11 things to do in London in September

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

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

9 min read

11 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 full but in a different way. Summer is on its last legs but it's still warm enough to make outdoor plans and, besides, in this month there aren't 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? Keep reading!

1. See Shakespeare's famous theatre

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

If you love theatre, one of the most fun things to do in London 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 William Shakespeare's artistic company built in the 16th century to perform the works of this literary genius.

As the original theatre did at the time, it only puts on plays between May and October, so if you're in London in September you can't miss the chance to see an iconic London venue like this, either by attending a performance or joining a guided tour inside The Globe to discover what theatre was like in the Elizabethan era.

Where is The Globe?

Located near the Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern, with its white colour and rounded appearance, you'll quickly see that it stands out from the surrounding buildings and that it's not just another theatre like the ones you might find in the West End.

Book a tour of London

2. Explore the Thames with the Totally Thames Festival

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

Summer in London comes to an end in style with the Totally Thames festival, a huge event held in September which includes many activities held in different parts of central London with the famous river that runs through the city as the main attraction.

An extensive programme of cultural activities has been put together around the Thames, from street art and food and craft markets to family workshops, concerts and fireworks.

With admission to the Totally Thames festival being free, this event is the perfect complement to a Thames riverside walk during your trip to London. You'll learn about one of the city's iconic landmarks in a fun way! And, of course, I would complement this activity with a Thames river cruise to fully enjoy the river and the great London weather that September still brings.

Book a Thames river cruise

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

Stonehenge's Autumnal Equinox| ©Stonehenge Stone Circle
Stonehenge's Autumnal Equinox| ©Stonehenge Stone Circle

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

Given the proximity of both sites to London, the best way to visit them is to book an organised full-day excursion to Stonehenge and Bath by bus. In my opinion this is the most convenient option, as you don't have to worry about planning all the logistics of the trip yourself. You'll get it all done and you'll just have to let yourself go and really enjoy the tour.

These types of out of town tours are great for getting the most out of your trip to London, as they allow you to explore other great places in the country in a short amount of time and add new experiences during your holiday.

Book a tour to Stonehenge and Bath

4. Don't miss the West End musicals

Palace of Westminster| ©Andrew and Annemarie
Palace of Westminster| ©Andrew and Annemarie

The West End is the western part of London. It is a place where part of the city's elite live and where you can find the Abbey and the Palace of Westminster. It is also considered the European mecca for musicals. If the Americans have Broadway, the British have the West End. And September is, in fact, the month when musicals begin to revive after the summer break.

If you like this genre, you cannot miss the most legendary theatres in the area, such as Her Majesty's Theatre, the Lyceum Theatre or the Apollo Theatre, to delight in the spectacular musicals that take place inside them. The Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King or Moulin Rouge are just some of the incredible performances you'll find.

Book your ticket to a West End musical

5. Cross London Bridge accompanied by a bunch 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 at market. This practice continued for several centuries until, it is not known exactly when, modernity left no room for this custom and it was eventually eradicated.

However, in recent years the tradition of crossing London Bridge with a flock of sheep has been revived and it 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 take part in the show in detail, you will have to get a ticket from the organisation's web site. If you miss out, you can always cross it anyway and admire the beautiful structure. You can even get a ticket for Tower Bridge to access the glass walkway and view the River Thames from 42 metres above.

6. Have a blast at the Underbelly Festival on Southbank

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

Situated 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're not a fan of traditional theatre, this festival is for you. There are plenty of live shows such as cabaret, circus and music on stage, but there are also plenty of food stalls where you can enjoy all kinds of delicious snacks and nibbles while you enjoy the atmosphere.

There are also shows for the kids too, so it's a great place for a relaxed family time - you'll have a great time!

Book a tour of London

7. Attend the UK's first ever floating cinema

Cinema on the water| ©Openaire Float-In Cinema
Cinema on the water| ©Openaire Float-In Cinema

With September temperatures still warm enough to spend time outdoors, one of the most fun things to do during your stay is to attend the city's first floating cinema at Paddington Basin.

Before the screening starts you'll have time to hop on a boat to sail around the waters of Little Venice and explore the area. After mooring the boat at the pier you can choose to watch the film from the water or on one of the sun loungers on the banks of the site.

It doesn't get more romantic than eating popcorn while watching a film in such a unique setting. Are you up for the Openaire Float-In Cinema?

Book a London Tour

8. 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, Walthamstow Flea Market is not to be missed. What better way to spend a September afternoon than wandering around the stalls of this vintage flea market?

Organised by Trumans' Social Club, the UK's largest brewery, for just £1 you'll have the chance to have a great time browsing the market's wares including antique furniture, retro clothing and jewellery, 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 dance and nibble on a little bit of everything- you'll leave with full bags and full bellies!

9. Enjoy the latest trends at The London Fashion Week

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

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

If you love this world, don't forget to make time in your diary to attend one of the events open to the public organised by London fashion week. There you can take note of the latest trends, go to catwalk shows and enjoy a lot of shows while mingling with the coolest people in the British capital.

Do you like the idea? Then I recommend you take a look at The London Fashion Week website to find out what's new and make the most of it.

10. Discover London's unique buildings at Open House Festival

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

Travelling 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 that 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, take a look at the post 10 secret places in London. Get your camera ready because they will not leave you indifferent!

11. Capture the beauty of Hyde Park with your camera!

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

One of my favourite 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 feel like disconnecting for a moment from the hustle and bustle and the crowds on the streets of London, the best thing to do is to take advantage of a sunny day of your holiday to visit the largest park in the city centre.

In the last days of September, when the colour 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.


What are the temperatures 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 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.

It is also the season with the least rainfall so rain is unlikely to spoil your plans.

How busy is the tourist season in September?

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

London's peak tourist season is in summer, which means the city is packed with tourists, hotels are packed to the rafters 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 home.

You won't find as many people in the tourist areas so it's 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, London's hotels are almost fully booked and prices are quite high.

The situation changes in 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 centre.

What to pack for London in September?

Packing your bags| ©Timur Weber
Packing your bags| ©Timur Weber

Although summer comes to an end in September, temperatures are still pleasant during the day so I recommend packing light clothing for those sunny, warm days.

However, as the days get shorter and the cold weather sets in, you'll also need to pack some warm clothes, especially for overnight stays.