When to go to England? The best months and those to avoid

You are wondering when to go to England To make the most of your stay? The answer depends largely on the type of trip you're planning. A cultural weekend in London, a road trip in the Cotswolds, a getaway to the Cornish coast, or a stay in the Lake District don't necessarily require the same conditions.

English weather has a reputation for being unpredictable, and that's not entirely untrue. A sunny day can quickly give way to showers before the sun returns. However, certain periods offer a better balance between pleasant temperatures, long days, and reasonable tourist crowds.

For most travelers, May, June and September are among the best months to discover England.

UP TO YOU

What kind of traveler are you for? When to go to England? The best months and those to avoid "?

5 quick questions to see what suits you best.

Question 1 of 5

To choose your dates, you first look at…

The long daysPeace and quiet, and fewer people

Question 2 of 5

Regarding the weather…

I try to aim for the gentlest periodI adapt; the atmosphere matters more.

Question 3 of 5

You would rather leave…

In high seasonOff-season

Question 4 of 5

Your program will primarily be…

Outside, in natureIn the city and in cultural venues

Question 5 of 5

You are looking for…

Light and animationA more tranquil atmosphere

What is the best time to go to England?

The period from May to September is generally the most pleasant way to visit England.

The temperatures are milder, the days are long, and the gardens and countryside landscapes are particularly beautiful.

According to the Met Office's 1991-2020 climate normals, average maximum temperatures across England reach approximately 16°C in May, 19°C in June, 21°C in July, 21°C in August and 18°C in September.

But going in the middle of summer isn't necessarily the best choice. July and August also correspond to the peak tourist season, particularly in London and the most popular areas.

To enjoy a better balance between weather and crowds, we particularly recommend:

May : for spring, gardens and the English countryside.

June : for long days and generally pleasant weather.

September : to travel after the high season while still enjoying mild temperatures.

England in spring: March, April and May

Spring is an excellent season to discover England.

From March onwards, the days begin to lengthen and the landscapes gradually regain their colours. Parks, gardens and countryside become covered in flowers.

April and May are particularly interesting.

Contrary to the image often associated with British weather, spring can be relatively dry. Met Office averages indicate around 56 mm of precipitation in April and 57 mm in May on the scale of England.

May is also one of the brightest months, with approximately 199 hours of sunshine on average.

This is an ideal time to discover the The Cotswolds, to visit Oxford or Cambridge, explore English gardens or take to the roads of the south of the country.

Going to England in the summer: June, July and August

Summer naturally remains the most popular time to travel to England.

The days are long and the temperatures are generally pleasant. In July, the average maximum temperature reaches approximately 21 °C nationwide. In southern England, it is approaching 22 °C.

This is an excellent time to explore rural and coastal areas:

THE Cornwall, the Devon, THE The Cotswolds, the Lake District, the Yorkshire or even the coast of Dorset.

June is often a very good compromise. The days are particularly long and the crowds are generally more manageable than during the peak summer holidays.

Should we avoid July and August?

Not necessarily.

July and August offer excellent conditions for discovering England. Temperatures are among the highest of the year and numerous events take place throughout the country.

The main drawback concerns the tourist traffic.

London's major attractions, famous Cotswold villages and some seaside resorts can get very crowded during school holidays.

The exact dates of school holidays vary depending on the schools and local authorities in England.

If you wish to travel in July or August, it is therefore best to book accommodations and some tours well in advance.

September: one of the best months to visit England

If you're wondering when to go to England While avoiding the peak season, September deserves special attention.

Temperatures remain pleasant, with an average maximum of around 18 °C on a national scale.

The days are obviously shorter than in June, but the conditions remain very suitable for sightseeing and road trips.

September is a particularly pleasant time to discover the villages of The Cotswolds, travel through the English countryside, explore the Lake District or organize a trip combining London and the south of England.

It is also an interesting time for travellers seeking more tranquility.

England in autumn: October and November

From October onwards, the atmosphere gradually changes.

The trees take on their autumnal colours and the English landscapes become particularly photogenic.

However, temperatures are starting to drop. Average highs are falling to around 14°C in October Then 10°C in November.

Rainfall is also becoming heavier. The Met Office's averages indicate approximately 90 mm of rain in October and 92 mm in November for the whole of England.

This does not mean that this period should be avoided.

Autumn can be magnificent in the Lake District, the Yorkshire or the The Cotswolds. London also remains very pleasant for a cultural stay.

You simply need to plan for appropriate clothing and accept more changeable weather.

Traveling to England in winter: December, January and February

Winter offers a completely different experience.

The days are short and the temperatures are cooler. In January, average highs are around 7 °C on the scale of England.

For a big road trip in the English countryside, this is therefore not necessarily the time of year we would choose.

On the other hand, winter has real advantages for a city break.

London, Bath, York, and Oxford are all perfect destinations to explore at this time of year. The weeks leading up to Christmas are particularly delightful thanks to the Christmas lights, decorations, and markets.

Winter also allows you to discover a different, more intimate England.

What are the rainiest months in England?

It is difficult to talk about English weather without mentioning rain.

But the idea that it rains constantly in England is largely exaggerated.

At the national level, the Met Office's climate normals even show that March, April and May are among the driest months, with approximately 58, 56 and 57 mm of rainfall.

Conversely, October, November and December record around 90 to 92 mm per month.

However, there are significant regional differences.

The west and some mountainous regions are generally wetter than the southeast of the country. The weather encountered in the Lake District can therefore be very different from that observed in London or Kent.

To consult the official climate norms before your departure, you can consult the data from the Met Office.

When is the best time to go to England for a road trip?

For a road trip, we prefer the period from May to September.

May and June allow you to enjoy long days, which is particularly appreciated when you want to multiply the stages.

For example, you can explore the villages of The Cotswolds, join Bath, continue towards Devon and Cornwall or explore the north of the country.

September is also an excellent alternative.

Tourist routes are generally quieter than in the middle of summer and temperatures remain suitable for outdoor visits.

To help you plan your itinerary, also check out our suggestions for tailor-made holidays in England.

When to visit London?

London can be visited all year round.

Spring is a particularly pleasant time to enjoy the parks and explore the city on foot.

In summer, the long days allow for more sightseeing, but the capital also welcomes a huge number of visitors.

September is once again an excellent time to enjoy still mild temperatures.

Finally, November and December offer a completely different atmosphere with the illuminations and festive season atmosphere.

The choice therefore depends primarily on the desired experience.

When is the best time to go to explore the English countryside?

For travellers wishing to discover villages, gardens and rural landscapes, May and June are probably the two most interesting months..

The countryside is particularly green and the gardens are in bloom.

This is an ideal time to explore the The Cotswolds, Kent, Yorkshire or the many historic estates in the country.

September is another very good option, especially for travellers wishing to avoid the summer crowds.

Which months should be avoided when travelling to England?

There isn't really a bad month to visit England.

It all depends on your project.

For a road trip primarily focused on scenery and outdoor activities, November, December and January are generally less favorable due to shorter days and wetter weather.

Conversely, July and August may be less suitable for travellers who wish to avoid crowded sites.

Therefore, these are not necessarily months to avoid, but rather periods presenting certain compromises.

What time of year should you choose depending on your trip?

For a road trip, May, June or September are preferable.

To discover London, Almost all seasons are suitable, with a preference for spring and September.

For the Cotswolds and the English countryside, May and June are particularly pleasant.

For the Cornwall and the south coast, June to September generally offers the most favorable conditions.

For the hiking, favor late spring and summer.

To take advantage of Christmas markets and illuminations, Choose late November or December.

Are you travelling with children? Check out our guide to family trip to England. And for the capital, follow our London's off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods.

So, when is the best time to go to England?

If we had to choose three months, we would choose May, June and September.

May offers a green countryside and gardens in bloom.

June allows you to enjoy very long days before the heart of the high season.

September still combines pleasant temperatures with generally more reasonable visitor numbers.

But England remains a destination that can be explored all year round. The best time depends primarily on your preferences, the regions you wish to explore, and the type of trip you envision.

Brightside Travel, specialists in travel to the United Kingdom and Ireland, can assist you in creating a tailor-made trip to England, from London to the villages of the Cotswolds, via Cornwall, Bath, Oxford or the north of the country.

BRIGHTSIDE TRAVEL

Do you want to experience this trip?

Our local team creates your tailor-made itinerary in the UK and Ireland.

Create my trip