United Kingdom · Updated 2026
Best time to visit London
Mid-May to June and September, for long light evenings without peak summer crush
London is a year-round city where museums, theatres and pubs keep going whatever the weather, so timing is really about light, crowds and cost. Late spring and early autumn offer the best balance of mild weather, long days and manageable queues, while July and August bring warmth, school-holiday crowds and peak prices. Winter is grey, damp and dark by 4pm, but also cheaper, cosy and festive in December.
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Quick answers
- Best overall
- Mid-May to June and September
- Best weather
- June
- Cheapest
- January to early March
- Avoid
- Late July to August for crowds and prices, or November if grey, wet days bother you.
London month by month
Average temperatures, rain, crowds and hotel prices. Hotel links open with dates in that month.
January
Mixed8° / 3°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Low
- Prices
- Low
Cold, grey and short-dayed, but quiet and cheap after New Year. Ideal for museum lovers, theatre deals and the January sales.
Events: London New Year's Day Parade · London International Mime Festival
Hotels in JanuaryFebruary
Mixed9° / 3°C
- Rain
- Low
- Crowds
- Low
- Prices
- Low
Still chilly and often drab, with half-term busying museums mid-month. Good value for indoor culture, fashion and film fans.
Events: London Fashion Week · BAFTA Film Awards
Hotels in FebruaryMarch
Good12° / 4°C
- Rain
- Low
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- Medium
Daffodils and blossom appear, days lengthen and prices stay reasonable. Changeable weather, so pack layers; good for early spring city breaks.
Events: St Patrick's Day Festival · The Boat Race
Hotels in MarchApril
Great15° / 6°C
- Rain
- Low
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- Medium
Fresh, bright and often surprisingly dry, with parks in full bloom. Easter holidays add crowds; great for walkers and garden lovers.
Events: London Marathon
Hotels in AprilMay
Ideal19° / 9°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- High
Mild, green and light until nearly 9pm. Perfect for parks, river walks and beer gardens before the summer rush peaks.
Events: Chelsea Flower Show
Hotels in MayJune
Ideal22° / 12°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Longest days, warm afternoons and outdoor theatre season in full swing. Busy and pricey, but London at its most glorious.
Events: Trooping the Colour · Wimbledon Championships
Hotels in JuneJuly
Great24° / 14°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Warmest month, occasional sticky heatwaves and a stuffy Tube. Packed with tourists and festivals; suits summer-lovers and music fans.
Events: Wimbledon Championships · BBC Proms
Hotels in JulyAugust
Good24° / 14°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Warm and lively but crowded with school-holiday visitors, while many locals escape. Great for festivals, open-air cinema and Carnival.
Events: Notting Hill Carnival · BBC Proms
Hotels in AugustSeptember
Ideal21° / 11°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- High
Often settled and golden, with schools back and new cultural seasons opening. Ideal for culture seekers and architecture fans.
Events: Open House Festival · Totally Thames
Hotels in SeptemberOctober
Good16° / 9°C
- Rain
- High
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- Medium
Autumn colour in the parks, wetter days and a buzzing arts calendar. Good for galleries, film buffs and cosy pub evenings.
Events: BFI London Film Festival · Frieze London
Hotels in OctoberNovember
Mixed12° / 5°C
- Rain
- High
- Crowds
- Low
- Prices
- Medium
Damp, dark and the gloomiest stretch, but Christmas lights switch on and fireworks fill the skies. Decent value for indoor sightseeing.
Events: Bonfire Night · Lord Mayor's Show
Hotels in NovemberDecember
Good9° / 3°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Cold and dark early, but sparkling with lights, markets and pantomimes. Busy with shoppers; Christmas Day sees transport shut almost entirely.
Events: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland · New Year's Eve Fireworks
Hotels in December
Timing tips for London
- Book hotels two to three months ahead for May to September and December, and check for air conditioning, which many older London hotels lack during summer heatwaves.
- Public transport barely runs on Christmas Day and is limited on Boxing Day, and New Year's Eve fireworks require tickets bought well in advance, usually by autumn.
- Rain falls in light, frequent spells year-round, so carry a compact umbrella and layers rather than planning around it; save museums and theatre for wet afternoons.
FAQ
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