Fall ok to visit london?
Sep 25th, 2008, 11:32 AM
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Fall ok to visit london?
My husband and I would like to travel to London next year, and are wondering if October or November are good months to go. We would like to go when it is the cheapest, and are not sure when it is the low season. While I do not care how the weather is, my husband does not want to be there when it is either too hot or rainy. Any advice?
Sep 25th, 2008, 12:29 PM
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With all things UK, janisj knows best. However, anecdotally, we were once in London the last week of October/first week of November and it was so cold we had to stop for a hot chocolate just about every block. I would check historical temperatures before I would commit to those dates.
Sep 25th, 2008, 01:56 PM
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"I would check historical temperatures before I would commit to those dates."
Why?
Historical averages tell you nothing useful in Britain - as the previous post clearly demonstrates.
No-one but a total woose could possibly find average London October temperatures "so cold we had to stop for a hot chocolate just about every block". Assuming that dmlove isn't a woose, he obviously hit London during an exceptionally cold October. We don't do "typical" weather here: the only value in knowing average temperatures or precipitation for a given week is that you know with 100% certainty that's the one temperature and rainfall that's never actually been recorded during the week concerned.
The poster, of course - if dmlove could be arsed reading the question - isn't worried about exceptional cold. She's worried about exceptional heat (no chance in October or November unless global warming really takes off) or rain (no more likely in any week of the year than in any of the other 51)
I can't really understand why rain worries the poster: if you're visiting London, you're going to be inside most of the time and an umbrella isn't going to break the bank anyway (about £2.50 from any convenience store). But if rain really does matter (and if it does, you're probably confusing our gentle drizzle with the life-destroying downpours they get in countries with awful weather but an incomprehensible national delusion they've got a gorgeous climate), there's no time it's significantly more or less likely.
Why?
Historical averages tell you nothing useful in Britain - as the previous post clearly demonstrates.
No-one but a total woose could possibly find average London October temperatures "so cold we had to stop for a hot chocolate just about every block". Assuming that dmlove isn't a woose, he obviously hit London during an exceptionally cold October. We don't do "typical" weather here: the only value in knowing average temperatures or precipitation for a given week is that you know with 100% certainty that's the one temperature and rainfall that's never actually been recorded during the week concerned.
The poster, of course - if dmlove could be arsed reading the question - isn't worried about exceptional cold. She's worried about exceptional heat (no chance in October or November unless global warming really takes off) or rain (no more likely in any week of the year than in any of the other 51)
I can't really understand why rain worries the poster: if you're visiting London, you're going to be inside most of the time and an umbrella isn't going to break the bank anyway (about £2.50 from any convenience store). But if rain really does matter (and if it does, you're probably confusing our gentle drizzle with the life-destroying downpours they get in countries with awful weather but an incomprehensible national delusion they've got a gorgeous climate), there's no time it's significantly more or less likely.
Sep 25th, 2008, 02:06 PM
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The only low season I can think of, is Jan-Feb. You may find some better airfares and hotel deals, but other than that, everything else would cost the same. One advantage would be fewer tourists.
Downside of Jan/Feb is the daylight hours are very short; and it's grey everyday with very limited sunshine.
October and November will be fine time to go, it'll still be crowded with tourists and hotel deals may not be as good as mid-winter.
If you don't want rain, then you shouldn't consider going to London. There's no escape.
Downside of Jan/Feb is the daylight hours are very short; and it's grey everyday with very limited sunshine.
October and November will be fine time to go, it'll still be crowded with tourists and hotel deals may not be as good as mid-winter.
If you don't want rain, then you shouldn't consider going to London. There's no escape.
Sep 25th, 2008, 02:11 PM
#7
<< However, anecdotally, we were once in London the last week of October/first week of November and it was so cold we had to stop for a hot chocolate just about every block.>>
dmlove was lucky. here in cornwall July this year was so cold that we needed fur coats.
It's nice now though.
autumn weather has tended to be reliably warm and dry for the last few years.
regards, ann
dmlove was lucky. here in cornwall July this year was so cold that we needed fur coats.
It's nice now though.
autumn weather has tended to be reliably warm and dry for the last few years.
regards, ann
Sep 25th, 2008, 05:11 PM
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Lowest rates will be in Jan/Feb. It will be chilly and possibly cold and there is a good chance of rain and even a little snow. (There is a good chance of rain anytime you are in the UK for more than 2/3 days almost any time of year.)
October and November should be brisk. Sunny days will be pleasant. Rainy days (and there will be some) will be damp and dreary.
(I have been to europe more than 70 times and have had only 2 trips with no rain - both to Spain - primarily southern Spain.)
Don;t know how long you will be there - but if you're talking a week or more - well there are few places in the US where you will go for a week or more with no rain in the fall either.
October and November should be brisk. Sunny days will be pleasant. Rainy days (and there will be some) will be damp and dreary.
(I have been to europe more than 70 times and have had only 2 trips with no rain - both to Spain - primarily southern Spain.)
Don;t know how long you will be there - but if you're talking a week or more - well there are few places in the US where you will go for a week or more with no rain in the fall either.
Sep 25th, 2008, 05:24 PM
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We were in London last November from the 12th I think. Weather was cold but completely bearable and only one day of rain and one overcast day - which was better than we were expecting.
I think it's a great time to travel because I absolutely hate crowds and the crowds are a lot thinner at this time of year.
The warmth of the Poms hospitality more than made up for any cold weather!
I think it's a great time to travel because I absolutely hate crowds and the crowds are a lot thinner at this time of year.
The warmth of the Poms hospitality more than made up for any cold weather!
Sep 25th, 2008, 05:44 PM
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I was in London last Jan/Feb and contrary to what yk says it wasn't grey at all - sunny just about every day and I hardly needed a coat on lots of my walks.
I've been in Nov/Dec too and while a bit drizzly, it wasn't very cold at all. Very easy to be out and about.
On one August trip we had grey skies every day and I needed two sweaters under my jacket.
Two trips in March/April were about the chilliest and dampest visits I've had anywhere.
My point is you can never tell for sure what you're going to get.
I've been in Nov/Dec too and while a bit drizzly, it wasn't very cold at all. Very easy to be out and about.
On one August trip we had grey skies every day and I needed two sweaters under my jacket.
Two trips in March/April were about the chilliest and dampest visits I've had anywhere.
My point is you can never tell for sure what you're going to get.
Sep 26th, 2008, 01:49 PM
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We have been to London in October for the past seven years. It has almost always been sweater weather, plus I take a three-quarter-length, light-weight raincoat. Layering is the answer. I've never been uncomfortable.
The only really rainy day we have had was a daytrip to Rye one year when it poured all day long. I like fall weather. The coldest weather I've encountered was one year in April.
The only really rainy day we have had was a daytrip to Rye one year when it poured all day long. I like fall weather. The coldest weather I've encountered was one year in April.
Sep 28th, 2008, 06:43 AM
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The weather doesn't matter. You will be either in transit (tube or bus) or inside most of the time. I much prefer Winter, and yes I have been chilled on occasion, but all the more reason to enjoy a single malt.
Sep 28th, 2008, 10:09 AM
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blondie2267:
Have a look on www.weatheronline.co.uk
to see the London weather forecast for the next week.
Low: 8C - 46F
High: 16C - 60F
Agree with the poster who said dress in layers. Weather will not hinder you dressed correctly in London.
Where are you coming from?
Sandy
Have a look on www.weatheronline.co.uk
to see the London weather forecast for the next week.
Low: 8C - 46F
High: 16C - 60F
Agree with the poster who said dress in layers. Weather will not hinder you dressed correctly in London.
Where are you coming from?
Sandy
