Your Ultimate Guide to Autumn Adventures in London and Essex: Top 10 Things to Do

As the crisp air of autumn sweeps across Essex, it brings along a vibrant tapestry of colours and a sense of anticipation for the upcoming festivities.

London's GROW Farm at The Totteridge Academy have doubled the size of their pumpkin patch this year especially!

Get into the Halloween spirit with spooky family friendly activities, put on your scariest costume for the fancy dress competition, take part in the GROW raffle and enjoy delicious farm food available to buy, as well as 10 varieties of squash and pumpkins to decorate and eat.

GROW are committed to offering their events for free to those who need it, so you are welcome to choose a payment that suits you. GROW are a registered charity, and all events go towards funding their programmes so that they can continue to make food and nature available to everyone.

The GROW Farm is a 50 minute drive from Roydon Marina Village and well worth the trip for an exciting day of pumpkin picking and spooky fun for all the family.

Tooting Broadway: Spooking Tooting Halloween Guided Walk

The Victorian cemeteries, antique lampposts and narrow cobbled alleyways soaked in history are the perfect backdrop for the Spooking Tooting Halloween Guided Walk, a much loved annual deep dive into the dark side of Tooting's troubled past.

Add a twist to your Halloween night with tales about despicable Mr Drouet, the Acid Bath Murderer, the haunting of the Granada Bingo Hall, The Knifeman of St George's, the Misery Line Maniac and the dastardly plot hatched by The Icing Sugar Seven. You'll also be taken for a walk down what is without question, Tooting's scariest Halloween street.

Club Camembert on Elm Street: The Cheesiest Halloween Party

This unique experience combines cheesy delights with spooky thrills, creating a memorable night of entertainment with all your spooky favourites and classic anthems from the 80s to the 00s.

Just an hour and a half on the train from Roydon Marina Village, Camembert on Elm Street is sure to be a fang-tastically spooky night out. Early Bird tickets are available now at £10 per person, with prizes to be won for the best dressed!

Bring Your Baby: Halloween Guided Tour of Fleet Street

'Bring Your Baby' Guided London Walks are sensitively devised to suit parents and carers of even the tiniest babies to enjoy London’s history.

The tour runs from 11am to 2pm with a scheduled break in the middle. What makes this tour great for parents is that the group can stop whenever you like to feed and change, without the stress of feeling you are holding anybody up. Patience and baby’s needs are at the forefront of each walk! So you can fully enjoy a guided tour through Fleet Street and Temple Inns with your little one in tow.

The Windy Willows 'Wild West' 4th Annual Pumpkin Patch

Head down to The Windy Willows for a day of spooky fun filled madness, whilst avoiding the attention of the crazy Sheriff Jackie and her Deputy Mad Dog. Stay out of Jail and avoid the hangman’s noose.

Dress up in your spookiest Wild West outfit and take part in the costume contest with some spooktacular prizes to be won. Don't forget to snap a picture at the photo booth to capture your memories!

At the pumpkin patch you'll find a variety of pumpkins to pick from for decorating and carving.

You'll find The Windy Willows Christmas Tree Yard less than an hour's drive from your lodge at Roydon Marina Village.

Paradise Wildlife Park: Discover Wild Animals in Hertfordshire

With a commitment to wildlife preservation and an unparalleled array of animals, Paradise Wildlife Park has become a beloved destination for visitors of all ages.

Don't miss Wolf Weekend starting Saturday 30th September until Sunday 1st October. Paradise Wildlife Park is the only centre in the UK to offer this unique up close encounter with wolves. You can get your hands on exclusive merchandise and capture unique wolf themed photo ops, all whilst raising vital funds and awareness for the and their endangered wild habitats. The Wolf Weekend will be included in your general admissions ticket for no extra cost.

Everybody's favourite Dinos After Dark is back for Halloween! Explore the zoo from 5:30pm to 8:30pm each night, running from the 20th-22nd and the 27th-29th October. Turn back time and take a magical trip around the World of Dinosaurs, seeing these extinct creatures come to life in the moonlight. The Rex Express, Safari Stage Shows, outdoor play areas, crazy golf, food outlets and shops will be open each night too!

General tickets are £16pp, with members tickets at £13pp, with under 2’s being free to enter at the gate with proof of identification.

Lee Valley White Water Centre

From white water rafting and kayaking to open water swimming and family paddling sessions, this adrenaline pumping destination lets you fully immerse yourself in the water surrounded by the vibrant colours of autumn foliage in the beautiful Lee Valley.

Whether you're a water sports pro or you've just always wanted to try kayaking, rafting, paddle boarding and more, there's lots of fun to be had for all ages at Lee Valley White Water Centre just a 20 minute drive from Roydon Marina Village.

Canons Brook Golf Club: Tee Off Amidst Autumn Beauty

The iconic golf club has one of the best courses in the region, designed by the legendary English professional golfer Sir Henry Cotton and matured over 50 years. Canons Brook Golf Club offers a truly engaging golf experience with lots of variety and all located in the heart of Essex.

Visitors are welcome to book a tee time and enjoy the golf course for themselves. And why not come along for the great choice of regular events hosted by the club? You'll find live bands, barbecue nights and carveries to name a few.

Lee Valley Bike Hire: Enjoy a Countryside Cycle

Nestled in the heart of the charming Essex countryside, Roydon Marina Village offers a serene and picturesque setting for those seeking outdoor adventures.

Hire a bike from Roydon Marina Village with a great choice of hire bikes to choose from, making this a perfect pastime for all ages. Thanks to Lee Valley Canoe Cycle, you'll have the opportunity to explore the picturesque surroundings of Roydon Marina Village and its neighboring areas. The village is ideally situated near various cycling routes that wind through idyllic landscapes, including woodlands, meadows and along the banks of the River Stort. As you ride, you'll have ample chances to capture stunning views and breathe in the fresh countryside air.

Read our top cycling trails in Essex.

Autumn Retreats: Luxury Lodge Experience at Roydon Marina Village

Nestled in Lee Valley Park on the edge of Epping Forest, next to a secluded 32 acre lake, the luxury hot tub lodges at Roydon Marina Village are perfect for a countryside retreat with your family, friends and loved ones.

With 2-3 bedroom luxury hot tub lodges including some dog friendly lodges, there's something to suit every family. These lodges are an idyllic and stylish oasis to start and end your exciting adventures exploring everything Essex has to offer.

There's nothing better than making the most of those crisp autumn days in the countryside, before returning home to your luxurious lodge with a private hot tub to warm up and unwind under the stars. Come along and experience the Essex countryside in the most beautiful season of the year.

BOOK YOUR LUXURY HOT TUB LODGE THIS AUTUMN

As autumn unfolds its beauty, Essex becomes a playground of diverse experiences. From spooky escapades and pumpkin filled adventures to serene walks and wildlife encounters, there's no shortage of activities to enjoy.

So, gather your loved ones and embark on a journey to make the most of this enchanting season in Essex.

Stay at Roydon Marina Village this Autumn