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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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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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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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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.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
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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 |
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, Old Town, Castles
Liverpool
Popular in June
Shopping, Friendly People, Atmosphere
Glasgow
Popular in July
Shopping, Restaurants, Friendly People
Birmingham
Popular in December
Shopping, Restaurants, Food
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A swinging town, great food, beautiful seaside and classic architecture. Musicians all over the place, quirky shops and very reasonable prices. I will be back here for sure!
There's nothing I can say that I don't like about Aberdeen. It's so clean very little pollution regular buses to wherever you want to go and the beach is a wonder of engineering.
Didn't visit Chippenhan itself other than to catch a train for a day out in Bath. However, it only took 11 minutes to get to Bath and avoided the traffic and parking issues in Bath.
Lively city. Things to see - Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds art gallery and Leeds cathedral and others but only had a couple of days
Great independent shops and lovely walks along the river. We also had a lovely meal at the Royal Bengal. Not the cheapest place for drinks or meals out though.
Fascinating, beautiful city, full of history, architecture, culture, entertainment, learning, gardens, river with punting, restaurants, pubs, shops. Bicycles everywhere. Travel by car is problematic with difficulty finding anywhere to park and car parks proving hard to use and very expensive. Make use of the Park and Ride circling the city edges. Well worth visiting for a few days.
Loved the fact that everything was accessible on foot. Lots to see and do - some great pubs and shops.
It's a tourist spot, we were so happy to visit various mountaineering and hiking stores in the city centre which we didn't expect such shopping experience in the first place. Prices was claimed to be reduced but we didn't find them way cheaper, however the variety and brands compensated.
Although the weather was awful, as we visited for our friend’s birthday, we found plenty of places to eat & drink.
Hotel in walking distance for transport links into Leeds. Buses about every 10 minutes
Liked Eastbourne, lovely promenade, nice restaurants, had a good vibe ..,, clean , lovely buildings ….. and architecture and friendly people
An ideal size - could all be done on foot but with enough dining and drinking choices. Handsome architecture of local stone and granite. We recommend the Pannier Market (historic, with interesting stalls including unusually good second-hand books, and all under cover). The church, formerly adjacent to a monastery (of which a few traces remain) has a stained glass window by William Morris and Burne-Jones.
The staff are exceptional just don’t book a disabled room.
Excellent service and friendly staff . Nothing not to like
Everything about my trip was fantastic. Our hotel was amazing and only a short walk from the centre. There were plenty of places to eat.
Paignton is your typical bucket and spade family holiday with amusement arcades and lots of places to eat. Wonderful beach and promenade with pier. There are many other small beaches within walking distance along the coast path including goodrington sands. Excellent transport links for trips to Brixham and Torquay plus the famous zoo.
Glasgow has some local attractions but they could be promoted better. Nice botanical gardens. the west of Glasgow is a nice part to visit. Motorway systems are confusing. Satnav essential and be on your toes.
The beach area and walk way The town centre was like many others just now with vacant shops and looked run down in places
i would just add that the directions too it were not brilliant... it needs to say the name of the road it was on and that it was opposite the pub
Great city for a short trip, so much to see and learn. Scottish food is delicious and locals are very helpful and kind.
The gaol was amazing and the castle was really interactive. Amenities wise there is only a small shop, but a good few pubs and cafes. You do not have to drive far to sample a few beaches and even on a rain-y day you will have a lovely time with some of the friendliest locals in the world.
Town located in the Peak District, with great food choices, and many interesting shops. Convenient for hill walking and riverside strolls. Close to Cromford Mill World Heritage site. Pleasant park and scenic views.
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.
Very quiet and good place to stay if you like walking and not wanting hustle and bustle , the white horse served lovely food
Our holiday was fabulous. Our hosts, Pete and Amanda were brilliant. Every morning we were served breakfast with a smile and a joke. They were there with help or information re restaurants, places of interest or other towns to see. We loved looking in all the antique shops, there were so many exciting items to buy. Everything was in walking distance, so easy to get around.
Nice place to visit . A walk around the Birks a must. The watermill cafe and bookshop very nice
A lovely place but some roads need a lot of work filling In pot holes.
This was a great place for a stopover, with good food, very friendly service (they let you taste the beer before choosing one!) and a comfortable room. What we saw of the surrounding countryside was delightful, Hungerford had an interesting and quirky high street. Great for an overnight stay and probably for a weekend break also.
We came for the excellent lido…geothermal heating plus the cold water pool. We enjoyed the winding streets, local shopping and great seafood. We used this as a base for other visits including the spectacular Lost Gardens of Heligan …bit of a drive but a great day out.
Durham is a really nice place to visit with it’s trendy riverside area and ancient Cathedral and Castle which are a must to look round and with its close proximity to the Beamish Museum it’s a great area to stay
Very friendly welcoming place. Good entertainment. Easy to get around, good food.
We stayed near the beach (Gyllyngvase) which was lovely, even in October! Pendennis Castle recommended, English Heritage run. Stunning views. The town has many very nice shops, and eating places. Lots to see and do. We ate at The Stable and The Palacio Lounge. Both were very nice and I would recommend.
Penzance served as a base to visit St. Michael's Mount, St. Ives, Newlyn, Mousehole, Merry Maidens, Porthleven, Porthcurno Bay, Minac Theatre. It had great restaurants, a very lovely promenade and offered great accommodation. I would recommend staying at Holbein House a d enjoying breakfast there. Lunches/ dinners at Artist's Residence, Dolphin Tavern (both at Penzance), Mackerel's Sky (Newlyn) and ice-cream at Jelbert's (Newlyn)
Great place loads going on setting up for christmas
Plenty to do, plenty to see, never boring, good old fashioned British seaside resort but trying hard to become temporary
Great little city break for a conference but plenty to do around the town.
We came to Brighton for a concert in the Brighton centre, literally a couple of steps away. Concierge parking, worry free visit, and made to feel pampered and cared for. Lots to do around the area, worth a visit!
We enjoyed walking around Cowdrey park and looking at the superb scenery. Midhurst is a nice place to see some quirky shops and some nice places to eat. Reason for visit was to see our daughter playing Felicity in "Relative Values", a light comedy by Noel Coward which was produced by Midhurst Players at the South Downs Centre Memorial Hall.
I would recommend the hop on hop off bus tour, it gives you a perfect overview of the sights, and where you might want to spend longer, public transport is fabulous too, it’s quite hilly in places but worth it for the wonderful views, the Christmas market was lovely and the streets and shops were decorated fabulously, there’s plenty of cafes and pubs to enjoy on your travels☺️
A small town with excellent facilities and attractions.
Lots of great shops around the canals. Plan your time of arrival carefully as traffic can be an issue. Needs more cycle lanes.
It has an excellent Gentleman's Outfitters in the town square, but sadly, it is poorly supplied with decent places to eat.
Lovely little town at the northern extremes of West Yorkshire. A quality destination with plenty of history if you have time to explore. If not then there’s a plethora of great restaurants and bars to keep you occupied and well fed.
Whilst it is difficult on the internet to find good guides. Manchester is a great place to visit. I wish we had had longer. We did a free walking tour we stumbled on with Gareth Smith. I would recommend him 100% very informative and knowledgeable but also a down to earth conversational guy. The Lowery was also great especially as they had an exhibition on about the Gruffalo. The six year old loved it. We packed so much into 2 full days I want to go again and see the rest!
My son was travelling home to Oxford from inverness- his car broke down at the services. I booked a room whilst he waited for recovery- which took over 30 hours- he was travelling with his 10yr old son- staff werexamazing
Robin hoods bay is our favourite go to place in the UK. It’s such a quaint village with some lovely places to drink and eat. The cliff top walls are incredible and it’s a very special place for us.
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