When To Go
Any time of the year is a good time to visit the UK. While the Brits get a lot of mileage out of discussing the weather, it is rarely as wet and cold as its reputation would lead you to believe. Sure, winter will be cool with monotonously grey skies, but the absence of crowds, the possibility of snow, and the Christmas and New Year celebrations such as Hogmanay can more than compensate.
The summer months are notoriously erratic - one month may be characterized by heatwaves and water shortages, while the following month may experience record rainfall. The bottom line is that it is almost impossible to predict what the weather will be like, so unless your lifestyle is seriously affected by the seasons, this shouldn't be your prime consideration.
The most popular times to visit the UK are from late spring (May), through the peak period of June to August, with a drop-off during the autumnal months of September and October. Summer temperatures and the long daylight hours are obviously more conducive to sight-seeing and getting around, with the disadvantage that millions of others are doing the same. 'Shoulder' months such as May and September can be ideal if the weather holds up, as the tourist numbers are significantly lower at these times.
There may be specific events that you want to plan your journey for, such as Wimbledon or Hogmanay. Check out our Calendar of Events for more details.
Average Daily Temperatures (Celsius)
| |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jne |
July |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| London |
5 |
6 |
10 |
14 |
17 |
21 |
22 |
22 |
19 |
14 |
9 |
6 |
| Edin'h |
6 |
6 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
16 |
13 |
9 |
7 |
| Dublin |
6 |
6 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
18 |
19 |
19 |
17 |
13 |
9 |
7 |
| Birm'g |
5 |
6 |
9 |
12 |
16 |
19 |
20 |
20 |
17 |
13 |
9 |
6 |
|
