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10 things to do in London in September

September is a great month to travel to London, do you want to know what you can do during your stay?

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

9 min read

10 things to do in London in September

Friends in London with Tower Bridge in the background | ©Lucas Peng

London in September can be enjoyed to the fullest but in a different way. Summer is on its last legs but it is still warm enough to make outdoor plans and, in addition, in this month there are not so many tourists in the city so you can visit more calmly.

Do you want to know everything you can do in London in September? Read on!

1. Get to know Shakespeare's famous theater

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre| ©Diego Delso
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre| ©Diego Delso

If you love theater, one of the most fun plans you can make is to visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre or The Globe, as everyone knows it in the city. It is a modern replica of the building that in the sixteenth century William Shakespeare's artistic company built to represent the works of this literary genius.

As did the original theater at the time, only performs plays between May and October, so if you travel to London in September you can not miss the opportunity to meet such an iconic place in the city like this, either by attending a theatrical performance or joining a guided tour inside The Globe to discover how the dramatic art was in the Elizabethan era.

If you've seen the movie 'Shakespeare in love' you'll get an idea of what the theater was like back then but, since you're traveling to London in September, why not see it in person?

Where is The Globe?

Located near the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern, with its white color and rounded appearance you will immediately see that it stands out among the surrounding buildings and that it is not just any theater like the ones you can find in the West End.

Book a tour of London

2. Have a blast at the Underbelly Festival at Southbank

Enjoying the Underbelly Festival| ©Underbelly Festival
Enjoying the Underbelly Festival| ©Underbelly Festival

Located on the banks of the Thames between the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye, the Underbelly Festival is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year.

If you are not much into traditional theater, this festival is for you. On its stages there are plenty of live shows such as cabaret, circus or music but there are also plenty of food stalls where you can take all kinds of delicious snacks while enjoying the atmosphere.

Underbelly Festival in Southbank is a fun and informal place that I recommend you come to take a break if you are doing a tour of the area or have gone to ride the most famous Ferris wheel in London.

There are also shows for the kids, so it's a great place to spend a relaxing time with the family - you'll have a great time!

Book a tour of London

3. Attend the first floating cinema in the UK

Movies in the water| ©Openaire Float-In Cinema
Movies in the water| ©Openaire Float-In Cinema

Taking advantage of the fact that in September the temperatures are still good enough to spend time outdoors, one of the most fun plans you should try during your stay is to attend the city's first floating cinema at Paddington Basin.

This is a novel cinema experience that is somewhat reminiscent of the typical drive-in movie theaters but with a very original touch: watching a movie aboard a boat.

Before the screening begins, you will have time to get on the boat to navigate the waters of Little Venice and explore the area. After mooring the boat at the dock you can choose to watch the movie from the water or on one of the deck chairs on the shores of the enclosure.

There will be no more romantic plan than eating popcorn while watching a movie in such a unique setting. Are you in for the Openaire Float-In Cinema?

Book a tour of London

4. Go bargain hunting at Walthamstow Flea Market

Walthamstow Flea Market| ©Joe Mackertich
Walthamstow Flea Market| ©Joe Mackertich

If you love to dive into flea markets for unique items and bargains, you can't miss the Walthamstow Flea Market. What better plan for a September afternoon than to lose yourself among the stalls of this vintage flea market?

Organized by Trumans' Social Club, the largest brewery in the UK, for only £1 admission you will have the opportunity to have a good time browsing through the market's products such as antique furniture, retro clothing and jewelry, decorative objects and other curiosities.

And what would an event like this be without music, beer and street food? At Walthamstow Flea Market you'll be able to have a few dances and a bit of everything, and you'll leave with your bags and your belly full!

5. Enjoy the latest trends at The London Fashion Week

Fashion Show in London| ©Isabel Infantes
Fashion Show in London| ©Isabel Infantes

London is one of the world' s fashion capitals that in September celebrates its popular fashion week, where established designers and new talents come together to present their proposals.

If you love this world, do not forget to make a hole in your agenda to attend one of the events open to the public organized by the London fashion week. There you can take note of the new trends, go to fashion shows and enjoy a lot of shows interacting with the coolest people in the British capital.

Do you like the idea? Then I recommend you take a look at the website of The London Fashion Week to find out all the news of the edition and make the most of it.

6. Discover unique London buildings at the Open House Festival

Entrance 10 Downing Street| ©Tom Robinson
Entrance 10 Downing Street| ©Tom Robinson

Traveling to London in September is an excellent opportunity to participate in the Open House Festival, an event where several buildings in the British capital that are normally closed to tourists open their doors to the public so they can visit them.

Such is the case of 10 Downing Street, the City Hall or St Bartholemew's Hospital, among other places.

On the festival's website you can find the full list of buildings that are part of the initiative and if you want to discover more curious places in the city, check out the post 10 secret places in London. Get your camera ready because they will not leave you indifferent!

7. Capture the beauty of Hyde Park with your camera

Hyde Park| ©Alberto Aguilera
Hyde Park| ©Alberto Aguilera

One of my favorite places to visit in London in September when the weather is still nice is Hyde Park, one of the Royal Parks of the British capital.

If you want to disconnect for a moment from the hustle and bustle and the crowds in the streets of London, it is best to take advantage of a sunny day of your vacation to visit the largest park in the center of the city.

In the last days of September, when the color of the foliage of the trees begins to change, it is the perfect time to take a photographic route through the park capturing with your camera all the beauty of the vegetation and its nuances.

You can visit Hyde Park on your own or as part of a guided tour. During the tour you will see many interesting spaces such as Marble Arch, the Diana of Wales Memorial Fountain or the Rose Garden, among many others.

8. Cross London Bridge accompanied by a flock of sheep

Tower Bridge| ©Charles Postiaux
Tower Bridge| ©Charles Postiaux

During the Middle Ages, shepherds used to cross London Bridge with their flocks of sheep to reach the city and sell them in the market. This practice was maintained for several centuries until, it is not known when exactly, came a time when modernity left no room for this custom and eventually eradicated.

However, in recent years the tradition of crossing London Bridge with a flock of sheep has been recovered and is one of the most curious things you can see in London in September if you are walking around the area.

However, if you want to participate in the show in detail you will have to get a ticket on the website of the organization.

9. Explore the Thames with the Totally Thames Festival

Thames River| ©MJ Tangonan
Thames River| ©MJ Tangonan

Every year Londoners say goodbye to summer in style with the Totally Thames festival, a great event organized in September that includes many activities held in different parts of central London with the famous river that runs through the city as the absolute protagonist.

Around the Thames there is a wide program of cultural activities where you can find from street art and food and craft markets to workshops for families, concerts and fireworks.

With admission to the Totally Thames Festival being free, this event is the perfect complement to a trip along the banks of the Thames during your trip to London, where you will learn about one of the city's icons in a fun way!

Book a Thames cruise

10. Excursion to the outskirts of London: Stonehenge and Bath

Stonehenge Autumnal Equinox| ©Stonehenge Stone Circle
Stonehenge Autumnal Equinox| ©Stonehenge Stone Circle

Taking advantage of the fact that the weather in London in September is still good and it is not excessively cold, if you are going to be at least a week in the city one of the essential plans that you must do during your stay is an excursion to Stonehenge and Bath, two very different enclaves to the British capital that will complete your trip.

Given the proximity of both sites to London, the best way to get to know them is to book an organized excursion to Stonehenge and Bath for a full day by bus.

In my opinion this is the most convenient option, as you won't have to worry about planning all the logistics of the trip yourself. They will give you everything done and you will only have to let yourself go and enjoy the tour a lot.

These types of excursions to the outskirts are fantastic to get the most out of your trip to London, as they will allow you to explore other very important places in the country in a short time and add new experiences during your vacation.

Book a tour from London


What is the temperature in September?

Afternoon St Paul's Cathedral| ©Matt Smith
Afternoon St Paul's Cathedral| ©Matt Smith

During the month of September, the maximum temperature is around 20ºC and the minimum temperature is 13ºC.

Summer is an ideal time to travel to London because the days are longer and there are more daylight hours for outdoor activities.

In addition, it is the season with less rainfall so it is unlikely that rain will spoil your plans.

What is the tourist flow in September?

Picnickers at Stonehenge| ©Stonehenge Stone Circle
Picnickers at Stonehenge| ©Stonehenge Stone Circle

The peak tourist season in London takes place in the summer, which means the city is packed with tourists, hotels are bursting at the seams and prices soar.

However, compared to June, July and August, September is a quieter month as the new school year begins and many visitors return to their places of origin.

You will not find as many people in the tourist areas so it is a good time to go to London if you want your trip to coincide with the summer.

What are the prices in London in September?

Paying for shopping| ©David Dvořáček
Paying for shopping| ©David Dvořáček

During the summer, hotel occupancy in London is practically total and prices are quite high.

The situation changes in the month of September because at the end of the season most visitors leave and hotels lower their prices, making it easier to find accommodation for less money in the center.

What to pack to travel to London in September?

Preparing your luggage| ©Timur Weber
Preparing your luggage| ©Timur Weber

Although summer comes to an end in September, temperatures continue to be pleasant during the day, so I recommend packing light clothes for those sunny days when it is warm.

However, the days are gradually shortening and the cold is making an appearance, so you will also have to include in your luggage some warm clothes, especially to wear during the night.