{"id":35435,"date":"2024-05-11T11:26:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T11:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=35435"},"modified":"2025-12-18T18:46:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:46:28","slug":"best-time-to-visit-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/best-time-to-visit-london\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Time To Visit London: A Seasonal Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The best time to visit London really is anytime, but maybe some times are a bit better than others, depending on what you\u2019re looking for. Perhaps you want to avoid the hordes of people visiting during the high season or see its popular landmarks all decorated for the holidays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where this seasonal guide to England\u2019s capital comes in. Discover the best and worst times to visit London, including an overview of London tours<\/a>, bargains, and events you won\u2019t want to miss each month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to plan your London vacation? Then pick your favorite season, pack your bags, and keep calm and carry on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seasonal overview of London<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best time to visit London is up to you and the type of experience<\/a> you want to have. Want to spend more time outdoors in the good weather of the summer months? Dreaming of the pretty lights you\u2019ll see at the Christmas markets during the holidays? Looking to avoid the crowds and increased prices of London\u2019s high season? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s our breakdown of the city from October to July and all the months in between, so you can find your own ideal time to visit London. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring (March to May)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Buckingham<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Average temperature<\/strong>: 50-64 degrees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowd size<\/strong>: Spring is one of London\u2019s shoulder seasons, making it the best time to visit London to avoid crowds. Tourists usually plan their vacations in the summer, so visiting in the spring will give you a chance to experience the local scene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best tour for the season<\/strong>: Our London in a day tour<\/a> takes you through the city in a luxury coach, so you can dodge the rain showers that are still common in spring. It also includes a River Thames cruise, giving you the best photo ops of the city by land and by sea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel tip<\/strong>: Take advantage of using the Tube (what Londoners call the subway or underground) to get around, which will be less crowded during the off season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

March to May are the best months to visit London if you want to see the city in full bloom. The parks are green and colorful, and Londoners are out enjoying the mild weather and spring festivals. If you happen to be visiting during Easter weekend, for example, you\u2019ll find plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to make the most of the holiday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the highlights of the season is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place every May on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. A fashionable event in one of London\u2019s \u201cposhest\u201d neighborhoods, the flower show is an amazing display of horticultural artworks from world-renowned garden designers and florists. The event attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year \u2014 even members of the royal family<\/a> have been known to pop in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer sports to flowers and plan to visit in April, the London Marathon is an exciting event that\u2019s route cuts through the city\u2019s best landmarks<\/a>, including Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge<\/a>, and Canary Wharf. Not only is it one of the world\u2019s most popular marathons, but everyone in London seems to get caught up in the spirit of the event. Who knows: You might sign up to run the next marathon yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer (June to August)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Average temperature<\/strong>: 70-73 degrees, though temperatures have been increasing these past few years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowd size<\/strong>: Summer isn\u2019t the best time to travel to London if you don\u2019t like long lines and crowded museums. From the start of June until the end of August is when most people take vacation, so it\u2019s notorious for being the height of London\u2019s tourist season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best tour for the season<\/strong>: The best time to travel to London for good weather is definitely in the summer, and you should take advantage of the warm sunny days with a London walking tour. You\u2019ll see all the highlights of the city on foot, including the famous Changing of the Guard<\/a> ceremony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel tip<\/strong>: Long summer days are perfect for perusing London\u2019s local markets<\/a>. From street food to vintage clothes to people watching, you\u2019ll want to spend a day trying to visit them all.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer in London means sunny days that locals rarely get to enjoy throughout the year. You\u2019ll find them outside enjoying the good weather in the city\u2019s many parks, walking along the canals, or having fun at music and other festivals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip for packing<\/strong>: In summer, London trades the rain for weather that\u2019s sometimes humid and muggy, so be sure to bring light clothing that won\u2019t cling to you while walking around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting in June, music festivals where you can dance, listen to, and sing along with any type of music you like happen every day. The most colorful of these festivals is the Notting Hill Carnival, a celebration of Calypso and Caribbean music that happens every August in the neighborhood best known for the 1999 film of the same name. Often compared to the Rio Carnival, this vibrant event is open to everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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July in London is dominated by Wimbledon, the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Each year, thousands of people come to London to attend the event, including celebrities and Royal family members who have their own box. Ticket prices vary based on where you sit, and you can purchase them before the games on the official website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The worst part about visiting London in the summer is, you guessed it, the crowds. While you get the best weather in June, July, and August, you\u2019ll be battling long queues everywhere you go. Definitely book your tours in advance, and consider getting skip-the-line access for landmarks that offer it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn (September to November)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Average temperature<\/strong>: 54-68 degrees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowd size<\/strong>: September through mid-October is a shoulder season, so the number of tourists visiting the capital will drop dramatically after the summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best tour for the season<\/strong>: Ready for a magical journey? You\u2019ll want to book our Harry Potter tour<\/a> for a chance to see all the props, sets, and costumes used to bring the world of Hogwarts to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel tip<\/strong>: Pack your umbrella and check the weather before venturing out for a day of sightseeing. It might be a one of the most common London myths<\/a> that the city is always gray and rainy, but autumn is known for being wet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn brings orange and brown foliage to London\u2019s parks, lower prices for flights and hotels, and fewer crowds at the city\u2019s top attractions<\/a>. And while the occasional rain shower is to be expected, being outdoors to enjoy a cruise down the River Thames or eat your way through Borough Market <\/a>is still possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Borough<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This time of year also has its fair share of festivals with the London Design Festival in September, London Restaurant Festival in October, and Jazz Festival in November. If you are planning your trip for November, then remember Nov. 5. It\u2019s known as Bonfire Night \u2014 an annual commemoration of the night Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the House of Lords \u2014 and is celebrated with huge firework displays in various parks around the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter (December to February)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Average temperature<\/strong>: 41-48 degrees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crowd size<\/strong>: Not many tourists venture to London in the winter due to the cold and rainy climate, so it\u2019s really the perfect time to visit if you want to feel like you\u2019re sightseeing on your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best tour for the season<\/strong>: Take the London Borough Market Food Tour<\/a> during the holidays to see its arches decked out with lights and decorations, while your tour guide introduces you to iconic British bites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel tip<\/strong>: During November and December, you\u2019ll find plenty of Christmas festivities throughout the city. For the rest of the winter months, keep warm by visiting a museum or seeing a show on London\u2019s West End. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cold and rainy London winter makes it the best or worst time to visit depending on how you look at it. It\u2019s not the best weather for sightseeing, but you won\u2019t have to worry about booking tickets in advance or dealing with large crowds. During the holidays, London also gains a festive spirit that makes the shorter daylight hours and chilly temperatures bearable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Venture to any of the Christmas markets around the city to find unique items at the different stalls. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is one of London\u2019s biggest Christmas markets, and it\u2019s the best way to soak up the holiday atmosphere with an ice skating rink, observation wheel, and holiday shows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ringing in the New Year in London? Don\u2019t miss the New Year\u2019s Eve fireworks near the London Eye. Tickets are required, so you\u2019ll want to get those in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best time to visit London to avoid crowds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hordes of tourists flock to London in the summer to take advantage of the good weather for sightseeing, cruising down the River Thames, rooftop bars, and strolling through beautiful green parks. But if you want to avoid the crowds and don\u2019t mind carrying an umbrella around like a real Londoner, the best times to visit are the shoulder seasons from April to May or September to October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel tip<\/strong>: Taking a summer vacation to London? One good way to avoid crowds is to plan a day trip outside of the city to somewhere like Windsor or Eton, which are both easily accessible by train. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve taken the royal tour of London<\/a> and have seen all the London highlights, you can explore some of the neighborhoods that are less crowded in the spring and autumn. Add these three stops to your itinerary: <\/p>\n\n\n\n