Summer is pretty much already over, and I think that was the quickest one yet. Looking back, I got an awful lot done but I actually didn't seem to spend much time in London at all! But hit September, and my feet are firmly back on the ground.
And with September being my favourite month, my top five suggestions of what to get up to are probably my best ever yet, so I'm very looking forward to the month getting started!
Number one
Doggett's Coat and Badge Wager takes place on Wednesday the 4th, and from 2pm head to the banks of the Thames between London Bridge and Cadogan Pier in Chelsea to watch watermen row under the eleven bridges for one of London's and perhaps the world's oldest river races. Starting in 1715 by Irish actor and comedian Thomas Doggett, his idea was to commemorate King George I's accession to the throne the previous year, with the prize honouring the House of Hanover. A traditional watermen's red coat with a silver badge displaying the horse of the House of Hanover and the word "Liberty". On a similar theme Regatta London aka The Great River Race takes place on the 14th which sees over 300 crews competing in the River Marathon from the Docklands to Ham in hope to be crowned the UK Traditional Boat Champions.
Number two
At the moment there seems to be some tickets left for the Illuminated River Boat Tours taking place on Thursdays throughout the month, but I expect they will sell out in no time. For £6 travel down the river after dark whilst admiring the first four bridges of Illuminated River, the public art commission lighting up the Thames, whilst City Guides and Historic England experts go into the history of the river and it's bridges. This sounds great, and I'm about to book my ticket! This is part of Totally Thames, a month-long celebration of London's river, head to the website for lots more events, exhibitions and walks throughout the month.
Number three
I can't really do a list of things going on in London in September and not mention many people's highlight of the year Open House! On the 21st and 22nd many of Londons buildings not generally open to the public, welcome us through their doors and there's always so much great stuff to see (plus it's all free)! Visit their website for details, or enter some of the ballots for a chance to visit the likes of 10 Downing Street, Bloomberg European HQ, the BT Tower or the new U.S Embassy! One interesting building which is actually open to the public from the 14th until the 22nd is the London Fo Guang Shan Temple in Fitzrovia, and I will definitely be joining one of their tours to learn about how the old church school was transformed into a Buddhist temple.
Number four
A bit of a strange suggestion but it's something I always plan to do, but never quite get round to it. On Sunday the 29th, head down to London Bridge to see the annual Sheep Drive, where Freemen of the City of London exercise their right to drive sheep across London Bridge. It's an all day event, with sheep going across the bridge many times throughout the day, so you're sure not to miss out!
Number five
And as always, I'll end with a few foodie suggestions for the month. I'll be down near Borough Market come the start of September, which is always a great excuse to have an early dinner in the area. I still am yet to try the recently opened BaoziInn Borough, and as a huge fan of their dim sum, this place is pretty high on my list. Also in the area the newly opened Bao, for great tasty Taiwanese steamed buns. Another place on my list is the Arcade Food Theatre at Centrepoint, but as I'll be spending lots of my time around the British Museum from now on, I expect I will soon turn into a regular. This new food hall features some of London's top cafes and restaurants, from delicious pastries from Pophams Bakery, pasta from Lina stores and that katsu sandwich place which certainly spams my Instagram, Tóu.
Have a great September!
Heard in London