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Best Time to Visit London
Pick your month to see the weather, crowds, hotel prices and what's on, or scan the full year below.
The best time to visit London is May, June or September: long, mild days around 19–22°C, the parks at their best and fewer crowds than July and August. January and February are cheapest but short and cold. Rain is spread through the year, so pack a light waterproof whenever you go.
London month by month
| Month | High / low | Rain | Crowds | Hotel prices | What's on and what to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C / 3°C | 56 mm | Low | Low | The New Year's Day parade and the January sales; cold, dark and quiet, with the lowest hotel prices of the year. |
| February | 10°C / 3°C | 43 mm | Low | Low | Chinese New Year in Chinatown and half-term crowds at the museums for a week. Short days, few tourists. |
| March | 13°C / 4°C | 39 mm | Medium | Medium | Spring daffodils in the Royal Parks; clocks go forward at the end of the month. Easter can fall in late March. |
| April | 16°C / 6°C | 43 mm | Medium | Medium | Blossom and the London Marathon. Easter holidays make attractions busy. |
| May | 19°C / 9°C | 47 mm | Medium | Medium | One of the best months: long days, two bank holidays and the Chelsea Flower Show. |
| June | 22°C / 12°C | 46 mm | High | High | Trooping the Colour, outdoor theatre and Wimbledon from late June. Light until after 9pm. |
| July | 24°C / 14°C | 46 mm | High | High | Peak season: Wimbledon, the Proms begin, summer festivals in the parks. Heatwaves happen, and the Tube gets hot. |
| August | 24°C / 14°C | 53 mm | High | High | School holidays and the Notting Hill Carnival on the bank holiday weekend. Busy and expensive. |
| September | 21°C / 12°C | 50 mm | Medium | Medium | Often warm and settled after the crowds leave; Open House London opens buildings for free. |
| October | 16°C / 9°C | 69 mm | Medium | Medium | Autumn colour in the parks and half-term at the end of the month. The wettest month on average. |
| November | 12°C / 6°C | 63 mm | Medium | Medium | Bonfire Night fireworks on 5 November; Christmas lights switch on mid-month. |
| December | 9°C / 4°C | 58 mm | High | High | Christmas markets, Winter Wonderland and ice rinks; New Year's Eve fireworks on the Thames. Busy before Christmas. |
Temperatures are average daily highs and lows; rain is the monthly average.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit London?
May, June and September. Days are long and mild, the parks are at their best, and you avoid the peak crowds and prices of July and August.
What is the cheapest time to visit London?
January and February, apart from New Year and half-term. Hotels are cheapest and museums quietest, though days are short and cold.
How rainy is London?
Less than its reputation: about 40–70 mm a month, usually as light showers spread through the year. October tends to be the wettest month. Carry a light umbrella or waterproof whatever the season.
When is London busiest?
July and August, school half-terms, Easter and the weeks before Christmas. Book hotels and popular attractions ahead then.
When are London's big events?
The Marathon (April), Chelsea Flower Show (May), Trooping the Colour (June), Wimbledon (late June–July), the Proms (July–September), Notting Hill Carnival (August bank holiday) and Bonfire Night (5 November).
Sources and how current this is
The figures on this page are our best estimates, last checked in November 2026. Operators change prices, so check the source before you rely on a number.
Best estimates (not official)
Where no official figure was available, we use our best estimate from published reports, operator sites, reviews and traveler reports. These are marked "est." in the tools above; treat them as a guide, not a quote.
- Monthly temperatures and rain — rounded Met Office 1991–2020 averages for central London, as widely reported
- Crowd and hotel-price levels — our judgement from hotel rate patterns, school holidays and events
Related guides
- The 12 Best Attractions in London
- The 10 Best Parks in London
- The 11 Best Museums in London
- The 10 Best Christmas Things to Do in London
- The 11 Best Hotels in London for Every Budget
- The 11 Best Rainy-Day Things to Do in London
- The 10 Best Day Trips From London in London
- The 12 Best Free Things to Do in London
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