Best Time To Visit London: The Complete Guide

With its varying weather conditions, it can be challenging to decide the best time to visit London. Winters here are cold, with higher chances of rain, while spring and summer offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the city’s parks and outdoor attractions. However, peak tourist season during these months can also mean higher prices for hotels and flights.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a closer look at the best times to visit London based on events, temperature, and prices. Read on and get ready to plan your trip to one of the most exciting cities in the world!

London Weather

London has a temperate oceanic climate, which means that the city experiences cool winters, warm summers, and precipitation fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. While the city doesn't typically experience extreme weather conditions, it can still have its fair share of snowfall and thunderstorms.

Temperatures in London tend to stay within a moderate range, rarely dipping below -1°C or exceeding 28°C.

The warm season lasts for around 2.8 months, with an average daily high temperature above 20°C, while the cool season lasts for about 4.0 months, with an average daily high temperature below 11°C.

Rain is a common occurrence in London, with the month of October receiving the most rainfall, while March tends to be the driest month.

It's worth noting that temperatures are generally higher toward central London, and the air is drier there as well. So, while London experiences four distinct seasons, it's common to see light showers and cloudy skies throughout the year, and weather conditions can change quite a bit over the course of a single day.

Seasons In London

Spring

Spring in London, which lasts from March to June, is a time of moderate temperatures that progressively warm as summer approaches.

In March, temperatures range from highs of 12°C to lows of 3°C. By April, temperatures reach 13°C, and in May, they can reach up to 17°C, with low temperatures hovering around 8°C.

June is the warmest month of spring, with temperatures reaching a pleasant 21°C. However, it's still best to travel with an umbrella, as spring is one of the rainiest months in London. Rainfall tends to decrease from May onwards.

Spring temperatures still change unexpectedly, so when packing for a trip to London in the spring, it's best to bring a warm jacket and some layers so that you can easily adapt to unpredictable weather conditions.

Nevertheless, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures, spring is a great time to explore the city's many parks and attractions.

Summer

Summer, which lasts from June to September, is the hottest season of the year in London. During the summer months, temperatures are warm, days are long, and the skies are clearer.

The summertime is the driest season in London, but do expect occasional showers. We recommend packing an umbrella/raincoat, as well as a light jacket or sweater for chilly summer evenings.

In early summer, expect average temperatures at 20°C. The hottest month of the year is normally July when temperatures can reach up to pleasant 23°C. The August average temperature usually stays at a comfortable 22°C; in September, as fall approaches, temperatures start to drop slightly.

Fall

The warm summer temperatures begin to drop sharply in October. During the fall in London, expect highs ranging from 19°C down to 12°C, with lows around 10°C.

In October, the thermometer shows 15°C at day and 8°C at night. November sees temperatures ranging between 15°C and 8°C, and in December, the temperatures drop down to 4°C.

The rainfall also increases during the autumn, so be sure to pack an umbrella, rain jacket, and appropriate shoes.

Winter

Winter in London is chilly and damp, with temperatures hovering around 5 to 7°C during the day and dropping below 0°C at night.

Snow falls on average on about three days in December, January, and February, the coldest months of the year. The central part of the city tends to be a bit warmer due to the smog and higher density of the population.

Despite the cold weather, there are a few days during winter when temperatures can rise up to 12-13°C.

However, it is important to note that winter days are the shortest days of the year, with only a few hours of daylight, usually until around 4:30 pm.

A raincoat is essential for the rainy winter days in London, and a warm coat or jacket, comfortable shoes, gloves, scarf, and a sweater can all help keep you warm during your visit.

Best Time To Visit London

Best time to visit London for pleasant weather

When it comes to the finest weather conditions, the best time to visit London is spring throughout the summer. From May until September, the city benefits from warm weather, less rainfall, and longer days, which creates ideal conditions for sightseeing.

During this time of the year, the temperatures are comfortably warm, making it a joy to explore outdoor attractions like Hyde Park, London Zoo, and the Kew Gardens.

Just beware that the summer high season brings crowds of tourists to the city. During this time of year (usually from July through September), the British school holidays happen, which means that the city is likely to be congested.

Best time to visit London for the lowest prices and fewer crowds

Since spring and summer are the most popular times to visit London, as the weather is at its finest, you’ll find that these months are typically high season. This means higher rates for flights and accommodations, as well as thicker crowds of tourists.

With that being said, you will generally find most off-season deals during the wintertime. But beware to avoid visiting London during the busy holiday season, as Christmas and New Year's are some of the most popular times to visit London.

So, if you don't mind the colder weather, visit London during the winter months, and you'll save money on accommodation and flights.

The shoulder seasons (early spring and fall) are also cheaper if compared to the summer months. These times of year are great for visiting popular tourist attractions like Big Ben, the London Eye, Westminster, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London, which get busy during peak months.

Best time to visit London for bucket list activities

London has incredible activities and experiences on offer all year round. So it doesn’t matter in which season you visit the city, you’ll always have an array of amazing things to do.

Spring and summer, for instance, are the best times to explore London’s outdoor attractions. Thanks to their pleasant temperatures and bright sunny skies, these seasons provide plenty of opportunities to visit London’s royal parks and big-name landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and the Portobello Road Market.

The warm temperatures provided by the spring and summer months also create top conditions for exploring London and its colorful neighborhoods on foot.

If you visit London during the spring, you’ll also get the chance to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom in the city’s gardens and parks (mid to late April is the best time for Sakura viewing in London).

Greenwich Park, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Kew Gardens are some of the top places to see the cherry blossom trees as well as other spring flowers and plants in London.

Visiting London during the fall? Then, prepare to be rewarded with gorgeous views of the city covered in beautiful fall foliage.

Winter is also a prime time for a trip to London. In December, the city comes alive with twinkling holiday lights and dreamy decorations. Some of the tried and true activities in London during the winter holidays include visiting the Winter Wonderland Christmas market in Hyde Park, going ice skating in the Somerset House ice rink, and seeing the Christmas lights of Oxford Street.

Best time to visit London for amazing events and festivities

London has a variety of bustling events citywide running throughout the year. So, it really doesn’t matter when you visit the British capital — you’ll certainly find incredible festivities to keep you on your toes.

Here’s a list of all the top events happening in London throughout the year: