the UK
The best time to visit
When to go to the UK
Aim for April to June and September, when days are mild, long and at their driest. July and August are warmest but busiest, and winter is grey and short on daylight, though rarely freezing.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for London. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jun.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
The quietest, cheapest stretch of the year.
In short
The year at a glance
Britain has no dry season, only wetter and drier stretches, so the trick is to chase the light and the warmth rather than to dodge the rain. We rate on London, where late spring and early autumn bring the most reliable conditions and the gardens are at their best.
Summer is the peak, with the warmest weather and the fullest events calendar, but also the biggest crowds and prices. Winter is mild for the latitude but dark, with the sun setting by mid afternoon in December. An umbrella is sensible in any month.
Month by month
the UK month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for London.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 55 mm | Good 47 | Cold with a little rain. |
| February | 9°C / 48°F | 3°C / 37°F | 40 mm | Good 52 | Cold and dry. |
| March | 12°C / 54°F | 4°C / 39°F | 42 mm | Great 67 | Cool and dry. |
| April | 15°C / 59°F | 6°C / 43°F | 44 mm | Ideal 79 | Cool and dry. |
| May | 18°C / 64°F | 9°C / 48°F | 49 mm | Ideal 91 | Mild and dry. |
| June | 21°C / 70°F | 12°C / 54°F | 45 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. London hotels in June |
| July | 23°C / 73°F | 14°C / 57°F | 45 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. London hotels in July |
| August | 23°C / 73°F | 14°C / 57°F | 50 mm | Ideal 98 | Warm and dry. London hotels in August |
| September | 20°C / 68°F | 11°C / 52°F | 49 mm | Ideal 98 | Mild and dry. |
| October | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 69 mm | Ideal 77 | Cool with a little rain. |
| November | 11°C / 52°F | 5°C / 41°F | 59 mm | Great 61 | Cool with a little rain. |
| December | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 55 mm | Good 47 | Cold with a little rain. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
London and the southeast
The warmest and driest corner of the country, and the focus of this guide. Spring and early autumn are the pick of the year.
Scotland and the north
Cooler and wetter, gorgeous in summer when the days stretch past 10pm. Midges arrive in the Highlands from June.
Cornwall and the coast
July and August for the beaches, when the southwest is at its warmest, though that is also when it is most crowded.
Go for
Best time to visit the UK for
Gardens and countryside
May and June, when the gardens bloom, the hedgerows are green and the days are long.
City sightseeing
April to June and September, with comfortable temperatures and lighter crowds than high summer.
Festivals and warmth
July and August for the warmest weather and the busy festival calendar, from Edinburgh to the seaside.
Off-season
January to March, outside the holidays, when the weather is cool and damp but hotels are cheap.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Spring gardens, May
The countryside turns green and the great gardens, from Kew to the Cotswolds, hit their stride.
Festive lights, December
Cities glow with Christmas lights and markets despite the short, grey days.
Where to stay
Where to stay in the UK
Compare hotels and rentals around London, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions