My husband and I are planning a trip to London. We were thinking of early September to avoid the heavy tourist crowds. What is the weather like then, less rainy I hope? Would we miss tourist opportunites by going then or is everything still open to the public?

Probably a good time to go. Weather could be good, but always in the UK come prepared for some rain. I can't think of any attractions that would be closed. Some stately homes and gardens close for the winter, but not until Oct/Nov. All the main London attractions generally stay open through the winter. September counts as early autumn though!

We went to London a couple of years ago the first week of November. The weather was moderate with highs in the upper 50's. We found that all of the sites we wanted to see were open. Be prepared, however for darkness to come early in the day.<BR><BR>US

There's a big difference between early September and early November! The weather should still be warm (if you're lucky – you never can be too sure). You won't necessarily escape the crowds as September is a very popular month. Schools are still out and the weather is warm without being stifling (generally, but you never know).<BR><BR>London stays open throughout the year. Ruth was right about some attractions closing for winter outsid of London, but as September is regarded as late summer, this won't affect you at all.<BR><BR>A very pleasant time to visit London.

UK schools are definately not out (thank God), they go back in August (Universities are still out though).<BR><BR>The weather is entirely pot-luck, but should be Okay. Contrary to popular myth, it doesn't rain all that much in London, compared with the rest of the UK

well, tying not to sound picky and failing, London schools go back between the 2 and 4 September, with private schools generally following up to a week later.<BR><BR>Students go back in October, so there'll still be plenty of young tourists around.<BR><BR>As a London resident, I don't really notice a dramatic change in crowds through the year (there's ALWAYS about 3000 people queueing up for Madame Tussaud's. God knows why). It's a pretty much all year round destination.