When is the best time to visit the UK?

Discover the best time to visit the UK based on weather conditions, accommodation prices and crowds.

We’ve researched the best time to visit one of the world’s most historic and beautiful destinations, the UK.

Best time to visit the UK

June - September

Why?

Visiting the UK between June to August will provide you with the warmest weather, but this is also the peak period which means larger crowds and more expensive activities.

Travelling during May or September will mean the weather is only relatively colder. In addition, accommodation and activities are cheaper and the crowds are smaller.

Overview

The UK is a destination that is relatively cool year round, meaning that travelling during the warmer months like June, July and August, will be the most comfortable to wander around.

The UK is a popular family destination, and we recommend avoiding major holiday periods and school holidays to ensure accommodation prices are lower and crowds are minimal. Local school holidays are generally held over Christmas and New Year, mid-February, Easter, late-May, summer (from mid-July until beginning of September), and mid-October. Exact dates change annually, so it’s best to check dates before planning your visit.

Weather and prices

Best time to visit the UK, weather wise: June to August is the most likely time the UK will be dry and sunny as well as the most pleasant for tourist activities.

Cheapest time to visit the UK: Look for cheap flight and hotel deals in November to December.

Best time to visit the UK...

• Music festivals. The UK’s festival season runs from May to September. If you’re more after good weather than who’s playing at which festival, best time to experience one is during July and August when the weather is warm and dry. If you’re planning on attending Glastonbury, it’s held on the last weekend in June. Reading and Leeds Festivals are held simultaneously over the August public holiday weekend.
• Museums. Since most are indoors unaffected by the weather, the UK's museums are a year-round attraction. If you’re after a quieter visit, it’s a good idea to avoid attending during local school holidays.
• Historic sites. The UK offers a seemingly endless number of historic sites. If you're planning to visit outdoor site, such as Stonehenge, or strolling around a historic town like Bath, it's best to visit during the warmer months from June to August. For cheaper sightseeing tour tickets, try finding deals just outside of these months when companies may be looking to sell extra seats on tours.
• Harry Potter Studio Tour at Warner Bros. Home to Harry Potter, the UK offers tours of the set as well as props and costumes used within the movie at the Warner Bros. Studio, located about an hour by train from London. To avoid crowds, try and avoid visiting this attraction during school holiday periods.

Hot UK travel deals

Skyscanner	Japan flights from $340 return	Deal expires 4 Jun 2018	Valid for travel on select 2018 dates. Sample fare is Cairns-Tokyo. Other destinations include Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa.	Last verified 23 May 2018	Get deal
Flight Centre - International	Thailand flights from $287 return	Deal expires 30 May 2018	Valid for from 5 August - 26 September 2018. Destinations include Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui. Sample fare is Darwin-Bangkok.	Last verified 22 May 2018	Get deal
Travel Online	Up to 50% off Thailand holidays and hotels	Deal expires 31 May 2018	Valid select dates until 22 December 2018, however dates vary by offer. Destinations in Thailand include Phuket, Koh Samui, Ao Nang and Phi Phi. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 21 May 2018	Get deal
Flight Centre - Holidays	Thailand: 8 nights + flights from $539	Deal expires 31 May 2018	Valid on select dates from 3-31 October. Includes four nights at Sunset Beach Resort in Phuket, return flights and buffet breakfast daily. Sample price is form Perth with other departures also available.	Last verified 16 May 2018	Get deal
Travel Online	Up to 50% off 5-star beach resorts	Deal expires 31 May 2018	Valid on select hotel packages in Bali, Phuket, Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Hawaii and Queensland.	Last verified 8 May 2018	Get deal
Agoda	Extra 5% off Phuket hotels	Coupon code expires 26 May 2018	Valid for use on select Phuket hotels. Simply enter the code upon check out to redeem offer.	Last verified 23 May 2018	Show code PH**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
Skyscanner	Thailand flights from $266 return	Deal expires 4 Jun 2018	Valid for travel on select 208 dates. Destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai and more. Sample fare is Perth-Phuket.	Last verified 22 May 2018	Get deal
finder.com.au Flights	AirAsia Mega Sale: Flights from $109 each way	Deal expires 27 May 2018	Valid on select dates 1 November 2018 - 13 August 2019. Destinatoins include Singapore, Penang, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Phuket, Phnom Penh, Beijing, Maldives, Taipei, Tokyo and more. Sample fare is Perth-Bali or Perth-Kuala Lumpur.	Last verified 21 May 2018	Get deal
Hotels.com	Up to 73% off Phuket stay	Deal expires 1 Jun 2018	Valid for travel until 25 June 2018 at Sunsuri Phuket. Includes complimentary use of parking and WiFi, use of hotel amenities and more. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 18 May 2018	Get deal
Groupon	10-night Phuket and Phi Phi stay + flights: $899	Deal expires 7 Jul 2018	Valid for travel until 31 October 2018. Includes return flights from Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney, transfers, ferry ride and more.	Last verified 18 May 2018	Get deal
Groupon	Up to 48% off 8-night Phuket stay + flights	Deal expires 27 May 2018	Valid for travel until 31 October 2018. Includes return flights from Perth, Melbourne or Sydney, daily breakfast and more.	Last verified 18 May 2018	Get deal
Travel Online	Phuket 6 nights + flights from $1,099	Deal expires 31 May 2018	Valid for travel until 30 September 2018. Includes 6 nights accommodation at Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket, return flights from Melbourne-Phuket, daily breakfast, free Wi-Fi, other bonuses and more. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 10 May 2018	Get deal
Voyagin	Up to 60% off Tokyo tours and activities	Deal expires 30 Jun 2018	Sample discounts include 60% off a tour of the Imperial Palace and Harajuku, 50% off making pearl necklaces, 30% off Tsukiji Fish Markets tours.	Last verified 6 May 2018	Get deal
British Airways	UK flights from $1,178 return		Valid for travel until May 2018. Destinations include London and Edinburgh. Sample fare is for Sydney-London.	Last verified 3 May 2018	Get deal
Fred. Olsen	Free door-to-door travel	Deal expires 1 Jul 2018	Valid for use on select 2018 - 2020 sailings. Minimum of 9-nights or more from UK departures to redeem offer. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 30 Apr 2018	Get deal
Groupon	40% off Phuket day tour	Deal expires 13 Dec 2018	Valid for travel until 31 December 2018. Includes full day tour of James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay, buffet lunch, fruit and soft drink, English-speaking tour guide and more. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 24 Apr 2018	Get deal
Flight Centre - Holidays	Phuket holiday: Stay 4 nights pay 2	Deal expires 30 Sep 2018	Valid for travel from 15 July - 31 October 2018. Sample savings is for Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort. Includes daily half board meals and more. T&CS apply.	Last verified 23 Apr 2018	Get deal
Europcar AU	Up to 35% off Europe rentals	Deal expires 30 Jun 2018	Valid for rentals between 23 April -13 May 2018. Destinations include Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, UK and more. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 23 Apr 2018	Get deal
Spartan Race	15% Off Next UK Spartan Race	Coupon code expires 30 Dec 2018	T&Cs apply	Last verified 17 Apr 2018	Show code FI**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
eDreams	Up to 66% off holiday savings		Enjoy your holiday more when you book with eDreams. Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Phuket, Melbourne, Denpasar, Singapore and more. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 13 Apr 2018	Get deal
Hotels.com	Up to 75% off resorts worldwide		Valid for stays on select dates until October 2018. Sample savings is for Inn Place Serviced Residence, Pattaya. Destinations include Boracay, Koh Samui, Phuket, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi and more. T&Cs apply.	Last verified 11 Apr 2018	Get deal
Groupon	Up to 70% off hotel stays and vacation packages		Destinations include Gold Coast, Port Douglas, Bali, Phuket, Fiji, Vietnam and Hawaii. Sample packages include a 5-night stay in Surfers Paradise for $299 (Regularly $579) and a 5-night package to Fiji for $999 (Regularly $2101),	Last verified 10 Apr 2018	Get deal
Voyagin	40% off James Bond Island tour near Phuket	Deal expires 29 Jun 2018	Valid until June 2018 for a speed boat tour of Phang Nga Bay near Phuket, Thailand.	Last verified 16 Jan 2018	Get deal
Voyagin	40% off tour of Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay tour	Deal expires 29 Jun 2018	Valid until June 2018 for a speed boat tour from Phuket, Thailand including hotel transfers and lunch.	Last verified 16 Jan 2018	Get deal
Design Hotels	Up to 30% off if you book in advance		Valid for bookings made at least 30 days in advance at hotels around the world. Destinations include France, USA, Bali, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, UK, Singapore, Japan and more.	Last verified 31 Aug 2017	Get deal
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels	Up to 25% off stays in Europe	Deal expires 30 May 2018	Valid for stays until 31 May 2018. Save at 24 properties in Paris, Rome, London and more locations in the UK. UK hotels also get free breakfast.	Last verified 28 Aug 2017	Get deal
Looking4Parking UK	10% off parking in the UK and Ireland		Valid at most major airports in the UK and Ireland.	Last verified 7 Jul 2017	Show code AW**** After the store tab opens, come back to copy the code
Train Genius	Save up to 80% on UK train tickets		Savings is based on buying tickets on the day of travel. Tickets subject to availability and not available on all routes. Limited availability.	Last verified 24 May 2017	Get deal

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