Looking for something to do as summer draws to a close? From family festivals and toddler-friendly creative sessions to art exhibitions, food festivals, heritage days and events perfect for teenagers, there’s plenty happening across London, Sussex and Surrey over the next few weeks. We’ve rounded up some of our picks, with dates, prices, locations and practical information to help you plan your next day out.
27 August – 30 August
Summer Family Trail: Adventures in Blue
📍 Petworth House, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AE
💷 Cost: Free event; normal National Trust admission applies
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Dogs welcome in Petworth Park; check restrictions for the house/event
♿ Accessibility: Step-free access is available to the sculptures, with a mobility buggy available on request
A colourful family trail inspired by Petworth’s Expressions in Blue exhibition, encouraging children to explore, imagine and get creative.
30 August–9 September
Summer Family Fun at Uppark
📍 Uppark House & Garden, South Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR
💷 Cost: Free activity; normal admission applies
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Yes, on short leads except tunnels and mansion
♿ Accessibility: Accessible garden route, accessible parking and toilet; wheelchair available to pre-book
Look out for hidden soft toys, play traditional lawn games and explore the gardens with a nature activity sheet — a lovely low-key family day out.
1–6 September
RHS Wisley Flower Show
📍 RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB
💷 Cost: Free for RHS members; normal garden admission for non-members
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Check RHS event restrictions
♿ Accessibility: Accessible facilities/routes available; check before booking
A spectacular late-summer flower show featuring displays, specialist nurseries, shopping and gardening inspiration. The National Dahlia Society is also at the show from 2 September.
1 September
Summer of Play: Art Club Tuesdays
📍 Bateman’s, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7DS
💷 Cost: Free activity; normal admission applies
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Yes, on short leads outdoors
♿ Accessibility: The activity takes place along an accessible route
Get creative with drawing, painting, sticking and more. The September session is leaf printing, making this a lovely hands-on activity for budding artists.
2 September
Design Baby: Leap then Look
📍 V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
💷 Cost: Free
👶 Toddlers: ⭐ Perfect for ages 0–3 | Kids: Yes | Teens: No
🐕 Dogs: Assistance dogs only
♿ Accessibility: Step-free routes, accessible toilets and mobility aids available
A sensory play session where babies and toddlers can explore sculpture through shape, texture, balance, movement and experimental materials.
2 September
Heritage Makes: Botanical Ink
📍 Standen House & Garden, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE
💷 Cost: Free activity; normal admission applies
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Yes, on leads in the garden and wider estate
♿ Accessibility: Partly accessible grounds with slopes and steps
Try your hand at mark-making using botanical ink and natural materials at this creative heritage event.
4 September
Sound Explorers
📍 Young V&A, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PA
💷 Cost: Free
👶 Toddlers: ⭐ Ideal for young children | Kids: Yes | Teens: No
🐕 Dogs: Assistance dogs welcome
♿ Accessibility: Step-free access and accessible facilities
A relaxed session for little ones exploring sound and music through play with the Young V&A’s Play Champions.
5–6 September
Summer of Play at Standen
📍 Standen House & Garden, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE
💷 Cost: Normal National Trust admission
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Yes, on leads in gardens and estate
♿ Accessibility: Partly accessible grounds
Circus-school-inspired activities, outdoor play and plenty of space to explore make this a great option for active families.
6 September
Tidefest
📍 Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick, London, W4
💷 Cost: Free
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Check event guidance
♿ Accessibility: Event information recommends checking individual activities
A free family festival celebrating the Thames, with live music, kayaking, paddleboarding, foreshore walks, children’s activities and more.
8 September
The Great Gatsby – Outdoor Theatre
📍 Lewes Castle & Museum, Castle Hill, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1YE
💷 Cost: From £15
👧 Kids: Older children | Toddlers: No | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Check with organiser
♿ Accessibility: Check with venue
Enjoy a glamorous outdoor adaptation of The Great Gatsby with live music against the atmospheric backdrop of Lewes Castle.
11–13 September
celebrASIA
📍 Battersea Power Station, Circus West Village, London, SW11 8DD
💷 Cost: Free
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: ⭐ Excellent for teens
🐕 Dogs: Check venue guidance
♿ Accessibility: Battersea Power Station is accessible; check individual activities
London’s huge South East Asian festival returns with street food, music, dance, arts and crafts, cooking classes, an artisan market and an interactive family trail.
11–13 September
The Maker’s Fair
📍 Standen House & Garden, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE
💷 Cost: Normal admission applies
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Yes, in garden/estate areas on leads
♿ Accessibility: Partly accessible grounds
Discover artists and makers showcasing heritage crafts and contemporary design — a great one for anyone who loves handmade and creative pieces.
11–13 September
Heritage Open Days – Fishbourne Roman Palace
📍 Fishbourne Roman Palace, Roman Way, Fishbourne, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 3QR
💷 Cost: FREE
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Check with venue
♿ Accessibility: Check venue before travelling
Explore the largest Roman residential palace in the UK, including its famous mosaics, gardens and museum — completely free as part of Heritage Open Days.
12–13 September
Surrey Hills Wood Fair
📍 Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 7DW
💷 Cost: Adults £15; under-16s free; concessions £12.50
👧 Kids: ⭐ Excellent | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Yes, well-behaved dogs on leads
♿ Accessibility: Accessible parking, disabled toilets, quiet zone and limited free off-road wheelchairs
Tree climbing, archery, storytelling, bug hunts, woodland crafts, demonstrations, food and more make this a fantastic active family weekend.
12–13 September
Bodiam 100 Community Celebration Weekend
📍 Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA
💷 Cost: Event free; normal admission applies to the venue
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Check castle restrictions
♿ Accessibility: Step-free route accessible for wheelchair users
Celebrate 100 years of National Trust ownership of Bodiam Castle with a weekend of community activities and heritage.
12–20 September
Open House Festival
📍 Various locations across London
💷 Cost: FREE
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Depends on venue | Teens: ⭐ Great for curious teens
🐕 Dogs: Depends on individual venue
♿ Accessibility: Varies by building — check individual listings
One of London’s best opportunities to explore buildings and spaces that aren’t usually open to the public, with free events taking place across all 33 London boroughs.
17–20 September
Turning the Tide
📍 Blackfriars Railway Bridge, London
💷 Cost: Free
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: ⭐
🐕 Dogs: Outdoor public installation
♿ Accessibility: Created with Graeae’s Young Company and centred on inclusion; check viewing/access details
A striking free public art installation by Turner Prize-nominated artist Catherine Yass, projecting film onto the columns of the disused Blackfriars Railway Bridge.
21–27 September
Inspired by Standen: The Future of Arts & Crafts
📍 Standen House & Garden, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE
💷 Cost: Normal admission
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Yes | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Yes, in gardens and estate on leads
♿ Accessibility: Partly accessible grounds
A contemporary art and design exhibition exploring how today’s makers are continuing the Arts & Crafts tradition.
26 September
Rooted: Make Together
📍 V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
💷 Cost: Free
👧 Kids: ⭐ Ages 5+ | Toddlers: No | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Assistance dogs only
♿ Accessibility: Step-free museum; accessible facilities available
A free family day inspired by South Asian craft, with textile workshops, storytelling, fabric-making and creative activities.
26 September
RENT the Musical
📍 Duke of York’s Theatre, 104 St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG
💷 Cost: From £30.50
👧 Kids: No | Toddlers: No | Teens: ⭐ Ages 14+
🐕 Dogs: Assistance dogs only/check venue
♿ Accessibility: Contact theatre
The iconic rock musical returns to the West End, following a group of young artists navigating love, ambition, friendship and life in New York.
27–30 September
Totally Thames
📍 Various riverside locations across London
💷 Cost: Many events are FREE; some activities are ticketed
👧 Kids: Yes | Toddlers: Depends on event | Teens: Yes
🐕 Dogs: Depends on individual event
♿ Accessibility: Varies by event; the festival has a strong focus on inclusive arts and culture
A month-long celebration of the Thames featuring art installations, performances, family events, river activities, exhibitions, walks and heritage events.
💡 A few of our picks…
Best for toddlers: Design Baby at the V&A or Sound Explorers at Young V&A. 👶
Best for families: Hampton Court Food Festival or Surrey Hills Wood Fair. 👨👩👧👦
Best for teenagers: celebrASIA, Open House Festival or RENT. 🎭
Best for art lovers: Inspired by Standen, Expressions in Blue or Totally Thames. 🎨
Best for dog owners: Surrey Hills Wood Fair, Bateman’s or Standen. 🐶
Best free day out: Fishbourne Roman Palace, Open House Festival or celebrASIA. 💷
Event details, prices and access arrangements can change, so it is always worth checking the organiser’s website before setting off, particularly for accessibility and dog restrictions.
