When to Go

When to Go

The heaviest tourist season runs mid-April through mid-October, with another peak around Christmas -- though the tide never really ebbs. Spring is the time to see the countryside and the royal London parks and gardens at their freshest; fall to enjoy near-ideal exploring conditions. In late summer, be warned: air-conditioning is rarely found in places other than department stores, modern restaurants, hotels, and cinemas in London. Winter can be rather dismal, but all the theaters, concerts, and exhibitions go full speed.

When Not to Go

One good time to avoid is the October "half-term" when schools in the capital take a break for a week and nearly all attractions are flooded by children. Arriving at the start of August can be a very busy time, and the weather makes Tube travel a nightmare. And trying to shop in central London the week before Christmas is an insane idea best left only to desperate Londoners who have forgotten to buy presents.