If your vacation time most be taken in the summer, when is it least crowded in England? June, July or August<BR><BR>Do most English children return to school in early August causing the tourist attractions to be less crowded? Or are the museums and other tourist attractions still very crowded in August?<BR><BR>Also, weather-wise, is one month preferable to the others.<BR><BR>Our plans are to go to London, Oxford, Chester, York and Salisbury. <BR><BR>Thank you for your advice

I'd avoid July and August. It's the height of the school holidays and most places are crowded. I'd go for June.

My husband and I were in England in July/August 1998 and June 2001 (also March 2000, but that doesn't pertain to your query). July and August was much more crowded. It is the height of the tourist season. However, I am sure the lack of crowds in June 2001 was, in good part, the result of hoof and mouth, which really hurt the tourist industry this year. When we were there last June (8-18), school was still in session there, and school groups were our main competition for attractions. The weather was very nice in the countryside, but London was rainy, windy and cold. When we were in London in 1998, it was very warm and we were grateful for air conditioning in our hotel. London is always crowded, so be prepared to stand in line no matter when you are there. If you go in August, Buckingham Palace is open and you can tour it. That is the one regret we have. In three trips, we have missed it every time. You will have a fabulous time. (By the way, we always spend most of our time outside London, visiting small towns and villages -- seeing the sites and getting to know some of the locals. The Brits like Americans and always make us feel so welcome.)

Julie<BR><BR>UK school holidays ALWAYS start in mid July and run for 6 weeks to beginning of September.<BR><BR>Consequently, July and August are the busiest times in the UK (and the most expensive).<BR><BR>The UK (as you are probably aware!) has unpredictable weather - its just as likely to be raining in July and August as it is in November! Having said that - these months are warmer and make visting attractions that much more pleasant!<BR><BR>All the places you mention are worth visiting - you could try this website for more information:<BR><BR>http://www.nationwide.co.uk/gateway/travelleisure/shortbkdirectory.asp<BR><BR>Hope you have a great time!<BR><BR>Rae <BR><BR>(PS - its FOOT AND MOUTH disease - and most areas of the UK are free of the disease and are now open and accessible) Do not let it put you off travelling around the countryside!<BR><BR>

As has been stated, most kids are on holidays from mid-July until early August. So during those months, you are less likely to run into school trips of English kids, but more likely to run into international tourists and groups (both adults and students). <BR><BR>Few places, especially museums, are air-conditioned, and the hottest weather is in July and August.<BR><BR>Go in June if you can.

Oops, I meant to say that the kids' school holidays are mid-July til early SEPTEMBER.

I agree with the above posters. We went to Great Britain for the first two weeks in June and did not have crowds. However, we did see lots of school groups in various attractions such as Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and the National Train Museum in York. While these did cause rather loud scenes at times we just tried to rush ahead or fall behind these groups. We had two children with us that wouldn't be able to see and participate in interactive activities with these large groups of kids around. We didn't see any school groups in Salisbury. We did notice that in the middle of June in London right before we came home that Americans were starting to show up in large numbers.<BR><BR>However, my kids did enjoy seeing the kids still having to go to school when my kids were out. They got some sort of perverse job in that. Since all the UK kids had uniforms on my kids also got to be thankful that they don't have uniforms at their schools.<BR><BR>Weather was fine. We only had rain in Edinburgh. It was cool but a light jacket and long sleeve shirts sufficed.<BR><BR>Go in June, it worked great for us.<BR>