Best time to go to United Kingdom for a perfect weather and where to go?

Where and when to go based on the weather?

Best time to travel to United Kingdom by cities

England North Ireland Scotland Wales

Best time to go to London

Best time to go to Edinburgh

Best time to go to Cardiff

Best time to go to Belfast

Best time to go to Brighton

Best time to go to Bristol

Best time to go to Cambridge

Best time to go to Canterbury

Best time to go to Cornwall

Best time to go to Exmouth

Best time to go to Isle of Wight

Best time to go to Jersey

Best time to go to Liverpool

Best time to go to Manchester

Best time to go to Oxford

Best time to go to Plymouth

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 and rarely drop below 0°C. 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 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 and can reach 25 °C 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 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. 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).

Legend:

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