Well, that’s it. Summer is officially over. It’s back-to-school season and time to start thinking about cosy knitwear and your Netflix must-watch list. And, while you may be lamenting the return of colder weather, the changing of the seasons also traditionally heralds a slate of new openings, launches and must-try events in the capital – and this year is no different. From exciting shopping experiences to an array of festivals and fairs, here’s our guide to the best things to do in London in September 2025.

The limited-edition deal: Weekend breaks at Pan Pacific London

Looking for a serene city staycation this autumn? Pan Pacific London invites you to unwind in style with 15 per cent off weekend stays from 12 September 2025. Indulge in a luxurious five-star suite, complete with Jo Loves Mango Thai Lime in-room amenities, before sipping a complimentary cocktail or mocktail at the elegant Ginger Lily Bar. The next morning, delight in a sumptuous breakfast at Straits Kitchen.

Guests can also enjoy full access to the hotel’s renowned Sensory Wellbeing Floor ­­– home to one of the best spas in the city. While away the afternoon in the 18.5m infinity pool overlooking The City, or recharge in the saunas, steam rooms, and 24-hour gym before unwinding on a poolside lounger. Trust us, weekends have never looked so good.

Pan Pacific London’s weekend deal is available from 12 September 2025 until 26 April 2026.

The pop-up: Wallow x Anthropologie

British lifestyle and cult bedding brand, Piglet in Bed, has marked its first foray into the world of beauty with its new bath and body brand, Wallow. To celebrate its debut, Anthropologie on the King’s Road is hosting an immersive pop-up until 28 September. Featuring a moss installation by floral artist Carly Rogers, visitors can shop the full collection rendered in two signature scents: Untamed Moss, our top pick and a moody autumnal blend, and the uplifting, citrusy Eternal Sun. Pick up a free mini hand and body wash or cream when you spend £50. Run, don’t walk.

Wallow x Anthropologie is open until 28 September 2025 at 131-141 King’s Road, SW3 4PW, visit pigletinbed.com

The supper clubs: Moor Hall x Alain Ducasse, Claude & Co at Brooklands, An Evening With Emma Woolf at The Bloomsbury, NIJŪ x The Palomar

Alain Ducasse

Moor Hall

Alain Ducasse and chef patron Jean-Philippe Blondet of the three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester will welcome Mark Birchall, chef patron of Moor Hall Restaurant, to bring a taste of Lancashire to London. Marking the first time these culinary visionaries will unite, the event will take place on 9 September at The Dorchester and combine signature dishes including Blondet’s hand-dived scallop, citrus beurre blanc and kristal caviar through to Birchall’s East Coast lobster, Tarleton tomatoes, smoked marrow and rosehip. 

Claude Bosi

Thomas Straker

Following the gorgeous Soleil summer terrace at Brooklands, Claude Bosi’s restaurant at The Peninsula is kicking off the autumn season with Claude & Co at Brooklands: an exciting new four-hands dinner series celebrating international talent. First in the hot seat is Thomas Straker on 16 September, followed by Norbert Niederkofler and Sven Wassmer later in the year. Having firmly established a London presence with his eponymous Notting Hill outpost – and with rumours of a New York restaurant following later in the year – Straker will collaborate with Bosi to present a six-course tasting menu celebrating the very best of British game. This is not one foodies will want to miss. 

Step into the literary heart of Bloomsbury with a special evening with Emma Woolf, Virginia Woolf’s great-niece, to celebrate 100 years of Mrs Dalloway. Continuing The Bloomsbury Hotel’s year-long celebration of Woolf’s seminal work, book your £20 ticket for the 23 September to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and a special edition copy of the book for each guest, featuring the original cover design by Woolf’s artist sister, Vanessa Bell. Emma Woolf, an established author and broadcaster, will begin the evening by reading an excerpt from the book, and will then be joined by a special guest to discuss the enduring legacy of Mrs Dalloway and Virginia Woolf’s own life and inspirations. Canapés will follow in The Chapel, before moving into the library for a Q&A with the audience. 

On 24 September, Nijū’s executive chef Chris Golding and Dan Murray from The Palomar will join forces for one night only. Hosted at Nijū, the authentic Japanese restaurant on Berkeley Street, this one-off dinner is part of the restaurant’s Yūshoku (meaning supper in Japanese) Club series and will serve a collaborative five-course menu featuring flavours of Japan, Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Levant.

Priced at £95 per person, the experience begins with The Palomar’s Kubaneh bread served with edamame hummus, yuzu kosho, and tomato, shiso oil, yukari. Next, the chefs will pay homage to their culinary roots with Nijū-style nigiri from Golding, and marinated artichokes with lemon labneh, za’atar, and isot biber chilli, from Murray. Complementing the mains – think charcoal-grilled chicken thigh marinated in chilli butter, and Orkney scallops with Japanese saffron and whisky – are an array of sides including mixed salad with goma-tofu dressing and steamed rice. This is a rare opportunity not to be missed.

Moor Hall x Alain Ducasse will take place on 9 September 2025 at 53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA, visit dorchestercollectionc.co.uk; Claude & Co at Brooklands begins on 16 September 2025 at The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Place, SW1X 7HJ, visit peninsula.com; An Evening With Emma Woolf at The Bloomsbury will take place on 23 September 2025 at The Bloomsbury Hotel, 16-22 Great Russell Street WC1B 3NN, visit eventbrite.co.uk; Nijū x The Palomar will take place on 24 September 2025 at 20 Berkeley Street, W1J 8EE, visit sevenrooms.com

The hotel: The Chancery Rosewood

Images: Ben Anders

One of London’s hottest hotels, The Chancery Rosewood opened its doors on 1 September. Following an extraordinary architectural restoration of the historic former US Embassy on Grosvenor Square, led by British architect Sir David Chipperfield, the 144-key, all-suite property also heralds the arrival of eight restaurants and bars, an expansive Asaya Spa, and communal spaces designed by French interiors architect Joseph Dirand.

The building’s distinctive angular exterior gives way to interiors of refined sophistication, where spacious suites have been designed by Joseph Dirand and peppered with 700 pieces of art. Houses are the largest of the accommodation, perfect for larger groups and complete with unparalleled views of Mayfair, Hyde Park or the London skyline. Named after prominent American figures linked to the history of the building, these include the Saarinen House, John Adams House, Kennedy House and the Chancery House. 

Among the eight new restaurants and bars is Mediterranean-inspired Serra, tea room and dessert salon Jacqueline and the London debut of chef Masayoshi ‘Masa’ Takayama with Tobi Masa. Wellness at the Asaya Spa, a subterranean space designed by Yabu Pushelberg, is home to The Taktouk Clinic, a fitness centre which debuts the Artis Luxury line by Technogym, a 25M swimming pool and five treatment rooms. London’s hottest new restaurant is certainly opening with a bang. 

The Chancery Rosewood is open now at 30 Grosvenor Square, W1K, visit rosewoodhotels.com

The festivals and fairs: CelebrAsia, Chelsea History Festival, and British Art Fair

CelebrAsia returns to Battersea Power Station to transform London’s riverside landmark into an immersive Southeast Asian street party for one weekend from 5-7 September. Bigger and bolder than ever before, this year’s headline act is The Feasting Tent: a unique, communal dining experience capturing Southeast Asia's shared food culture with long-table banquets led by celebrated chefs Budgie Montoya (Apoy), Abby Lee (Mambow), and John and Desiree Chantarasak (AngloThai). Elsewhere, expect traditional dance and live music performances, hands-on craft workshops, and an artisan market showcasing unique, handcrafted goods.

Chelsea History Festival will take over SW10 from 24-28 September, marking the second flagship edition since the launch of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter. With a vibrant programme of more than 80 events, the festival will once again transform London’s most historic neighbourhood across three iconic venues: Chelsea Physic Garden, the National Army Museum, and the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

Highlights include thought-provoking talks from Emily Maitlis, Greg Jenner, Simon Jenkins, Paula Akpan, and Dermot Turing, covering everything from wartime memoirs and African queens to overlooked codebreakers and Britain's architectural heritage. Guided walking tours will explore Chelsea’s pioneering women, music scene, and espionage links, while family-friendly events include a special concert at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and free activities at the Chelsea Physic Garden.   

With a special focus on modern British artists that have often been overlooked, British Art Fair returns from 25-28 September with a new dynamic programme. Housed in Chelsea’s Saatchi Gallery, discover works by Frank Auerbach, Banksy, John Craxton and Tracey Emin, as well as Unsung: an exhibition curated by art market journalist and British Art Fair member Colin Gleadell, highlighting more than 30 modern British artists. The 2025 edition also sees the return of Solo Contemporary – a platform for the UK’s most talented living artists – alongside Digitalism, an innovative fair section launched in 2024 that showcases pioneering artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary art through technology.

CelebrAsia will run from 5-7 September 2025 at Battersea Power Station, visit batterseapowerstation.co.uk; Chelsea History Festival will run from 24-28 September 2025, visit chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk; British Art Fair will run from 25-28 September 2025 at Saatchi Gallery, SW3 4RY, visit britishartfair.co.uk

The milestone events: Spitalfields E1 20^th anniversary and Somerset House’s Step Inside 25 Weekend

Spitalfields E1

Celebrating 20 years since East London’s favourite market regeneration was completed in 2005, everyone is invited to Spitalfields’ special anniversary on 4 September, with further celebrations continuing throughout the month. The full-day event will bring the destination to life with live music, dance performances, exclusive offers, family friendly games, and in-store moments, giving locals and visitors the perfect opportunity to discover all that Spitalfields has to offer. The Bishops Square Main Stage will play host to a programme of live performances from the likes of The Rookery, Rock Choir and many more, and don’t miss the free group dance sessions throughout the day. 

Somerset House

Somerset House is continuing its 25^th anniversary celebrations with the Step Inside 25 Weekend on 13 and 14 September. Marking the transformation from government offices to an internationally acclaimed arts destination, this milestone moment will see the entire building turned inside out. For the first time visitors will be invited in to explore and discover the lesser-known spaces including its artist studios on Maker Street, and will be given a chance to get closer to Somerset House’s resident creative community and their work. Highlights include a pop-up basketball installation, the return of the smash-hit immersive disco experience from the Cute exhibition featuring Eighties and Nineties sounds, and hands-on drawing workshops inspired by the beloved Peanuts exhibition.

Spitalfields E1 20^th anniversary event will take place on 4 September 2025 at 65 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA, visit spitalfields.co.uk; Step Inside 25 Weekend will take place on 13-14 September 2025 at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA, visit somersethouse.org.uk

The shopping: IWC. Curated., A Day on The Lane and Bicester Village’s Beauty Stars

This month, IWC Schaffhausen is launching IWC. Curated. – a hand-picked collection of  historical IWC watches that will be available at the brand’s Battersea boutique. Selected by experts from the IWC Museum, IWC. Curated. watches cover some of the most significant eras of the brand’s watchmaking history and each watch under this label has been meticulously inspected, restored and serviced by IWC’s experienced vintage watchmakers in Schaffhausen.

Bicester Village – the designer shopping destination nestled in Oxfordshire and just a short train ride away from London – is calling all beauty lovers to its next Village Stars event on 6 September. Putting a special skincare and make-up focus on the programme, Beauty Stars offers a curated selection of leading brands including Bamford, Drunk Elephant, Elemis, Estée Lauder, Jo Malone, La Mer and more with up to an additional 70 per cent off retail prices. What are you waiting for? 

On 13 September, Marylebone Lane will be fully pedestrianised to host the A Day On The Lane, coming alive with extended al fresco dining areas, pop up bars, street food stalls, roaming music and more. From 10am-4pm, soak in the lively atmosphere of this destination and explore the array of independent shops and world-class restaurants, before booking a range of exciting workshops including flower arranging, flower pot painting. and knitting. The event will support Young Westminster Foundation, an independent local charity for Westminster that supports and affects positive change for young people.

IWC. Curated. is available at IWC Schaffhausen Boutique, Unit 39, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8BU, visit iwc.com; Bicester Village’s Beauty Stars will take place on 6 September 2025 at 50 Pingle Drive, OX26 6WD, visit thebicestercollection.com; A Day On The Lane will take place on 13 September 2025 in Marylebone Village, visit marylebonevillage.com

On stage: Born With Teeth at Wyndham’s Theatre

Watch Doctor Who and Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa take to the stage alongside Killing Eve’s Edward Bluemel in Born With Teeth that has just kicked off its 11-week run at Wyndham’s Theatre. Based on the idea that two literary icons may have collaborated on the Henry VI history plays, Liz Duffy Adams’ Born With Teeth is a playful and daring imagining of their relationship during an extraordinarily dangerous time for artists. In this explosively entertaining duel of wits, words, and powerplay, Gatwa takes on the role of Christopher Marlowe – rockstar of Elizabethan theatre and scandalous spy for the Crown – while Bluemel embodies Shakespeare: a promising young playwright who is dazzled by Marlowe. On a strictly limited run, book now to avoid disappointment. 

Born With Teeth is at Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DA, until 11 November 2025, visit wyndhamstheatre.co.uk

The must-have menus: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Menu at The Ivy, and Bob Bob Ricard x Porte Noire

Celebrating the grand finale of Downton Abbey this month, The Ivy Collection has launched a decadent menu reflecting the classic sophistication of 1930s dining with a contemporary Ivy twist. Launching on 3 September across the UK, the menu – priced at £27.95 for two courses or £34.95 for three – offers a rich tapestry of dishes inspired by the tastes and traditions of the Crawley family, their household, and the English countryside estates of the Downton era. Start with the likes of Salade Du Verger with figs, pecans and red chicory drizzled with a truffle vinaigrette, providing a nod to garden-fresh produce popular on estate menus, before mains of The Ivy Shepherd’s Pie and braised duck curry, which nods to British tradition, luxury, and global flavour. Pair with a timeless toast of The Ivy Guest Champagne, or order the showstopping Gilded Peach Cobbler: a 1930s-inspired cocktail crafted with sloe gin, crème de peche, Beesou honey aperitif and pineapple syrup, topped up with champagne.

Porte Noire

Bob Bob Ricard has partnered with Idris Elba’s premium drinks brand, Porte Noire, to launch a decadent new menu in time for autumn, including a signature game dish and twists on the signature champagne pies. Expect piping-hot pastry filled with Porte Noire champagne and chicken or truffle, as well as the must-have Porte Noire Cognac and Grouse dish. Pair with the exclusive champagne cocktail with Porte Noire Brut, cognac, angostura bitters and a sugar cube for a sweet touch. Only available until the end of September at both the Soho and City outpost, run, don’t walk. 

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Menu will be available at The Ivy Collection is available from 3 September 2025, visit ivybookings.com; Bob Bob Ricard x Porte Noire is available until the end of September 2025, visit bobbobricard.com

Read more: Everything the Luxury London team has been loving this month