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When to go to London
London is a year-round tourist centre, there’s plenty to do and see the year round. The heaviest tourist season runs mid-April through mid-October, with an additional peak the week before Christmas, it is when usually you can expect the biggest crowds and the most expensive prices.
Summer is a good time to visit London; you have the best chance of good weather from July through August, but there isn’t, of course, no promise of sun even in those months. Summer weather generally doesn’t start until mid-June and extremely warm days are rare, the average temperature is 15°C. Although it can get hot walking around London in the summer and even hotter on the public transport so be aware of this.
Summer is the only time to visit some of the city’s major attractions including the Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. It is also the period of many festivals, such as the Queen's Birthday Parade; known as the Trooping the Colour (celebrated on the first, second, or third Saturday in June), the renowned Wimbledon Tennis Tournament (held from late June to early July), the City of London Festival (June and July), the free Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (Late June to July) and the Notting Hill Carnival, held each August.
If you want to avoid summer, visit London any other period of year, you will benefit from shorter lines at most attractions, cheaper costs and plenty of special events.
May and June are the months where visitors can see the countryside and the royal London parks and gardens erupting in a profusion of flowering bulbs. Spring (March – May) is the season where events such as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race (March), the Chelsea Flower Show (May) and the Meltdown festival (June) are performed.
Spring and autumn (from September to November) are great to visit the city, when clear crispy days illuminate London and landmarks. London is at its best in the last two weeks of September. Visitors can see the Times BFI London Film Festival (October to Late November July) and the Lord Mayor's Show (second Saturday in November).
Winter can be gloomy, shady and cold, but it can be forgotten for a moment in numerous theatres, concerts, exhibitions and cosy pubs. January is the coldest month.
One good time to stay away from London is late October, when schools take a break for a week and almost all attractions are flooded by kids.
Season |
Time |
| High-Tourist |
June–September |
| Low-Tourist |
November–February |
| Best bang for your economy |
Late-February to early-May |
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