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Things To Do in Kent This September

26 August 2026
Holly Price

A true ‘shoulder season’ month, September brings a distinct change of pace across the county of Kent, with quieter beaches and fewer crowds, but still with lots of things to see and do – not to mention plenty of glorious food and drink to sample. It’s also the first of the ‘ber’ months, marking the opening of native UK oyster season, the start of changing colours across trees and hedgerows and slightly cooler mornings and evenings. In a nutshell, it’s an idyllic time for a trip to Kent. Below, we’re exploring the top things to do in Kent during September.

September in Kent - FAQs

Average temperatures range between 9℃ – 19℃ throughout September. The first two to three weeks of the month are usually the warmest, with daytime temperatures in the high teens or low twenties, while the nights tend to drop off to around 10℃. The last week of the month is the coolest, with temperatures sitting in the high teens and the nights getting as cold as 6℃.

There are so many amazing places to stay throughout Kent – it entirely depends on the kind of trip you want to enjoy. Here are some quickfire suggestions!

  • Whitstable for sunsets and seafood 
  • Margate for buzzy cafe culture and British seaside charm  
  • Sandwich for historic charm, idyllic scenery and golf 
  • Deal / Walmer / Kingsdown for calming coastal walks and foodie spots 
  • Folkestone / Sandgate / Hythe for long, leisurely walks and a creative vibe 
  • Ashford for rolling countryside, vineyards and National Trust property hopping

Kent plays host to a range of events throughout the year. In September 2026, highlights include the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival,  Hops’n Harvest Family Festival and The Rotary Club of Canterbury’s Annual Duck Race. Keep an eye on this page for more news on events in Kent.

September in Kent: Things To Do

Join us as we transition between summer and autumn in Kent. Think long walks, charming pit stops in old country pubs and evenings just cool enough to warrant wearing your favourite knitted jumper or cardigan. Here are some things you can get up to this month:

A beautiful sunrise over the ocean in soft pastel shades.

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

See out the summer and welcome in the new season by marking the Autumn Equinox, which falls on Wednesday 23rd September. This can be as simple as watching the sunrise (which is set to take place at the manageable hour of 6:44 am) or, if you’re not a morning person, watching the sunset instead. There are also lots of lovely organised events you can attend, including those hosted by The National Trust, along with more localised wellness experiences such as pilates, massage and more – pop us a message if you’d like some details for providers and venues near your Keepers Cottage, or take a look at our guide via the button below.   

A nordic-style beachfront sauna with the sea in the background.

Visit Sea Scrub Sauna

There is magic to behold in September skies – especially if you’re gazing at them from the comfort of a wood-fired sauna, a bracing cold dip barrel or an outdoor hot tub. With four locations across Kent, Sea Scrub Sauna is the perfect antidote to fatigue, burnout or plain boredom. If you’re brave enough to try the cold plunge, the mental buzz and clarity linger with you long after you get warm again! Find them in Folkestone, Faversham, Whitstable, Margate (and very soon, Deal.)

An exterior shot of the Commissioner's House at the Historic Dockyard Chatham

Enjoy a Heritage Open Day

Heritage Open Days is a nationwide initiative to get people out and exploring the local history and culture. It’s a community-led festival taking place each September to open the doors of amazing buildings and gardens (that have sometimes been closed to the public for years) and allow visitors in for free. There are also insightful talks available to attend. Many of these are located in Kent, such as the Commissioner’s House at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, and Poor Traveller’s House in Rochester. Some visits need to be pre-booked – hit the button below to explore what’s on.

Three women enjoying a tasting experience at the Balfour Winery, Kent

Tour a Vineyard

September marks the start of the annual grape harvest for many vineyards across Kent, which means that if you visit during this time you’ll be able to see the vineyard in action and perhaps even get involved with the harvest yourself, or taste the grapes at their peak sweetness. You can arrange a tour and tasting at many of the vineyards across the county – explore some of our favourites below.

An interior shot of the Whitstable Oyster Company restaurant

Sample Local Seafood

Kent is known far and wide for its fishing industry and heritage, especially for shellfish varieties such as oysters, crab, lobster and whelks. September is a great time to enjoy shellfish thanks to the ‘R’ month rule and the coastal waters beginning to cool towards the end of the month. Want to get a taste of Kentish seafood? We’ve listed some of our favourite restaurants below – from casual shacks to high-end eateries. 

  • Peter’s Fish Factory, Margate & Ramsgate
  • Wheeler’s Oyster Bar, Whitstable
  • Whistable Oyster Company, Whitstable
  • Angela’s, Margate
  • Buoy and Oyster, Margate
  • Kebells, Broadstairs
  • Rocksalt, Folkestone 
  • The Rose, Deal 

And where better to stay when sampling seafood? The coast, of course.

A picture of a dog walking between two beach huts along a path to the sea

Go Walking

Kent is veined with walking trails, along with country parks, woodlands and miles of coastal path – find out more about the South East segment of the King Charles III Coastal Path (which follows the entire English coastline) here. September is a great month for walking, too, with fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures – we’ve recently revealed one of our favourite ‘hidden gem’ walks, but you can also find lots of walking routes and resources on Explore Kent.

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About Holly Price

Holly is a Freelance Copywriter who joined the Keeper's Cottage marketing team in 2025. Passionate about good food, good wine, good books and good beaches, she's keen to highlight the very best spots to explore and enjoy throughout Kent.

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