London in September

If you are thinking about visiting London in September, it is important that you know everything which is necessary during this month.

Our London resident has taken out all the guesswork and will provide you with essential tips about:

  • What to wear?
  • What will the weather be like?
  • Will there be a lot of rain?
  • What to do and what not to do?

We answer every question you might have about your visit during September.

The links above open in a new tab. They are incredibly useful for your London trip!

For more fall tips in London, check out our other monthly guides:

Is September a Good Month to Visit London?

The Millennium Bridge

September is a great time to visit London. It is towards the tail end of summer so you will still get the sunny, long evenings, but it is also approaching the start of fall so you will find beautiful hints of autumnal leaves in many of the city’s parks.

There is also the added benefit that school holidays have come to an end, so the tourist hot-spots will be slightly quieter and the queues for popular attractions will be shorter. Who doesn’t love a short queue!

There are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy with the last of the summer sun. Additionally, find plenty of indoor alternatives should the weather change. All the attractions are open and ready for business across the city:

Head to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guards at 11 am each day (except Tuesday and Saturday!). Or, walk around Covent Garden and explore market stalls and boutique shops. For thrill seekers, head to one of the high points of London at the top of The Shard, The Gherkin, or The O2 and experience extensive views across London at an exciting altitude.

With underground tube trains, many bus routes, and public Santander bikes to hire on most streets, it is super-fast to get across the city and pack as much into your holiday as possible.

September Tour Tips

For the fans of the books or the movies, the Harry Potter Studio tour is a must-do in September. It’s 100% worth it! Our other top picks are the London Eye and the entry ticket to The Shard.

đź’ˇ We highly recommend making reservations for the popular tours in advance! Of course, you are free to book any other tour (London Activities) or try buying a ticket later.

September Quick Facts

  • Attractions: All attractions are open and accessible. Additionally, there are plenty of west-end theatre shows open for daytime and evening viewings
  • Accommodation: Hotel prices are varied depending on your budget. There are more expensive options within central London and then more affordable options a short tube ride away
  • Clothing/Outfits: Pack for nice weather but prepare for dips in temperatures. Bring t-shirts, shorts, dresses, skirts and a small jacket for the daytime, but sweaters and jeans for the evening.

Weather

The weather is mostly pleasant in September

If you’re planning to visit London from mainland Europe, temperatures will feel slightly lower in September. Nevertheless, the weather can be surprising with days of sunshine and temperatures climbing into the double digits.

As with any month in the UK, you do need to prepare for changes in weather. There can be spells of rain and wind with temperatures dropping particularly in the evening.

In London, days can be warm in September and cooler in the evenings. The weather is mostly pleasant with highs of around 19°C (66°F) with a chance of 15 days of rainfall. During the mornings and evenings, the temperature can dip to around 14°C.

Despite the chance of rain, London offers plenty of things to do regardless of the weather, plus most attractions will have a shop nearby to buy an umbrella should you need one!

The average high temperature can also vary depending on the time of the month you go:

  • Early September: 21°C (70°F)
  • Mid-September: 19°C (66°F)
  • Late September: 17°C (63°F)

Weather visitor reports:

  • “September has  typically mild and sunny days with a snap of early autumn in the evenings”
  • “Spent one week in London in mid-September. We had one day of misty clouds, not real rain, and the rest was mild, warm, dry, and sunny”
  • “September is usually a pleasant month in London: Still warm without being stifling and with the crowds easing off for the season.”

Daily temperature progression during a day in September:

  • Morning: 16°C
  • Afternoon: 20°C
  • Evening: 17°C
Rain

Throughout September, it is quite likely to experience rainfall at some point during your trip. It is estimated there is a 49% chance of rain during the first couple weeks of September which decreases slightly to 42% towards the end of September. Typical rainfall in September reaches an average of 49mm, so remember to bring a waterproof jacket or umbrella.

Colder Times

No matter what time of the year you visit London, the mornings and evenings will always be cooler, and you need to be prepared for drops in temperatures. The temperature can dip between 12°C and 14°C compared to 17°C and 21°C in the daytime.

Typical daily temperature progression during a day in mid-September:

  • Early Morning: 14°C
  • Morning: 16°C
  • Afternoon: 20°C
  • Evening: 18°C
Chances of Snow

The chance of experiencing snowfall during September in London is basically zero. There was snow once in late September in the year 1885.

What to Wear and Pack

A jacket can be necessary in the evenings and towards the end of the month

We recommend that you pack different outfits for the daytime and the evening. Layer up in the morning with a t-shirt or long-sleeve top and a jacket. Towards the afternoon, you can usually lose the jacket and enjoy the warmer weather.

Throughout September in London t-shirts, shorts, skirts, and dresses with a light jacket will usually suffice in the daytime. During the evenings, you will need to wear trousers, sweaters, and a thicker jacket if you are going to be outdoors and for travelling. The weather can sometimes be unpredictable in September, so be prepared for rain one day and sunshine the next!

Typical London attire for September would consist of a jacket, such as a denim or leather jacket, layered over a t-shirt or dress. The style in London is quite laid back and comfortable during the day.

As Londoners often walk everywhere, flat comfortable shoes are key to navigating the city. In fall, the typical style of footwear is usually a pair of classic leather boots or trendy sneakers.

Jeans are often worn around London during the day and are often dressed up for going out at night in September. However, if the weather is set to be sunny expect Londoners to be making the most of the heat with simple dresses, and relaxed t-shirts paired with long shorts.

Packing list:

  • T-shirts
  • Sweaters/jumpers
  • Shirts
  • Light jacket
  • Rainproof jacket
  • Skirts/Shorts
  • Jeans
  • Socks
  • Trainers and Sandals
  • Short-sleeve dresses
  • Long-sleeve dresses
  • Umbrella
  • Suncream
  • Backpack or shoulder bag
  • Hat / baseball cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Tissues
  • UK travel adapter (3 pin plug)

Crowds and Rates | Is it Busy?

The benefit of coming to London in September is that it isn’t too busy compared to the height of summer. You will be able to easily get around the city without too many crowds but still busy enough to feel the hustle and bustle of a city centre.

September is a great time to check out London’s popular attraction as summer holidays and the peak season has come to an end. Museums in South Kensington such as The Natural History Museum and The V&A are drastically quieter compared to August.

Similarly, queues for the London Eye can get extremely long during the high season, but will be shorter during September. There are two queues to get onto the London Eye; one to buy a ticket and one for the actual ride. We recommended that you buy a ticket online beforehand to skip the first queue.

The Tower of London is one of the city’s most popular attractions and September can also be busy. The best time to visit during September will be the morning when the school holidays are finished and other people are still sleeping. If you can avoid weekends and Fridays, the queues will be even shorter. Be prepared for queuing at any time of the day, however, as this is a firm favourite with visitors.

Rates: Hotel rates will typically cost the same compared to the previous month during the first couple weeks of September. Towards the end of the month prices will drop slightly. The prices of hotels also depend on how close to Central London you stay. For more affordable hotels, you can stay a short tube ride away.

Things to Do in September – Our Tips

Buckingham Palace

During September, visitors can enjoy a tour of the Queen of England’s official residence. The tours of the palace are only available from July through to October, so it is the perfect activity if you are visiting during September.

The tour will take you to the infamous Throne Room, Ballroom and the Grand Staircase as well as the manicured Palace Gardens. Make sure that you book tickets in advance to secure your slot as the .

Kew Gardens

Situated in West London, Kew Gardens is the perfect place to visit in September. Experience beautiful botanical gardens, greenhouses, and nature. Set across 300 acres of land, visitors can enjoy walks around the Japanese gardens, rock gardens as well as events such a yoga, theatre shows and meals at the onsite restaurant and café.

London Eye

No visit to London is complete without a trip to the iconic London Eye. Enjoy the ride around the Eye for 40-minutes within one of the 32 capsules, taking in 360-degree view over all areas of London. Throughout September, you should have clear and far-reaching views.

For a more personal experience, add a glass of champagne, hire your own pod for a couple’s ride or invite up to 25 friends to your own private experience.

London Design Festival

Calling art lovers! Between 17th – 25th September, The London Design Festival will return to celebrate London as a design capital of the world. It provides a gateway for artists to showcase their talents and be involved within the creative community. There are ten districts across London where the art will be showcased. Head to the website to find all the locations and plan your art trail.

Camden Market

Open everyday during September, Camden Market is the ideal place for food lovers. With cafes, street food, world cuisine and baked goods, there is something to eat and drink for everyone. Enjoy some traditional British fish and chips or some Portuguese custard tarts. Wash it all down with some Turkish coffee or Mexican cocktails.

Most of the markets are outdoors, so September is a perfect time to visit when the weather is still warm but not too intense to be in the open air all day. There are also a wide range of independent stores selling everything from vintage fashion to hand-crafted gifts.

Save the 3 Best Activities