Using Met Office data for the whole UK, May to September is the warmest and sunniest stretch, with daytime highs of 15 to 20 degrees. December to February is cold, with highs of 7 degrees or less and only 43 to 72 hours of sunshine a month. Rain falls in every month. The temperature and rain figures below are Met Office 1991-2020 national averages for the UK; regions vary.
These figures are Met Office UK-wide averages for 1991 to 2020, which Trip Keeper calculated from the monthly series. Scotland and the north are usually cooler and wetter than southern England. Crowd and price data are not in these sources.
- Warmest month
- July, daytime high 19.6 degrees
- Coldest months
- January and December, daytime highs 6.7 and 7.0 degrees
- Sunniest month
- May, 192.2 hours
- Wettest months
- December, November and October, about 122 to 127 mm
- Driest months
- May and April, about 71 to 72 mm
Month by month
Temperatures and rain are typical climate for 1991-2020. They are not a forecast.
Plan around your month
| Month | Verdict | Typical climate |
|---|---|---|
| January | ○Challenging | 1.2 to 6.7 °C · rain 121.5 mm |
| February | ○Challenging | 1.1 to 7.2 °C · rain 96.2 mm |
| March | ◐Good, with trade-offs | 2.2 to 9.2 °C · rain 85.1 mm |
| April | ◐Good, with trade-offs | 3.8 to 12 °C · rain 71.7 mm |
| May | ●Recommended | 6.3 to 15.1 °C · rain 71 mm |
| June | ●Recommended | 9.1 to 17.7 °C · rain 77.2 mm |
| July | ●Recommended | 11 to 19.6 °C · rain 82.5 mm |
| August | ●Recommended | 11 to 19.3 °C · rain 93.8 mm |
| September | ●Recommended | 9 to 16.9 °C · rain 90.9 mm |
| October | ◐Good, with trade-offs | 6.4 to 13.1 °C · rain 122.5 mm |
| November | ○Challenging | 3.6 to 9.4 °C · rain 123.3 mm |
| December | ○Challenging | 1.4 to 7 °C · rain 127.2 mm |
January ○Challenging
Typical climate: 1.2 to 6.7 °C · rain 121.5 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 6.7 degrees, rainfall 121.5 mm, 47.5 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Museums, theatre, indoor sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Cold, wet and dark. Pack warm layers, a waterproof and plan indoor options.
February ○Challenging
Typical climate: 1.1 to 7.2 °C · rain 96.2 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 7.2 degrees, rainfall 96.2 mm, 71.9 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Museums, theatre, indoor sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Cold, wet and dark. Pack warm layers, a waterproof and plan indoor options.
March ◐Good, with trade-offs
Typical climate: 2.2 to 9.2 °C · rain 85.1 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 9.2 degrees, rainfall 85.1 mm, 109.2 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Museums, city sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Pack layers and a waterproof. Daylight is shorter than in summer.
April ◐Good, with trade-offs
Typical climate: 3.8 to 12 °C · rain 71.7 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 12.0 degrees, rainfall 71.7 mm, 155.3 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- City sightseeing, gardens.
Watch out for
- Pack layers and a waterproof. Daylight is shorter than in summer.
May ●Recommended
Typical climate: 6.3 to 15.1 °C · rain 71 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 15.1 degrees, rainfall 71.0 mm, 192.2 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Gardens, castles, countryside walks.
Watch out for
- Check the forecast. The UK can be wet in any month, and Scotland is usually cooler.
June ●Recommended
Typical climate: 9.1 to 17.7 °C · rain 77.2 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 17.7 degrees, rainfall 77.2 mm, 171.5 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Long days, gardens, coast, countryside.
Watch out for
- Check the forecast. The UK can be wet in any month, and Scotland is usually cooler.
July ●Recommended
Typical climate: 11 to 19.6 °C · rain 82.5 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 19.6 degrees, rainfall 82.5 mm, 173.4 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Coast, countryside, outdoor sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Check the forecast. The UK can be wet in any month, and Scotland is usually cooler.
August ●Recommended
Typical climate: 11 to 19.3 °C · rain 93.8 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 19.3 degrees, rainfall 93.8 mm, 161.7 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Coast, countryside, outdoor sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Check the forecast. The UK can be wet in any month, and Scotland is usually cooler.
September ●Recommended
Typical climate: 9 to 16.9 °C · rain 90.9 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 16.9 degrees, rainfall 90.9 mm, 127.5 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Walks, castles, city sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Check the forecast. The UK can be wet in any month, and Scotland is usually cooler.
October ◐Good, with trade-offs
Typical climate: 6.4 to 13.1 °C · rain 122.5 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 13.1 degrees, rainfall 122.5 mm, 91.8 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Museums, castles, indoor sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Pack layers and a waterproof. Daylight is shorter than in summer.
November ○Challenging
Typical climate: 3.6 to 9.4 °C · rain 123.3 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 9.4 degrees, rainfall 123.3 mm, 57.9 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Museums, theatre, indoor sightseeing.
Watch out for
- Cold, wet and dark. Pack warm layers, a waterproof and plan indoor options.
December ○Challenging
Typical climate: 1.4 to 7 °C · rain 127.2 mm
Met Office 1991 to 2020 UK averages: daytime high 7.0 degrees, rainfall 127.2 mm, 42.7 hours of sunshine.
Good for
- Christmas markets, museums, theatre.
Watch out for
- Cold, wet and dark. Pack warm layers, a waterproof and plan indoor options.
Who it suits
For Parents / seniors
May to September gives the warmest days. Keep indoor options ready, since rain falls in every month.
For Children
Summer for outdoor days, with a waterproof in the bag.
For Couples
Late spring and summer for gardens and countryside, winter for theatre and Christmas markets.
For Friends
Summer for the outdoors.
For Solo travellers
May to September for easier sightseeing.
By interest
Countryside and gardens
May to September has the warmest days and the most sunshine, per Met Office 1991 to 2020 averages.
If your dates are fixed
Whatever the month, carry a waterproof and layers. In winter, plan indoor options and expect short days. For warmth and long daylight, aim for May to September.
Trips to United Kingdom
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Quick questions
Sources
- Met Office: Met Office: UK monthly mean daily maximum temperature (HadUK-Grid) · checked 23 Oct 2026