London

Here's the thing about London weather that nobody tells you: it's not actually as grim as the stereotype suggests, but it's also never going to feel Mediterranean. The real story is that you've got maybe four genuinely pleasant months stacked between May and August, and the rest of the year is basically a coin flip between drizzle and that particular kind of grey that makes the old Victorian architecture look even moodier. If you're going in 2026, May through August is when you should aim — not because the sun suddenly becomes reliable (it won't), but because highs settle around 18–20°C (64–68°F) and those brief, golden afternoon stretches actually make you want to sit outside without immediately regretting it.

Each of these four months has its own personality, which is worth understanding before you book. May is when London finally wakes up — the parks explode with color, the light lingers until nearly 9pm, and you can still grab a decent café seat without fighting through August hordes. June brings the longest days of the year; you're looking at nearly 16 hours of daylight, which sounds magical until you realize that also means 9pm sunsets and your body clock getting thoroughly confused. July is traditionally warmest, with highs occasionally touching 23°C (73°F), though it's also when school holidays hit and the South Bank becomes a sea of tourists. August maintains that warmth but starts to feel a bit sticky — humidity creeps in, and you'll notice more locals have actually left for the countryside.

The months to genuinely avoid? November through February. Not because they're catastrophically bad, but because the combination of cold (averaging 8°C / 46°F), persistent drizzle (London gets about 710mm of rain annually, spread unevenly), and early darkness by 4pm creates that particular kind of damp misery that makes you question your life choices. March and April flirt with being nice, but they're unreliable — you might get a glorious sunny day followed by sleet, which is somehow worse than consistent rain. September and October are underrated, honestly; fewer crowds, still mild, but the light quality shifts noticeably earlier in the day.

Looking at 2026 specifically, London's climate hasn't dramatically shifted from historical patterns, though the last decade has seen slightly warmer summers and wetter winters. What that means for you: those May–August months remain your best bet, and the rainfall you'll encounter is more likely to be scattered afternoon showers than all-day soaks. Pack layers, bring a compact umbrella you'll actually use, and don't let the weather forecast scare you off — Londoners function in this stuff year-round.