The ultimate student’s guide for things to do in London in September
London is a brilliant place to live for an array of different reasons. It has a rich history, culture, food, and even outdoor space available for exploration — especially during the summer months. It’s difficult for students and others who just moved to the area to know where to start!
That’s why we’ve compiled all of the best activities available around the city for you to tick off this September.
To explore
Skip the tourists
We are blessed with living in one of the most exciting cities in the world which means there is always somewhere new to explore. Summer in the city is great, but it also leads to an influx of tourists, making your favourite spots rather hectic. So, if you’re looking to escape the crowds and discover new hidden spots, try a trip to the following places.
St Dunstan in the East Church Garden, East London (pictured below)
One Tree Hill, Honor Oak
Ruislip Lido, Hillingdon
Pickering Place, St James — London's smallest square
Image courtesy of @jennylijic
Go for a dip
If you’re feeling the heat in the city, there are plenty of alluring swimming spots where you can head for a refreshing dip. Try some of our favourites:
Parliament Hill Lido (pictured below)
Hampstead Heath Ponds
Tooting Lido
Brockwell Lido
Image courtesy of Parliament Hill Lido
Get back to nature
Despite being a built up urban city with sleek skyscrapers and residential properties housing upwards of 9 million people, London also has an abundance of green spaces. It even ranks as one of the top 10 cities in the world in terms of green space! Spoilt for choice? We think so.
For a complete list of luscious parks, check out our guide to London’s green spaces and remember to check for local hidden gems. There are many more suburban parks that are less well known, like Waterlow Park in Highgate and Paddington Recreation Ground.
With that said, one of our favourite parks on offer has to be Hampstead Heath. It boasts woodlands, freshwater swimming ponds, protected viewpoints, conservation areas and a tonne of vegetation and wildlife — what’s not to love?! We recommend heading here with a book, a picnic and your swimming kit, ready for a day of adventure.
To eat
Eating out in London essentially means you can munch your way around the globe without stepping foot outside of the city. It proudly serves up just about every cuisine that exists, making dining out a minefield in terms of choice and variation (in a good way!). Italian for lunch and Thai for dinner? No problem. All you have to do is decide between the some 40,000 restaurant choices.
Some of our favourite foodie options on offer are the vibrant food markets London has. They are the centre of hustle, bustle and taste. You can always count on getting a delicious and authentic meal for great value — a great drawing point for students on a budget. Try Portobello Golborne Market or Borough Market as a start, then start discovering the smaller and less-well-trodden spots like Primrose Hill Market. You can buy everything here from street food to groceries and locally farmed vegetables.
Check out our guide to local eats for more mouth-watering suggestions.
To do
Art students and creatives alike: get stuck in. London houses hundreds of galleries, displaying some of the best art in the world! This month, we recommend getting your hands on some of the following exhibition tickets:
The ‘Van Gogh Alive’ exhibition. This immersive exhibit showcases Van Gough’s work — one of the most famous post-impressionist artists to date. This exhibit brings the paintings to life and visitors feel as though they could step right into them. It’s a full sensory experience!
The ‘Art of Banksy' exhibition unveils the world’s largest collection of privately-owned Banksy art. Not one you want to miss! If you’re new to the urban art scene, Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist and political activist, with arguably the most famous reputation of modern artists.
Or, if you’re looking for your next hit of inspiration to kick off your own creativity in London, here’s an inside secret. Head to Greenwich Park, climb to the top of the hill and watch the sunset over the city. The perfect end to a day of studying, helping you unwind and unleash your creative side.
There are tens of thousands of other activities you can check out throughout the city, but this is our round-up of some absolute favourites that won’t break your student budget. We’re sure you’ll love them!
Don’t forget to check out our area guide if you’d like to know more about the parts of London surrounding Beaumont House.
