Is London in February 2001 a good idea? I know it's low season, and the air and hotel prices look very good; but is it still advisable (weather-wise, museum/attraction hours) for a first-timer?

Dear Mia: Well, expect it to be rainy--but you could scarcely pick a better locale for indoor sight-seeing. Museums, galleries, the theater--to say nothing of lunching at Fortnum's or roaming the aisles of Harrods' Food Halls--they're all there for your enjoyment. Just dress warmly, carry an umbrella, and make a list of the places you'd like to return to in brighter weather. Enjoy your trip! Joan

We were in London for a long weekend this past February. I would do it again in an instant. We had great weather, sunny and in the low 50's every day, it only rained briefly one evening. It was my second trip, the first was in May, and I actually preferred February, as it was much cheaper and less crowded.

Fodors <BR> <BR>I agree throughout with Ms Doyle. We built in London with our poor climate in mind. A couple of extra points. <BR> <BR>If you buy at a newsagents in the concourse of your arrival airport a copy of Time Out or of What's On In London you can look under "classical music" for lunchtime recitals in seventeenth centiry city churches, which offer good music, good buildings, a chance to rest your feet, and often a coffee. St Anne and St Agnes, just north of St Paul's, leads in this. <BR> <BR>I see you're at a university. If you look at http://www.indiana.edu/~victoria/lectures.html you'll see what's on currently: February is a peak time for free lectures on every conceivable subject. Moreover, if you'd like tell me your academic field I'll be glad to see whether I know anywhere in Londoin to respond to it. We have museums that relate to economics, surgery, hydralic engineering.... : please try me on your subject. <BR> <BR>Welcome. <BR> <BR>Ben Haaines <BR> <BR>

Fortunately for cities like London, Paris, Edinburgh, Chicago, etc., they've got great indoor stuff (no one has ever said "think I'll head up to Chicago to catch a few rays"). <BR>February in London has been sunny, warm; sunny, cold; cloudy/rainy, warm; cloudy/rainy, cold. Like New England, stick around, it'll change... <BR>A good raincoat, a warm sweater, lightweight gloves and scarf, umbrella oughta cover your outdoorwear. <BR>There are all sorts of shows, concerts, etc. as Ben pointed out. <BR>The museums and historical sights are open (some of the outdoor things might close at 5 or 6 instead of 9 like they do in the summer); pubs and restaurants have regular hours; the busloads of bubbas aren't ubiquitous (a few do sneak through). <BR>I found a new favorite this February - the Victoria and Albert Museum - who knew it had so much great stuff? <BR>You'll love London - great place to visit, and I *would* want to live there!

Thanks for all the enthusiasm and suggestions. I really wasn't sure about the weather in Feb, but after all of your reports, it doesn't sound too bad after all. I'll pack for a layered look and bring a portable umbrella, and hope for sunny/warm or sunny/cold!

Hi! <BR> <BR>I was just there this past February for a 5 day weekend, too (I wonder if it was the same long weekend as Cheryl - President's day weekend?) and the weather was great - sunny, and in the 50s. I was there for 5 days & had great weather (again, rain only one night, but it cleared by morning) - so I wonder if we are speaking of the same weekend. <BR> <BR>go for it! even in bad weather, you are still in London! try to go to Highgate cemetery if you get a chance - beautiful! <BR> <BR>Beth

We were in London Feb. 23-Mar. 1. Only one really rainy day, and we still walked everywhere. Had to put on sunglasses on ride from airport the first day there. Thanks to Ben Haines we discovered the 18-pound roundtrip to Calais, France from London, via rail/boat. We'd go back in a heartbeat, rain or no rain; in fact, we plan to do just that next year. Still crowded in Soho and Leister Square. Loved London Walks tours.