What's the Weather Like in London in September
Average Temperature - Does it Start to Get Cold in September?
The weather for September starts to cool down in London, UK, when the autumn season sets in.
What is the average temperature in the UK and London in September?
At this time of year, the average temperature is 16°C (61F). As September weather progresses, the daily temperatures begin to decrease.
The UK average is a very similar temperature in September.
If you're still searching for the summer sun, this month would be a great time to go on holiday further south in Europe, such as Majorca, where the temperature is a lot warmer.
Daily Highs and Lows in London
Is September a cold month?
On September 1, average daily high temperatures start off at 20°C (68F) and slowly fall until they reach 18°C (64F) by September 30, rarely going over 23°C (73F) or dropping below 16°C (61F).
Similarly, the daily low temperatures also fall as the month progresses, starting at 15°C (59F) on September 1, before decreasing to 12°C (54F) by September 30. But rarely going under 10°C (50F) or over 17°C (63F).
So September in London is not a particularly cold month, with average temperatures generally rising each year.
Highest and Lowest London Recorded Temperature
The highest temperature recorded in London in September is 32.6°C (91F) at Heathrow in 2016.
The lowest September temperature ever recorded in London is 7°C (45F).
When you look at these temperatures alongside the average for the month 18°C it's clear that they're the extremes and very rare.
Rain
Despite being one of the warmest months of the year, September rainfall in London reaches an average of 49mm 1mm more than August.
With rain falling on an average of 15 days throughout the month, it's highly likely that you'll experience some type of precipitation during your visit. Light rain is the most common type, generally around September 10.
The second most likely type of precipitation is moderate rain, around September 6. Overall, September 6 is most likely to be the wettest day of the month, with rain occurring on 49% of days during this time.
September 23 is most likely to be the driest day of the month, with precipitation making an appearance on 42% of days around this time.
The probability of London receiving some type of precipitation across September decreases as the month goes on. On September 1, the chance of rainfall is 49%, which gradually falls down to 42% by September 30.
If you don't want to risk any rain ruining your holiday, you're best off booking for the final two weeks in September.
Cloud Cover
The median cloud coverage for London in September is 68%, which gradually increases as the month progresses.
On September 1, the median cloud coverage starts off at 66%, before rising to 68% by September 11, and rising again to 70% on September 19. There's a small drop to 69% by September 30.
On average, London is affected by fog on less than one day each September.
Average Sea Temperature
London's closest coastal location enjoys an average sea temperature of 17°C the same as the previous month.
Despite being the highest sea temperature for the whole year, 17°C is very cool and will only really be enjoyed by the hardiest of swimmers.
While September isn't a very cold month in London, spending any more than 10 or 20 minutes in the water could leave you feeling very chilly.
Humidity
Across September, the relative humidity for London fluctuates between 53% and 89%, rarely falling under 43% or exceeding 94%.
Expect the air to be at its driest on September 8, when the relative humidity falls below 58% three days out of every four. The air is usually at its most humid around September 30, when it rises above 85% three days out of every four.
Average Sunshine Hours
Similar to August, September sees London enjoying an average of six hours of sunshine each day. As the month progresses, the number of sunshine hours and daylight hours decrease steadily.
Between the start and end of the month, the day shortens by one hour and 52 minutes.
September 30 is the shortest day of the month with 11 hours and 39 minutes of daylight, while the longest day of the month is September 1 with 13 hours and 32 minutes of daylight.
The earliest sunrise and latest sunset are on September 1 at 6:13am and 7:45pm respectively, while the latest sunrise and earliest sunset are on September 30 at 7am and 6:39pm, respectively.
Wind
Throughout September, typical wind speeds range from 1 m/s to 6 m/s, very rarely exceeding 8 m/s.
The highest average wind speed of 4 m/s is usually on September 6, when the average daily maximum wind speed is 6 m/s. The lowest average wind speed of 4 m/s is generally around September 25, when the average daily maximum wind speed is 6 m/s.
The most common wind direction for London in September is out of the southwest, with the wind very rarely coming out of the southeast.
London Hotels in September
The London Lodge Hotel
The London Lodge Hotel is one of the more luxurious sleeping options in the city. This Victorian town house-style hotel is located in a quiet part of the Kensington area, just a short walk away from the Royal Albert Hall, Victoria and Albert Museum, Hyde Park, Natural History Museum, Kensington Palace and Holland Park. Within the hotel you'll find Stefanie's Cafe-Bar which serves traditional full English breakfasts, as well as seasonal lunch and dinner options, bicycle rental, library, free WiFi accress throughout and paid private parking nearby.
The Z Hotel Victoria
The Z Hotel Victoria is a top pick for luxury without a huge price tag. Also built inside a Victorian townhouse, this hotel is just a stone's throw away from Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria Station and several local theatres. Guests can choose between double, queen and accessible rooms, each of which comes complete with free WiFi access, HD Sky TV, air conditioning/heating and private wet room with toiletries. Wheelchair accessible rooms are also available. Onsite amenities and services include Z Cafe which hosts breakfast buffets, sharing platters for lunch and alcoholic drinks on an evening plus free WiFi access throughout.
The London House Hotel
London House Hotel is another complex which offers a bustling city location without a sky-high price. Located in Paddington, West London, this affordable hotel is close to the West End, Kensington, Notting Hill, Hyde Park, Paddington and Queensway. Here you'll find a vast array of rooms including standard singles, small singles, lower ground twins, small doubles, standard doubles, garden view doubles, lower ground doubles, standard triples, lower ground family rooms and two-room family suites. You'll find loads of bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and supermarkets in the immediate area.
Bars and Restaurants
Duck and Waffle
Foodies with a head for heights should book a table at the Duck and Waffle, which ranks as one of the most dizzying dining options in London. Situated on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, the restaurant commands views over the City like no other, while the menu comprises a range of eating options to keep all diners pleased.
Things to do in London in September
Holland Park
Make the most of the last of the summer sunshine by spending the day at Holland Park. Kensington and Chelsea's largest park, Holland Park features 22.5 hectares of gardens, sports facilities, children's play areas, abundant woodland, oodles of wildlife and a cafeteria which serves food and drinks. The famous park also incorporates the Kyoto Garden a Japanese garden which was donated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991.
HMS Belfast
Families visiting London with young children should think about visiting HMS Belfast. This quirky museum is housed in the ship itself and is spread out over nine decks which focus on life on board the famous war ship during World War II and beyond. Popular with adults and children alike, HMS Belfast allows you to gain a unique insight into what life was really like during the war, with realistic lights, imagery, smoke effects, sounds, smells and vibrations creating an intense atmosphere akin to what the men in battle would have gone through. There are also various exhibitions highlighting what general life on the HMS Belfast was like, as well as displays detailing the inner workings of the ship and fascinating audio guides.
ClueQuest
If you're travelling with older children and need to find a way to keep them entertained, consider spending the day at ClueQuest. This exciting activity is a live escape the room game for three to five people who have 60 minutes to make the most of their minds, logic and teamwork to solve puzzles and mysteries in order to escape the room. Since the puzzles are pretty tough, this game isn't suitable for anyone under 16 years old. Although the game is intended for groups of people, couples are still welcome to take part - the tasks will just be a bit harder. After you've escaped, you'll have the chance to buy personalised magnets and photos to remind you of your visit.
Dates for the diary
The Totally Thames Festival
The Totally Thames Festival is a month long festival that takes place throughout September. The event attracts over 2 million Londoners and vistitors. It celebrates the Thames and its cultuaral diverstity along the 42 mile stretch of water. Just take a stroll along the river to see large scale art exhibitions, live performances, live classical music, concerts and boat races. This event is a reflection of London's strong identity of cultural diversity.
