Best Time to Visit London
United Kingdom · Oceanic climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit London is:
July → August → June
July scores 54/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 10 | 20 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 12 | 23 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 16 | 31 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 25 | 50 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 34 | 68 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 38 | 76 | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 38 | 77 | 0 | 0 | |
| September | 33 | 66 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 24 | 48 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 14 | 28 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 9 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.9°C (40.8°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| February | 6.9°C (44.4°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| March | 7.6°C (45.7°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| April | 9.2°C (48.6°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| May | 13.0°C (55.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| June | 16.6°C (61.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| July | 18.1°C (64.6°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| August | 18.4°C (65.1°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| September | 16.1°C (61.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| October | 12.6°C (54.7°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| November | 8.5°C (47.3°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| December | 6.5°C (43.7°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64.2 mm | 14.8 | Wet |
| February | 64.6 mm | 16.8 | Wet |
| March | 60.9 mm | 19.0 | Wet |
| April | 40.9 mm | 13.6 | Moderate |
| May | 58.1 mm | 17.0 | Moderate |
| June | 61.2 mm | 16.4 | Wet |
| July | 64.6 mm | 18.2 | Wet |
| August | 48.7 mm | 17.0 | Moderate |
| September | 70.0 mm | 16.0 | Wet |
| October | 106.6 mm | 22.2 | Very Wet |
| November | 70.5 mm | 14.4 | Wet |
| December | 66.8 mm | 18.0 | Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.3 hrs | Moderate |
| February | 4.8 hrs | Moderate |
| March | 6.5 hrs | Good |
| April | 9.7 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 10.8 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 11.8 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 11.3 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 10.1 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 8.6 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 6.4 hrs | Good |
| November | 4.6 hrs | Moderate |
| December | 3.1 hrs | Low |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 9.9°C (49.8°F)
Rainfall: 53.3mm avg
Sunshine: 9.0 hrs/day
Humidity: 74.8%
Rainy Days: 16.5/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 17.7°C (63.9°F)
Rainfall: 58.2mm avg
Sunshine: 11.1 hrs/day
Humidity: 71.6%
Rainy Days: 17.2/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 12.4°C (54.3°F)
Rainfall: 82.4mm avg
Sunshine: 6.5 hrs/day
Humidity: 82.7%
Rainy Days: 17.5/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 6.1°C (43.0°F)
Rainfall: 65.2mm avg
Sunshine: 4.1 hrs/day
Humidity: 85.7%
Rainy Days: 16.5/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit London?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit London are July, August, June, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. July scores 54/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in London?
August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 18.4°C (65.1°F).
What is the coldest month in London?
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 4.9°C (40.8°F).
When is the rainy season in London?
October is the wettest month with an average of 106.6mm of precipitation. London experiences about 203.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is April with 40.9mm.
What should I pack for a trip to London?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (August is hottest at 18.4°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (January averages 4.9°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as London receives 777.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Having spent three winters in London, I can tell you the drizzle never really stops — it just changes intensity. The data says October is wettest, but honestly, it's the persistence rather than volume that gets you. May is my favorite: parks burst into bloom and you'll catch surprising stretches of sunshine between showers. The numbers say June-August is 'best,' but pack a light jacket regardless.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 51.51°, -0.13°. Timezone: Europe/London. Last updated: 2026-07-30.