I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to London & the surrounding area for 2013. The surrounding area will consist of Stonehenge, Bath, and one more undetermined countryside location. As to who is going on the trip: it will be myself, DH, and my dad.

With just starting the planning, first we would like to know, which month would be best? June or September?

I'd go for June simply as days will be longer. Both avoid school holidays and our weather is so varied as to not be a factor

best for what?

Airfares? As long as the return flight doesn't slip into July, June and Sept are generally about the same.

Weather? No telling. Either could be wonderful, or awful.

Daylight? Really long days in June.

But mainly - I'd decide if there are any special events/festivals/shows/exhibitions I want to attend and go then

Louis, I vote for early/mid June. Lovely summer nights to be out and about. Weather is always iffy..

I'm sorry that I didn't include WHY on my post. I am asking regarding the weather.

I am trying to decide which month based on which has the chance of better weather.

My parents come every September and the weather has been generally better than June the last 5 years but who is to say this year?

September can be dry but so can June - it certainly stays light longer

Difficult to judge. We've had some fairly poor Junes in the last few years and some very good Septembers. This year I believe was the wettest June on record.

Personally, I would go for early to mid September. The days are still relatively mild and the nights haven't yet dropped into gloom and darkness by 5pm. I also feel that September brings out the real atmosphere of London, as it is something of an autumnal city - but that's just me.

Hi LT,

Each time I have been to London in early Sept it has been "unseasonably warm".

I like spring for the longer days and for the beautiful green and flowering English countryside. The English are so good at gardening and June is prime time for English gardens, especially for roses.

Here's a site with climate information: http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/w...United-Kingdom

"<i>I am trying to decide which month based on which has the chance of better weather.</i>"

There is <u>absolutely</u> no way to tell. Did you <i>happen</i> to see any of the Thames Jubilee pageant? That monsoon was in 'normally nicer' June.

June this year has been nothing short of awful with regards to the weather. Not sure that you can plan anything in the UK based on weather predictions. Sorry. I'd plan around festivals/shows etc..

According to Intellicast, the average high/low temps in June are 68/52 and 2.09" precip. For Sept. the figures are 67/52 and 2.24" precip. So length of days would be as good a way to decide as any.
Of course, these figures, being historical averages, cannot be guaranteed for next year.

Unfortunately, historical averages mean nothing much. And while I agree the longer daylight in June is an advantage, it doesn't help that much if it is cold and raining sideways.

You can almost bank on it . . . If you choose June, Sept will be beautiful - and if you choose Sept, June will be the best ever. Just bite the bullet and choose one.