11 Things to Do in London in September

London in September is a real treat, but in a different way. Summer is drawing to a close, but it’s still warm enough for outdoor activities; what’s more, there aren’t as many tourists in the city this month, so you can explore at a more leisurely pace.

Want to know everything there is to do in London in September? Read on!

If you love the theatre, one of the most enjoyable things you can do is visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, or ‘The Globe’ as everyone in the city calls it. It is a modern replica of the building that William Shakespeare’s theatre company built in the 16th century to perform the plays of this literary genius.

Just like the original theatre in its day, it only stages plays between May and October, so if you’re travelling to London in September, don’t miss the chance to visit such an iconic London landmark, whether by attending a performance or joining a guided tour inside The Globe to discover what drama was like in the Elizabethan era.

Where is The Globe?

Located near Millennium Bridge and the Tate Modern, with its white colour and rounded shape, you’ll immediately see that it stands out amongst the surrounding buildings and that it’s not just any old theatre like those you might find in the West End.

Summer in London comes to a spectacular close with the Totally Thames festival, a major event held in September featuring a host of activities across central London, with the famous river running through the city taking centre stage.

A wide-ranging programme of cultural activities has been put together around the Thames, where you’ll find everything from street art and food and craft markets to family workshops, concerts and fireworks.

As entry to the Totally Thames festival is free, this event is the perfect complement to a walk along the banks of the Thames during your trip to London. You’ll learn about one of the city’s icons in a really fun way! And, of course, I’d round off this activity with a cruise on the Thames to fully enjoy the river and the lovely London weather we still have in September.

Making the most of the fact that the weather in London in September is still good and not too cold, if you’re going to be in the city for at least a week, one of the must-do activities during your stay is a trip to Stonehenge and Bath, two destinations very different from the British capital that will round off your trip.

Given how close both sites are to London, the best way to explore them is to book a full-day organised coach tour to Stonehenge and Bath. 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. Everything will be taken care of for you, and all you’ll have to do is sit back and enjoy the tour to the full.

These kinds of day trips are fantastic for making the most of your trip to London, as they allow you to explore other key destinations in the country in a short space of time and add new experiences to your holiday.

The West End is the western part of London. It’s a place where, as well as being home to some of the city’s elite and housing Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster, it’s considered the European mecca of musicals. Basically, if Americans have Broadway, the British have the West End. And September is, in fact, the month when musicals start to come back to life after the summer break.

If you love this genre, you simply must visit the area’s most legendary theatres, such as Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Lyceum Theatre or the Apollo Theatre, to enjoy the spectacular musicals performed there. The Phantom of the Opera, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King and Moulin Rouge are just some of the incredible shows you’ll find.

During the Middle Ages, shepherds used to cross London Bridge with their flocks of sheep to reach the city and sell them at the market. This practice continued for several centuries until, at some point—no one knows exactly when—modernity left no room for this custom and it eventually died out.

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 out and about in the area.

However, if you wish to experience the spectacle in full, you will need to book tickets on the organisation’s website. If you miss out, you can still cross the bridge and admire its beautiful structure. You can even get a ticket for Tower Bridge to access the glass walkway and view the River Thames from a height of 42 metres.

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

If you’re not a big fan of traditional theatre, this festival is for you. Its stages host a multitude of live shows, including cabaret, circus and music, but there are also plenty of food stalls where you can enjoy all sorts of delicious snacks whilst soaking up the atmosphere.

What’s more, there are also shows for children, making it the perfect place for a relaxing family outing. You’ll have a brilliant time!

Making the most of the fact that in September the temperatures are still warm enough to spend time outdoors, one of the most fun things to do during your stay is to visit the city’s first floating cinema at Paddington Basin.

Before the screening begins, you’ll have time to hop on the boat to cruise the waters of Little Venice and explore the area a little. Once you’ve moored the boat at the jetty, you can choose to watch the film from the water or from one of the deckchairs on the banks of the venue.

There’s no plan more romantic than eating popcorn whilst watching a film in such a unique setting. Fancy joining the Openaire Float-In Cinema?

If you love rummaging through flea markets in search of unique items and bargains, you can’t miss Walthamstow Flea Market. What better way to spend a September afternoon than getting lost amongst the stalls at 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 items and other curiosities.

And what would an event like this be without music, beer and street food? At Walthamstow Flea Market, you can have a dance and nibble on a bit of everything. You’ll leave with your bags and your tummy full!

London is one of the world’s fashion capitals, and in September it hosts its popular Fashion Week, where established designers and new talents come together to showcase their collections.

If you love this scene, don’t forget to make room in your diary to attend one of the public events organised during London Fashion Week. There you can take note of the latest trends, go to shows and enjoy a host of events whilst mingling with the coolest people in the British capital.

Fancy the idea? Then I recommend taking a look at the London Fashion Week website to find out all the latest news about this year’s event and make the most of it.

Travelling to London in September is an excellent opportunity to take part 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 with 10 Downing Street, the City Hall or St Bartholomew’s Hospital, amongst other places.

On the festival’s website you’ll find the full list of buildings taking part in the initiative, and if you fancy discovering more intriguing spots in the city, take a look at the post ‘10 secret places in London’. Get your camera ready because they’re sure to impress!

One of my favourite places – and a must-visit in London in September whilst the weather is still fine – is Hyde Park, one of the capital’s Royal Parks.

If you fancy taking a break from the hustle and bustle of London’s streets, make the most of a sunny day during your holiday to explore the largest park in the city centre.

In the last days of September, when the colour of the trees’ foliage begins to change, it’s the perfect time to go on a photography tour of the park, capturing all the beauty of the vegetation and its nuances with your camera.

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During September, maximum temperatures hover around 20°C and minimum temperatures around 13°C.

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

Furthermore, it is the driest season, so it is unlikely that rain will spoil your plans.

The peak tourist season in London is in summer, which means the city is packed with tourists, hotels are full to bursting and prices skyrocket.

However, compared to June, July and August, September is quieter as the new academic 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 visit London if you want your trip to coincide with the summer.

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

The situation changes in September because, as the season draws to a close, most visitors leave and hotels lower their prices, making it easier to find accommodation for less money in the city centre.

Although summer draws to a close in September, temperatures remain pleasant during the day, so I recommend packing light clothing for those sunny days when it’s a bit warm.

However, the days are gradually getting shorter and the cold is starting to set in, so you’ll also need to include some warm clothes in your luggage, especially for the evenings.