London in Spring — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
London in Spring offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for couples & garden lovers. Expect temperatures of 6–15°C, around 8–10 days of rain, and medium crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around £100–160 for mid-range travellers. Book three to four weeks ahead for the best mid-range rates and the widest hotel choice.
Contents16 sections
#At a Glance
London's spring is a race between the light and the weather. In March the city is still grey and cool, with sunset before 6pm; by the end of May it is light until after 9pm, the parks are full and the pub gardens are open.
The calendar is crowded in 2027: Easter falls on 28 March, the same Sunday the clocks go forward, the Boat Race is rowed on Sunday 11 April, the London Marathon runs over two days, 24 and 25 April, and the Chelsea Flower Show comes in the third week of May. There are three bank holiday weekends between March and May and two sets of school holidays. Pick your weeks around them, and pack for showers whatever the month.
#Weather in London in Spring
London in Spring averages 6–15°C (43–59°F) with around 8–10 days of rain, and crowds are medium.
| Month | Daytime high | Overnight low | Wet days | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | About 12°C / 54°F | About 3°C / 37°F | About 10 | 5:40pm on the 1st, 7:26pm after the clocks change |
| April | About 15°C / 59°F | About 6°C / 43°F | About 9 | 8:21pm by the 30th |
| May | About 18°C / 64°F | About 9°C / 48°F | About 8 | 9:07pm by the 31st |
Figures are Met Office 1991–2020 averages for London.
What that actually means for your trip:
- March is still winter at the edges. Cold mornings, the odd frost and grey days are common; the blossom starts, but a coat is essential.
- April is famously changeable. Sun and showers can both arrive within an hour, and a warm afternoon can follow a cold morning. Carry a layer and a compact umbrella every day.
- May is the reward. Warmer, longer and usually drier, with the parks at their greenest and the evenings light enough for a walk after dinner.
- The clocks go forward on Sunday 28 March 2027. Sunset jumps from about 6:25pm to 7:25pm overnight.
Is spring a good time to visit London? Yes, and May is one of the best months of the year. Spring brings blossom, long evenings and a full calendar at prices below the summer peak. Expect some rain whenever you come, and check the school holidays, when the family attractions are busiest.
#The spring calendar for 2027
Easter is early: Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday 29 March, both bank holidays.
The clocks go forward on Easter Sunday itself, 28 March. The Easter school holidays in most London boroughs run from 26 March to 9 April.
The Boat Race, Oxford against Cambridge on the Thames from Putney to Mortlake, is on Sunday 11 April 2027. It is the centenary of the women's race, and for once the men row first, at 3:40pm, with the women at 4:40pm. The riverbanks and pubs at Putney, Hammersmith and Chiswick are the places to watch, free.
The TCS London Marathon runs over two days for the first time, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, and roads along the course close on both. See our London Marathon guide.
May has two bank holidays, Monday 3 May and Monday 31 May, and the school half-term follows the second, from 31 May to 4 June.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 18 to 22 May, with public days at the end of the week; see our Chelsea Flower Show guide.
#What to Do in London in Spring
Blossom and gardens
The cherry trees in Greenwich Park, Battersea Park and the squares of Notting Hill flower from late March into April.
Kew Gardens is at its finest in spring, from the magnolias to the bluebell wood.
The Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park, free, is famous for its azaleas and rhododendrons, usually at their peak from late April into May.
Solo Travellers
The British Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern are free. On a dry day, walk the South Bank from Westminster to Tower Bridge, then cross to the Barbican and the quiet lanes of the City.
In May, the Regent's Canal towpath from Little Venice to Camden is at its best.
Couples
Take an early-evening Uber Boat from the Embankment to Greenwich, walk up to the Royal Observatory for the view, and eat in the old town.
On a warm May evening, the Globe Theatre's open-air season begins; the standing tickets in the yard are among the cheapest seats in London.
Families
The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum in South Kensington are free, but go outside the school holidays if you can.
ZSL London Zoo in Regent's Park, the Tower of London and a boat on the Serpentine in Hyde Park fill a dry day.
Groups
Book a free slot at the Sky Garden for the view, a few weeks ahead.
Borough Market is the place for a long grazing lunch; go on a weekday.
On a Saturday, the Bermondsey Beer Mile strings together brewery taprooms under the railway arches.
#Getting Around
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line runs straight through central London, the Piccadilly line is slower and cheaper, and the Heathrow Express is the quickest to Paddington.
Gatwick has the Gatwick Express and Thameslink; Stansted the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street; Luton a shuttle and Thameslink to St Pancras.
Pay with a contactless card or phone, or an Oyster card, on every Tube, bus, train and tram, and the daily cap limits what you spend. TfL changes its fares each March, so check the 2027 caps before you travel; at 2026 prices the Zones 1–2 daily cap was £8.90, and a bus ride is £1.85 from 1 November 2026.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £80–115 | Hostel bed, pub meals, contactless transport |
| Mid-range | £180–260 | 3-star hotel, restaurants, one paid sight |
| Luxury | £480+ | Top hotels and fine dining |
Spring prices climb from March to May; Easter, the Marathon weekend and Chelsea week are the most expensive.
Costs worth knowing:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| National museums and galleries | Free |
| Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park | Free |
| Watching the Boat Race and the Marathon | Free |
| Bus fare | £1.85 from 1 November 2026 |
| Pint in central London | About £6.50–7.50 |
- TfL fares change in March, so the spring caps are the 2027 ones; check before you travel.
- Book hotels early for the Marathon weekend and Chelsea week.
- The free parks and museums keep a London spring cheaper than it looks.
#Food & Dining
Spring brings English asparagus, usually from late April, and Jersey Royal potatoes, wild garlic and new-season lamb onto London menus.
Borough Market shows it off; St. John in Smithfield cooks the most British food in the city; Dishoom, with branches across London, is the Bombay café worth the queue; and Padella at Borough serves fresh pasta at fair prices, with a queue to match.
#Nightlife
The pub gardens and riverside terraces reopen properly in May.
The Anchor Bankside and the pubs of Hammersmith Mall sit by the Thames; Ronnie Scott's in Soho has jazz every night; and the West End and the Globe are in full season. Light evenings make a walk between bars, from Soho to the South Bank, part of the night.
#Shopping
Columbia Road Flower Market, on Sunday mornings, is at its most colourful in spring.
Portobello Road on a Saturday and Spitalfields Market are the classic markets.
Liberty and Fortnum & Mason are worth a look even without buying, and Hatchards on Piccadilly is London's oldest bookshop.
#Culture & Etiquette
- Bank holidays this spring are Good Friday 26 March, Easter Monday 29 March, and Mondays 3 May and 31 May.
- On the Tube escalators, stand on the right and walk on the left; queues, everywhere, are taken seriously.
- Check the bill for a service charge, usually 12.5%, before adding a tip; at the pub bar, nobody tips.
- Buying rounds in a pub is the custom when drinking in a group.
#Essential Local Phrases
British English has a few words American visitors won't immediately recognise.
| What you want to say | What Londoners say |
|---|---|
| The subway / metro | The Tube |
| An umbrella | A brolly |
| Standing in line | Queueing |
| The bathroom / restroom | The loo |
| Sneakers | Trainers |
| A sweater | A jumper |
| A cookie | A biscuit |
| A public holiday | A bank holiday |
| A light shower | A spot of rain |
| A cup of tea | A cuppa |
#Packing List
- A light waterproof jacket
- A compact umbrella
- Layers: a jumper or fleece for cool mornings and evenings
- Comfortable, water-resistant walking shoes
- A warmer coat for March
- Sunglasses and sunscreen for May
- A contactless card or Oyster card
#Backup Plans (Rainy Days)
The free museums could fill a week: the British Museum, the V&A, the National Gallery and Tate Britain.
The Wallace Collection and Sir John Soane's Museum are smaller and quieter.
Churchill War Rooms is underground and fills a couple of hours. A matinee in the West End is the classic answer to an April downpour.
If the school holidays fill the museums: go to the smaller galleries, or out to Hampton Court Palace or Greenwich, which absorb crowds far better.
#Safety & Health
London is safe in spring. Pickpockets work Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Westminster Bridge and crowded Tube carriages, so keep phones out of back pockets. The Marathon and the Boat Race draw big crowds along narrow riverside paths; agree a meeting point. Hay fever season starts in late spring, and antihistamines are sold in every pharmacy.
Emergency: 999, or 111 for urgent medical advice.
#What's New for Spring 2027
- Easter falls on 28 March, the same day the clocks go forward
- The Boat Race is on Sunday 11 April, the centenary of the women's race, with the men rowing first
- The London Marathon runs over two days, 24 and 25 April 2027
- The Chelsea Flower Show runs from 18 to 22 May
- TfL fares change in March 2027; the bus fare is £1.85 from 1 November 2026
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), updated October 2026 for spring 2027. Climate figures are Met Office 1991–2020 averages. Dates and prices verified against:
- University of Cambridge for the 2027 Boat Race
- Royal Borough of Greenwich for the 2027 school holidays
- GOV.UK for the bank holidays
- The Royal Parks for the Isabella Plantation
- Transport for London for fares and caps
For each month in detail, see London in March, London in April and London in May.
You might also like
Destinations picked for travellers with similar taste or climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit London in spring?
May is usually the best month: about 18°C by day, the parks at their greenest, light until after 9pm by the end of the month, and the Chelsea Flower Show. April has the blossom and the big sporting weekends but changeable weather; March is cool and grey, with the blossom just starting.
Is spring a good time to visit London?
Yes. Spring brings blossom, longer evenings and a full calendar, with hotel prices below the summer peak. Expect showers in any month, and plan around the busy weeks: Easter and the school holidays, the Marathon weekend and Chelsea week.
What events are on in London in spring 2027?
Easter falls on 28 March, the same day the clocks go forward. The Boat Race is on Sunday 11 April, the London Marathon runs over two days on 24 and 25 April, and the Chelsea Flower Show runs from 18 to 22 May. The bank holidays are 26 and 29 March, 3 May and 31 May.
What should I pack for London in spring?
Layers and rain gear. Days run from about 12°C in March to 18°C in May, with cool mornings and evenings and showers in every month. Bring a light waterproof jacket, a compact umbrella, a jumper and comfortable shoes that cope with wet pavements; add a warmer coat for March.
What’s the weather like in London in Spring?
London in Spring typically sees temperatures of 6–15°C with around 8–10 days of rain across the period. Pack lightweight layers that suit both cooler mornings and warmer afternoons.
How much does it cost to visit London in Spring?
Budget-conscious travellers can expect daily costs of £100–160, covering accommodation, food, and local transport. Flexible dates can save up to 20% compared with peak-week rates.