When to go to England? Guide 2024

The Climate of England

To best organize your trip to England it is important to know its temperatures and climate based on each season and the area you want to visit. In fact, the climate can influence our travel experience in several ways. Located in the south-central area of ​​Great Britain , England has an oceanic climate . Summers are mild and with pleasant temperatures, while winters are cold and rainy . The part with the most showers is the western one, where for example Manchester and Liverpool are located .

In Cumbria , in the Lake District to the north-west, the presence of hills also increases moisture movement, as in Cambridge and Ipswich . Fog is frequent at night in inland areas in winter and autumn, while sea fogs form from April to September in Northumberland and Yorkshire . The sea is cold even in summer and there are no climatic extremes in the country. Although there is no period that is not recommended, the best period for traveling to England is the summer period , from June to August.

So let’s see in detail when to go based on the weather, climate and temperature of England, discovering the best period.

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Climate in Newcastle

To discover the climate of England, its temperatures, the weather and therefore the best time to go, it is important to take into consideration its main cities and areas. To the north-east , towards Newcastle upon Tyne, near the coast , averages in January are 4°C , reaching 15°C in July . Precipitation is distributed throughout the year and autumn is the rainiest season . There are few hours of sunshine per year and the best time to enjoy them is from May to August . The sea here is cold even in summer, reaching maximum temperatures of just 15°C.

Clima in Liverpool

Moving south , to the west of England to discover the best time to go here based on weather, climate and temperature. Always with an oceanic climate, the summers are mild and the winters cold with frequent rain. The sunniest period is always from May to August. Liverpool is located on the coast of the Irish Sea and winters are also very cloudy, with high humidity and moderate wind . Given its location on the west coast, snowfall is rare . Minimum temperatures here in England are -5°C . The summer is mild, cloudy and humid, with frequent rain . The record heat recorded in this area, although short-lived, was 35°C in 2022.

Plymouth climate

To find out the best time to go to England, it is important to know the climate in each area, the weather and temperatures. Moving to the south-west of the country, in Devon , here the winter temperatures are the mildest in England. Snowfall is rare and, even when it happens, only a few centimeters. Winters are not cold, but it is often cloudy and with high humidity and frequent rains, less so in summer. Being right on the coast, the city of Plymouth is more sheltered from the heat waves that reach England. The maximum temperatures here were 34°C. The coldest month is February , with minimum temperatures as low as 3°C .

Climate in London

Finally, let’s move to the capital of England to understand the best time to travel here based on climate, weather and temperatures. The climate is still influenced by the ocean, so it is cool, rainy and humid : it is essential to have an umbrella with you. Atlantic disturbances follow one another throughout the year, creating variable weather , with frequent alternating rains and clear spells , granting more hours of sunshine in summer and spring . To the north among the Chiltern Hills and to the south among the North Downs, the London Basin area is protected from disturbances, even increasing temperatures in summer , like all large metropolises . The rains are frequent, but never abundant. Winters have averages of 5°C while summers have reached maximums of 39°C .

Climate Cornwall

Moving to the very south of England, to the south-west of Great Britain, and to the end of the long peninsula towards the Atlantic to find Cornwall. Here the climate is the sunniest and mildest in the United Kingdom due to the position influenced by the Gulf Stream . Averages are around 11°C and 9°C for the Isles of Scilly in winter, with temperatures warmer than England. However, the weather in Cornwall, due to the ocean, is very variable and the summers never have high temperatures like in London.

England Temperatures, When to Go?

As we have seen, based on the areas we want to visit, the climate in England, the weather and its temperatures do not present extremes or large variations. So, in general, any time of the year is ideal for a trip here, although the best time to visit England is definitely spring and summer. Even winter and autumn are not advisable for a trip to the country, always remembering to bring a raincoat or umbrella in your suitcase so as not to be caught unprepared by the variable weather.

Below, we will analyze each season , also listing any holidays and events. Advising you on trips and the best time to visit the country based on the climate and weather in England.

Winter in England

As anticipated, if you are thinking about when to go to England during the best period, winter is not inadvisable, but not optimal either. With a humid and mild climate , thanks to the presence of the ocean , the temperature in England rarely drops below zero during the winter . Frosts and snows are rare . It usually snows around Christmas , but for the rest of the season the weather is not very attractive, characterized by strong winds , fog and humidity.

Furthermore, in winter there are also the shortest days of the year and it already gets dark around 4pm. Average temperatures in winter in England, however, are around 2°C , with maximum temperatures in the south, towards Brighton and Southampton , which can even reach 6°C. Winter in England, however, is also the ideal time to breathe the air of the Christmas holidays and to experience a unique New Year’s Eve in London! Hyde Park , for example, becomes a real Christmas village and the streets of the center come alive with lights and songs. Finally, winter is the ideal time to visit the country’s many museums .

Spring in England

One of the best periods to visit the country, thanks to its weather, temperatures and climate in England, is undoubtedly spring. This season in England is cool , with slightly rising temperatures and frequent , but not abundant, rain. In March , sometimes April , it can still be cold and there are occasional snowfalls especially in the northern and internal areas of the country. The period with the most sunny days per year is advanced spring, although there are still clouds and a frequently variable climate .

From May, however, spring explodes in all its colours. The spring period in the country runs from March to May and is the ideal period to experience its parks and historic villas , as well as to spend Easter traveling in England.

Summer in England

If you are still wondering when to go to England and thinking about summer for your trip, let’s look at the weather, climate and temperatures this season. The English summer, as previously mentioned, is one of the ideal seasons for your trip. Temperatures increase progressively from the north-west to the south-east, reaching maximum temperatures in London . In Newcastle the average temperatures are 19°C, reaching 20°C in Manchester and 22°C in Birmingham . The south-west area, mild in winter, remains cool in summer and the weather throughout the country remains always variable , changing frequently.

One of the best months is certainly June, with long days and lush nature . The area most subject to high summer temperatures in England is the south , with averages of up to 35°C . In the north the rains are more frequent, but there are thunderstorms throughout the country , especially in the south and inland areas. It is therefore essential not to forget your umbrella and raincoat. This season is also the ideal time to experience our Cornwall and Wales Tour, to discover the wonderful Welsh landscapes and the beauty of Cornwall.

Autumn in England

Finally, autumn, with its climate and temperatures in England, is not one of the best times to go here, like winter. In fact, the weather in England is rainy and the sky is often grey, as well as windy . Occasional snowfall begins in November and autumn is also the season with the most precipitation days . Furthermore, autumn like winter is a season dominated by anticyclones , often creating night fogs . However, this season is also ideal for enjoying the All Saints’ holiday by picking pumpkins to carve in the farms that open their doors for this experience, recreating the atmosphere of Halloween .

Furthermore, Guy Fawkes Night is held on November 5th , an important English holiday dating back to the events of 1605 , when the member of the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes , was arrested. This national holiday is characterized by bonfires and fireworks to celebrate the failed attempt on the king. The autumnal atmospheres, however, also give a unique charm to its parks, such as the route through Wiltshire or the Lake District .

England Climate, When to Go?

After having shown you what is the best time to go to England based on the climate, we have seen that the ideal season to visit the country is summer.

So, when is the best time to go to England ? Let’s see together the table with all the details to find out when to go based on the months of the year.

FAQ, England When to Go

Below you will find frequently asked questions from our travelers to see together what is the best time to go based on the weather in England, its climate and temperatures.