The best time to visit London. When is the best time to go to London? Not a public holiday, but widely celebrated
The largest city European Union, one of the most important financial, political and tourist centers of the world, a stronghold of English traditions London is the capital of the United Kingdom, located in the southeast of the island of Great Britain on the banks of the River Thames. Read on the Tour-Calendar why best time to visit it - from May to September.
Tourist season in London
Take a ride in a bright red double decker, have a pint or two of beer at the local pub, check the clock on Big Ben, watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, hear speech in 300 languages of the world, set foot on the zero meridian and not only for this, about 15 million people tirelessly come to the capital from different countries and continents. This cosmopolitan dynamic city surprisingly organically combines antiquity and modernity, the melancholy tranquility of cobbled streets and the frantic pace of life of a huge metropolis. It impresses with its size and abundance of many-sided attractions, unlimited opportunities for exciting, and most importantly, high-quality shopping, diligence and the ability to have fun from the heart. London is the main center of attraction for all tourists coming to the UK and hosts its foreign guests during all year round.
High season
A massive influx of tourists to London falls on May, all the months of summer, the beginning of autumn and the Christmas holidays. Schoolchildren, students, groups of friends, lovers and families with children rush to the capital of the United Kingdom. There is something for everyone here to their liking. These are travelers from the USA, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Canada, Poland and Russia (in descending order of number). There are a lot of accommodation options: students and budget tourists, who are unpretentious in everyday life, as a rule, stay in hostels and dorm-based rooms, vacationers with the younger generation choose hotels of an average “star rating”, demanding travelers prefer luxury apartments. But in high season even in economy low prices will not. budget housing already completely "sold out" at least 3-4 months before the date of arrival. And hotel rooms are 30% -40% more expensive than in the low season.
low season
There is never a complete lull or a situation as close as possible to it in the tourist market of London. This is evidenced by the endless streams of foreigners at the five airports of the capital and the landings of "buses", in again landing near a particular attraction. However, in the period from October to mid-December and from February to mid-April, they are much less than in summer. The weather deteriorates significantly, the holidays seem to be behind us, and a more or less calm time is coming, when some tour operators and hotels offer small discounts to their potential customers. At Russian tourists combinations are very popular. Bus tours, which, in addition to the capital, includes visits to other cities in England, as well as Scotland and Wales. Such a trip will cost much less than a trip with an air program. Although, it should be noted, the cost of a flight in the off-season is also very attractive.
The best time for excursions
London is a city of interest in itself. There are so many historical and cultural sites in the capital that listing them all is a thankless and time-consuming task. Absolutely everything causes delight: impressive architecture, countless museums, art galleries, theaters and luxurious green parks. If you want to see the most important places in London, we advise you to take a ride on the famous sightseeing double-decker bus. You can see the entire city from the London Eye, the world's largest Ferris wheel. The best time for sightseeing is, of course, the warm season: late spring, summer and early autumn. However, when planning a trip for July and August, you should think twice - endless crowds and eternal din can be annoying. But in London there are some of the most popular tourist sites in the world. For example: the British Museum is visited annually by about 5.9 million people, the National Gallery is slightly inferior to it with 5.25 million visitors, then comes the Tate Modern art gallery with 4.9 million visitors, the fourth place goes to the Museum of Natural History - 4 87 million tourists, on the fifth line of the ranking is the Museum of Science with 2.9 million people.
Season of discounts and sales
In the middle of winter and at the "" "" "" "" summer in London, there are grandiose sales
Shopping in London for fashionistas and fashionistas with good taste and a tight wallet - this is an abyss of opportunities at any time of the year. many stars Russian stage and showbiz people fly to the capital after the next fashion show to buy something from the latest collection of clothes from the popular British designer. They are sure that no one can meet such an outfit in their homeland. They are also attracted by the high level of service. Tourists with average incomes can also take their breath away. Their time is the sales season, starting a few days before the start of Christmas and in the middle of summer. Discounts at this time range from 50%-75%.
fashion season
London proudly bears the title of trendsetter, and the Week haute couture, which takes place in the capitals twice a year, is the most innovative among those that take place in other world capitals of the fashion industry. At the end of September, London Fashion Week presents spring-summer collections, and at the end of February - autumn-winter collections.
educational season
Someone goes to London on vacation, and someone - to gnaw at the granite of science. London is an educational capital with a large number of prestigious universities educational institutions And good choice language schools. Millions of schoolchildren, students and older people come here to learn the language, master a "pure" British accent, learn to think in English in an easy and relaxed way. Training is possible throughout the year, especially a large influx is observed during the holidays. In the summer there are special language camps that accept children aged 7-18 years.
Time for holidays and festivals
We have already talked about the main holidays celebrated in England, to get acquainted with them, click here. In this section, in the order of enumeration, we will talk about the celebrations and events peculiar only to its capital, having visited which you can feel the true spirit of this unique city: January 1 - New Year's Eve parade of street artists, January - Yachting exhibition / London International Boat Show, last Saturday of March (April) - Oxford-Cambridge boat regatta / The Boat Race, end of April - beginning of May - London Marathon / Virgin London Marathon, second Saturday of June - Trooping the Colour, first decade of June - Naked Bike Ride / London Naked Bike Ride, end of June - two-week City of London Festival, last weekend of August - Latin American Carnival / Notting Hill Carnival, mid-September - Thames Festival / The Mayor's Thames Festival, late October - early November - London Film Festival / BFI London Film Festival, second week of November - Lord Mayor's Show with a parade of moving platforms / London Citi Lord Mayor's Show.
Climate in London
London is under the influence of moderate maritime climate. High level humidity, regular rains and fogs - faithful companions almost every season in the capital. The amount of precipitation is almost evenly distributed throughout all seasons. And despite the fact that they almost besiege the city, their total volume is actually not so great - only 610 mm per year. There are indeed many rainy days with drizzle, but heavy rainfall is rare. Summer in London is moderately warm, sometimes cool, with a large fluctuation in daily temperatures. Compared to St. Petersburg, the weather in the capital is slightly cooler. Winter is cold and dank, but without significant frosts.
London in spring
Since March, the average daily air temperature begins to slowly but surely rise upwards. There is an increase in solar activity, however in early spring the weather can still take on whims, surprising with sharp cold snaps or snow that comes out of nowhere. In April it becomes more stable, the daytime temperature already reaches +12..+13 °C. In the intervals between precipitation, the sun slowly envelops with its gentle warmth. Nature wakes up hibernation: primroses break out from under the frozen ground, and the gardens are covered with thin green "carpets". May is a great time to visit the city despite occasional rains. The air warms up to +16..+17 °C, gardens and parks are fragrant with delicate aromas of flowers and fragrant herbs. The daylight hours are getting longer, so you can get the most out of your walks in the fresh air.
Temperature and weather in London in spring
| March weather | April weather | May weather | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | +7 | +10 | +14 |
| Temperature during the day | +11 | +14 | +18 |
| Temperature at night | +3 | +6 | +9 |
| Rain | 14 days | 14 days | 13 days |
London in summer
In general, moderately warm weather reigns in London in summer, with an average daily air temperature of about +20 °C. However, going to the British capital at this time of year, you need to be prepared for anything. For example, to a strong warming up to +25 °С or, conversely, to a sharp cooling down to +14 °С. Weekly rains are also possible, but dry days with clear sunny weather are not excluded. In general, the “character” of the sky changes several times a day, but it is very rarely ideally “clean”. As a rule, partly cloudy with clearings. summer evenings quite cool, you will have to dress in autumn. As an exception, in the dark, maximum extremes up to +18..+19 °С are observed.
Temperature and weather in London in summer
| June weather | July weather | August weather | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | +17 | +19 | +18 |
| Temperature during the day | +21 | +23 | +23 |
| Temperature at night | +12 | +14 | +13 |
| Rain | 11 days | 10 days | 12 days |
London in autumn
In September the temperature environment decreases slightly, and there is a contraction daylight hours, nevertheless September, as well as summer months, is still one of the most best periods for a trip to the capital. Nature is gradually fading, changing its colors to crimson and gold. The air smells of dampness and the tart smell of rotting leaves, but in general the weather is still very warm for admiring the architecture and walking in the park. October brings with it rainy chilly days. The thermometer stops at +15 °С, dropping to +5..+6 °С at sunset. It gets dark early. The mood of a certain melancholy hovers in the city. Last month autumn is characterized gray days Precipitation is quite light, but they come almost every day. The average daily air temperature at +10 ° C in windy rainy weather is not perceived very comfortably. Sometimes in November it gets colder, and the first snow falls. For children, this is, of course, a genuine delight, but for the municipal and transport services of the city, it is always an unpleasant surprise.
Such a question arises as soon as the thought of Great Britain visited you. Trip to London always interesting. We will not rely on the weather. It is always unpredictable: in summer you can get under cold rains and, on the contrary, in February you will be met by mild, quiet, sunny weather, and there will not be a cloud in the sky.
"High season" (and everyone knows it) can be called the May holidays, all summer months, the beginning of autumn and tours to London on Christmas and New Year.
Schoolchildren, students, groups of friends, lovers and families with children rush to the capital of the United Kingdom. There is something for everyone here to their liking. In the high season, even in economy options, prices will not be low. Budget housing is already completely "sold out" at least 3-4 months before the date of arrival and therefore you should not wait for the so-called "burning" tours. And hotel rooms are 30% -40% more expensive than in the low season.
Complete calm, the so-called " low season» never happens in the London tourist market. This is evidenced by the endless streams of foreigners in the five airports of the capital and the landing of "bus" landing once again near a particular attraction. However, in the period from October to mid-December and from February to mid-April, they are much less than in summer. There comes a more or less calm time when prices for excursion tours fall and can be bought at a discount.
Combined excursion tours are very popular among Russian tourists, which, in addition to the capital, include visits to other cities in England, as well as Scotland and Wales.
The best time for sightseeing is, of course, the warm season: late spring, summer and early autumn. However, when planning a trip for July and August, you should think twice - endless crowds and eternal din can be annoying. But in London there are some of the most popular tourist sites in the world. For example: the British Museum is visited annually by about 5.9 million people, the National Gallery is slightly inferior to it with 5.25 million visitors.
From all of the above, we conclude: London is good to visit all year round!
Although seasonal differences in Britain are not as extreme as in some countries, they are still there, and quite significant. Although conventionally the year is divided into four seasons, each for 3 months, the weather is very unstable and unpredictable, and the seasons can often intersect and overlap each other.
Below you can look at the general weather conditions of each of seasons in England. All statistics are based on data from the Met Office (the main source of weather information in Britain) over the past 30 years. However, you should not blindly believe these data, as the weather can vary greatly due to its variability in England.
Winter in England (December to February)
- Average minimum / Maximum temperature: 6.6oC - 7.4oC
- Average minimum/maximum day length: 8-9 hours
- Average monthly rainfall: 78 mm
Winter is the coldest time of the year in England. The temperature often drops to 0 o C, sometimes even lower, but not by much. Slight frost in the morning, ice on the windshields of cars, sometimes snowfall. British winters tend to be very windy and damp, so be sure to bundle up in something warm and waterproof. To this rather miserable picture is added a very short duration day, which drops in to 8 hours a day at the end of December.
Spring in England (March to May)
- Average minimum / maximum temperature: 9.3 o C - 15.4 o C
- Average minimum/maximum day length: 11-15 hours
- Average monthly rainfall: 60 mm
Spring in England is full of blossoming life after the "harsh" winter conditions. From about March, frosts become more and more rare, it gets warmer, the days become longer. As a result, plants are turning green all over the country, trees are leafing out, and animals are starting to multiply actively. However, spring in the UK is still quite windy and wet, so wear flip-flops and Sunglasses still early.
Summer in England (June to August)
- Average minimum / maximum temperature: 18.1 o C - 20.6 o C
- Average minimum/maximum day length: 16-16.5 hours
- Average monthly rainfall: 61 mm
Theoretically, the summer in England should be hot and dry, but it is so only in words. It mostly rains all summer. Hot days are the exception here. At such times, temperatures can reach 30 o C and a little higher, and the British public takes to the streets. People swarm on the beaches, sit in the parks and generally revel in every possible way with such a rarity as heat. In mid-June, the length of the day reaches its climax - almost 17 hours a day.
Autumn in England (September to November)
- Average minimum / maximum temperature: 9.5 o C - 17.5 o C
- Average minimum/maximum day length: 10-14 hours
- Average monthly rainfall: 81 mm
Autumn is marked by a gradual transition from summer to winter and the greatest scatter weather conditions. September and even October in England often still feel like summer. IN Lately during these months the temperature is even higher than in August. And November, in turn, can be cold, and even please (or upset) people with heavy snowfalls (as it was in 2010). In general, this is the wettest and windiest time of the year in Angii, although autumn is always different. Autumn last year may be completely different from autumn this year.
Usually, everyone who wants to travel around Europe chooses summer, and this, of course, is the most warm time years in London. But the British capital can be interesting at any time of the city.
In the cool season, there are fewer queues and it's easier to book a good hotel room.
Summer in London
The temperature in summer usually ranges from +20° to +25°, sometimes dropping to +15° or rising to +30°. In the summer there are a huge number of street concerts, rock and pop festivals, theatrical performances, show concerts and many other entertainment events under open sky. In sunny weather, the parks of the city are usually crowded with numerous tourists, just strolling families or local residents trying to get a tan lying on the grass. The most popular summer events are: the celebration of the official (June 12), the Wimbledon tournament at the end of June, the Notting Hill Carnival at the end of August, and other events. June and July are the most seasonal months for all hotels in all, and therefore, it is advisable to book your places several months in advance if you want to save a lot.
Autumn in London
Autumn in London can be rainier and cooler, but no less pleasant for tourists, as it is possible to fully enjoy the autumn coolness after a hot summer. Many tourists leave the city, and this makes it possible to find cheaper hotels, and the queues for the main attractions of the city become noticeably smaller. In autumn, such famous events as London Fashion Week (September), the Regent's Park Art Festival (October), which exhibits about 170 exhibitions of contemporary art from around the world, the London Film Festival (October), the Jazz Music Festival (November) and many other traditional celebrations take place. .
Winter in London
In the winter in London, you can hope for more indoor entertainment, as freezing winds and short days will not be allowed to enjoy street walks. Lovers know that in winter there are huge seasonal sales in all stores of clothing, accessories and technology. Beer and whiskey lovers can have a great time in the numerous places where a large number of people who usually drop in after work or school for a couple of mugs of fresh beer. You can easily find pubs anywhere in the city.
It is very calm and quiet in London, because almost all establishments are closed for holidays, and even public transport. Therefore, from December 23-26, you can only walk around London and enjoy the hanging garlands on the deserted streets. Fireworks decorate the London sky, sparks of fireworks illuminate the high circle of the London Eye Ferris wheel and the dark bulk of the Big Ben tower. Thousands and thousands of people gather in the city center to enjoy this masterpiece of colorful lights and accompanying music. But you should be prepared for the fact that the return trip can be very long and tiring due to the huge crowd of celebrating, and the limited amount of public transport.
Spring in London
London blooms in spring. Less rain and more sun. Clocks at the end of March change to non-summer time, which makes the days longer and the nights shorter. In the spring, all cities come to life, and there are many folding chairs provided by the park administration for all vacationers. Sports events take place in April and March - the London Marathon and the historic rowing competition between Cambridge and Oxford. The Flower Festival at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea gathers more than 150,000 flora lovers. For admirers of theatrical art, the season of Shakespeare's theater and the Open Air Theater in Regent's Park begins in spring.
So, as you can see, London is beautiful at any time of the year, and can bring a lot of pleasure regardless of the weather.
If you don't know when is the best time to go to London, then seasoned tourists consider your question rhetorical. After all, most of them believe that London is always good. But if you focus solely on the weather, but nature has allocated only three months for a pleasant visit to Foggy Albion: May, June and September. At other times, there are nuances.
In winter, London "beautifies" for Christmas and New Year's Eve. weather in winter months not particularly happy, and January is generally considered the coldest month of the year. Sometimes it can snow, but most winters are just cold, rainy, windy and uncomfortable. Guests of the English capital are warmed by hot coffee or mulled wine and incredibly beautiful scenery throughout the city. Already at the end of November, Londoners begin to prepare for the most important holiday - Christmas, which is celebrated in Foggy Albion on a special scale. Unspoken competitions begin in the festive decoration of houses, restaurants and shops. And world-famous sights begin to sparkle with thousands of lights and illuminations, maintaining a festive mood. An obligatory point of a sightseeing walk in winter London is a visit to Trafalgar Square, where the main Christmas tree of England is installed. 20 meters forest beauty delivered every year from Oslo as a gift from the Norwegian royal family.
If you are still interested in the question, when is the best time to go to London, you can go to the English capital in the spring. With the advent of March, trees in numerous London parks begin to bloom and bloom. Tourists begin to arrive in Foggy Albion only by mid-May, when warm weather, so in April there is an opportunity to get to know the city in a relaxed atmosphere. May is traditionally considered the month of museums; interesting exhibitions, showcase national collections and treasures. By the way, most of these activities are free. Also in the spring you can get to the Punch and Judy festival in Covent Garden, the Royal Horse Show in Windsor and the Roses for the Headless Queen ceremony in the Tower.
Summer in London is full of tourists, however, the weather in July and August is unstable. Instead of a pleasant leisurely walk along the ancient streets of the capital, you can get caught in the pouring rain and get wet to the skin. But it is in the summer that the most popular festivals are held in the city, including the Proms Classical Music Festival, the Dogette regatta for the Cloak and Badge prize, the British Beer Festival, and the Notting Hill Carnival. Therefore, most tourists believe that July and August are the best time to go to London.
In the autumn in the English capital, a cool and rainy weather, although even in September the warm sun can please a few days. At this time, no less interesting events: starting from the Thames Festival in September and ending with the enchanting Guy Fawkes Night in London. Therefore, no matter what time of year you choose to visit London, it will always be interesting here.