Best Time To Visit The UK: Picking The Right Time For Your Adventure – 2023

Are you headed to the UK anytime soon? Wondering what is the best time to visit the UK? I’m British and lived in the UK for more than a decade now. I am here to help you have the most wonderful time in this country by helping you assess when it’s the best time to visit the British Isles.

The best time to visit the UK varies greatly on your motivation to travel. If you are after great deals and less crowd, come during the winter season. For the most interesting festivals and the widest range of activities, time your visit during summer. If you are not fond of the wet season, then definitely skip October.

Whichever part of the UK you will be travelling to, it is essential to know about the weather, climate, and seasons here and how these will affect your journey. Make sure to allot enough time to digest what I will be sharing here in order for you to make the most out of your visit to the UK.

Best Time to Visit the UK: Weather, Climate, and Seasons

UK Climate Summary

Winter in the UK

Winter in the UK is cold and damp in general. There is snowfall in some parts of the country, making for a very postcard-worthy landscape. During winter time, the days are shorter and the nights are longer in the UK.

When travelling here during the winter season, make sure to gear up for cold and rainy days. Cold spells can happen in specific areas of the UK, although they are rare. 

Spring in the UK

Springtime is a pleasant time when you will experience the nice transition of the cold weather to a milder one. Flowers are blooming, the trees are budding, and rain is still pouring – but this should not stop you from exploring the great green outdoors.

With an average temperature range of 4°C to 15°C (39°F to 59°F), you can dress comfortably during spring in the UK, although you may still want to pack some form of protection from the occasional rain and wind.

Summer in the UK

You will find summer in the UK to be mild and pleasant, with extended daylight hours that allow you to enjoy both outdoor and indoor activities comfortably. It can get quite hot, especially if there are heatwaves in the area (which is rare.)

Summer is the warmest season in the UK, so many travellers make the most of it and fly here during this time. 

Autumn in the UK

Fall or autumn in the UK is just so beautiful! The natural change of colors in the surroundings and the transition from mild to cold season is something that you should experience for yourself. The weather can get rainier, though, so make sure to pack for it.

Autumn is the best time to be in the countryside. While the days are shorter during this season, you are sure to still find plenty of things to do here at this time. 

Seasons in the UK

Best Time to Visit the UK by Month:

January in the UK

• Average Temperature: 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: New Year’s Day is a great day to be in the UK. Across the country, there are various ways of welcoming the new year with a loud bang. Something else that’s happening in January is the Burns Night which is a Scottish celebration that honors the popular Scottish poet Robert Burns.

February in the UK

• Average Temperature: 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: Valentine’s Day in the UK is such a treat! Each place in the country gets even more romantic during this time, so consider coming here in February with your significant other. Also, have you heard of Pancake Day? Also called Shrove Tuesday, this is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday.

March in the UK

• Average Temperature: 4°C to 10°C (39°F to 50°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: March means St. Patrick’s Day! If you find yourself in Ireland – or anywhere in the UK for that matter – then you are in for a day full of music, parades and other festivities. Also happening in March is the Cheltenham Festival which is among the most prominent horse racing events in the UK.  

April in the UK

• Average Temperature: 6°C to 12°C (43°F to 54°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: Families will find April in the UK to be fun-filled as Easter celebrations are everywhere. Make sure to participate in the various traditions during this time such as egg hunting and face painting. Come April 23, there will be Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations nationwide, and if you are in Stratford-upon-Avon at this time, there will be theatrical plays and parades.

May in the UK

• Average Temperature: 9°C to 15°C (48°F to 59°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: The First of May in the UK is a day filled with maypole and morris dancing as people welcome the arrival of spring. If you are in London towards the end of May, catch the Chelsea Flower Show which attracts thousands of gardening enthusiasts from around the world.

June in the UK

• Average Temperature: 12°C to 18°C (54°F to 64°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: In celebration of the British monarch’s birthday, a military parade and ceremony are prepared and presented. This is called Trooping the Colour and it is usually held during the second Saturday of June. Before the month ends, the famous Glastonbury Festival happens in Somerset. Music festival lovers from different parts of the globe come to this event yearly.

July in the UK

• Average Temperature: 14°C to 21°C (57°F to 70°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: Wimbledon Championships happen in London in July. This prestigious tennis tournament is watched by residents, tourists, celebrities and fans. Later this month is the Notting Hill Carnival. During this event, the Caribbean culture is celebrated through music, dancing, and a grand parade. 

August in the UK

• Average Temperature: 14°C to 21°C (57°F to 70°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: The world’s largest arts festival is held in the UK every August! The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is filled with theater, comedy, music, and other performances that you should not miss. One more interesting event that happens this month is The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The highlights of this celebration are the military music, marching, and entertainment that are performed with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop.

September in the UK

• Average Temperature: 11°C to 17°C (52°F to 63°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: If you are in the UK in September, make sure to check out the Last Night of the Proms. This is a classical music concert held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Aside from that, you also have the fabulous London Fashion Week which is definitely a major event in the global fashion industry.

October in the UK

• Average Temperature: 8°C to 13°C (46°F to 55°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: October is when Diwali or the Festival of Lights is celebrated in the UK and in the rest of the world. The country is one with the Indian community in observing this festival. Also happening in October is the worldwide celebration of Halloween. You will be thrilled and spooked to see the cities transform drastically for this event.

November in the UK

• Average Temperature: 4°C to 9°C (39°F to 48°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night happens during November 5th of every year. This is in commemoration of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. On November 11th, it is Remembrance Day. This day honors those who lost their lives in conflicts. That is why it is also known as Armistice Day.

December in the UK

• Average Temperature: 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F)
• Special Events and Festivals: December in the UK is not complete without going to the different Christmas markets that are set up in many locations across the country. You can never be too late with your holiday shopping! Of course, there is the Hogmanay which happens on December 31st. This Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration is filled with fun parties and traditional customs.

More About the UK:

• Are you curious about British Culture? There are so many great traditions and celebrations in the UK – some of them weird, but most of them wonderful. From cheese rolling to Morris dancing, the UK is filled with facts that are just waiting to be discovered.
• If you are going to visit the UK soon, it might help if you know what are the things that are considered rude, and what are the best ways to show your appreciation. I listed down some of the British etiquette and manners that you should take note of.  
• Are you thinking of going on a scenic drive in the UK? I have listed down the best long trips to take when you’re in this part of the world. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have something to offer to those who want the ultimate UK road trip.
• Did you ever ask yourself about the difference between the UK and Great Britain? Yes, they are different, but in what way are they different, and what should people know about these two, unlike terms? Find out by reading my article.
• I have listed down all the best botanical gardens in the UK which you can visit when you’re here. Some of them include the Birmingham Botanical Garden, the Winterbourne House and Garden, and the National Botanic Gardens of Wales.
• Have you ever heard about the four patron saints of the UK? The Patron Saints of the UK are St. George for England, St. Patrick for Northern Ireland, St. Andrew for Scotland, and St. David for Wales. Learn more about them here!
• When you think of the UK, beautiful castles and palaces will surely come to mind. Some of them are the Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and Bodiam Castle in Cornwall. Since I moved to the UK back in 2009, castles and palaces are always on my list of places to explore with my husband.
• Are you a nature lover? Then you will surely find this list of beautiful national parks in the UK that are definitely worth visiting. A visit to the Peak District National Park during autumn is just lovely!
• I have been to many Cotswold Villages in the UK and I can confidently tell you that they are worth the drive! They are definitely more than just pretty locations because each village has a profound story to share.
• Are you curious about the prestige and the social hierarchy in the UK? With titles that date back centuries and a hierarchy that has changed over time, the world of British peerage is one that is confusing yet fascinating.
• Let me share with you how to make the most of your trip here! This is, for me, the best UK travel itinerary you can do if you are thinking of a two-week journey consisting of a little bit of every good thing!
• Fancy a Highlands tour in Edinburgh? How about a Studio Tour in London? Get Your Guide has all the best things to do in the UK, so make sure to check them out when you’re planning your ultimate UK itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Time to Visit the UK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Everything Zany

Travel Blog

Everything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.