Best Time to Visit London
Month-by-month guide to weather, crowds, and events
⚡ Quick Answer
Best overall: May, June, September — pleasant weather, longer days, and manageable crowds. Best for budget: January-February (excluding half-term).Avoid if possible: August (peak prices, Londoners gone) and late December (unless you want Christmas vibes).
London's reputation for rain is somewhat exaggerated — it actually gets less rainfall than New York, Rome, or Sydney. That said, "sunny" in London means something different than in California. The city has its own charm in every season, from cosy pub afternoons in winter to endless summer evenings in pub gardens.
What matters more than weather is timing around events, school holidays, and your priorities. Here's the honest breakdown.
📅 Month by Month
January
2-8°C (36-46°F)Low crowds💰 BudgetPost-Christmas quiet. Excellent hotel deals and January sales. Cold and damp but rarely snows. Museums are blissfully empty. Perfect for theatre lovers.
February
2-9°C (36-48°F)Low crowds💰 BudgetStill cold and grey, but signs of spring appear. Valentine's Day restaurant prices spike. Half-term week (mid-Feb) brings families to attractions. Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown.
March
4-12°C (39-54°F)Medium crowds💰💰 ModerateSpring starts arriving. Daffodils bloom in parks. Weather is still unpredictable — pack layers. St. Patrick's Day parade. Clocks go forward last Sunday.
April
6-15°C (43-59°F)High crowds💰💰💰 HigherCherry blossoms in Kew Gardens and Regent's Park. Easter holidays bring crowds. London Marathon (late April). Weather improving but still bring an umbrella.
May
9-18°C (48-64°F)High crowds💰💰💰 HigherChelsea Flower Show. Two bank holiday weekends. Longer evenings (sunset ~9 PM). Outdoor dining becomes pleasant. FA Cup Final atmosphere.
June
12-21°C (54-70°F)Very High crowds💰💰💰💰 PeakWimbledon fever. Trooping the Colour (Queen's birthday parade). Longest days (sunset ~10 PM). Pride Month celebrations. Perfect pub garden weather.
July
14-24°C (57-75°F)Very High crowds💰💰💰💰 PeakPeak tourist season. School holidays begin. British Summer Time at its best (occasionally). Heatwaves possible. Rooftop bars and outdoor cinema season.
August
14-23°C (57-73°F)Very High crowds💰💰💰💰 PeakNotting Hill Carnival (late August). School holidays continue. Many Londoners leave the city. Good time for less crowded commuter areas. Proms season at Royal Albert Hall.
September
11-19°C (52-66°F)Medium-High crowds💰💰💰 HigherShoulder season begins. Schools return, families disappear. London Fashion Week. Weather still pleasant. Open House London (free access to buildings). Great month to visit.
October
8-15°C (46-59°F)Medium crowds💰💰 ModerateAutumn colours in parks. Half-term week (late Oct) brings families. Clocks go back. Halloween festivities. London Film Festival. Restaurant Week deals.
November
5-11°C (41-52°F)Medium crowds💰💰 ModerateBonfire Night (Nov 5) fireworks. Remembrance Day services. Christmas lights switched on (mid-Nov). Days getting very short. Good theatre month.
December
3-9°C (37-48°F)Very High crowds💰💰💰💰 PeakChristmas markets and ice rinks. Festive atmosphere everywhere. Extremely busy shopping areas. New Year's Eve fireworks require tickets. Hotels expensive but magical.
🎯 Best Times by Purpose
🏛️ Museums & Indoor Culture
Best: January-February, November
Fewer crowds, lower prices. The British Museum, V&A, and galleries are blissfully quiet on weekday mornings. Perfect for rainy day exploration.
🌳 Parks & Walking
Best: May-June, September
Long daylight hours (sunset 9-10 PM in summer). Spring flowers or autumn colours. Comfortable walking temperatures. Perfect for Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, Kew Gardens.
💰 Budget Travel
Best: January-February, November
Hotel prices drop significantly. January sales offer retail bargains. Avoid school holiday weeks. Midweek flights are cheapest.
🎭 West End & Theatre
Best: January-March, November
Easier to get tickets, better availability. Summer and December are packed. Many shows offer discounts in quieter months.
🍺 Pub Culture & Nightlife
Best: May-September
Pub gardens are essential to the experience. Long summer evenings make for perfect outdoor drinking weather. Rooftop bars open seasonally.
🎄 Festive Experience
Best: Late November - December 23
Christmas markets, ice rinks, light displays. Book accommodation months ahead. Very busy but magical atmosphere. Avoid the week between Christmas and New Year (everything closed).
📅 UK School Holidays to Know
School holidays bring families to London and spike accommodation prices. Be aware of:
| Holiday | Typical Dates | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| February Half-Term | Mid-February (1 week) | Museums busier, prices up slightly |
| Easter Holidays | 2 weeks around Easter | High impact — very busy everywhere |
| May Half-Term | Late May/early June (1 week) | Combined with bank holidays — busy |
| Summer Holidays | Mid-July to early September | Peak season — maximum crowds & prices |
| October Half-Term | Late October (1 week) | Noticeable increase in family visitors |
| Christmas Holidays | ~Dec 20 - Jan 3 | Very busy, many closures Dec 25-26 |
🌟 Major Events Calendar
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much rain should I actually expect?
London averages about 23 days with rain per month in winter, 15 days in summer. But it's usually light rain or drizzle, not heavy downpours. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is essential year-round.
What about daylight hours?
Dramatic variation. December: sunrise 8 AM, sunset 4 PM (~8 hours daylight). June: sunrise 4:45 AM, sunset 9:20 PM (~17 hours daylight). Plan sightseeing accordingly.
When is the cheapest time to fly to London?
January-February and November (excluding Thanksgiving week for US travelers). Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheapest. Avoid school holidays.
Is summer really worth the crowds?
It depends. The long evenings and pub garden culture are genuinely wonderful. But major attractions are packed, and many Londoners leave. September offers similar weather with fewer tourists.
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Last updated: December 2024.