In our opinion, September in London can feel a bit odd. The kids go back to school, the office emails start multiplying again, and yet the city refuses to accept that summer's over - there's still warmth in the air, the parks are still full at lunchtime, and honestly, the cultural calendar goes into overdrive.
September is also the month London throws open its doors - literally - to the public and invites them to come and look at hidden gems all across the city. So grab a light jacket (though you probably won’t need it, if this year’s heatwaves are anything to go by - and let’s get exploring our fine old town.
1. Open House Festival — 12th to 20th September
Every year, London quietly hands over the keys to over 800 buildings you'd normally only ever glimpse from the pavement, and this year's nine-day edition is no exception. Yes, we’re talking about Open House weekend.
Fancy poking around a livery hall, an embassy, or the inside of a Grade II-listed office block you've walked past a hundred times and wondered about? This is your chance. Some of the big-ticket venues (we're looking at you, BT Tower) are ballot-only, but the vast majority of the 600-plus buildings and walking tours are simply first-come, first-served or bookable online.
Our advice: pick a borough, plan a loose route, and let yourself get delightfully lost in London's architecture for an afternoon…
2. Black on the Square — Saturday 5th September
For the fourth year running, Trafalgar Square is the venue as the Mayor of London's free celebration of Black culture and creativity takes over from noon till six. Yes, it’s Black on the Square.
Expect live music, dance, spoken word, a genuinely brilliant range of street food, and stalls from Black-owned businesses across the capital. And, best of all, it’s all completely free, no ticket required. It's one of those events where you plan to pop by for twenty minutes and somehow lose the whole afternoon, quite happily.
And because you’re in the centre of town, why not then head to edgy Soho or buzzy Covent Garden for drinks and a bite to eat afterwards?
3. London Design Festival — 12th to 20th September
Now in its 24th year, the London Design Festival turns the entire city into a design showcase, with eleven districts (Soho's the newcomer this year) hosting everything from major museum exhibitions to pop-up installations in the strangest, most wonderful corners of London.
The V&A remains the beating heart of it all, but you can also wander over to Somerset House and the Barbican too, since both have genuinely ambitious programmes this year.
And something else - you really don't need to know a thing about design to have a marvellous time; you'll just find yourself standing in front of something odd and beautiful, wondering how nobody thought of it before.
4. The Great River Race - Saturday 12th September
Somewhere between the London Marathon and the Boat Race sits this marvellous oddity: the Great River Race.
It’s actually a 21.6-mile rowing race up the Thames from Millwall to Richmond, with everything from sleek racing skiffs to fancy-dress Viking longboats taking part.
Any of the 28 bridges along the route makes for an excellent vantage point, but Tower Bridge is your best bet for catching the early action, roughly half an hour after the off. Bring a flask, bring a picnic, and prepare to cheer on total strangers with genuine enthusiasm - it's that kind of day.
5. Pride the Musical — National Theatre, until 12th September
If you haven't yet caught the sold-out new musical adaptation of the much-loved 2014 film, this is very much your last chance — it closes on the 12th and, from what we’ve heard, is really a fantastic night out.
Based on the true story of the unlikely alliance between LGBT activists and striking Welsh miners in 1984, Pride has been picking up five-star reviews all summer for being funnier, warmer and more moving than the film that inspired it.
Just keep an eye out for returns if it's sold out when you check - shows like this tend to throw a few tickets back at the door. And whilst you’re in the area, take a stroll along the South Bank and admire the view.
6. London Fashion Week — 17th to 21st September
The runways are (mostly) for industry insiders, but London Fashion Week always spills out generously into the rest of the city, and this September's edition looks like a particularly good one - McQueen's Seán McGirr is making his London debut, Christopher Kane unveils his first collection for Mulberry, and Marks & Spencer joins the official schedule for the very first time, marking its centenary with a "see now, buy now" show.
Look out for the City Wide Celebration programme, plus pop-ups, talks and window displays across Bond Street, Selfridges and Dover Street Market - it's a lovely excuse for some proper, purposeful window shopping.
7. Don Giovanni — Royal Opera House, from 10th September
Mozart's darkest, most deliciously scandalous opera returns to Covent Garden this month, with Kasper Holten's much-admired production back for a run through to mid-October. The cast is excellent - Aigul Akhmetshina and Rachel Willis-Sørensen among them - under the baton of Stefano Montanari.
Expect seduction, betrayal, a healthy dose of the supernatural, and a finale that still manages to raise goosebumps no matter how many times you've seen it. Do note: strobe effects throughout, and it's not one for the young or faint of heart.
The Royal Opera House is a beautiful location too, with a fantastic bar at which you can enjoy a cheeky glass of wine in the intermission.
So there you have it - a month of open doors, open rivers, and (thanks to London Fashion Week) rather a lot of very well-dressed people milling about Mayfair. Whichever of these you fancy, September really is one of London's best-kept secrets: all the energy of summer, but none of the queues of August.
And if you need somewhere warm and welcoming to come home to after a long day of rowing races and rooftop views, we'd love to have you here at La Gaffe Hotel Hampstead. We're a family-run guest house just three minutes from Hampstead tube, with Hampstead Heath and the Village both on your doorstep and - dare we say it - one of the best cappuccinos in north London waiting for you at breakfast.
Get in touch by email or phone, or book directly with us for the best rates. We look forward to welcoming you.