Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit London
The UK's capital and one of the world's most visited cities, spanning royal history, world-class museums, and a huge range of neighbourhoods. Its scale means most visitors see it in distinct chunks rather than as one continuous walk.
Best time to visit: May to September for the warmest, driest weather and the longest daylight hours.
Local tip: Many of London's biggest museums — including the British Museum — are free to enter, though special exhibitions carry a charge.
Getting around: The Underground (Tube) covers the whole city and is generally faster than walking or driving between the major sightseeing areas.
Good to know: Standing on the right and walking on the left on Tube escalators is a strongly enforced unwritten rule — blocking the left side is one of the fastest ways to draw a look from commuters.
What to plan your trip around
- Tower of London
A historic castle on the Thames that has served as a fortress, palace, and prison.
- British Museum
A vast, free museum of world history and culture, including the Rosetta Stone.
- Buckingham Palace
The monarch's official London residence, with the Changing of the Guard held several mornings a week.
- Westminster Abbey & Big Ben
The coronation church of British monarchs, next to the Houses of Parliament and its famous clock tower.
London weather by month
London weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall London gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | 2°C | 67 mm | 93% |
| February | 8°C | 2°C | 51 mm | 90% |
| March | 11°C | 3°C | 48 mm | 85% |
| April | 14°C | 4°C | 42 mm | 81% |
| May | 17°C | 7°C | 50 mm | 78% |
| June | 20°C | 10°C | 66 mm | 78% |
| July | 23°C | 12°C | 57 mm | 75% |
| August | 22°C | 12°C | 66 mm | 77% |
| September | 20°C | 10°C | 46 mm | 80% |
| October | 15°C | 8°C | 75 mm | 87% |
| November | 11°C | 5°C | 71 mm | 92% |
| December | 8°C | 3°C | 83 mm | 94% |
London through the year
January · 7° / 2°C · 67 mm
- Just 150 km apart, but London runs about 2°C cooler than Bournemouth this month.
- Seasonally, January counts as mid-winter in London.
April · 14° / 4°C · 42 mm
- Good walking weather for combining Westminster Abbey & Big Ben and Tower of London in one day.
- London is usually about 3°C warmer than Dover, 110 km away, in April.
July · 23° / 12°C · 57 mm
- In London, July is mid-summer.
- Just 80 km apart, but London runs about 2°C warmer than Brighton this month.
October · 15° / 8°C · 75 mm
- Temperatures are falling — expect highs around 5°C lower by November.
- Good walking weather for combining British Museum and Tower of London in one day.
The best time to visit London is May, June and September, when average highs are 17–20°C and rainfall is around 54 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to London, season by season
December – February
Cold8° / 2°C · 67 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Good14° / 5°C · 47 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Good22° / 12°C · 63 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit London?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to London in May, June and September. Average highs are then 17–20°C.
- Why is May a good time to visit London?
- In May, London averages 17°C by day and 7°C at night, with about 50 mm of rain and 69% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in London?
- July is the warmest month in London, with average highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C.
- What is the coldest month in London?
- January is the coldest month in London: average highs of 7°C, dropping to 2°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in London?
- December is the wettest month in London with about 83 mm of rain. The driest is April, with around 42 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit London?
- January is the least pleasant month in London, with average highs of just 7°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit London?
- Yes. April and October sit just outside the best months for London, with average highs of 14–15°C and about 59 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in London before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for London 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 London. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/uk/london
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/uk/london">Best time to visit London</a> (WeatherCompare)
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