When to visit London?
London has so many attractions and entertainment that provided you are wrapped up warm during the winter months you should enjoy London anytime of year.
Here is a run down of highlights during each month in London.
January
London's winter sales are in full motion. The weather is cold and this means there is likely to be less tourists clogging up London's landmark attractions so for those that are not a fan for crowds or are shopaholics this is the time to head to London. The main sporting highlight during this month is the Premiership football.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in January
February
The major highlight during February is the London Fashion festival. Rugby Union's Six Nations and English football are the main sporting highlights and the weather (with luck) is cold but with a little luck blue skies will start appearing making the climate reasonably pleasant. Tourists not wanting to be squashed by crowds can enjoy the attractions.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in February
March
Big music acts start playing concerts again, The Six Nations Rugby is still a highlight and St Patrick's Day can be a fun event to celebrate. the weather is starting to get a touch warmer and the days a little longer.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in March
April
Around the first week in the month (Can also be last week March) is the annual Cambridge vs Oxford Boat Race along the Thames or for those seeking something different is the Oxford vs Cambridge Goat Race. Long distance runners may want to come for the challenge of the London Marathon, more big music acts will play concerts during the month and domestic English football is in the penultimate month of their season.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in April
May
The UK has two long weekend holidays during May being the first weekend and last weekend of the month. Domestic English football comes to its conclusion with the FA Cup final at Wembley being a highlight along with the lower division promotion play offs at the same venue. Cricket season starts and Rugby fans who love a party will enjoy the world sevens at Twickenham. Chelsea Flower Show is also a major highlight. The weather is usually pretty good (touch wood) and the days start becoming longer.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in May
June
June is arguably London's liveliest month and sports fans will love it but there is lots going for everyone. The days are at the longest and beer gardens are often filled with drinkers forgetting they may have to work the next day. If you like socialising and sport mixed together there is Polo in the Park at the start of the month and mid month is Royal Ascot Racing Carnival. Wimbledon starts towards the end of the month and their is usually international cricket at lords or the Oval. Festivals start popping up all over the capital. You can enjoy the Zoo with a party atmosphere every Friday evening until August, watch an open air play at Regents Park and there are still big acts playing in the capital. Tourist attractions are at their busiest during this month.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in June
July
July is another great month for sports fans who can enjoy Wimbledon, International cricket, Diamond League international Athletics carnival and if happy to travel out of town the British Open Golf, Silverstone Formula 1 Grand Prix and the very social Royal Henley Regatta. Classical Music lovers can enjoy the BBC Proms and music festivals play in both London and across the UK. Hampton Court Flower Show is also a highlight. Shopaholics can find some bargains with many summer sales taking place in the many stores.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in July
August
The big event during August is the world famous Notting Hill Street Carnival in the last weekend of August. Sports fans can enjoy the start of the English football season, international cricket and those wanting to be active can compete in Ride London. Lots of festivals take place across town including the popular SW4 and V Festivals. Those travelling with children under 16 can see West End Theatre shows with the children getting in free as part of Kids Week which runs for a month!
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in August
September
September is a very neutral month in London with the weather still being pretty good, big music acts returning from the festival season to play more concerts, sporting highlights being mainly English football with a little bit of cricket as the season ends. As always there is plenty of exhibitions and events on for arts fans and those looking to compete in a unique fundraising challenge can compete in the Great Gorilla Run.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in September
October
London has some wonderfully gruesome attractions and they step up a notch during October as they celebrate Halloween. There are not many major events that take place during the month but there is always a big name playing a concert, lots of different exhibitions taking place including the world famous Turner Prize at the Tate Britain which exhibits until early January. Luck can mean some good weather but the days start getting shorter and the evenings cooler.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in October
November
November is a popular month for big music acts to perform, sport highlights include the Autumn Rugby Internationals with England competing against sides from the Southern Hemisphere, there are lots of different events and exhibitions leading up to Christmas. The two big highlights during the month are the Lord Mayor's Show and Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes). The weather starts getting colder.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in November
December
London in December is all about the Christmas spirit with many events going on. Christmas lights give the city a spark, Christmas carols play everywhere, you can go ice skating at many land mark sights, while Winter Wonderland is becoming a land mark event being a cross between Oktoberfest and a German Christmas market in central Hyde Park. London is one of the world's true shopping capitals so it is a great place to be both prior to Christmas and after when the famous sales start on Boxing Day. The week between Christmas Eve and New years Eve is London's quietest week with many residents departing the city and giving London a surreal tumbleweed feel. Despite this there is still lots on and London is a great place to see in the New Year.
Travelling around Europe: Events worth escaping London for in December
