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Best time to visit United Kingdom: month by month
Short answer
May to September is the best time, with long days (sunset after 21:00 in June) and highs of about 17-23°C in London and cooler in Scotland. July and August are the busiest and most expensive, with the Edinburgh Festival in August, and rain is possible in every month (7-14 rainy days). Winter days are short and dark by 16:00.
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 11°C in March to 13°C in April and 17°C in May; gardens and parks bloom, with 8-14 rainy days a month.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 22-23°C and lows of 12-14°C in London, cooler in Edinburgh; long days, festivals and peak crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is mild (21°C); October (17°C) and November (11°C) are cooler and wetter, with autumn colours.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and damp, highs of 7-10°C and lows of 1-4°C, short days and Christmas markets in December.
Events worth planning around
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe and International Festival, August
- Notting Hill Carnival in London, August bank holiday weekend
- Trooping the Colour in London, June
- Hogmanay in Edinburgh, 31 December
- Wimbledon tennis championships, late June to early July
When to avoid
Avoid Edinburgh in August unless you are going for the Festival, and expect peak prices and crowds everywhere in July and August and around Christmas in London.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit the UK?
May, June or September, with long days, mild weather and fewer crowds than July and August.
How often does it rain?
Rain is possible in every month, on about 7-14 days; pack a waterproof all year.
When is the Edinburgh Festival?
In August; book accommodation months ahead or visit another month.