Bermondsey Costume Accessories Shop Open 7am on Halloween

Fancy Dress Town is a neighbourhood fancy dress shop at 200 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 3RW, and for the last ten days of October it turns into one of the longest-opening costume shops in the capital. On Halloween itself, Saturday 31 October, it opens at 7am and does not shut until 11:30pm. The shelves cover full costumes, wigs, masks and make-up, and the shop's own FAQ invites customers to visit the SE16 store to browse costumes, accessories and get expert advice.

Southwark Park Road is a local high street rather than a shopping destination, which is part of the appeal. You are not fighting West End crowds, and the shop's own site points to parking and transport links for people driving in from further afield. It is also a short walk from Bermondsey and South Bermondsey stations, so it works for a quick trip from central London as well.

What sets it apart in late October is the timetable. Where most costume shops in London close at 6pm or 7pm, Fancy Dress Town publishes extended hours that run deep into the evening all week, so anyone who works late, or who realises at 9pm that a party theme has changed, still has somewhere to go. That makes it a strong first choice for a last-minute outfit south of the river.

Wigs come first for most characters. The Rocky Horror Show Magenta wig costs £24.00 and is the quickest way into one of the most popular Halloween group costumes, especially if you are heading to a sing-along screening. For a more everyday 1970s or retro look, the Tash retro wig in brown is £15.00 and pairs well with a wide collar and flares from a charity shop.

The mask range goes from elegant to grim. The gothic Venetian harlequin eye mask in multicolour costs £25.05, a strong choice for a masquerade ball or a dark carnival theme. The black latex gas mask is £16.80 and does a lot of work for a post-apocalyptic, steampunk or horror look. Latex masks get warm, so if you plan to wear it all night, take it off between photos and keep a bottle of water handy.

Think about how the pieces combine. The Magenta wig with a black maid's dress is a complete Rocky Horror character, and the gas mask with a long coat and boots reads as a wasteland survivor without any further explanation. The harlequin mask needs little more than a black outfit and some gold jewellery. Choosing one strong accessory and keeping the rest of the look simple usually photographs better than piling on cheap extras.

If you are not sure which way to go, bring the invitation or a screenshot of the theme with you, and ask for advice at the counter. The shop's FAQ says staff are there to help customers choose, which is useful when you only have one evening to pull an outfit together.

For Halloween gore, the Moon Terror fake blood in a 100ml bottle costs £7.50, which is enough for several people to share. Smiffys FX blood capsules are £2.10 and create a dripping-mouth effect when you bite down, ideal for vampires and zombies. Use capsules sparingly at a party, because the effect is best saved for photos rather than worn all night on a white shirt.

A few rules make fake blood easier to live with. Apply it last, after you are fully dressed, and let it dry before sitting down on anything you care about. Keep a pack of wipes in your pocket, and test a small amount on the fabric of your costume beforehand, since some bloods stain more than others. Washable versions come off clothes more easily in a cool wash.

Regular opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm. For Halloween 2026, the shop publishes extended hours: Friday 23 October 9am to 11pm, Saturday 24 October 9am to 11pm, Sunday 25 October 10am to 7pm, Monday 26 October 9am to 10pm and Tuesday 27 October 9am to 10pm.

The final stretch runs even later. Wednesday 28 October is 8am to 11pm, Thursday 29 October 8am to 11:30pm, Friday 30 October 8am to 11:30pm, and Halloween on Saturday 31 October 7am to 11:30pm. Sunday 1 November returns to 10am to 7pm. For the quietest visit, aim for an early start on one of the weekday mornings rather than the final Friday evening or Halloween afternoon.

Those long days also make the shop useful for parents. An 8am stop on the Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before Halloween means children's accessories can be sorted early in the day, without dragging tired kids round a busy shop after dark.

Southwark Park, one of London's older municipal parks, is right on the doorstep, and its lake, bandstand and tree-lined paths are lovely in autumn. It is a good place to walk off the shopping or to try out a costume for photos in the fallen leaves before the big night.

The park also has the Ada Salter Garden, a formal walled garden with clipped hedges and seasonal planting, named after the Bermondsey councillor who campaigned for green space in the borough. In late October the beds are still colourful, and the garden is a quieter corner away from the playgrounds and sports pitches.

If you have more time, head west towards Bermondsey Street, about 20 minutes on foot or a short bus ride. The street is lined with restaurants, wine bars and small galleries, and the Fashion and Textile Museum is there for anyone interested in how costumes and clothes are made.

Fancy Dress Town is at 200 Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 3RW. The nearest stations are Bermondsey on the Jubilee line and South Bermondsey on National Rail. Prices quoted come from the shop's website: the £24.00 Magenta wig, the £15.00 Tash retro wig, the £25.05 harlequin eye mask, the £16.80 latex gas mask, £7.50 Moon Terror fake blood and £2.10 Smiffys blood capsules. Ask Karpo in the Karpo APP for Bermondsey food and drink ideas before or after your visit.