Best time to go to London
 

I am thinking about going to London. any specific time of the year that is better than another?

I was there once in September and it was perfectly lovely and once in April when it was quite cool and mostly rainy.

Any season that has a month in it. <BR> <BR>Spring: bloomin' blooming flowers <BR>Summer: good weather <BR>Fall: good weather, fewer tourists <BR>Winter: fewer tourists yet, great sales, afternoon tea is especially appreciated, cheap airfares

As always Elvira has said it better than anyone, <BR>Any time is great I even love winter when it's cold and rainy. Mar, Apr, May, Sept Oct Nove, are my very favorites!

I've been twice, once in early Spetember and once in late June, and to be honest I didn't notice a tourist crush that much. The city is so big and the popular sites so spread out that the tourists aren't packed into one small area the way they are in other European cities. Westminster Abbey was the only site I went to where I felt a much smaller crowd would have been nice. One evening (around midnight) in June we walked along the river from Westminster back to our hotel near Victoria station and there wasn't anyone around at all, to the point of being eery almost. The only people we encountered were some lost (but admittedly cheerful and attractive, and dare I say, nicely dressed) young American female tourists.

September or late May/early June.

We've been to London many different times and seasons. It is so great to be there that it really doesn't matter. Just go and enjoy. You'll want to return anyway.

I suggest May. The weather is nice but the tourists haven't really cranked into high gear. September can be nice, but I think the Royal Family is away during September and really what's the point of going if they aren't there :)

We usually go in October. The weather can be quite pleasant then. I'd certainly avoid July and August. My son and daughter both live in London and if they are anything to go by the locals will be much friendlier at the beginning and end of the main tourist season. If you are trying to get to work or returning home tired in the evening, the last thing you want is being held up by tourists blocking the station entrances and standing on the wrong side of the escalators.

Fodors <BR> <BR>I agree with Elvira., and would develop a little. For classical music, 1 to 23 December is excellent. All the concert halls are going hard, and there are lunchtime and evening concerts in seventeenth century churches in the City, often with mince pies and mulled wine. <BR> <BR>The season for free, public, university and other kectures is 1 October to about 30 May, with breaks from 15 December to 7 January, and around Easter. My list is on http://www.indiana.edu/~victoria/lectures.html/. <BR> <BR>The season for open air Shakespeare, open air music, and picnics is 30 May to 5 September, but London in August is a little dull, dusty, and crowded, so you'd do well to miss that month in London, but visit a county (Kent ? Shropshire ?) instead. Or, of course, soak in the arts at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. <BR> <BR>I'll gladly ecxplain anything that's unclear. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR>

<BR>Mr.Haines: <BR>From the list of lectures on University of Indiana's site, It seems there are not many choices at the end of June. Will you be still up-dated the list,or that's what will be available? <BR>Thank you.

July/August can be oppressive in London, also prices peak at that time.

Now now!! Glorious spring/summer weather, sunny, well into the 70s, and everyone really cheerful after a dreary cold winter. <BR> <BR>I thought summer would never arrive

For Judy: I'm afraid that there will be little to add. Universities oen vacation in early June. I may find more weekend or weeklong summer courses, but on the whole what you see is what you'll get. Sorry. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR>

Been many times, but the one that especially appealed to me (coming from California) was over our Thanksgiving in late November when there was a touch of frost in the air and the decorations for Christmas were being put up. We did Christmas shopping and stopped everyday for afternoon tea. Perfect. Only once were we uncomfortable and that was in August of 1997--an usual heat wave and since staying with relatives, no a/c in the house. Did a lot of daytrips to escape the heat of the city. London is always great and there's always something to love.

July/August is when everyone goes, but you should get better hotel deals.... ideally go spring/autumn. Although anytime is fun

Thanks for all the input guys! <BR> <BR>How about Italy? How would you compare London to Italy in terms of peak season, best time to go, dress, weather, good flights, places to go? The better question is where in Italy is the ideal place to go for 2 weeks straight? <BR>Thanks

Seems like now is a great time to go to London!

We went the end of March/beginning of April. It certainly was not warm and sunny, but then I don't think many go to London for its weather. Everything was crowded but not crushingly so (I wouldn't even want to think about what it is like in the "high" season). We never waited in line for admissions. The only down side that I can imagine was that gardens and flowers were not in bloom. We thought that was more than a good trade off.

Are you and Steve/Jim/Pete/Joe, etc. now writing a guidebook on Italy?