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Weather Conditions in London
The capital of England and perhaps the cultural capital of the world, welcomes visitors all year round. What defines the best time to visit London, is your idea of experiencing travel. There’re the four seasons, of course, and each has its own charm. They each also have countless special events, festivals and moments of their own.
SOTC takes all your preferences into consideration before recommending the best time to travel to London that’s most appropriate for you. But to spark your wanderlust, here’s an overview of what to expect at different times of the year in London.
What a great time to visit London, when the first flowers appear after the cold, misty winters. While a mild shower can be expected, you’ll still get longer daylight hours to go exploring and a good bit of sunshine too. This time between March to May could easily be what you find the best time to go to London, with temperatures continually on the rise and a great mix of experiences to look out for. You can join in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an Irish celebration, right at Trafalgar Square. Or witness the annual University Boat Race, between students of the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge Colleges. In May, there’s also the bi-annual Museums at Night event, offering you late-night tours that are interesting and not too crowded.
The Underbelly Festival is a family affair, with comedic and circus acts for both parents and kids, in the month of April. This is also a great time to enjoy boating on the Thames or saying hello to the new spring hatchlings at London’s zoos and farms.
What you’ll have to plan in advance is dates that coincide with the two-week Easter break and the London Marathon both in April. Making your bookings early is key to touring at this time, with a slight increase in visitors.
Most travellers would consider summer as the best season to go to London, and for good reason. The weather is warm and sunny, the parks or gardens are green and lively, a host of outdoor events happen — London is truly happening. Where should we begin? For sports lovers, June has the Wimbledon, the most acclaimed of tennis tournaments. While the City of London festival opens up opportunities to discover hidden gems and offbeat venues that host talks and events on everything from comedy to dance to music. And one for the foodies — Taste of London is an amazing food and wine festival held at Regent’s Park.
Does the best time to visit London sound like a picnic in a secret garden, under the warm sunshine? Then you could try to make it for Open Garden Squares Weekend, an exclusive two-day affair when the city’s many private and hidden gardens are open to the public. And for the ultimate summer tour, you should really try to make it for Notting Hill Carnival — Europe’s biggest street party and the best time to visit London for celebration like no other!
From September to November, autumn comes to London, bringing with it pleasant climes and a variety of events and experiences. September is like festival season, with everything from the Greenwich Comedy Festival to London Film Festival. And then there’s cultural festivals like Halloween with its playful spirit, Bonfire Night with its spectacular fireworks and the lively Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square. The London Jazz Fest is also a November mainstay, and one you could easily get tickets for.
With the dip in usual tourist season, you could chance upon some great deals by choosing an autumn tour. It’s also a lovely time to visit with family as there’s plenty of activities in store for all age groups.
Traveller’s from tropical regions may not see this as the best time to visit London, but winter in the city has got its charm. Christmas lights, a vibrant atmosphere and shopping deals aplenty! Even the Lighting of The Tree at Trafalgar Square is a celebrity-led event! And if you’re looking for things to do, there’s the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park with a spectrum of activities — ice skating, rides, games, a photo op with Santa and some great food and drink stalls to keep you going. Other skating rinks open too, like at the Natural History Museum and Somerset House. Imagine how beautiful that would be if you were on a romantic getaway! Though it’s equally fun to do with friends too.
London’s Christmas Markets may not be as renowned as Germany’s, but they are beautiful decorative and full of warmth. Aside from Hyde Park, the one near London Eye is popular. Sales go on right from the start of December well into January, so if you’re looking for bargain shopping deals, there could be no other best time to visit London.
Even New Year’s celebrations are a great occasion to be in London. Countdown to the end of the year on the world’s most iconic clock, the Big Ben, followed by a spectacle of fireworks. And keep the party going at the New Year’s Day parade the following day at noon.
There’s no shortage of experiences in London all through the year. Whichever season peaks your interest, SOTC has London tour packages that are packed full of fun and adventure.
