Best time to go to United Kingdom for a perfect weather and where to go?
Lucie Lhortolat and Tony Samson last update: 27/05/2024When is the best time to go to United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom has a reputation for being very rainy, so travelers often stay there all year round even when the weather conditions are not ideal. However, the best time to visit the United Kingdom is between May and September. This is when the temperatures are most pleasant and the sun is more likely to shine.
The months of July and August are the most favorable. Although it can rain during this period, there are many sunny days and the average temperature ranges from 11 to 23°C (74°F) . It is also the peak tourist season, so prices tend to be higher.
Moreover, some regions of the United Kingdom have particularly mild summers. For example, Brighton in England is a great destination for a beach holiday.
If you are wondering when to visit the United Kingdom to avoid crowds, you may want to consider the months of May and September which offer beautiful days.
Finally, some periods are pleasant for traveling to the United Kingdom despite unfavorable weather conditions. For instance, the weeks leading up to Christmas are very popular despite cold temperatures and gray, rainy skies. The numerous decorations and festive atmosphere, especially in cities like London, create a magical experience.
Other periods such as Halloween or St. Patrick's Day in March also attract travelers.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
England
London, Jersey, Manchester...
North Ireland
Belfast, Derry (Londonderry), Armagh...
Scotland
Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness...
Wales
Cardiff, Pembrokeshire, Swansea...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in United Kingdom for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
United Kingdom in january United Kingdom in february United Kingdom in march United Kingdom in april United Kingdom in may United Kingdom in june United Kingdom in july United Kingdom in august United Kingdom in september United Kingdom in october United Kingdom in november United Kingdom in december
Best time to travel to United Kingdom by cities
England 
North Ireland 
Scotland 
Wales 
Climate and Weather in United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a oceanic climate. Due to high humidity brought by the sea, the sky is often cloudy and rain is very frequent throughout the year.
The term “fog” is often used in the UK, referring to constant fog during the winter months, which is exacerbated by pollution.
However, due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, it never gets very cold in this region of the world, and snowfall is extremely rare in the plains.
Lastly, while it is sometimes said that it rains all the time in cities like Edinburgh or London, this is an idea that needs to be qualified. In fact, many sunny days can be found, with blue skies for several days in a row in the United Kingdom, especially in spring and summer.
United Kingdom Climate: Winter
Thanks to the presence of the Gulf Stream, which also influences the climate of Iceland and Norway, the cold is never intense in the United Kingdom during winter. In fact, during this period, average temperatures range from 2 to 10°C (50°F) and rarely drop below 0°C (32°F) . Moreover, snow is very rare in UK cities.
However, in winter, the presence of chilly winds can make local temperatures more challenging, especially near rivers. Therefore, appropriate clothing should be planned.
Furthermore, this season is quite rainy, with about 3 to 12 rainy days per month in winter. It is mostly light rain that affects the United Kingdom. Thus, the rainfall is relatively low. However, it can rain all day and even for several days at times.
Lastly, for enthusiasts, it is possible to ski in the United Kingdom at places like Glencoe and Glenshee in Scotland.
United Kingdom Climate: Spring
Spring is a very pleasant season in the United Kingdom. Gradually, temperatures rise and the sky becomes sunnier more often. Of course, there are still some precipitation to contend with. However, the months of April and May are often the ones with the fewest rainy days in the country.
Moreover, temperatures slowly increase and reach an average of 15 to 17°C (63°F) depending on the regions. However, it can still be cold at times.
In spring, landscapes become greener, flowers are plentiful, and the light is ideal for photography enthusiasts. It is the best time for a road trip in Wales to discover the panoramas of Snowdon Mountain.
United Kingdom Climate: Summer
During summer, the weather is mild in the United Kingdom. Although it is a fairly rainy season, it is rare for rain to last several days and the sun quickly returns.
Moreover, the sky is less cloudy than during other months of the year. Indeed, sunshine is at its maximum in July with 10 hours per day in some regions compared to 3 to 4 hours in winter.
Furthermore, even though it can rain 15 days per month in July and August, rainy days are often fewer and precipitation remains low.
During this season, warmth is also present. Indeed, average temperatures are generally around 20°C (68°F) and can reach 25°C (77°F) depending on the regions.
Therefore, if you wish to travel to the United Kingdom for hiking, mountain biking, or outdoor sports, summer will be the ideal season.
However, swimming is chilly in the United Kingdom, as the sea temperature ranges between 15 and 18°C (65°F) between July and September.
United Kingdom Climate: Autumn
With the lively Halloween period, autumn is a season that attracts many travelers. However, the climate in the United Kingdom during this period is not very favorable. Indeed, from October onwards, average temperatures can drop below 10°C (50°F) . The sky becomes grey, and it is rare to see a ray of sunshine.
On the other hand, unlike France, it is not a season with frequent rain since it rains a maximum of 10 days per month and in small quantities.
United Kingdom Climate by Regions
The United Kingdom is an island state that includes several countries within an area of approximately 242,000 km². Thus, the weather in the United Kingdom varies by regions.
Indeed, precipitation is generally more frequent and abundant in the north and west of the country. For example, the west of Scotland like in Fort William experiences almost 200 rainy days per year. In England, cities like Manchester and Plymouth are also very rainy.
On the other hand, Belfast, located in Northern Ireland, also experiences unpredictable weather with abundant rainfall and overcast skies even in summer. Therefore, it is advisable to favor the east and south of the United Kingdom for a trip.
For instance, England has a better climate than its neighbors with less abundant rainfall.
Temperatures and rainfall in United Kingdom
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of United Kingdom and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and Brighton, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Where to go in United Kingdom?
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 |
| Edinburgh | 43°F | 45°F | 49°F | 52°F | 58°F | 63°F | 65°F | 65°F | 61°F | 56°F | 49°F | 45°F |
| Cardiff | 47°F | 49°F | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 68°F | 67°F | 65°F | 59°F | 52°F | 49°F |
| Belfast | 45°F | 47°F | 49°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 65°F | 65°F | 61°F | 56°F | 50°F | 47°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 |
| Aberdeen | 43°F | 43°F | 47°F | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 63°F | 59°F | 54°F | 49°F | 45°F |
| Glasgow | 43°F | 43°F | 47°F | 52°F | 58°F | 63°F | 65°F | 63°F | 59°F | 54°F | 49°F | 43°F |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About United Kingdom
What can I do in United Kingdom?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for United Kingdom reliable?
Climate data for United Kingdom has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for United Kingdom allows us to determine the average for each month in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, and 238 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.