Listen to this article read aloud.
London · England, United Kingdom
Updated October 2026 · Editor's Research Guide
Best for
History, museums, theatre, royal landmarks, parks & first-time Europe trips
Ideal trip length
4 to 7 nights
Planning example used on this site
7 days / 6 nights
Best time to visit
May through June and September
Known for
Tower of London, Westminster, British Museum, West End theatre & parks
Getting there
Most international travelers arrive through Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW), with fast rail links into central London.
Quick Answer: When Should You Go to London?
May, June and September are the strongest all-around months for most travelers, with mild temperatures, long daylight hours and good conditions for walking, parks and outdoor sightseeing.
July and August are the warmest months and the busiest, with school holidays and peak hotel demand. April and October are excellent shoulder months if you pack layers for changeable weather.
Rain is possible in any month, but London's rainfall is usually light and spread throughout the year rather than concentrated in one long wet season. November through February is cooler and darker, but often quieter outside the Christmas period.
London Weather by Month
January
Cold, quiet & good value
Average high: 47°F / 8°C · Average low: 37°F / 3°C. Weather: cool and often grey, with frequent light rain and short daylight hours. Crowds: low after New Year. What to expect: one of the best months for lower hotel rates, museums, theatre and January sales.
February
Cool & uncrowded
Average high: 48°F / 9°C · Average low: 37°F / 3°C. Weather: cold and changeable, usually slightly drier than January. Crowds: low, rising briefly around mid-February school half-term. What to expect: good value for indoor sightseeing, galleries, pubs and food.
March
Early spring
Average high: 54°F / 12°C · Average low: 39°F / 4°C. Weather: milder, with longer days and a mix of sun and showers. Crowds: low to moderate. What to expect: early spring flowers in the royal parks and comfortable conditions for museums and neighborhood walks.
April
Spring blooms
Average high: 59°F / 15°C · Average low: 43°F / 6°C. Weather: mild and one of the drier months, though showers are common. Crowds: moderate, busier around Easter. What to expect: blossom, tulips and green parks — a strong shoulder month if you pack layers.
May
Mild & one of the best months
Average high: 64°F / 18°C · Average low: 48°F / 9°C. Weather: pleasant, often bright, with long evenings. Crowds: moderate to busy. What to expect: excellent walking weather, gardens in bloom and the Chelsea Flower Show late in the month.
June
Long days & warm
Average high: 70°F / 21°C · Average low: 54°F / 12°C. Weather: warm and generally settled, with the longest daylight of the year. Crowds: busy. What to expect: outdoor dining, parks, river walks and Trooping the Colour; book hotels early.
July
Warmest & busiest
Average high: 75°F / 24°C · Average low: 57°F / 14°C. Weather: warmest month, occasional heatwaves and summer showers. Crowds: very busy. What to expect: festivals, Wimbledon, open-air theatre and peak hotel prices; many hotels and the Tube have limited air conditioning.
August
Summer peak
Average high: 73°F / 23°C · Average low: 57°F / 14°C. Weather: warm, with some thundery showers. Crowds: very busy during school holidays. What to expect: lively parks and events such as Notting Hill Carnival; book attractions in advance.
September
Warm & calmer
Average high: 68°F / 20°C · Average low: 54°F / 12°C. Weather: often pleasant and settled, with comfortable sightseeing temperatures. Crowds: moderate once schools return. What to expect: one of the best months overall, with long-enough days and fewer families.
October
Autumn colour
Average high: 61°F / 16°C · Average low: 48°F / 9°C. Weather: cooler and wetter, with autumn foliage in the parks. Crowds: moderate, busier around half-term. What to expect: good value outside half-term, cultural season openings and atmospheric walks.
November
Cool & quieter
Average high: 52°F / 11°C · Average low: 43°F / 6°C. Weather: cool, damp and darker, with shorter days. Crowds: lower. What to expect: some of the year's better hotel rates, Bonfire Night fireworks and Christmas lights switching on later in the month.
December
Cold & festive
Average high: 48°F / 9°C · Average low: 39°F / 4°C. Weather: cold, often grey, with the shortest days. Crowds: busy in the run-up to Christmas, very quiet on Christmas Day. What to expect: Christmas markets, lights on Oxford and Regent Streets, ice rinks and winter shows.
Temperatures are typical averages for central London. Rain can fall in any month, so a light waterproof layer is useful year-round.
London at a Glance: Best Months by Travel Style
- Best months for good weather
- May, June, July, August and September
- Best months for fewer crowds
- January, February, March and November
- Best months for lower prices
- January, February and November, outside holidays and major events
- Best months for sightseeing
- May, June and September, with April and October close behind
- Best time for Christmas and holiday atmosphere
- Late November through December, especially the first three weeks of December
So, When Should You Go?
- For the best overall balance: May, June or September
- For the warmest weather: July and August, if you don't mind crowds and higher prices
- For fewer crowds and lower hotel rates: January, February or November
- For spring gardens and blossom: April and May
- For Christmas lights and markets: late November through December
- Whenever you go: pack layers and a light rain jacket