Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Birmingham
The UK's second-largest city, once the industrial 'workshop of the world', now known for its canals, curry houses, and jewellery trade. It has more miles of canal than Venice, a legacy of its role as an industrial manufacturing hub.
Best time to visit: May to September for the warmest, driest weather.
Local tip: Birmingham has more canals than Venice — a canalside walk through the city centre is one of the best free things to do.
Getting around: The city centre is walkable and increasingly pedestrianised, with trams and an extensive bus network covering areas like the Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth.
Good to know: Birmingham is often credited as the birthplace of the balti curry — the Balti Triangle district remains one of the best places in the UK to try it.
What to plan your trip around
- Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
A major museum with one of the world's best collections of Pre-Raphaelite art.
- Library of Birmingham
One of the largest public libraries in Europe, with a striking modern façade.
- Jewellery Quarter
A historic district still producing much of the UK's handmade jewellery.
- Birmingham Canals
A network of Victorian-era waterways through the city centre, now lined with bars, restaurants, and walking paths.
Birmingham weather by month
Birmingham weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Birmingham gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | 1°C | 66 mm | 94% |
| February | 7°C | 1°C | 55 mm | 91% |
| March | 10°C | 2°C | 54 mm | 86% |
| April | 13°C | 4°C | 45 mm | 82% |
| May | 16°C | 6°C | 57 mm | 80% |
| June | 19°C | 9°C | 74 mm | 81% |
| July | 21°C | 11°C | 64 mm | 79% |
| August | 21°C | 11°C | 73 mm | 82% |
| September | 18°C | 9°C | 53 mm | 84% |
| October | 14°C | 7°C | 75 mm | 89% |
| November | 10°C | 4°C | 76 mm | 94% |
| December | 8°C | 3°C | 82 mm | 95% |
Birmingham through the year
January · 6° / 1°C · 66 mm
- Short daylight hours mean Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is best seen around midday.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 5°C).
April · 13° / 4°C · 45 mm
- Birmingham is usually about 2°C warmer than Manchester, 110 km away, in April.
- Seasonally, April counts as mid-spring in Birmingham.
July · 21° / 11°C · 64 mm
- Just 110 km apart, but Birmingham runs about 2°C warmer than Manchester this month.
- July brings mid-summer to Birmingham.
October · 14° / 7°C · 75 mm
- Good walking weather for combining Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in one day.
- Temperatures are falling — expect highs around 5°C lower by November.
The best time to visit Birmingham is May, July and September, when average highs are 16–21°C and rainfall is around 58 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Birmingham, season by season
December – February
Cold7° / 2°C · 68 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Good13° / 4°C · 52 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Good20° / 11°C · 70 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Birmingham?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Birmingham in May, July and September. Average highs are then 16–21°C.
- Why is May a good time to visit Birmingham?
- In May, Birmingham averages 16°C by day and 6°C at night, with about 57 mm of rain and 67% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Birmingham?
- July is the warmest month in Birmingham, with average highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C.
- What is the coldest month in Birmingham?
- January is the coldest month in Birmingham: average highs of 6°C, dropping to 1°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Birmingham?
- December is the wettest month in Birmingham with about 82 mm of rain. The driest is April, with around 45 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Birmingham?
- January is the least pleasant month in Birmingham, with average highs of just 6°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Birmingham?
- Yes. April, June and October sit just outside the best months for Birmingham, with average highs of 13–19°C and about 65 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Birmingham before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Birmingham from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
Cite or embed this data
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Best time to visit Birmingham. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/uk/birmingham
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/uk/birmingham">Best time to visit Birmingham</a> (WeatherCompare)
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