<p>I have access to an apartment in London (in Kensington) for a week, only have to worry about availability, but flexible if I plan ahead. This next year has some big events in London, Olympics, Queen’s Silver Jubilee, etc., and we want to avoid those times. The weather needs to be OK for lots of outside walking and exploring. Flights will be cheaper if we avoid high summer. Can anyone advise me about when it might be good to go, keeping those things in mind?</p>
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I don’t think London has any predictable time when the weather is good for lots of outside walking since almost any time of the year you go there it’ll be raining out. </p>
<p>The up side is that it’s usually not ever snowing out. Of course it’s warmer out in summer than winter but even then it’s usually cool, overcast, and drizzling or raining. I recommend going at any time of the year and just bringing an umbrella for the inevitable rain. Winter isn’t usually bad there and spring and fall would be relatively not much different than summer.</p>
<p>Avoiding the crowds of the olympics is a good idea.</p>
<p>I don’t know what the ideal time would be, but we spent the last week of February in London and despite the rain, we walked all day long and had a great time. I loathe crowds so prefer cold weather to long lines.</p>
<p>I will be in Scotland this summer for some research and I am going to try and miss London airport to get there! If you are going, go in the spring and miss the summer crowds altogether. Take coats and a brellie.</p>
<p>We went in late May. It was VERY cold (for Californians)…ranging 14 to 16. But it only rained for a few minutes one day. You really can’t plan for rain or warmth. Obviously, February is going to be far riskier than early September. I would pick a week around the major events, don’t forget Wimbledon btw, bring layers and an umbrella and enjoy.</p>
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When I went to Scotland for a vacation I flew into Manchester airport in England. I wanted to avoid London altogether on that trip and Manchester had less expensive flights (I flew Delta) and is close to the border with Scotland and a good point to see some stuff in northern England including Hadrian’s wall and York, and is pretty close to northern Wales which is nice to see as well.</p>
<p>Years ago, we went in early June. It was early enough to get a low fare and beat the summer crowds. We were fortunate to be there during a “heat wave” and the temps were comfortable for us! It drizzled on some days but it didnt stop us from walking.</p>
<p>DH traveled there in November when it was very cold and rainy but the city was preparing for the holidays and it was very festive. He and his co workers weren’t deterred by the weather, either.</p>
<p>Back in '96 I was in London in mid-June and the temps were mild during the day, chilly at night. Coming from So Cal I wore layers and carried an umbrella everywhere (one of those collapsible ones).</p>
<p>Recently, spring and fall have seen MUCH better weather here in England than summer. March and April this year were simply glorious, and the autumn has been mild and sunny since the end of September pretty much up to this past week.</p>
<p>Easter is April 6-9 (we get Good Friday off as well as the Monday)
May Bank Holiday (monday)
Spring Bank Holiday June 4 (monday)
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee June 5 (tuesday)
The Olympics run July 27 - Aug 12, and the Paralympics Aug 29 - Sep 9</p>
<p>So… maybe late April/early May or late June/early July or late September</p>
<p>But what the other posters say about the weather is pretty true. It could rain at any point!</p>
<p>we went Christmas time, lots of spirit and excitement, weather chilly, but no snow, and almost no rain either. but the days are very short, gets dark around 4 p.m. or so…we felt like we got quintessential London experience</p>
<p>I’m here now. Saturday was very nice weather - didn’t even wear a sweater. Today was off and on showers and a little cooler - but I was in just a sweater - didn’t need more.</p>
<p>London is great at Christmas time - shopping is simply amazing. And very few people around. Went to the British Library on Friday afternoon and was the only person in one exhibit (Magna Carte, First Folio, etc.)</p>
<p>I’d go for the January Sales. 
I love London weather in any season.</p>
<p>I would stay away from Jan-April. I’ve been there in May, June, July, Aug, Dec, early Jan.
I would love to go in May to see the Chelsea Flower Show.</p>
<p>Late spring and early fall are usually beautiful. Remember that because England is quite far north, the difference in number of daylight hours in summer and winter is much more marked than it is in the US. For sightseeing outdoors, you will have much more usable time in May than in January, even apart from the temperature.</p>
<p>We took D over in August for her semester abroad and the weather was fantastic. In addition, Buckingham Palace was open at that time so we were able to tour. Check out the time in August between the Olympics and the Paralympics.</p>
<p>I went in March this past year, and it was lovely. Sweaters were sufficient except for one day of rain.</p>
<p>But of course these are all generalities - in Boston on Saturday, Dec. 3, it was 63 degrees. We had lunch outdoors. Today it’s in the high 50’s. (And it snowed on Halloween.) But I’d never advise anyone to look at Boston in December for nice weather!</p>
<p>You just never know.</p>
<p>I don’t think there’s a bad time to go to London. What kinds of things do you want to see? Gardens are iffier before April–although if you’re coming from New England march is a nice foretaste of spring. If you are looking at general tourist attractions, not-summer is good (although the Globe theatre doesn’t start its outdoor productions until the beginning of May, and that’s one experience I really recommend).</p>
<p>We’ve been in January and had a fine time. But another time we wanted to go in January and the flight was canceled because of weather.</p>
<p>OK it was really cold today… :)</p>
<p>My plans are shaping up…going April 26 or so, returning c. May 5. We have the apartment in London for one week, but want to go somewhere else within British Isles before or after. What would you recommend and how should we get there? We are not renting a car!</p>