When Is the Best Time to Visit England?

England has a temperate climate with wet, cool winters and warm, dry-ish summers. The best word to describe English weather is unpredictable, however, it's never extremely hot or cold. There’s not much regional variation, but southern England tends to be slightly milder overall. No matter when you visit, it’s not a bad idea to pack a brolly and a rain jacket at the bottom of your bag in case the heavens open.

When is the best time to visit England?

If there’s one thing Brits know how to do really well, it’s making the most of the sunshine when it chooses to make an appearance. The best time to visit England is from late spring (late May to early June) until the end of summer (late September). Not only do you have the best chance of experiencing good weather, but the English countryside, coast and culture really shine when the skies are clear. Gardens, forests and wildflowers are in full bloom, alfresco dining is thriving, festival season is pumping and people generally have more of a spring in their step.

If you want to visit beaches (yup, England has some gorgeous beaches would you believe!), summer is the best time to go. The obvious downside of summer is the crowds, especially in major tourist hubs. Accommodation can get booked out pretty fast and prices can shoot through the roof, so make sure you book in advance. The sweet spot is the shoulder season when you get a good balance of weather and smaller crowds.

Spring (March - June)

Best for: wildflowers, wildlife, Chelsea Flower Show

Spring weather tends to be unpredictable – they don’t call it ‘April showers’ for no reason! One day it's gloriously sunny and the next could be heavy rain and cold winds. Life starts waking up from April with wildflowers erupting in colour throughout the countryside and baby lambs and calves in the pastures. May weather can be a bit of a tease, but there’s a notable shift in the weather from mid to late June with more sunlight, clearer skies and less rain.

Summer (June - September)

Best for: beaches, hiking, cycling, festivals

You’re never guaranteed to have consistently warm, sunny weather in England, so don’t expect a scorching summer. The sunniest parts of England are generally along the coast, but even still it rarely exceeds 30°C. Devon and Cornwall are popular staycations with some of the UK's most stunning beaches and excellent surfing conditions. Summer is also the best time to get your music and culture fix with a busy festival calendar including Glastonbury, WOMAD and The Isle of Wight Festival.

Autumn (September - December)

Best for: autumn foliage, wildlife, walking

Autumn is similar to spring. Early autumn can feel more like an extended summer with warm days (especially down south), or winter might arrive early with rain and chilly winds. It gets cooler from late October/early November, so bring a waterproof coat and plenty of warm layers. If you want to hike or cycle, Autumn is a great time for it as everything turns golden and the big crowds have gone home.

Winter (December - March)

Best for: festive markets, cosy winter getaways

Winter in England is known to be damp and dreary and the wind can make the air feel icy cold. However, the English love a good knees-up and the festive period is a fantastic time to enjoy Christmas markets and warm mulled wine around the fire. It can be very chilly, but bring a warm winter coat and you’ll be right as rain. Snow isn’t common unless you’re in the far north or up in the mountains, but you may still get the occasional dusting at sea level. Don’t let rubbish weather put you off, though. Prices are lower, crowds are smaller and it’s the perfect time to explore all of England’s indoor attractions (and pubs!), or go on brisk winter walks.