Best time to go to England for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 13/11/2024When is the best time to go to England?
The summer season is by far the best time to visit England. Indeed, it is between June and September that the temperatures are most favorable for exploring the country.
However, summer coincides with the peak tourist season and the prices that come with it. If you don't like crowds or if your budget is tight, other periods are quite feasible. Moreover, the choice of your vacation dates will also depend on what you wish to do while you are there.
- For city trips to London, Manchester, or Liverpool, you can go to England between April and October. Between museums, pubs, and other tea rooms, there is always a place to shelter in case of bad weather! Although touristy and cool, the Christmas period is also a good option for a visual feast.
- To immerse yourself in nature in national parks or the English countryside, the shoulder seasons are particularly beautiful and can be a good alternative to summer. In spring, colorful flowers blanket the fields and gardens, while in autumn, the trees display vibrant colors.
- If you want to engage in outdoor activities, such as hiking or camping in England, summer is essential. The sun is often shining, and it's the best time to enjoy the beach, whether in Brighton or elsewhere along the coast.
- To visit the Channel Islands, such as Jersey or Guernsey, the good season can extend from June to October, or even from May to November. Indeed, the weather is milder there, and they benefit from over 2000 hours of sunshine per year.
When to go to England? To combine pleasant weather conditions, reasonable prices, and manageable crowds, the ideal time is to visit during the shoulder seasons: in April-May or October, while avoiding, if possible, the French or local school holidays.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Central (Midlands)
Skegness, Coventry, Stratford-Upon-Avon...
Channel Islands
Jersey, Guernsey...
North of England
Manchester, Liverpool, Hull (Kingston-upon-Hull)...
South East of England
London, Brighton, Oxford...
South West of England
Bristol, Cornwall, Torquay...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in England for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
England in january England in february England in march England in april England in may England in june England in july England in august England in september England in october England in november England in december
Best time to travel to England by cities
Central (Midlands) 
Channel Islands 
North 
South East 
South West 
Climate and Weather in England
Surrounded by Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, England is renowned for its humidity and cold. However, it is necessary to qualify this: with its temperate oceanic climate, the country benefits from the advantages of the Gulf Stream. Indeed, it rains regularly, but the weather changes very quickly and showers are often followed by bright sunshine. Furthermore, temperatures are quite mild compared to its latitude and the temperature range is low.
Generally speaking, the weather in England will also depend on the region in which one finds themselves. Unsurprisingly, the further north you go, towards the border with Scotland, or at higher altitudes, the lower the temperatures, even though snow is rare in the country, and precipitation is significant. Heading south or to the Channel Islands, the weather is milder and drier.
Climate of England in Summer
From late June to late September, the weather is favorable across the country, despite some disparities:
- In July and August, it is in the southeast that it is the hottest, with averages between 19 and 23°C (74°F) . In the islands, temperatures remain stable throughout the season, around 18°C (65°F) , while elsewhere, the thermometer fluctuates between 16 and 21°C (70°F) .
- If you want to swim in the English Channel or the Celtic Sea, it is better to go in August to the south or to the islands. The water temperature is then around 18°C (65°F) . In the center, it is much cooler, barely 16°C (61°F) in the height of summer.
- Precipitation remains constant, and it rains the most in the north and in the center. If you want to stay drier, it is better to choose the southwest coast or, better yet, the Channel Islands.
- In September, the thermometer drops by 2 to 3°C (38°F) and showers are less frequent. Unless you are brave, the sea is too cold for swimming, but it is a very good time to visit England.
Climate of England in Autumn
- While October is still favorable in the southeast and in the islands, the climate is more degraded in the rest of the country. The average temperature is 15°C (59°F) (a little less in the north) and rain makes a big comeback.
- In November, the weather is gloomy and the sky is often gray. Expect around 11 to 13°C (56°F) during the day and 3°C (38°F) less at night. A stay is still feasible in the islands, which have an average close to 15°C (59°F) . As the month progresses, showers become more regular and intense.
- In December, winter is already here. Highs are between 8 and 12°C (54°F) and lows between 6 and 6°C (43°F) . Except in the north, it rains a little less than in November.
Climate of England in Winter
Overall, the English winter is less rainy than autumn, and showers become rarer as the season progresses.
In terms of temperatures, the atmosphere is quite mild, especially when there is no wind. In the center and in the north, it is 7-8°C in January-February and around 10°C elsewhere. At night, expect 2 to 3°C (38°F) less than during the day.
In March, the mercury rises gently and highs approach 11°C (52°F) across the country.
Climate of England in Spring
- April is not recommended for visiting England; however, the averages remain decent: between 12 and 15°C (59°F) , and it is the month with the least rain of the entire year.
- In May, a stay is quite feasible, even if the weather is a bit more humid. It is between 14 and 16°C (61°F) , and even around 18°C (65°F) in the southeast.
- In June, the center is quite rainy, but elsewhere the sun softens the atmosphere. It is about 21°C (70°F) in the southeast, 14°C (58°F) in the islands, and 19°C (67°F) in the rest of England.
Temperatures and rainfall in England
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of England and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of London, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge and Canterbury, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in England
Find out when England has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in England
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, November and December. The number of visitors to England is high in: May, June, July, August, September and October.
- Very low season in England: January, February and March.
- Low season in England: April, November and December.
- High season in England: May, June, September and October.
- Peak season in England: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for England month by month
Average price for flights to England
A return flight between New York City and London is generally cheaper if you go in october ($ 483 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 259 more for your airline ticket to London if you go in july.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to England
Where to go in England?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| London | 47°F | 47°F | 52°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 74°F | 74°F | 68°F | 61°F | 52°F | 49°F |
| Brighton | 47°F | 47°F | 50°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 68°F | 68°F | 67°F | 61°F | 54°F | 49°F |
| Bristol | 47°F | 47°F | 52°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 70°F | 68°F | 67°F | 59°F | 52°F | 49°F |
| Cambridge | 45°F | 47°F | 52°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 72°F | 67°F | 59°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| Canterbury | 47°F | 47°F | 50°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 68°F | 67°F | 61°F | 54°F | 50°F |
| Cornwall | 50°F | 50°F | 50°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 65°F | 65°F | 63°F | 59°F | 56°F | 52°F |
| Exmouth | 49°F | 49°F | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 68°F | 67°F | 65°F | 59°F | 54°F | 50°F |
| Isle of Wight | 49°F | 49°F | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 68°F | 65°F | 61°F | 54°F | 50°F |
| Jersey | 50°F | 50°F | 50°F | 54°F | 58°F | 61°F | 65°F | 67°F | 65°F | 61°F | 58°F | 54°F |
| Liverpool | 45°F | 47°F | 50°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 68°F | 68°F | 65°F | 59°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| Manchester | 43°F | 45°F | 50°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 68°F | 68°F | 65°F | 58°F | 50°F | 45°F |
| Oxford | 45°F | 47°F | 52°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 70°F | 67°F | 59°F | 50°F | 47°F |
| Plymouth | 49°F | 49°F | 50°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 67°F | 63°F | 59°F | 54°F | 50°F |
| Skegness | 45°F | 45°F | 49°F | 52°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 68°F | 63°F | 58°F | 52°F | 47°F |
| Torquay | 49°F | 49°F | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 67°F | 65°F | 59°F | 54°F | 52°F |
| Dover | 47°F | 47°F | 49°F | 52°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 68°F | 65°F | 61°F | 54°F | 50°F |
| Guernsey | 50°F | 50°F | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 61°F | 65°F | 65°F | 65°F | 61°F | 58°F | 54°F |
| Hull (Kingston-upon-Hull) | 45°F | 47°F | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 65°F | 68°F | 68°F | 65°F | 58°F | 50°F | 45°F |
| Isles of Scilly | 52°F | 50°F | 50°F | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 65°F | 63°F | 59°F | 56°F | 54°F |
| Margate | 47°F | 47°F | 49°F | 52°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 67°F | 65°F | 61°F | 54°F | 50°F |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About England
What can I do in England?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for England reliable?
Climate data for England has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for England allows us to determine the average for each month in London, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Cornwall, Exmouth, Isle of Wight, and 72 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.