London Travel Answers

It depends on what you want to do. I like it in September when the new cultural season starts, and in early December, when the Christmas spirit is building and the lights are on. NOT after Christmas when the shop windows replace Christmas decorations by uninteresting sales stuff. And this year, I'm not setting foot in the place until the stupid Olympics are over.

I like late May and early September when the kids are in school and it's less crowded but the weather is still warm. I enjoyed going mid September a couple of years ago when they had the Open House weekend. However, there are a couple of things that are only open in the summer-Buckingham Palace and Houses of Parliament-I guess it depends on your objective. My least favorite trips, weather wise at least, were in January but I always enjoy going to London, there are plenty of things to do both inside and outside.

Maybe i would suggest september this year as the olympics will be over, and students back to school and holiday makers back to their own country with their kids.

Forgot to mention airfare, I'm horrified at the airfares this summer into London. Granted it's an unusual year with the Jubilee followed by Wimbledon followed by the Olympics but usually if you travel before the end of May or after the 1st of September the prices will drop.

As stated above, it very much depends on what you want to do and what your expectations are. I have lived there for 24 years so have a reasonable idea ofnhow it is. July and August are high season and will have the biggest crowds, fullest accomodation etc. with the attendant highest prices. Theoretically, you should get the best weather then but weather in the UK is so unpredictable, anything could happen. Easter is also very busy an possibly best avoided, as is Xmas unless you specifically want to experience the shopping and lights. My favourite tmes are shoulder season i.e. late Spring and early Autumn say, late May / early June and mid-September to about the first week in October. The summer crowds are not there, the youngsters are still in school and you can even get some quite pleasant weather. Dabs has mentioned a cuple of atteractions that are only open in summer but generally speaking most things you will probably want to see are not seasonal and the queues are shorter. Winter is certainly feasible and definitely cheaper regarding accomodation but the weather can be awful, you really are taking a chance on it. Having said that, a walk through London on a crisp November day is an absolute delight. If you have any further specific questions, please don't hesitate to contact me either here or via VTmail. Hope this assists, fergy.

I'd agree with late/March & April (avoiding the weeks surrounding Easter), May (avoiding the week surrounding the late May bank holiday) and September/October for potentially decent weather (not necessarily warm and sunny, not necessarily dry) and slightly fewer visitors. The weeks in brackets are UK school holidays: best to avoid those, the summer holidays from mid-July to beginning of September and the two-week Christmas break. I don't enjoy London in the run-up to Christmas (from mid-November) either, despite the lights. If you're not fussed about the potential for dank and chilly weather then January & February are probably best to avoid crowds (although London is *never* without visitors) and for lower-priced accomm (though never really 'cheap'). Like many others, I will be avoiding London entirely during the Olympic period.

Late October or the first week of November - the crowds have gone and the autumn colours are stunning in the parks. The weather is hit and miss of course but thats a problem anywhere in northern Europe at that time of year.

I would say as close to the summer solstice as possible (c. 22 June), simply because youget the maximum amount of daylight for sight seeing. I'd forgt the winter entirely. There are whole weeks when it does not really get light due to the foul weather. I'd also say th about now s perfect if you plan obn tking any r outside London: the countryside is at its most beautiful in May/June.