London
April to June and September.
May, June and September are the best months, with highs between 19 and 21 degrees, about eight rainy days a month and shorter queues than in midsummer. April also works if you can live with cool mornings. July and August are the busiest, with the longest queues and hot, crowded Tube carriages.
Data checked on October 4, 2026
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.5 °C | 3.4 °C | 10.5 | · |
| February | 9.2 °C | 3.2 °C | 9.2 | · |
| March | 12.1 °C | 4.7 °C | 7.9 | · |
| April | 15.4 °C | 6 °C | 8.1 | Best |
| May | 18.6 °C | 9.1 °C | 7.9 | Best |
| June | 21.4 °C | 12 °C | 7.8 | Best |
| July | 23.8 °C | 13.9 °C | 7.1 | Busy |
| August | 23.3 °C | 14.1 °C | 8.2 | Busy |
| September | 20.3 °C | 11.6 °C | 7.9 | Best |
| October | 15.8 °C | 9 °C | 10.3 | · |
| November | 11.6 °C | 6.1 °C | 10.6 | · |
| December | 8.9 °C | 3.8 °C | 10.2 | · |
Climate averages: Met Office.
7 to 15 °C · about 8 rainy days a month
March is still cold, with highs near 12 degrees, but by May it reaches about 19. Rain falls on about eight days a month and the parks come into leaf. Easter week is busy.
What to wear: Pack layers and a light waterproof, because mornings stay cool even in May.
13 to 23 °C · about 8 rainy days a month
Highs average 21 to 24 degrees and lows 12 to 14, and heatwaves do happen. Daylight lasts past 21:00 in June. The sights are at their busiest and the Tube is hot.
What to wear: Light clothes, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes for stone floors and a thin layer for the evening.
9 to 16 °C · about 10 rainy days a month
September is still mild, with highs near 20 degrees, but by November it is closer to 12 and rain falls on more than ten days a month. Late October half-term brings families. Crowds thin out after that.
What to wear: A waterproof jacket, a sturdy umbrella and shoes that cope with wet pavement.
3 to 9 °C · about 10 rainy days a month
Highs sit near 9 degrees and lows near 3, with rain on about ten days a month. Sunset comes around 16:00 in December, so plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day. Queues are short except in the weeks before Christmas, when the West End is packed.
What to wear: A warm coat, hat and gloves, plus layers you can take off, because museums and shops are heated.
Rain in London usually comes as showers rather than all-day downpours, so a wet day does not have to be a lost one. The British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern are free and indoors, and the Abbey and St Paul's take two hours each. Keep the river walk, Hyde Park and the Eye for a dry spell, because the views are poor under low cloud.
Hot days come in short runs, but on a sunny July afternoon the open sights, the Tower courtyards and the queue for the Eye have little shade. Put museums, the Abbey and St Paul's between midday and 16:00, and do parks and the river walk early or after 17:00. Carry water, because many Tube carriages have no air conditioning.