walk across a bed of red-hot embers. 7 November (Kent)
JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL: 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. 8-15 November (Kent)
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 series of stargazing evenings inviting you to gaze through an array of telescopes, and listen to talks. 8 November-6 December (East Sussex)
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, plus fireworks over a fairy tale castle. Until 9 November
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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 for the public to admire. 9 November (Hampshire)
CHRISTMAS LEGO TRAIL: The Christmas window trail is a highlight of the festive season in Canterbury each year, and this time it has a Lego theme. 40 businesses in the city display seasonal scenes around a Lego Christmas tree in their windows; either collect a map from a participating business or just wander around and see what you can find. 14 November-24 December (Kent)
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 the whole canine gang are invited in for Grounddog Day. Dogs must stay on a lead, and you need to clear up after them. 10% of garden entries for the day go to the Oxford Animal Sanctuary. 16 November (Oxfordshire)
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ICE QUARTET: After many years publishing these London event listings, we really thought we'd seen everything. But musicians performing on instruments made of ice is a new one, even for us. The Terje Isungset Ice Quartet consists of Norwegian drummer Terje Isungset and his group performing ice harp, ice horn, iceophone, ice percussion and ice bass. The instruments are carved and crafted using only natural frozen ice from the lakes, and you can see them performing at Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury this month. 16 November (Kent)
NEVERLAND CHRISTMAS: J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan takes centre stage at Leeds Castle for Neverland Christmas. As you explore the castle building, festooned for Christmas, stumble across scenes including the Lost Boys' hideout, and the shimmering Mermaid Lagoon — and encounter characters including Captain Hook, and Peter himself. Part of the proceeds from the event goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital. 22 November-4 January (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 taking place around the UK's tallest Christmas tree.
