Home › London › Best time to visit
Best time to visit London: month by month
Short answer
May to September is the best period: highs of 17–23°C and very long days (light until after 21:00 in June). It is also the busiest and most expensive time, especially July and August. Rain is possible in any month, so pack a light waterproof whenever you go.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C | 1°C | 12 | low |
| Feb | 10°C | 3°C | 9 | medium |
| Mar | 11°C | 4°C | 14 | medium |
| Apr | 13°C | 4°C | 8 | high |
| May | 17°C | 8°C | 13 | high |
| Jun | 22°C | 12°C | 10 | high |
| Jul | 23°C | 14°C | 12 | very high |
| Aug | 22°C | 14°C | 7 | very high |
| Sep | 21°C | 12°C | 10 | high |
| Oct | 17°C | 10°C | 14 | medium |
| Nov | 11°C | 5°C | 12 | low |
| Dec | 9°C | 4°C | 12 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 11°C in March and 13°C in April to 17°C in May, with lows of 4–8°C; parks are in blossom from April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 22–23°C and lows of 12–14°C, with long evenings; occasional heatwaves above 30°C. July and August are the most crowded months.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is often pleasant at about 21°C; October cools to 17°C and November to 11°C, with rain on 10–14 days a month.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and dark early: highs of 7–10°C and lows of 1–4°C. December has Christmas lights and markets; January is the quietest and cheapest.
Events worth planning around
- London Marathon (usually April)
- Chelsea Flower Show (May)
- Trooping the Colour, the King's official birthday parade (June)
- Wimbledon tennis championships (late June to July)
- Notting Hill Carnival over the August bank holiday weekend
When to avoid
July and August are the most crowded and expensive, with school holidays across Europe. If you dislike dark afternoons, avoid November to January, when it is dark by about 16:00.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best month to visit London?
May, June or September: highs of 17–22°C and long days, with fewer school-holiday crowds than July and August.
Does it rain a lot in London?
Rain is frequent but usually light, falling on roughly 7–14 days a month. Carry a light waterproof in every season.
When is London cheapest?
January, February (outside half-term) and November have the lowest hotel prices.