Accessible half-term things to do in London (October half-term 2026)
In most London boroughs, October half-term 2026 runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. Brent and Camden councils both list these dates. Bromley is different: its half-term runs for two weeks, from 19 to 30 October. This guide brings together relaxed shows, SEND-only museum sessions, BSL performances and a few calmer family days out across the city. Details can change, so please check with the organiser before you travel.
Top picks
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Early Explorer morning: along the Piccadilly line
Before the museum opens. See the venue's website · London Transport Museum, Covent Garden (Westminster) · Under-18s and carers free, adults pay general admission
- SEND session
- Quiet session
- Low-noise or quieter display
A session for SEND, neurodivergent and disabled children and their families, away from the general public, with many gallery sounds turned off. There is a sensory space and a visual story. Places are limited and you must book online.
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SEND Play: half-term costume play session
10.30am to 12pm · Young V&A, Bethnal Green (Tower Hamlets) · Free
- SEND session
- Relaxed session
- Step-free access
- Ear defenders available
An extra half-term session just for children with sensory differences or SEND and their families, with tactile costume play in The Stage. You can move around, make noise, and leave and come back. There is a visual story, and you can email yvalearningevent@vam.ac.uk to share needs in advance.
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Relaxed morning at Wembley Library
9.30am to 10.30am · Wembley Library, Wembley Park (Brent) · Free, booking required · 3 to 15
- Relaxed session
- Autism-friendly
- Quiet session
An autism-friendly early opening, before the library opens to everyone, with reading, exploring and a craft. Siblings, parents and carers are welcome. Book one ticket per person to get the visual story in advance.
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The Dark: relaxed show with audio description
11am and 2.30pm · Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill (Wandsworth) · Pay what you can, £15 suggested, plus £2 fee per order · 4+
- Relaxed session
- Lift
- Step-free access
Runs Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October. Every show is relaxed, with audio description built in and touch tours 30 minutes before selected shows. There is a visual story and a free companion ticket. The show uses complete darkness, flickering lights and sudden loud noises.
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BSL pop-up performance: The Great Museum Adventure
28 Oct: 11am, 1pm, 3pm. 29 Oct: 10.30am, 12pm · V&A South Kensington (Kensington and Chelsea) · Free, booking recommended · 5+
- BSL interpreted
- Step-free access
- Ear defenders available
- Quiet session
A 45-minute KIT Theatre show in spoken English and BSL that moves around the museum. Non-BSL users are welcome. Ear defenders are at the Learning Centre Desk and quiet spaces are available.
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On all week
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Hey Duggee autumn badge trail at Kew Gardens
Every day from 17 October to 1 November · 10am to 4pm until 24 October, then 10am to 3.30pm · Kew Gardens, Kew (Richmond upon Thames) · Free with Kew Gardens admission. Children aged 4 to 15 cost £2 when booked online · 3 to 7
- Disabled parking
- Accessible toilet
An outdoor activity trail on the grass between the Palm House and Victoria Walk, with no costumed characters. Kew gives free entry to essential companions, lends wheelchairs at the gates, and has free Blue Badge parking at the Brentford Gate car park.
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Octonauts Adventure trail at the Horniman
Every day until 1 November · Horniman Museum and Gardens, Forest Hill (Lewisham) · Free · 3 to 7
- Lift
- Accessible toilet
A free trail you pick up from the Ticket Desk. The Horniman says all three floors have level or lift access, and staff can help you find a quiet space. There is no Changing Places toilet. The Natural History Gallery is closed for now.
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PACE inclusive holiday play scheme
Camden's October half-term, Monday 26 to Friday 30 October · Core day 11am to 4pm, extended day 8am to 6pm · PACE play centres at Camden Square, Fairfield and Fortune Green (Camden) · Core day £15.75, extended day £31.50. Funded places for Camden Council referrals · 4 to 12
- Sensory room
Camden's 2026 play centre guide says PACE sites are accessible, with hoists, changing tables, a sensory room and garden, and trained staff. Contact PACE on 020 7183 5120 to check half-term places.
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Hackney Short Breaks, including holiday play schemes
2026 to 2027 offer, open now · Various providers across Hackney · Up to £880 on a prepaid card, or 110 hours at commissioned providers · 5 to 17
For Hackney children who get DLA at the middle or high rate, or PIP at the enhanced rate. Holiday play schemes are one of the options. The page does not list half-term dates, so call 020 8356 6789 (option 1) or email short.breaks@hackney.gov.uk.
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Day by day
Tuesday 27 October
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Discovery Days: Hair Raising Halloween
11am to 3.30pm (last entry 3pm) · Hyde Park Learning Centre, Hyde Park (Westminster) · Free, register on Eventbrite · About 3 to 11, all ages welcome
- Quiet session
- Accessible toilet
- Assistance dogs welcome
Runs Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 October, with stories at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. The Royal Parks say the grounds are accessible, the site is fully enclosed, and there is a quiet space. There may be a queue at busy times.
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-
The Dark: relaxed show with audio description
11am and 2.30pm · Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill (Wandsworth) · Pay what you can, £15 suggested, plus £2 fee per order · 4+
- Relaxed session
- Lift
- Step-free access
Runs Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October. Every show is relaxed, with audio description built in and touch tours 30 minutes before selected shows. There is a visual story and a free companion ticket. The show uses complete darkness, flickering lights and sudden loud noises.
Add to calendar (The Dark: relaxed show with audio description) Google Calendar
Been to this? Tell other families
Wednesday 28 October
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Early Explorer morning: along the Piccadilly line
Before the museum opens. See the venue's website · London Transport Museum, Covent Garden (Westminster) · Under-18s and carers free, adults pay general admission
- SEND session
- Quiet session
- Low-noise or quieter display
A session for SEND, neurodivergent and disabled children and their families, away from the general public, with many gallery sounds turned off. There is a sensory space and a visual story. Places are limited and you must book online.
Add to calendar (Early Explorer morning: along the Piccadilly line) Google Calendar
Been to this? Tell other families
-
BSL pop-up performance: The Great Museum Adventure
28 Oct: 11am, 1pm, 3pm. 29 Oct: 10.30am, 12pm · V&A South Kensington (Kensington and Chelsea) · Free, booking recommended · 5+
- BSL interpreted
- Step-free access
- Ear defenders available
- Quiet session
A 45-minute KIT Theatre show in spoken English and BSL that moves around the museum. Non-BSL users are welcome. Ear defenders are at the Learning Centre Desk and quiet spaces are available.
Add to calendar (BSL pop-up performance: The Great Museum Adventure) Google Calendar
Been to this? Tell other families
Thursday 29 October
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Relaxed morning at Wembley Library
9.30am to 10.30am · Wembley Library, Wembley Park (Brent) · Free, booking required · 3 to 15
- Relaxed session
- Autism-friendly
- Quiet session
An autism-friendly early opening, before the library opens to everyone, with reading, exploring and a craft. Siblings, parents and carers are welcome. Book one ticket per person to get the visual story in advance.
Add to calendar (Relaxed morning at Wembley Library) Google Calendar
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Bromley SEND Local Offer Live
10am to 2pm · Bishop Justus School, Magpie Hall Lane (Bromley) · Free · 0 to 25
- SEND session
A free day for children and young people with SEND, their parents, carers and siblings, with taster sessions you can register interest in. A useful way to find clubs and support. The page does not give access details, so ask the council before you go.
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The Smeds and the Smoos: BSL-interpreted shows
Thursday 29 October 2pm, Saturday 31 October 3.30pm · Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre (Lambeth) · From £22 · 3+
- BSL interpreted
- Step-free access
The show runs 28 October to 1 November and lasts about an hour. To book BSL seats, email the box office or call 020 3879 9555. The Southbank Centre has a free Access Scheme, wheelchair spaces and Blue Badge parking.
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Friday 30 October
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Insect Island Adventure, a sensory music session
11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm · National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Greenwich) · See the venue's website
A sensory musical activity with instruments and sensory objects, in the Group Space. On Sunday 1 November, Spiders in Space is aimed at younger children who enjoy sensory play. The museum is open 10am to 5pm.
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Toto: captioned performance
11am · Polka Theatre, Wimbledon (Merton) · From £13 · 3 to 8
A new musical about a donkey who wants to be an astronaut. This show is captioned by Stagetext. For other access needs, call the box office on 020 8543 4888.
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Saturday 31 October
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SEND Play: half-term costume play session
10.30am to 12pm · Young V&A, Bethnal Green (Tower Hamlets) · Free
- SEND session
- Relaxed session
- Step-free access
- Ear defenders available
An extra half-term session just for children with sensory differences or SEND and their families, with tactile costume play in The Stage. You can move around, make noise, and leave and come back. There is a visual story, and you can email yvalearningevent@vam.ac.uk to share needs in advance.
Add to calendar (SEND Play: half-term costume play session) Google Calendar
Been to this? Tell other families
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Relaxed screening: Minions and Monsters
11am · Barbican Cinema (City of London) · See the venue's website
- Relaxed session
Part of the Barbican's Family Film Week, with a drawing activity. This is the only screening in the series marked as relaxed.
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Martin Guerre: relaxed performance for older children and teens
2.30pm · The Old Vic, Waterloo (Lambeth) · See the venue's website · 12+
- Relaxed session
A relaxed matinee of the musical, listed by Official London Theatre. Suited to teenagers rather than young children.
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Sunday 1 November
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Pip and Posy Live on Stage: relaxed performance
See the venue's website · Little Angel Theatre, Islington (Islington) · See the venue's website · 2 to 5
- Relaxed session
A puppet show for little ones, with a relaxed performance on the last day of half-term. Book through the theatre's What's On page.
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Toto: BSL-interpreted performance
11am · Polka Theatre, Wimbledon (Merton) · From £13 · 3 to 8
- BSL interpreted
The final day of Toto, with in-house BSL interpretation. Call the box office on 020 8543 4888 to book the best seats for seeing the interpreter.
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Tips for a calmer London half-term
- Check your borough's dates. Most boroughs break up on Monday 26 October, but Bromley's half-term runs from 19 to 30 October. Some academies set their own dates, so check with your child's school.
- Use your Local Offer. Each borough has a SEND Local Offer. Enfield's 2026 SEND holiday booklet lists providers but asks you to contact them directly for half-term, and Hackney and Southwark run short breaks schemes for eligible children.
- Book SEND sessions early. SEND-only mornings, like the London Transport Museum's Early Explorer sessions, have limited places and must be booked online. Free tickets are often needed for every person, adults included.
- Ask for companion tickets. Kew, Battersea Arts Centre and the London Transport Museum all offer free entry for carers or companions. Ask at booking if it is not obvious.
- Look just beyond half-term. SEA LIFE London's next Quiet at the Aquarium session is Sunday 8 November. Croydon Fire Station's SEND Bonfire Night listing shows Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, with free Eventbrite tickets from 19 October. Please check the year on the page before booking.
- Read visual stories. Many venues in this guide, including Young V&A, Battersea Arts Centre, Wembley Library and the London Transport Museum, share a visual story so your child knows what to expect.
Running an accessible event?
If you run a relaxed, sensory-friendly or SEND event, list it on Buzzbo for free and it appears in this guide automatically. Gold members are featured at the top.
Frequently asked questions
When is October half-term 2026 in London?
For most boroughs it is Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, as listed by Brent and Camden councils. Bromley's half-term is longer, from 19 to 30 October. Check your child's school, as some set different dates.
Are there autism-friendly museum sessions in London this half-term?
Yes. The London Transport Museum runs an Early Explorer morning for SEND families on 28 October, and Young V&A has a SEND Play session on 31 October. Wembley Library has a relaxed, autism-friendly morning on 29 October.
Does the Science Museum have an Early Birds session in October half-term?
No date falls in half-term. The Science Museum's next listed Early Birds morning is Sunday 13 December 2026, from 8am to 11am. The Natural History Museum's Dawnosaurs relaxed mornings also list a date in December.
Are there relaxed or BSL theatre shows for children in London this half-term?
Yes. The Dark at Battersea Arts Centre is relaxed at every show, Little Angel Theatre has a relaxed Pip and Posy on 1 November, and there are BSL shows of The Smeds and the Smoos at the Southbank Centre and Toto at Polka Theatre.
Where can I find SEND holiday schemes in my borough?
Start with your borough's SEND Local Offer. Camden's 2026 play centre guide lists inclusive schemes such as PACE, and Hackney's short breaks page explains how eligible families can use holiday play schemes.