What to do in London for September 2018

Selfridges new eyewear department

Sunglasses are a wardrobe staple no matter what the season and where better to shop the latest designer frames than at the largest eyewear department in the UK? Selfridges has unveiled a huge 300-square-metre department devoted exclusively to sunglasses and opticals. With 2,000 different styles from 43 brands on offer, there really is something to suit everyone. On top of this, Chanel-branded optical lenses will also be on sale in Selfridges too.

Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB, 0800 123400 (UK), +44 (0)20 7160 6222 (international), selfridges.com

Tate Modern Summer Terrace Pop-Up

Make the most of the last days of summer with Tate Modern’s Summer Terrace Pop-Up. Running until the 30 September, the pop-up sees a special collaboration with the Wild Beer Company, offering 10 taps of Wild craft beer and a special beer-matched foraged pizza menu. Highlights from the stone-baked pizza menu include Sleeping Limes, made with fennel sausage, jalapenos and fire roasted red peppers. This is the perfect place to refuel after an afternoon exploring the Tate Modern.

Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Ceru

Why not try a new cuisine this month? Ceru has opened up a new restaurant, bringing the beautiful flavours, colours and aromas of the Levantine to Soho with a series of mezze-style plates. The largely gluten-free menu includes tempting dishes such as salt cod and turmeric potato fritters, and Persian kofta and shish taouk kebabs. Don’t miss out on the salads, including an Ottoman-inspired dish of dried fruits, rice, almonds and olives. Save room for dessert too as the dark chocolate mousse with sour cherries and pistachio is the perfect way to end an evening meal.

Ceru, 11 D’Arblay Street, London W1F 8DT, +44 (0)20 3195 3002

Away store opening

Those booking a September mini break or holiday might like to head down to the new Away store opening this month. The luggage and accessories brand has opened up its first London store in Seven Dials, offering its full line as well as a special custom monogramming service. Shop its classic suitcase styles, such as the Carry-On, Bigger Carry-On and Large – perfectly designed and with something for every traveller.

Away, 9 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LL

Lark & Berry

Lark & Berry has opened up the first retail store in the world to sell fine fashion jewellery pieces made exclusively with cultured diamonds. The new store will be the ultimate place to shop the stunning fine jewellery pieces, with prices ranging from £150 for pieces in the demi-fine 14-carat gold collections to £78,000 for fine jewellery and wedding collections in 18-carat gold and platinum. Customers will also be able to enjoy in-house piercing and manicure services.

Lark & Berry, 52A George Street, London W1U 7EA

5 September: Sézane

French-girl style is something we all want and this month it is something we can actually all achieve thanks to Sézane’s first UK store launch. The cult French fashion brand is opening a store on Westbourne Grove this month, bringing its covetable cool style to London. From broderie anglaise blouses to slogan T-shirts, well-cut bikinis and chic shoes, everything here is designed with the female body in mind.

Sézane, 233 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2SE

5 September: Claw x Mac & Wild collaboration

Two of London’s favourite restaurants join forces this month to create the ultimate gourmet collaboration. British seafood restaurant Claw has teamed up with Scottish restaurant brand Mac & Wild for an epic mash up of their favourite British ingredients in one dish. The result? The Wild Claw – a mouth-watering Salcombe lobster gourmet hot dog, featuring a Scottish venison sausage topped with lobster and spicy Szechuan chilli in a buttery brioche roll.

Claw, 21 Kingly Street, London W1B 5QA, +44 (0)20 7287 5742

7-9 September: Tower of London Food Festival

London is praised for its eclectic food scene and food festivals around the UK capital are a great way to sample some of the best dishes on offer. This month head down to the Tower of London Food Festival, which is surely one of the most scenic venues in the city. Watch live cooking demos by some of the UK’s leading chefs and eat your way around the world with top artisan food and drink stalls. With coconut shies, fete games and fairground favourite rides, this is fun for the whole family.

Tower of London Food Festival, London EC3N 4AB

13 September: Start Art Fair 

This month sees London play host to works by some of the world’s most talented emerging contemporary artists, at the Start Art Fair. Now in its fifth edition, the event will run from the 13-16September at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea and will showcase over 50 artists from more than 25 countries. Highlights include UK-based sculptor Sam Shendi, whose minimalist and colourful metal architectural forms, such as his Frequency piece (pictured), have caught the attention of some of the art world’s biggest trendsetters. 

Start Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY

14-16 September: Anya Hindmarch Chubby Cloud

What better way to celebrate London Fashion Week then relaxing on the world’s largest bean bag? This year, Anya Hindmarch has created the Chubby Cloud installation – an immersive event at Banqueting House. Lie on the giant bean bag and admire the Rubens ceiling or listen to a series of live talks including bedtime stories read by Poppy Delevigne and Claudia Winkleman. Don’t leave without enjoying Chubby Cloud-inspired cakes in the themed pop-up café and visit the pop-up shop to browse the designer’s latest Chubby Collection.

Banqueting House, Whitehall, London SW1A 2ER

20-23 September: London Fashion Week Festival

Looking to gain unparalleled access to London Fashion Week but don’t have a ticket? Don’t worry – the London Fashion Week Festival is a great way to enjoy the event. The weekend-long festival offers a host of catwalk shows, designer shopping and talks from fashion industry experts, all under one roof. Guests can also shop over 150 brands and Global Blue is on hand to help with all your tax free shopping needs – save up to 11% on any purchase over £30.

London Fashion Week Festival, The Store, 180 Strand, London WC2R 1EA

24 September: Blacklock Shoreditch

This month chophouse and steak favourite Blacklock is opening its third restaurant, in Shoreditch. Perfect for cooler autumnal days, Blacklock’s menu focuses on the very best grass-fed meat, all cooked over charcoal. From chops to steaks and other meaty treats, as well as top side dishes such as 10-hour ash-roasted sweet potato, you definitely won’t leave hungry. Be sure to book into the Blacklock Sunday Lunch too – there is a two-month long waiting list at the Soho branch and you won’t want to miss out.

Blacklock, 28-30 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3DZ

27 September: HarvestFest Skylight

Skylight was one of London’s top rooftop summer destinations and you needn’t say goodbye just yet as the venue has announced HarvestFest – an all-new autumn launch. Helping Londoners transition into the colder months, the rooftop will be a celebration of all things autumnal, with seasonal events, games and food. Apple cider and warmed spiced cocktails will be added to the menus while summer croquet games will be replaced with Pumpkin Draughts and Hay Bale Skittles.

Skylight, Tobacco Dock, Pennington Street, London E1W 2SF 

27 September: Pergola Olympia London

If you’re not ready to embrace autumn just yet, then you’ll love the botanical bolt hole that is the new Pergola venue, located on the rooftop of the Olympia London exhibition centre. White City’s Pergola on the Roof was one of the UK capital’s best-loved rooftop locations and now the newest Pergola branch, open all-year round, will sport an exciting botanical look, with overgrown ivy, plants and rustic furniture. Guests can enjoy food from three independent restaurants – Claw, Patty & Bun and pizza restaurant Passo – as well top cocktails from the huge bar.

Pergola Olympia London, Olympia London, Olympia Way, London W14 8UX