🗓️ Best Time to Visit
When Should You Visit London?
Top months: May · Jun · Sep. Compare 12-month weather, festivals, and pricing on one page to find your match.
Quick Answer
The best time to visit London is May · Jun · Sep. These months balance pleasant weather, festival programming, and manageable crowds — the canonical first-visit pick.
London by Season
★ Top Pick
🌸 Spring (Mar-May)
Avg 14°C / 6°C
- • St Patrick's Day Parade (March 17)
- • London Book Fair (mid-March)
- • Boat Race Oxford vs Cambridge (late March)
★ Top Pick
☀️ Summer (Jun-Aug)
Avg 22°C / 13°C
- • Trooping the Colour (mid-June)
- • Royal Ascot (mid-June)
- • Wimbledon starts (late June)
★ Top Pick
🍁 Fall (Sep-Nov)
Avg 15°C / 8°C
- • Open House London (3rd weekend, free building tours)
- • London Fashion Week (mid-Sep)
- • The Mayor's Thames Festival
❄️ Winter (Dec-Feb)
Avg 8°C / 2°C
- • New Year's Day Parade (Jan 1)
- • London International Mime Festival (mid-month)
- • Boxing Day sales tail-end at Oxford Street
Month-by-Month at a Glance
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | What to Pack | Crowds·Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8/2 | 11d | London's coldest month — gray, often drizzly, sun by 4pm. Heavy wool coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof boots. Indoor heating runs full blast — layer so you can shed. A thermal base for cold-sensitive travelers. | Low |
| February | 9/2 | 9d | Same as January — wool coat, scarf, gloves. Add waterproof outer if forecast shows multiple rain days. Chinese New Year parade brings outdoor crowds; dress warm. | Low |
| March | 11/4 | 9d | Layer-heavy — light wool coat over sweater, scarf, waterproof outer. Daffodils and crocuses begin. Indoor cafés warm; outdoor swings 10°C in an afternoon. | Mid |
| April | 14/6 | 9d | Trench coat or denim jacket + sweater. Daytime can hit 18°C; evenings drop to 8°C. Compact umbrella essential. Cherry blossoms in Greenwich Park and Regent's Park peak mid-April. | Mid |
| ★ May | 17/9 | 8d | Light jacket, jeans or chinos, optional sweater for evenings. Sunglasses become useful. Umbrella still in the bag. | High |
| ★ June | 20/12 | 7d | T-shirts during day, light layer for evenings. Sunscreen and sunglasses required. Most London Tube lines have no AC — bring water on the Central, Northern, Piccadilly lines. | High |
| July | 23/14 | 6d | T-shirts and shorts/skirts. Light jacket for evenings (still chilly to 12-15°C). Heatwaves (rare but climbing 30°C+) catch the city off-guard — most hotels and the entire Tube system lack air conditioning. | High |
| August | 22/14 | 7d | Same as July — t-shirts, sundresses. Light cardigan for evenings. Comfortable walking shoes — you'll do 20km/day at Notting Hill Carnival. | High |
| ★ September | 19/11 | 8d | Light jacket, jeans, sweater for evenings. Umbrella back in the bag — rain picks up. Sunshine still good through mid-month. | High |
| October | 15/8 | 10d | Wool coat by mid-month, scarf, umbrella. Boots over sneakers for wet pavements. Long evenings start to shrink — clocks back last Sunday. | Mid |
| November | 11/5 | 10d | Heavy wool coat, scarf, gloves on cold days. Waterproof boots. Hat optional but useful for Bonfire Night outdoor crowds. | Mid |
| December | 8/3 | 11d | Heavy coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Waterproof shoes essential. London Christmas is wet, not white — snow falls maybe 2-3 days a year and rarely settles. | High |
★ = recommended season. Full month guides on the monthly weather pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit London?
The best time to visit London is May · Jun · Sep. These months offer the most pleasant weather and full outdoor activity calendars. London's first sweet spot — long daylight (5am-9pm), mild temps, parks at peak. Two bank holiday Mondays (first and last Monday) push hotel prices up. Chelsea Flower Show is the cultural event — Royal
What's the price difference between peak and off-season in London?
Prices vary significantly by season. Weekday departures during shoulder season offer the best value.
Is it okay to visit London in winter?
London winter averages 8°C / 2°C. It's cold, but you trade weather for off-season pricing and seasonal events (Christmas markets, indoor museums, winter festivals). Bring a heavy parka, scarf, and gloves.
Should I visit London during summer holiday season?
London mid-summer (July-August) averages 23°C highs. This is the most expensive season — airfare and hotels peak — but outdoor festivals run at full capacity. Book 3-6 months ahead and prepare for heat.
What's the cheapest month to visit London?
January, February is the off-season — flights and hotels are at annual lows. Trade-off: this is usually cold or rainy season, so adjust packing and indoor-activity weight accordingly.
Why you can trust this guide
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified