Wandsworth Common Beer & Cider Festival

What better way to spend Halloween than drinking some of the UK's finest beers in one of London's spookiest buildings? It's Wandsworth Common's eleventh year hosting its renowned beer and cider festival, and this year it's returning to the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building. The Gothic exterior could well be something out of Dracula, but beer on tap throughout the night is sure to take the edge off. With soft drinks on offer too, it's London's only family- and dog-friendly beer festival.

The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building

Wandsworth Common Beer & Cider Festival is South London's best-attended independent beer festival – and this year's is set to be bigger and better than ever. There are over 100 cask ales and 25 ciders to try over the course of the four-day festival, and these come from all four corners of the UK. Organiser Mark Justin promises beverages from the Orkney Islands, Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall and Kent. The best bit? Gold Culture Whisper members can attend the event for free and will be given three drink tokens on arrival plus a tasting glass.

Wandsworth BeerFest

Expect quality brews from By The Horns Brewing Co., along with first-rate batches from Wimbledon, Battersea, Beavertown and Brixton-based breweries. Whether you're looking for a lighter ale or a heavier brew, the huge array of alcoholic drinks on offer ranges from 3.5% to a hefty 12.8% ABV. And when you get hungry? Le Gothique is serving up an array of festival food, from burgers, hot dogs and pork pies to homemade pasta dishes and seasonal pumpkin soup.

Those visiting on Saturday 2 November can also make the most of a special line-up of events: roam around the Great Hall – rarely open to the public – to mark 160 years since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1859. Then find the perfect pint to watch seven-piece band Barefoot Doctors, who will be entertaining the crowds with their blues and rock classics.

Gold Culture Whisper members can attend the Wandsworth Common Beer & Cider Festival for free and will be given three drink tokens on arrival plus a tasting glass.