The information on this page is based on historical averages and may not reflect current conditions. Please check with local authorities for the latest travel advice.
Read moreThe best time to visit the UK is between May and September, and in December. Take advantage of the warmer mid-year weather to enjoy some of the UK’s most popular events, or get in the festive spirit with a winter break.
The months of May to September in the UK bring some surprisingly warm weather, blue skies and long days. Join the locals in the sunshine for major sporting events, festivals and parades. You might get caught in the occasional downpour – but that’s all part of a visit to the UK. Come December, the UK turns into a winter wonderland in preparation for the festive season. The weather outside might be frightful, but the cosy pubs, comfort food and Christmas markets should have you feeling all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
More about the best time to visit United Kingdom
Monthly weather and travel tips for United Kingdom
December’s Christmas festivities may have come and gone, but there are still a handful of reasons to celebrate in the UK in January. Grey skies and plenty of drizzle will do their best to dampen spirits, so an umbrella and a raincoat are essential at this time of year.
The new year in the UK begins with the London Parade – when marching bands and troupes of scouts liven up the streets of the West End. Elsewhere in the UK, 25 January sees Scotland raise a glass to the life and works of poet Robert Burns. When you’re not celebrating with the locals, the wetter January weather lends itself perfectly to exploring some of the UK’s fascinating museums and art galleries.
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The weather is usually at its coldest in the UK inFebruary, so it’s the best time to visit if you’re hoping for snow – particularly in Scotland, where there’s a chance you can catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights too.
With temperatures low and some rainy forecasts, the February events calendar in the UK may be on the quiet side, but the Six Nations Rugby Championship will be in full swing. International home games are played in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff. There’s also the chance to embrace York’s rich history and heritage with the Yorvik Viking Festival. If it’s getting a bit too chilly outside, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and pubs to cosy up in across the UK.
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Flowers beginning to blossom offer a hint of the warmer months ahead, but average March temperatures in the UK tend to stay around a cool high of 10°C. This can easily drop down to the early single digits, so best to be on the safe side with an umbrella and warm clothing.
The start of spring brings with it a host of events, like the week of traditional Irish and Celtic music as part of Belfast's Féile an Earraigh festival. Saints’ days are also cause for celebration in March. Watch parades and concerts in Wales for St. David’s Day, or join in with neighbouring Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Belfast, London and cities all over the UK.
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An umbrella is always a good idea in the UK, particularly with plenty of April showers in the weather forecasts. These intermittent bursts of rain do make way for warmer temperatures, sunnier skies and fresh air typical of spring in the UK – ideal conditions for walks and hikes in the countryside.
Make the most of the warmer weather by watching – or even taking part in – the London Marathon, or cheering on your favourite team as the Scottish Premiership draws to a close. With the English Premier League also nearing its final games, it’s easy to get swept up in sports – but save some time for other April activities too. There’s a week-long literary festival in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford, the annual Belfast Film Festival, and music and comedy during Wales’s Laugharne Weekend.
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With the weather well warmed up, the UK takes to the outdoors for shows, football finals and all kinds of festivals. Public holidays in England at either end of May mean roads and public places get busier, as locals take advantage of the last month of spring and its longer days.
A big date on the calendar for many football fans in England is the FA Cup Final, decided on a (hopefully) sunny Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Elsewhere in the country, you’ll have a choice of festivals and shows, from three weeks of art performances in Brighton, to the Lake District’s Kenswick Mountain Festival and the beautiful Chelsea Flower Show. Wales’s Hay Festival is a must for art and literature lovers, while Belfast puts runners through their paces on the first Sunday of May each year.
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Both hot weather and a busy events calendar make June one of the best times to visit the UK. With festival season and the pub garden scene in full swing, you’ll want to pack some sun cream for the long sessions outside in the British and Northern Irish summertime.
June’s festivals are some of the hottest tickets around in the UK. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the likes of Glasgow’s West End Festival, the Gŵyl Gregynog classical music fest in Wales, the Isle of Wight Festival and the legendary Glastonbury. Festivals aside, Pride events and the Trooping the Colour ceremony should both be high up on your to-do list in London – as should lying back and enjoying the weather in parks dotted around the UK.
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As the UK’s hottest month, July brings long days filled with all kinds of fun outdoor activities. Sun cream is recommended, whether you’re sightseeing in the city, exploring the countryside or chilling on the beach.
Tennis fever grips the UK as world-class competitors battle it out on the grass courts at Wimbledon – cheering on your favourite player while gorging on strawberries and cream is an essential British summertime experience. Up in the north of England, locals celebrate all things agricultural at the Great Yorkshire Show, while Wales puts on a show of its own with the week-long International Musical Eisteddfod festival. If you’re in Scotland, expect some crowds in the seaside towns as the school holidays begin, and an even bigger turnout across the North Channel for Belfast Pride.
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The UK may be into its last month of summer in August, but the jovial atmosphere shows no sign of slowing down. The weather plays its part too, with average temperatures coming in at a daily high of 21°C. Pack plenty of sun cream, especially if you’re in the more southerly spots where temperatures can creep into the high 20s, and even into the early 30s.
August is a busy festival period up and down the UK, so it’s worth checking ahead so you can either join the parties or steer clear of the busier roads around the cities hosting them. The likes of Reading, Leeds, Brecon Beacons and Edinburgh are all home to major festivals in August. Never one to miss out, London also hosts its own party in the form of Notting Hill Carnival, while in Liverpool you can celebrate the city’s greatest musical export during International Beatleweek.
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September sees the weather start to cool and leaves start to fall as the UK enters autumn. Milder temperatures make it an ideal time of year to roam around the countryside and admire the trees as they change to an array of reds, oranges and yellows.
For something a little more fast-paced, there’s Tyneside’s Great North Run – the biggest half-marathon in the world when it comes to the number of runners – or the 44-mile mountain bike course that makes up the Brecon Beast. After challenging outdoor pursuits like these, it’s important to wrap up warm as the evening temperatures drop – head down to the catwalks at London Fashion Week to get some tips on autumn and winter wear from leading designers and fashion figures.
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The UK is well into autumn by October, so expect grey skies, chilly weather and rain. The locals don’t let that stop them from getting out and about for Halloween parties, food festivals and countryside walks though. With a raincoat on and an umbrella in hand, you should be well equipped to join them and take in the best of the UK in autumn.
If you don’t mind the rain, there’s plenty that makes the UK worth a visit at this time of year. London rolls out the red carpet for its annual Film Festival, the homely Belfast pubs will look all the more inviting and your photos of Edinburgh landmarks will have an effortlessly cool, moody vibe.
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Feast of St Francis of Assisi
4 October 2023
Halloween
31 October 2023
Simchat Torah
8 October 2023
Shemini Atzeret
7 October 2023
Hoshana Rabbah
6 October 2023
Short days, dreary skies and lots of rain doesn't make the UK the most attractive place to visit in November. But with cold weather come less crowds, making exploring the UK’s cities, sites and landmarks that little bit easier.
One event bringing some warmth and colour to the otherwise grey skies of the UK is Guy Fawkes Night on 5 November, when locals commemorate a failed treason attempt with fireworks, bonfires and sparklers. Remembrance Day on 11 November is an important date in the UK, with fallen soldiers honoured with moments of silence and commemorative events. The city streets start to fill up towards the end of November in the lead up to Black Friday sales – whether you want to brave the crowds to pick up some bargains or stay well away from the busy shopping areas is up to you.
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St Andrew's Day
30 November 2023
Diwali/Deepavali
13 November 2023
Remembrance Sunday
12 November 2023
Guy Fawkes Day
5 November 2023
All Souls' Day
2 November 2023
All Saints' Day
1 November 2023
December in the UK revolves mainly around the Christmas and New Year celebrations towards the end of the month. Festive cheer might have you feeling warm inside, but a thick jacket and gloves are a good idea too to ward off the winter cold.
You’re likely to see Christmas lights whichever city you’re in – most will have been on since November – but the shop windows and sparkling illuminations along London’s Oxford Street are real showstoppers. If you’ve got all your Christmas shopping sorted already, then head to Winter Wonderland – in London or Cardiff – for all kinds of festive activities, like ice skating, fairground rides and mulled wine drinking. The nation’s New Year parties will be just around the corner – see out the year with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne during Scotland’s Hogmanay celebration.
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Boxing Day
26 December 2023
Christmas Day
25 December 2023
New Year's Eve
31 December 2023
First Sunday of Advent
3 December 2023
Christmas Eve
24 December 2023
December Solstice
22 December 2023
Last day of Hanukkah
15 December 2023
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
8 December 2023
First Day of Hanukkah
8 December 2023
For the best weather during your trip to the UK, visit between May and September. While sunny skies are never certain, these months – July and August in particular – are the warmest across all regions in the UK. You’ll feel the heat most in England, where temperatures can reach into the thirties, while Wales and Northern Ireland tend to have slightly cooler climates. In contrast, temperatures drop in December – most noticeably in Scotland, which is your best bet if you’re after some snow.
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London | High | 9°C | 8°C | 11°C | 14°C | 17°C | 20°C | 23°C | 22°C | 19°C | 16°C | 12°C | 10°C |
Low | 4°C | 3°C | 5°C | 7°C | 9°C | 12°C | 15°C | 14°C | 12°C | 10°C | 7°C | 5°C | |
Rainfall | 20 days | 16 days | 17 days | 16 days | 15 days | 14 days | 15 days | 16 days | 16 days | 19 days | 20 days | 20 days | |
Manchester | High | 7°C | 6°C | 9°C | 11°C | 14°C | 17°C | 20°C | 19°C | 16°C | 13°C | 10°C | 8°C |
Low | 2°C | 2°C | 2°C | 4°C | 7°C | 10°C | 12°C | 12°C | 9°C | 8°C | 5°C | 4°C | |
Rainfall | 20 days | 16 days | 17 days | 16 days | 15 days | 14 days | 15 days | 16 days | 16 days | 19 days | 20 days | 20 days | |
Edinburgh | High | 7°C | 7°C | 9°C | 11°C | 13°C | 16°C | 19°C | 18°C | 16°C | 13°C | 9°C | 8°C |
Low | 2°C | 2°C | 2°C | 4°C | 6°C | 9°C | 11°C | 11°C | 9°C | 6°C | 4°C | 3°C | |
Rainfall | 20 days | 16 days | 17 days | 16 days | 15 days | 14 days | 15 days | 16 days | 16 days | 19 days | 20 days | 20 days | |
Liverpool | High | 8°C | 7°C | 10°C | 12°C | 15°C | 17°C | 20°C | 19°C | 17°C | 15°C | 11°C | 9°C |
Low | 4°C | 3°C | 3°C | 5°C | 8°C | 11°C | 14°C | 13°C | 11°C | 9°C | 6°C | 5°C | |
Rainfall | 20 days | 16 days | 17 days | 16 days | 15 days | 14 days | 15 days | 16 days | 16 days | 19 days | 20 days | 20 days | |
Glasgow | High | 7°C | 7°C | 9°C | 11°C | 14°C | 16°C | 19°C | 18°C | 16°C | 13°C | 9°C | 8°C |
Low | 2°C | 2°C | 3°C | 4°C | 6°C | 9°C | 11°C | 11°C | 9°C | 7°C | 4°C | 3°C | |
Rainfall | 20 days | 16 days | 17 days | 16 days | 15 days | 14 days | 15 days | 16 days | 16 days | 19 days | 20 days | 20 days | |
Birmingham | High | 8°C | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 15°C | 18°C | 22°C | 20°C | 18°C | 14°C | 10°C | 9°C |
Low | 2°C | 1°C | 2°C | 4°C | 7°C | 10°C | 12°C | 12°C | 9°C | 8°C | 5°C | 4°C | |
Rainfall | 20 days | 16 days | 17 days | 16 days | 15 days | 14 days | 15 days | 16 days | 16 days | 19 days | 20 days | 20 days |
Weather data provided by Forecast.io
Cost of stay in United Kingdom
Want to travel smart? Here, you can check out the cost of stay in the United Kingdom for each month.
The best places to visit in United Kingdom
Check out some of the most popular cities, places to visit and things to do in United Kingdom!
London
Popular in December
Sightseeing, Museums, Shopping
Manchester
Popular in December
Shopping, Restaurants, Nightlife
Edinburgh
Popular in August
History, Castles, Old Town
Liverpool
Popular in July
Shopping, Friendly People, Atmosphere
Glasgow
Popular in July
Shopping, Restaurants, Friendly People
Birmingham
Popular in December
Shopping, Restaurants, Food
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A great City, with dramatic bridges across the River Tyne, lovely quayside and happy buzz around the city centre . Very walkable, compact city centre
Nice quiet location and good for travelling to other places by train. Near to brooklands museum. Near racecourse.
The city of Aynho is a rip-roaring centre of the international money-laudering and modern slavery trade. Oh no, hang on, I have made a mistake. It's a cute littrle sleepy village about 20 minutes from Banbury.
Agreat place to visit for sight seeing. The Strand Palace Hotel is ideally situated, close to Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye and the River Thames to name just a few tourist attractions
Clean and comfortable. Super friendly staff. Excellent value
We live in a different part of Kent so it was nice to visit places we did in our childhood, lots of great memories.Also loved shopping at Westwood Cross (a must for people who like to shop).
Lots of places to eat both sit in and take away. People very friendly
Like Cornwall but 200 miles nearer ! Great little town . . Good shops and pubs
we were visiting freinds and relatives in the area.
Exactly what you want it to be, sea, ice cream, amusements and souvenirs. Visit Scoffs, best chips in town. Crazy golf was really good fun.
Lovely location. Pub in walking distance and lovely Taj Indian Restaurant a mile up the road. Easy access to main road to Poole. Ideal for two, but sofa bed would allow another adult or two children.
Perth is a lovely city and has many facilities for the traveller and holiday maker.
It's a lovely spa town with some interesting little shops. The pavilion gardens are pretty and the theatre is fabulous.
Plenty of shops, eateries and pubs. Ideal for a relaxing break.
Clean place with picturesque views of the great orme mountains lovely scenic walks
We were literally staying for 1 night before moving onto a pre booked activity the next day but perfect for an overnight stay. Some lovely little shops and everyone we encountered was so friendly and welcoming.
We love this city- it is not megapolis but old , ancient. The atmosphere is unique
Been to Corbridge lots of times. It’s a beautiful village in Northumberland lovely friendly people. Has lots of different shops. 5+ pubs which You can get meals in most of them. Few restaurants and a fab bakery. This is a well worth a visit.
Beautiful city with lots of history and cute cafes
Lovely little quaint shops but closed sat and Sundays.
Seaside town that is in need of some updates Lovely friendly place Lots to see and do Cheap and cheerful Food places close early Great choice of food places Lots of good shops in the north Very quiet for April Easy to get around with a family 2 dogs and a mobility scooter
Plenty to do but been from up north it is too expensive be prepared to be fleeced.
Some areas of Brighton could do with a bit of tlc, maybe pandemic has had an impact? But overall still a brilliant,vibrant place full of diverse interesting people. What's not to like?
Lots of public transport available if needed. Will return one day.
Excellent shopping and market, and fascinating Church. Marvellous Roman Museum and Amphitheatre! Still much more to explore- next visit!
Loved the beaches and the harbour! The climb to the little Art Gallery was well worth it! Try the Hope and Anchor for reasonably priced food!
Cool city, loads of good places to eat and architecture to see.
Lovely sandy beech, you can have the beech-town in minutes.
A great place to visit. Great places to eat. Lots to do.
Everyone was friendly and lots of bars, restaurants and places to visit. It is within a short train ride from Edinburgh. Highly recommend!
The location was great, the accommodation was great we loved it
Quaint riverside location. Lovely friendly people. Felt really at ease. Some great shops. Took the most delicious bread home with us and textiles from a mill shop. Very easy to get around this compact town with attractive riverside. Good coffee and great beer to be had in several locations. Download Ringo to make your parking easier. Car parks charge 8-4 only but you can pre book the next day using the app.
I thought that Edgware was a nice clean place, nice people as well.
York was an amazing place and so much to do and little time to do it all.
A very easy resort to navigate. Excellent shopping options and a wide range of restaurants. A beautiful marina and beach.
First time visiting as a family and for both my young children. We will definitely be returning and really enjoyed our stay!
Liverpool was very excellent but which was I booked the apartment was I’m not happy because their won’t gave which I was booked one
Edinburgh is a magnificent city! It has some of the most beautiful heritage buildings. The Rly Station right in the centre of the town. The public transportation with its buses and tram are excellent. Therefore it is very easy to get around in Edinburgh. There are lots of tourist attractions in the city. Besides Edinburgh Castle, the Queen Street and Royal Miles are the main attraction of the town. There are a number of restaurants catering to the need of people from different continents.
I do know Peebles, have friends there, and have spent time there on several occasions. It is a wonderful town, in all aspects, shopping, restaurants, cafes, hotels and other amenities. The range and variety of shops and businesses, mean that most things, and services are available There is a small theatre with an active drama group who perform high quality shows regularly. Local people are extremely friendly and welcoming.
It is a small City so all of the city centre attractions can be reached easily on foot. It has a good range of pubs, cafes and restaurants, an interesting history and a range of cultural attractions. It appears to have good transport links by road, rail or Metro and easy access to coast or country.
Falmouth is a good place to visit. We wanted to have a quiet few days in Cornwall and it fitted the bill.
Love the transport facilities, nothing is ever too far away.
Lovely view of the Loch, we enjoyed our stay,lovely staff,food was great
Excellent Food Festival. Hotel was walking distance to Bolton Centre
It's a beautiful city that has many hidden treasures for you to discover. We were there to visit the University of Glasgow but were drawn to the many architectural buildings surrounding the city. People generally are very friendly and it was easy to get around the city with no difficulties finding transportation. It is a well-developed city and a great weekend getaway. It is also a multicultural city that caters to different ethnic minorities.
The country setting was great. It was close to many beautiful drives and walks
😍 love it ,every one so friendly, plenty of places to eat/drink. It is what you make it .
The most beautiful place I have ever been to everything about this place is relaxing and refreshing
really underestimate location, I was partially here on business but managed a couple days to explore and loved it!
Lamlash is a lovely village - 10mn bus from Brodick/ferry terminal - with some nice little shops and beaches from where you can admire the Holy Isle and also some seals who seem to love the area! Few restaurants and a Co-op (supermarket) and the people there are very welcoming.
It’s a picturesque village but quite difficult to navigate around if you don’t know where you’re going - luckily I know it well! Pub is amazing and location proximity to Budleigh Salterton and Bicton make it a good base away from the crowds. Be prepared to park in the v small communal carpark and walk. Our accommodation was actually closer to Otterton so check the address and access well before arrival otherwise you could be driving in circles!
Amazing service all Staff are helpful and kind. Mark the night manager went above and beyond to help me keep safe and well. I would highly recommend staying here, its also a lovely family friendly place too.
The countryside the beautiful gardens the trees all so well kept and beautiful.
The City is full of young people and is very dynamic. Also, it is orderly and peaceful. You will not worry about your personal safety at night. The city centre is clean. The city planning is good with a hormony of mixture old /historical and modern buildings. People are friendly. Overall, a nice place to work and live.
Edinburgh has lots of great architecture and charming side streets with a vast range of eateries. The castle and the Royal Mile are very popular with visitors and they can be quite busy.
Ludlow is a hidden gem. Gorgeous old Tudor buildings in a place that feels nice to walk around. Great market but the highlight is the river, we saw kingfishers right in town. Sadly no sightings of the otters. Lovely walks along river.
Charming Cathedral City. Beautiful architecture and river walks.
Lovely choice of eating places and beuatiful little theatre
Nice little dog friendly town, much quieter than near by Paignton and Torquay...well worth a visit.
Lovely town and pub. Perfect for a few days away. Definitely want to return.
I was only there for a meeting and a further meeting 2 days later. Looking around I found the city centre really badly run down.
Loved the Titanic experience and Belfast Castle. Civic Hall beautiful shopping fantastic. Xmas decorations just beautiful.
Even out of season enough around town et al to occupy Self. Would have liked access to summit Great Orme, Bus or Tram incapable of Walking up nowadays but down good. Knew Transport stops time of year, obviously numbers not enough locals to cater for to be worthwhile.
It was a pleasure staying there it had character clean fresh smell beautiful place plenty to look around the village lovely take away food spar very close by there not a bad thing I can say
Excellent range of shops. The railway museum is one of the best museums in the UK. Good choice of restaurants. Easy city to walk around.
Have never stayed at a Days Inn before. For the price paid, wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. It had everything we needed really...good location ( just off the motorway) at service area - so food options, Clean, comfortable bed, good shower and tv and Internet. Some refurbishment needed, but not enough to put us off using again.
Great historic town with bars restaurants a marina and fabulous beaches within walking distance
The staff were very friendly and helpful. Everything was great.
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