Exciting things to do close to the capital in September 2025, all easily accessible in a day trip. Browse our Beyond London section for ideas for other day trips and weekends away.
FLOWER SHOW: RHS Wisley near Woking holds its annual Flower Show offering floral displays, specialist nurseries, expert talks and the chance to buy from a fantastic choice of exhibitors. Incorporated into the event is the National Dahlia Society Show, with a whole marquee packed full of the colourful blooms. 2-7 September (Surrey)
GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY: For the first time, shortlisted images from this year's International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition go on display at Walmer Castle, one of our favourite castles in Kent. Wander among the eight acres of gardens within the seaside fortress's grounds, viewing the spectacular images as you go. 3 September-3 November (Kent)
FARM NIGHT: Renowned Surrey PYO farm and shop Secretts, located near Guildford, stays open late the first Saturday in September for Farm Night, an evening of food, live music and farm games to bring the summer season to a close. It coincides with Sweetcorn Weekend, the final picking event of the season, with kids' activities, PYO opportunities, birds of prey displays, rubber duck racing, and other events and activities. 6 September (Surrey)
COOKHAM REGATTA: Watch all manner of boats take to the river for races and showcases at the Cookham Regatta, on the Thames near Maidenhead. Take part yourself, or watch the action from dry land, where entertainment includes a dog show, classic car display, dragon boat racing and charity stalls. While you're in the area, why not take this self-guided walk around Cookham. 6 September (Berkshire)
CACTUS AT THE CASTLE: The wonderful Lullingstone Castle and World Garden — which we visited recently, and which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year — hosts a Cactus at the Castle weekend celebrating all things Mexican. Browse and buy cacti from over 30 nurseries and growers, along with talks and demos by experts, and tours of the World Garden by the man who created it, Tom Hart Dyke. 6-7 September (Kent)
DRAGON BOAT RACE: Around 40 minutes on the train from central London, the town of Tonbridge hosts its annual dragon boat race and food festival, taking place on a rather pretty stretch of the River Medway in front of a medieval castle. Watch more than 20 teams go head to head, and explore the rest of the town, including historic buildings, a miniature railway and that castle. 7 September (Kent)
RYE ARTS FESTIVAL: Books, films, music, writing, baking, gardening and cooking are just some of the activities covered at Rye Arts Festival. The fortnight-long event on the East Sussex coast is now on its 54th edition, and celebrates local talent and heritage. Highlights include tours into the normally-closed Winchelsea cellars, as well as a wine and food fair, and appearances by Emily Maitlis, Matt Haig and Sir Tony Robinson. Why not spend a whole weekend in Rye? 11-28 September (East Sussex)
SEAFOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL: The seaside town of Hastings hosts a seafood and wine festival. Spend the weekend tucking into tasty dishes washed down with vino, whether you're a connoisseur or completely clueless. The festival is located on The Stade, right on the seafront, and also includes live music from 10 different bands, plus street entertainment. 12-14 September (East Sussex)
PERSUASION AND POETRY: The Jane Austen 250 celebrations continue in her native county of Hampshire, marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the author's birth. At the Jane Austen's House museum in Chawton, that means a Persuasion & Poetry Festival, shining the spotlight on her last published novel through walks, talks, workshops and performances. 12-21 September (Hampshire)
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS: London has its fair share of Heritage Open Days, but they take place all around the country too, offering the public visits and experiences which are usually off-limits, similar to Open House Festival. Take a look at the full programme — you can visit windmills, tunnels, churches, forts, hospitals, houses and more. 12-21 September
DARK ARTS: Halloween arrives early in Hertfordshire as the Dark Arts feature returns to Warner Bros Studio Tour. See sets from the Harry Potter film series in a spookier setting, with 100 pumpkins floating over the dinner setting in the Great Hall, look out for the Death Eaters’ procession, and learn duelling techniques in a Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom. 12 September-9 November (Hertfordshire)
STARLIGHT SAFARI: Colchester Zoo remains open late for two Saturdays in September offering Starlight Safari Nights. Explore the zoo after hours with a few special treats thrown in, including drumming performances, illuminated dancing fountains and storytelling by the fire. 13/27 September (Essex)
MOVING THE MAIL: One a year, the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Aylesbury holds a Moving The Mail weekend, celebrating the history of the travelling Post Office. Full details TBC at time of writing, but the 25-acre site is home to a number of historic carriages, platforms and footbridges to explore. 14 September (Buckinghamshire)
BISON RANGER: Ever fancied being a bison ranger? Admittedly it's a niche dream, but it's one you can experience with the Kent Wildlife Trust at West Blean & Thornden Woods near Canterbury. A herd of bison was recently reintroduced to the wild there, and on a Bison Ranger Experience you can join one of the rangers to try tracking them through their territory, and learn about the technology used to care for them. 14 September (Kent)
SALUTE TO THE 1940S: One of Britain's biggest vintage festivals, Salute To The 40s returns to the Historic Dockyard Chatham — and this is the final year the event is happening. Fancy dress is encouraged at the 1940s-themed weekend, where live music comes courtesy of the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the D-Day Darlings, while other entertainment includes historical re-enactments, vintage military vehicle displays, and a fashion parade. Consider visiting the rest of the Historic Dockyard Chatham while you're there; we were seriously impressed on our visit. 20-21 September (Kent). If that's your vibe, Bletchley Park also has a 1940s Weekend this month, with a similar programme of entertainment. 27-28 September
DREAMLAND DOG DAY: For one day only, Dreamland amusement park in Margate welcomes canine visitors for Dreamland Dog Day. Enter your pooch into a dog show, with proceeds going to the local branch of the RSPCA, or take part in agility classes, while dog-centric traders pop up throughout the day. Before Fido starts eyeing up the Waltzers or Chair-O-Planes, better make it clear to him that the rides are for humans only. 21 September (Kent)
BEER FESTIVAL: Raise a glass to the St Albans Beer & Cider Festival, taking place in the sizeable Alban Arena. This year's participating breweries have yet to be announced, but we're promised hundreds of cask ales, plus live music throughout each session. 24-27 September (Hertfordshire)
SEVENOAKS LITERARY FESTIVAL: Historian Tracy Borman, former doctor Adam Kay and the Reverend Richard Coles are among the big names at this Sevenoaks Literary Festival, taking place in venues around the Kent town. Browse the programme and get booking — then take a look at what else there is to do in Sevenoaks while you're there. It's only about half an hour on the train from central London. 26 September-5 October (Kent)
STATION HALL: You can hop on a train at King's Cross and be in York in under two hours, and once you're there you can pop into the National Railway Museum and visit the newly refurbished Station Hall. Formerly York's main goods station, it's now home to an impressive collection of vehicles relating to railway history, with a special weekend of events celebrating the reopening. Have a look at our picks of other things to see and do in York while you're there. From 26 September (North Yorkshire)
HARVEST FESTIVAL: Celebrate harvest the traditional way at Chiltern Open Air Museum, which hosts a harvest festival including heavy horse and sheep dog displays, Morris dancing, and a chance to learn about the fire kiln and saw pits. Find out more about the museum here. 27-28 September
Book ahead for...
PUMPKIN PATCH: One of the most popular pumpkin patches anywhere near London, Tulley's Pumpkin Farm opens its doors again from mid-September, but you'll have to book way in advance if you want a slot around October half term and Halloween. Begin in the Pumpkin Village where autumnal food and drink is available before venturing into fields of the orange gourds, where you can pick your own from 100 different varieties, before swinging by the Pumpkin House for a seasonal photo. September-October (West Sussex)
CLIVEDEN LITERARY FESTIVAL: Country house Cliveden has, in its time, inspired writers including Alexander Pope, George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift, Lord Tennyson and Sir Winston Churchill — so it's an apt venue for a literary festival. Salman Rushdie, Ian Rankin, Hallie Rubenhold and Sarah Vine are among the big names scheduled to appear at talks and panel discussions next month. 11-12 October (Berkshire)
CASTLE FIREWORKS: As we enter autumn, the slippery slope towards Bonfire Night begins. If you fancy doing something rather special this year, book for the Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular, one of the largest fireworks displays in south-east England, offering fairground rides and other entertainment before the huge pyrotechnic display over the castle and lake. 8-9 November (Kent)
JANE AUSTEN REGENCY BALL: As mentioned above, December 2025 is 250 years since the birth of author Jane Austen. Townhill Park House in Southampton marks the occasion with a Jane Austen Regency Ball, held in its walnut-panelled music rooms. Don a Regency costume and dance the night away to live period music and other entertainment. 13 December (Hampshire)
