In a nutshell
- Generally speaking, London is a great destination year-round. Summers are warm and winters aren’t particularly cold — but you should always be prepared for rain.
- The best time to visit London is June, July, and August — with average temperatures of 68 to 72°F and the fewest rainy days. May and September are excellent alternatives with smaller crowds.
- Looking for the most affordable hotel in London? Travel between December and February or in August — that’s when hotel prices tend to be at their lowest.
- During Wimbledon in early July, London gets very expensive and hotels book out fast. Over the Christmas holidays, most attractions are closed. These are the two periods we’d recommend avoiding.
The Climate in London
The climate in London is temperate. That means winters are rarely particularly cold and summers are rarely scorching hot.
Temperatures in summer typically stay between 68 and 77°F (20–25°C) during the day — the perfect range for exploring all the things to do in London.
In winter, frost and snow are rare. That’s thanks to the Gulf Stream, which keeps Great Britain supplied with warmth from the southern seas throughout the entire winter.
The trade-off is that it rains regularly in all seasons — even in summer, you should expect a few rainy days.
Also read our travel tips for London!
London Mini-Guide
+ Google Maps
Hol dir unseren kostenlosen London-Guide inkl. Google Maps-Listen zum Abspeichern.
London Climate Chart
To give you a quick overview of the weather in London, we’ve put together a climate chart with average weather data for every month.
The Best Time to Visit London
First things first: you can really visit London at any time of year, because it’s rarely too cold or too hot for sightseeing.
It can always rain, of course. But London is well-equipped for wet weather, and on a gray day you can always duck into one of the wonderful museums in London — most of them are free, which makes rainy days a lot easier to stomach.
In summer, rainy days are far fewer, and with average temperatures of 68–72°F (20–22°C) you can explore London’s many highlights comfortably on foot. If it does rain, the Tube gets you around easily — and with the Oyster Card and the tap-in system, it’s super simple to use.
You’ll find the fewest rainy days and the most sunshine hours per day when traveling in June, July, or August. So if you’re pinning down the best time to go to London, it’s the summer months. During this period, however, hotels in London can be noticeably more expensive than in other months.
If you prefer a beach vacation in summer and want to plan your city trip to London for another time of year, May and September are really solid alternatives.
Temperatures are a little cooler than in midsummer, but it doesn’t rain nearly as much as in winter.
Flights can be somewhat pricier during the peak summer travel season or on long weekends. But if you shop around, you can find affordable flights to one of London’s three airports at just about any time of year — so you don’t need to plan your trip around flight prices.
London Weather Month by Month
London Weather in January
London in January means plenty of rain and almost no sunshine. Snow is rare, and average daytime temperatures sit around 45°F (7°C).
On the upside, there are the fewest tourists in the city at this time, and you’ll find flights and hotel rooms much cheaper than in other months.
London Weather in February
February is similar to January — cool and gray, just a little less wet. In the first half of February, Chinatown comes alive with Chinese New Year celebrations, which is honestly one of London’s most fun events to stumble into.
London Weather in March
In March, temperatures have risen slightly and a few rays of sunshine occasionally break through the thick cloud cover. Nights are still cold at an average of 37°F (3°C), and rain is still frequent.
London Weather in April
In April you’ll still need a warm jacket — average temperatures hover around 55°F (13°C) — but with a bit of luck you’ll also catch some sunshine. Rain showers are still fairly common, though.
London Weather in May
In May, average temperatures jump up noticeably, and the frequent rain keeps the city’s parks lush and blooming. Bars and restaurants open their terraces and the first open-air events get underway. May is one of our favorite times to visit London — it feels like the city is waking up.
London Weather in June
June marks the start of high season in London. Rain becomes less frequent, it’s pleasantly warm, and you can enjoy the city to the fullest — stroll through London’s markets or take a boat trip along the Thames. When to visit London? June is genuinely one of the best answers.
London Weather in July
London’s weather in July is similarly pleasant to June — mostly dry and with wonderfully long days. This is when many music festivals take place, along with Wimbledon and London Pride.
London Weather in August
In August it’s still warm, but rain begins to pick up again slightly. There are still plenty of sunny days and lots of open-air events — and hotel prices can actually dip a little compared to June and July.
London Weather in September
In September temperatures are still pleasant, but you should at least bring a light jacket. Nights are noticeably cooler at an average of 52°F (11°C). Rainfall is similar to summer, though the sky is overcast more often. September is a great time to visit London if you want the warmth without the peak-season crowds.
London Weather in October
In October the sun makes only rare appearances and rain showers become more frequent again. Average daytime temperatures are around 59°F (15°C) — full-on fall vibes.
Also read our tips for rainy days in London!
London Weather in November
In November the dreary season sets in again: lots of rain, no sunshine, and a leaden cloud cover. Londoners get cozy in the pubs, and Christmas decorations start going up on the streets.
London Weather in December
December, along with January, is one of the darkest and wettest months in London. At an average of 46°F (8°C), it’s still far milder than much of northern Europe, and the Christmas spirit is absolutely everywhere in the city. London is also a fantastic destination for New Year’s Eve.
When Is Not a Good Time to Visit London?
Wimbledon takes place in the first half of July, and hotels and vacation rentals are not only more expensive but often booked up weeks in advance. It’s best to check the exact dates of the tournament and avoid those two weeks if possible.
You should also think twice about the Christmas holidays. The streets tend to be quite empty, and many museums and attractions are completely closed from December 24 to 26.
