When to go · United Kingdom
United Kingdom, month by month
The best months for United Kingdom: May, Jun, Sep.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedShort grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.London and the south-east: cool · South-west England: rainy · Northern England and Wales: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryMixedCold and damp; a city month. Half-term week fills family sights.London and the south-east: cool · South-west England: cool · Northern England and Wales: coolCrowds: Low
- MarchGoodDays lengthen quickly; daffodils and lambs. Easter may fall at the end of the month.London and the south-east: cool · South-west England: cool · Northern England and Wales: coolCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodSpring gardens and parks; Easter holidays fill London sights and trains.London and the south-east: fine · South-west England: fine · Northern England and Wales: fineCrowds: Medium
- MayGreatOne of the best months: long days, fewer midges, drier than average. Two bank-holiday weekends.London and the south-east: best weather · South-west England: best weather · Northern England and Wales: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGreatLongest days (18 h in Edinburgh); Highlands at their best before the school holidays.London and the south-east: best weather · South-west England: best weather · Northern England and Wales: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- JulyMixedSchool holidays start; peak prices, midges in the west, heat waves in London.London and the south-east: best weather · South-west England: best weather · Northern England and Wales: fineCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- AugustMixedEdinburgh festivals month: book beds months ahead or sleep elsewhere. Coast and national parks full.London and the south-east: best weather · South-west England: best weather · Northern England and Wales: fineCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberGreatSchools back, weather often settled; the best month for walking and the Highlands.London and the south-east: best weather · South-west England: best weather · Northern England and Wales: best weatherCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodAutumn colour, fewer crowds; clocks go back in the last week and evenings darken.London and the south-east: fine · South-west England: fine · Northern England and Wales: rainyCrowds: Medium
- NovemberMixedWet and dark; Christmas lights and markets open late in the month.London and the south-east: cool · South-west England: rainy · Northern England and Wales: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedChristmas markets and shows; transport stops on the 25th and hotels spike around New Year.London and the south-east: cool · South-west England: rainy · Northern England and Wales: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London and the south-eastLondon, Oxford, Cambridge, Kent, Brighton | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Cool |
| South-west EnglandBath, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon | Wet | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet |
| Northern England and WalesYork, Manchester, Lake District, Snowdonia (Eryri), Cardiff | Wet | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | OK | OK | Best | Wet | Wet | Wet |
| ScotlandEdinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands, Skye | Storm | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | OK | OK | Best | Wet | Wet | Storm |