London Travel Guide - Weather

The best time to visit London is during the summer months when temperatures are higher and rainfall is lower. The warmest month is July when temperatures average 22-23°C, although it's not uncommon for the mercury to climb to 30°C. The past few years have seen records continuously broken in terms of temperatures and rainfall (or lack of it).

In 2003, the suburb of Greenwich recorded the highest ever temperature for the London district of 38.1°C. Rainfall can be expected at any time of the year so be prepared. Another advantage of visiting during the summer is that the days are much longer. The country's northern latitude means that twilight can extend until past 10pm in June.

The winter period is far less busy so it can be a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the lower rates. London doesn't get very cold and it's unusual for the temperature to dip below freezing. Snow is also uncommon, mainly because the heat from the urban areas makes the city a few degrees warmer than elsewhere. Don't expect too much sunshine as the skies can remain cloudy and grim for long periods. December is both the wettest and coldest month.