Exploring Britain & Ireland

While just about any month is great to visit Britain and Ireland, there are a few prime times of year worth considering. Here’s what to expect, according to our destination experts:

Spring: Visiting Britain and Ireland in March through May promises fewer crowds and comfortable cool temperatures ranging from the mid-40s°F (around 7°C) to low 60s°F (about 16°C). During this time, the countryside blooms, and lovely English gardens overflow with tulips, daffodils, rhododendron, and bluebells. Springtime brings lengthening days, so there’s still some daylight after dinner for relaxing strolls.

Summer: June through August is a wonderful time to visit the region. With a busier, more vibrant atmosphere in Ireland and Britain, experience the countries like a local. Summer is one of the most popular times for tourists to visit the UK and Ireland, with June and July being particularly lively months. The weather is warmer, with highs in the 70s°F (21-26°C), and England comes alive with plenty of crowds and locals out and about. Travelers can expect more crowds at top attractions, so it's a great idea to plan ahead. With the nicer weather, it's an excellent time to enjoy outdoor activities, and the region experiences up to 18 hours of daylight in summer, giving ample time to soak in the sun's rays and the UK and Ireland’s beautiful landscapes. British weather is usually at its best during this time but be sure to pack a light rain jacket just in case. Average temperatures typically stay in the 60s and 70s°F (15-25°C).

Fall: Enjoy the turn of the season in late September through November as crowds thin and the beautiful colors of fall start to appear. The weather can be quite cool in the evenings, averaging in the upper 40s°F (around 8-9°C) at night and low 60s°F (15-16°C) during the day. Since many historic buildings aren’t equipped with air conditioning, this is a very comfortable time of year to travel if you prefer to keep cool.