Destination
When should you visit London?
Weather, crowds, prices and events for all twelve months — and one clear recommendation.
My recommendation
May
May is where all four factors line up: mild, mostly dry weather and daylight until 9pm, a full events calendar, and crowds and hotel rates still well below the June–August peak. June has the same weather but costs more; September is calmer but darker. May wins on the combination, not on any single score.
Least crowded
January
One of the quietest periods of the year.
Best weather
July
Warmest month, longest summer daylight.
Best value
January
Low-season hotel and travel costs.
May scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- Wimbledon
- One of London's biggest annual sporting events. Demand rises around Wimbledon and southwest London can become particularly busy. Dates shift slightly each year — confirm before booking.
- Notting Hill Carnival
- One of Europe's major street festivals, bringing exceptionally high visitor numbers to west London over the August bank-holiday weekend.
- London Fashion Week
- A major international fashion event that can increase demand and hotel pressure around central London. Exact dates are announced annually.
- Christmas and New Year
- The city becomes significantly busier around Christmas shopping, festive attractions and New Year's Eve. Early December delivers the same atmosphere for less.
- Easter and school holidays
- Easter moves each year and pulls family crowds and rates up with it; February and October half-terms do the same for a single week.
Late June – July
August bank-holiday weekend
February and September
December
March/April, plus half-terms
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
Keep exploring
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