Including new restaurants to try, products for your basket, books to read and events to attend, these are some of the top things to do in October 2025.
This October, the CF team are exploring Mallorca, Sicily, Thailand and the Maldives, booking tables at London’s hottest restaurants, browsing brand-new coffee table books, locking in on skincare, and stocking up on seasonal style.
This is all the inspiration you need to welcome the new month.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
TRAVEL To St Maarten for October half-term. I’m looking forward to beach days, a couple of boat days, and a weekend in St Barths. USE I love Perricone MD’s new No Makeup Radiant Glow Balms. They are easy-to-apply multipurpose balms, very lightweight and moisturising with the addition of Vitamin C Ester and shea butter. WEAR I’m obsessed with this brown herringbone jacket from Holland Cooper. It’s delightfully luxurious, elegant and effortless, and perfect for winter in London. TRY I’m looking forward to trying the Vidavii Circuit, a 30-minute rollercoaster of recovery and rejuvenation. Think: a futuristic 3D body scan, an infrared & oxygen chamber, and a daring cryotherapy blast at -85°C. Then, a NAD+ IV drip to finish. Yikes! WATCH The Girlfriend on Amazon. Goodness me, it’s my type of thriller. A deliciously twisty ride based on a novel by Michelle Frances.
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Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
STAY At home in Athens. For me, it’s one of the best places to be this month – the weather is still warm and the crowds have lessened. Planning a trip? This is my guide on what to see, do and eat while here. READ Two new coffee table books that have caught my eye this month, both based on countries/cities I have called home: Assouline’s London Chic (published 18 September) and Rizzoli’s + 971: 50 Emirati Creatives Shaping the UAE (publishing 14 October). BUY One of the new Kayali Gift Sets – a friend bought me this Jo Malone set earlier this year and they have been so useful for travelling hand-luggage only, so I’m in the market for more. ATTEND GastrosoΦy Fest 2025 on 19 October in Athens. It’s bringing together leading Greek and international chefs (including Massimo Bottura, Kristian Baumann, Jeremy Chan and Alexandros Tsiotinis) to celebrate Greek gastronomy through talks, tasting tables and a closing concert. TRY Or rather, re-try, to attend Reformer Pilates. It’s a class I truly love but I haven’t been in years. I’m starting again at Kale Yoga Home in Kypseli, Athens.
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Becki Murray, Beauty & Wellness Director
STAY At Anantara Kihavah for a pre-birthday trip with my boyfriend. I’m super excited to get some ocean therapy and dine at the iconic underwater restaurant, Sea.Fire.Spice.Sky. LISTEN To Sigur Rós perform at the Royal Albert Hall with London Contemporary Orchestra. All reports say that the performance is good enough to raise the roof (which could be possible considering, fun fact, the RAH’s roof isn’t actually bolted down). TRY Skinvive – a new type of injectable skin hydrator that gives your complexion a deep moisture boost and the long-lasting glow that my skin has definitely been craving. DRINK A homemade G&T using Katherine Jenkins’ new Cygnet Gin. It’s distilled with a blend of 22 botanicals, including Manuka honey, meaning it’s even enjoyable to drink on the rocks. BUY A new home for a furry friend – Bandaby is an ethical petcare company that specialises in hamster homes that are not only better for small pets to live in, but actually look good in your living room. WEAR A handmade sustainable silver pendant necklace from Lulu & Boo – a female-founded jewellery brand that’s already elevating my autumnal style.
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
VISIT Mallorca to catch the end of summer, and I’m hoping the weather plays ball so that we can enjoy some of our favourite spots on the island. You can’t beat a sunny lunch on the terrace at Hotel Corazón, taking in the boats and people watching from one of the waterside restaurants in Puerto Portals, and taking the vintage train from Palma up through the mountains to Soller – the latter being something my three-year-old, train-loving, son can enjoy too. EAT There’s a couple of new openings on my hit list this month, including Lilibet’s Mayfair for seafood and fish in the prettiest of townhouses and Il Bambini Club – a vibey Italian restaurant that’s opened it’s first London outpost within the Hoxton Shoreditch. BUY Cos Cashmere. I lived in this grey funnel-neck last winter and their crew neck version in both navy and beige is next on my list – the quality is amazing and it’s a really weighty knit. TRY To use my LED face mask on a more regular basis to see the positive impact on my skin.
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
VISIT My family and I are off on our annual pilgrimage to Sicily this month, so I’m afraid this month will be a Sicilian special. I’ve been going to the east coast of the island once a year since I was in my early twenties (quite some time ago now), so we know it very well, particularly a city called Catania that sits on the foot of Etna. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you love bohemian, creative destinations with a slice of grit, it’s heaven. HOST A writing workshop in the baroque town of Ragusa as part of my friend’s brilliant travel community, Cummari, which offers thoughtfully curated retreats across the island for women. I’m also looking forward to seeing Cummari’s new home, a dreamy-looking, boutique travel house for solo female travellers to stay and work. EAT All I can think about is where I’ll eat in Catania, starting with my all-time favourite – a family-run trattoria called Pentolaccia, where you eat the most divine Pasta alla Norma (tomato sauce and aubergines topped with salty ricotta cheese) under the stars in the small square behind it. DO We’ve booked a dolphin spotting tour off the coast, which my son will love. It’s a three-hour trip with a crew of specialised skippers and marine biologists. WATCH After the toddler goes to bed, I’ll be watching Victoria Beckham’s Netflix documentary (out on 9 October) with a glass of Sicilian Zibibbo wine in hand. BUY In non-Sicily news, I’m a big fan of If Only If’s nighties, so am very pleased to hear that the label has, not only opened its new flagship store in London’s Belgravia this month, but also launched a line of feminine blouses, inspired by their whimsical sleepwear. I have my eye on the gingham Pandora style.
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Bibiana Obahor, Head of Graphic Design
CELEBRATE October is Black History Month in the UK and there’s loads happening across London. I’m planning to check out the Black Eats Fest at Hackney Bridge again. I’ll also head to the Black British Book Festival to hear from some of my favourite authors like Stephanie Yeboah and Bolu Babalola. It’s a great time to explore, support and spotlight Black culture across food, art, fashion, literature and more. BOOK On the topic of Black History Month, be sure to book tickets to see Nigerian Modernism at Tate Modern this month. It highlights the mid-20th century artists who shaped modern art across Nigeria and West Africa and is open from 8 October. TRAVEL To Thailand for the first time, and I couldn’t be more excited. We’ll be hitting Yona Beach Club, Phuket’s luxury floating beach club, exploring the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay, and so much more. I’m especially excited to try as much authentic Thai food as I can – Pan-Asian is my favourite cuisine so I already know I’ll be in food heaven. WATCH A House of Dynamite hits Netflix on 24 October, and it’s one I’ll definitely be tuning into. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow and featuring a stacked cast (Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee…), it’s a political thriller centred around a mysterious missile launch on the U.S. and the global fallout that follows. EAT For pizza lovers, try Homeslice in Neal’s Yard. It’s casual, hidden, and genuinely one of the best pizza spots in London. Perfect for a chill night with friends, especially if you’re into sharing their massive 20-inch pizzas (and I always am).
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Alex Carello, Head of PR
USE CeraVe Body Moisturiser. Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe’s formula helps to protect the skin barrier and is free from fragrance or anything unnecessary. My skin feels super nourished, so I’ll be trying the face moisturiser next. BOOK I discovered my dream trip recently! Cookson has crafted the ultimate journey through Ancient Egypt including off-limits access to its great tombs, exclusive beach dining setups, theatrical experiences custom-made for your group, and a chance to explore temples after dark with actor-led narratives personalised to your group. Added to bucket list. BUY Dehanche make the best belts on the market. Supremely elegant and cool, I have so many I want but I will start with the classic black and gold. SEE Picasso’s work in a new way at Tate Modern. Alongside his work the exhibition will be staged by contemporary and performance artists. INDULGE In La Prairie moisturiser, which feels like an indulgent moment on an ordinary day. My skin loves their Skin Caviar with its rich and velvety texture. I massage it in just before bed.
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Ella Mansell, Junior Culture Editor
TRAVEL I am really looking forward to visiting Canada for the first time this month with a trip to Toronto with Shangri-La and Air Canada. From the skyline to downtown, it seems like such a vibrant place. SEE There are SO many incredible exhibitions in London worth catching at the moment, from Lee Miller’s photographs at Tate Britain to Marie Antoinette at V&A to Jean Rhys at Michael Werner Gallery… I mean, the list goes on and on and on. SHOP I am on the hunt for a great pair of leather knee-high boots (a London, autumn classic). But the catch? They need to be comfortable enough to wear all day, like these Aeyde Arla leather boots in brown. VOLUNTEER At a London premiere of his directorial debut, Urchin, Harris Dickinson outlined some of the work he has done with homeless charities over the years, and it got me thinking about how important it is to speak up and support organisations like Refuge and The Single Homeless Project, both of whom work closely with women who find themselves in difficult and life-changing situations. READ I am gradually making my way through the Booker Prize Shortlist which was recently announced (in a public ceremony for the first time). I’m starting with Flashlight by Susan Choi. So far so good…
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