London in August: Weather, Outfits & Things to Do (2025)
WONDERING WHAT’S IT LIKE IN LONDON IN AUGUST?
I’ve got you covered! I lived in London for 5 years, and while it can get crowded in August, there are many cool activities to do during the summer!
There are many outdoor events and festivals in London in August, and it is the best time to relax and have picnics in parks.
The average temperature is between 14-22 °C (58-72 °F) in London in August but it can get much warmer than that, so you can pack light summer clothes for your trip.
The best things to do in London in August is to chill in parks, take a boat on the Regent’s Canal, go on a day trip to a nearby beach, go sightseeing, visit the Kew Gardens, and go to outdoor festivals and cinemas.
So, here is everything you need to know about visiting London in August, including the weather, what to wear, and best things to do!
London Weather in August
August is proper summer and it is the second hottest month in London.
August is very warm and sunny but London always has some rain, so it is good to have an umbrella in handy too.
August has a lot of daylight and some of the longest days of the year in London. The sunrise in London in August is around 5:30-6 am and the sunset is around 8 pm. With the long days, August is a great time to visit London!
London Temperature in August
The average temperature is between 14-22 °C (58-72 °F) in London in August and it is the second hottest month in London.
The average daytime temperature in August is around 22 °C (72 °F), but it can get much warmer than that.
As it can be hot and sunny, make sure to pack sunscreen for your trip. Additionally, sunglasses and a sun hat also come handy.
Apart from the warm weather, there is always a chance of rain in London, so it is also good to take an umbrella for your visit.
In the evenings, the temperature drops to around 14°C (58 °F), so it is good to pack a cardigan or light jacket.
Is London Hot in August?
Yes, London gets very warm in August, and it is the second hottest month of the year in London.
The average temperature is between 14-22 °C (58-72 °F) but it can get much warmer than that!
Is London Rainy in August?
It can rain a some in August in London but usually not that much.
London is known for its rainy weather so there can always be some rainfall. Even though it generally does not rain that much in August, it is best to prepare for some rain whenever you visit London.
Is August a Good Time to Visit London?
It depends on your preferences whether August is a good time to visit. August is one of the busiest times in London due to a lot of travellers visiting during the summer holidays.
The great thing about visiting London in August is that the weather is warm and sunny, and there are many outdoor events and festivals.
The downside of visiting London in August is that it is very crowded with tourists. August is still a great time to visit London, just be prepared that it is a busy time of the year.
Nevertheless, don’t let the crowds hold you back from visiting London in August. There are many outdoor activities to enjoy during this time!
Some of the best things to do in London in August is to chill in parks, take a boat on the Regent’s Canal, go on a day trip to a nearby beach, go sightseeing, visit the Kew Gardens, and go to outdoor festivals and cinemas.
Crowds
August is peak summer season and it is one of the busiest times in London.
There are many travellers in London at this time and it can get pretty crowded in the city center and at the famous tourist attractions.
Nevertheless, if you are planning to take summer holidays in London, it is pretty cool. It might be crowded but there are lots of summer activities to do in the city!
If you prefer to visit at a less busy time, then late Spring (April, May) and early Autumn (September, October) are great alternatives. These times, offer good weather and are more quiet times.
Prices
August is summer high season in London, so the prices are the most expensive at this time.
The hotel prices are the highest in high seasons (summer and Christmas), and the flights to London are also the most expensive during these times.
During the summer, the hotels are running at full capacity, so you should book the accommodation as early as possible. You won’t get very cheap prices for hotels for the summer, but you could get a decent price if you book it well in advance.
January and February are the cheapest times to visit if you want to go to London when there are deals for flights and hotels. The weather is the coldest in the winter in London, so while you may get cheap prices, you also have to bare the cold.
🇬🇧 Best Tours in London in August
Book the best London tours for your trip here:
✅ London Eye, River Cruise, & Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
✅ Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour
✅ Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip
The Best Things to Do in London in August
VISIT THE HISTORIC SITES
There are many iconic landmarks in London that are a must-see if you are visiting London! Exploring the famous attractions is one of the best things to do in London, especially if it’s your first time in London.
London is a walkable city and many of the attractions are located close to each other. I always loved it that it is so easy to get around London and explore places.
If you go to the area around Waterloo and Westminster, you can check out many famous attractions, including the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Buckingham Palace (+ the Changing of the Guards ceremony).
In and around the West End, you can explore Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Leicester Square, and additionally the British Museum is also nearby.
The area around Tower Bridge (including the Tower of London) can also be explored in one go as they are located close to each other.
Just prepare that the weather can get pretty hot in August, so make sure to have sunscreen on. Sunglasses and sun hats are also nice to have during the summer in London, so that you can bare the hot weather more easily.
August is peak summer season in London, so the famous attractions can get very busy. If you visit any places where you can pre-book a skip-the-line ticket, make sure to get one, so you don’t have to wait in the queue.
BOAT DOWN ON THE REGENT’S CANAL
The Regent’s Canal is a beautiful and peaceful canal in North-Central London. It is not as touristy as other famous attractions but it is a popular place in the summer.
You can take a boat on the Regent’s Canal from Camden to Little Venice (or vice versa) which is a unique activity in London. The boat trip takes around 45 minutes and it is the best in the summer when the weather is good.
There is also a footpath next to the canal, and you can walk from Camden Lock to Little Venice. It’s a nice way to spend some time in nature and see a less touristy side of London.
What I like is that there are also some nice cafes along the way, and you can also see some houseboats where people live by the canal.
RELAX IN A PARK
Summer is the best time to have a picnic and relax in one of London’s parks! There are many nice parks in London and they come alive during the summer with many festivals and events.
Some of the best parks in London are Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, and Greenwich Park.
One of my favourite spots in Hampstead Heath is the “Secret Garden“. Officially it’s called the Hill Garden and Pergola and it’s one of the hidden gems in London not many tourists know about. It’s such a nice, idyllic place on a sunny day – perfect to relax and have a picnic with friends.
Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill are great spots to see the sunset over London. You can get a nice view of some of London’s famous buildings from a distance, such as the Shard. If you are up to get up early, they are also nice places for the sunrise.
GO ON A TRIP OUTSIDE LONDON
It is great to go on day trips from London when the weather is good. There are a couple of places near London that are perfect for a day trip, or for a 2-3 day trip if you have more time.
Some of the best places that can be visited for a day trip from London are Windsor, Stonehenge, Canterbury, Oxford, Brighton, Hastings and Bath.
During summer, it is pretty nice to take day trips to beaches near London. One of the most popular beach near London is the Brighton Beach. It can get very busy during the weekends, so if you have time, it is better to visit on a weekday.
The weather can get very warm in August, so when planning a trip, make sure to pack sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses to protect you against the heat.
If you have more time in London, you can even visit places in Wales or Scotland. It may be a quick trip, but totally worth it to see a different part of the UK! When I lived in London and we had 3 day weekends, I sometimes even went on a trip as far as Wales!
WATCH A MOVIE AT AN OUTDOOR CINEMA
During summer in London, there are many outdoor cinemas being organized. It’s a unique and fun way to watch a movie, so make sure to check one out!
They usually have a schedule that includes both old classics and modern movies. To get a good seat, it is best to arrive early. The outdoor cinemas are the busiest on the weekends, and less busy during the week.
Some of the outdoor cinemas in London worth checking out are the Luna Cinema, Adventure Cinema, Pop Up Screens, and the Barbican Outdoor Cinema.
HANG OUT IN CAMDEN
I used to live near Camden, and it is such a cool place to hang out and there are so many things to do. It has vintage shops, food stalls, second-hand bookshops and pubs with live music. It’s easy to spend the whole day here and explore the area!
Camden is a great place to buy something unique or funny, or to get a souvenir to take home! If you love books, it is a great place to browse books and find some second-hand books at a good price.
On of the secret gems in Camden is the Regent’s Canal. From Camden, you can also walk along the Regent’s Canal all the way to Little Venice. There are also boats that go on the canal which are really nice in the summer.
SHOP AT A MARKET
London has lot of markets that are nice places to shop for vintage clothes, antiques, artworks, jewellery, street food and drinks.
Some of the best markets in London are Portobello Road Market, Spitalfields, Brick Lane, Covent Garden, Borough Market, and the Columbia Road Flower Market.
The Borough Market is known for its food stalls, and there are also some bars and shops. I love the Borough Market as it has so many different delicacies, such as cheese, cured meat and bakery items. It can get very busy during lunch time, so try to go outside the lunch hour times.
The Columbia Road Flower Market is the best place to shop for flowers! It runs every Sunday from 8 am to around 3 pm, and there are also some vintage shops and cafes that are nice places to hang out. It’s a less touristy market in London and is the best to visit when the weather is good.
In Covent Garden you can find many restaurants, bars and shops. I like about Covent Garden that you can just walk around and always find something interesting or some secret gems in small alleys in the area.
EXPLORE LONDON ON A WALKING TOUR
A walking tour is one of the best ways to see what every day life is like in a new place!
Going on a walking tour in London is great as you have a guide so you can learn information about London you probably would not hear of otherwise.
There are many different types of walking tours in London, such as historic sightseeing tours, pub tours, street art tours, or even a British music tour! The tours take around 1.5-2 hours and take you through historic places in London.
It can get very warm in London in August, so don’t forget to put on sunscreen and drink plenty of water while you are outdoors.
✅ Book a Walking Tour in London here!
SEE THE LONDON SKYLINE
- View From the Shard Ticket Cost: GBP 32-38 (General entry), GBP 45-51 (All inclusive entry). Reserve tickets here
- Sky Garden: Free but you have to reserve the tickets
The best places to see London’s skyline and sunset is from the Sky Garden and The Shard. They both offer great views of London (360 degree views!), and also have restaurants and bars where you can eat and drink.
The Shard is the tallest building in London and while you have to pay for entry, I found the experience is more unique than the Sky Garden.
The Sky Garden is in the top of the “Walkie-Talkie” building (officially known as the Fenchurch building). The entry to the Sky Garden is free but you have to reserve the tickets in about 3 weeks in advance.
You have to arrive about 15 minutes before your time slot for both the Sky Garden and the Shard. This is just to make sure that you are not late for the time slot and you get to go up. In case you are late, they may not let you in anymore as the places tend to be very busy with a lot of people inside.
If you are deciding between The Shard and the Sky Garden, the The Shard is a great choice if you want to celebrate a special occasion while in London. I liked the views from the Sky Garden, but The Shard is a more unique experience.
VISIT THE KEW GARDENS
- Kew Gardens Opening Times: 10 am – 6 pm every day
- Kew Gardens Tickets: GBP 20-24 (depending if you buy it online/in person and if for weekday or weekend)
The best time to visit the Kew Gardens is in the Spring (April-May) when most of the flowers are in bloom. However, there are seasonal flowers in bloom during the summer, so it is a nice place to visit in August too.
The Kew Gardens is the largest botanical garden in the world, having over 50,000 plants. It covers a large area and you could spend up to a whole day here. They also have cafes and restaurants within its premises in case you get hungry.
My favourite places at the Kew Gardens is the Kew Palace, Palm House, Treetop Walkway, Great Broad Walk Borders, and the Temperate House. I have always found it’s such a great place to escape the city!
GO ON A THAMES BOAT TOUR
A river cruise on the Thames is a nice way to see London! There are many famous buildings along the river, such as the Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye.
The London river cruises usually last between 1-2 hours and includes a guide, so you get to learn about London’s history.
There are also public boats in London that go through pretty much the same route as the paid cruises.
The public boats are run by the Uber Boats by the Thames Clippers, and you can pay for the boat fare even with an Oyster Card.
If you don’t want to pay for a river cruise, the public boats are a great option. You get to go on a cruise and see the city for an affordable price.
HAVE DRINKS IN A BRITISH PUB
Pub culture is big in the UK and you can find a pub in London just about anywhere! Many pubs also have a beer garden that are nice places to hang out at during summer.
If you are looking for a typical British pub in the city center, you can check out the Porterhouse and the The Lamb & Flag near Covent Garden.
I used to live near Camden and also in East London at a time, and some of my favourite pubs are from there! Many pubs also have live music, so the pubs are great places to catch a band play!
If you are visiting Camden, the Hawley Arms (where Amy Winehouse used to hang out), Elephant’s Head, and the Dublin Castle are great pubs and they usually also have live music on!
Dalston, Stoke Newington and Shoreditch (places in East London) are great, and you can check out the Shacklewell Arms, The Victoria, and The Three Crowns.
GO ON THE LONDON EYE
The London Eye is a famous landmark in London and even though it is one of the most touristy places in London, you should definitely visit it while in London.
The London Eye is great to visit all year round, just make sure to get a ticket in advance. The queues can be very long, especially during the summer high season, so it is the best to get a fast track ticket to the London Eye to skip the queues.
It goes pretty slow and takes around 30 minutes for one round. Once you are on the London Eye, you get really nice views of famous buildings in London, such as the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the St. Paul’s Cathedral.
✅ Skip the queue and book your ticket to the London Eye here!
VISIT THE HARRY POTTER FILM STUDIOS
Visiting the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios is a fun activity for both kids and adults! It is a pretty cool experience, and it is totally worth checking out if you like the Harry Potter books and movies.
The Harry Potter tour usually takes around 7 hours and you get to see the behind the scenes, set and costumes at the Warner Bros Studios in Watford.
You can either sign up to a tour or plan to visit on your own. The tours are a good option if you don’t want to stress about organizing the visit by yourself, however, the tours have set times, so you may have less time in the studio then if you went on your own.
If you prefer to plan it on your own, the trains go from London Euston Station to Watford Junction. Once you get to Watford Junction, there are shuttle buses every 30 minutes that go to the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios. The shuttle bus is free for everyone that has a ticket to the Harry Potter Studio.
✅ Book the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour here!
WATCH A PLAY AT THE WEST END
Watching a play at the West End is a great activity all throughout the year! August is very warm, there can be some occasional rain, so a West End show can be best for a rainy day.
The West End is known for some of the best theatre plays in London and there are also many restaurants and shops in the area.
Many people come to London just to see a show at the West End, so if you like theatre plays, you should definitely get tickets to a show.
Some of the most popular plays are Wicked, Hamilton, Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
The tickets for a show at the West End cost between GBP 30-210 (USD 40-270). To get better prices, try to book the show as early as possible.
You can also try to get a discounted ticket if you go to the ticket booths in the morning. They sometimes sell cheaper tickets to shows for the same day, however, it’s not guaranteed and it’s usually for less famous shows only.
SEE A MUSEUM EXHIBITION
London has many museums and going to an exhibition helps you to learn more about the history and culture of the UK better. The museums are open all year around, and have both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Going to a museum exhibition was one of my go to weekend activities when I lived in London and the best things is that the entry is free to most of the permanent exhibitions! You only have to pay an entry fee for temporary exhibitions.
Some of the best museums in London are the British Museum (ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections), National Gallery (paintings), Tate Modern (modern and contemporary art), Tate Britain (British art from year 1500 to present), and the Victoria and Albert Museum (ceramics, jewellery, photography)
TRY BRITISH FOOD
Trying the local cuisine is always one of the best things to do in a new place! The food scene in London is very diverse and you can find many restaurants that serve food from all around the world, such as Indian, Italian, Mexican and more.
British food is famous for the English Breakfast, Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, and the Sunday Roast.
The Sunday Roast is a traditional meal on Sundays and it consists of roast meat, potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire Pudding (pastry).
The tradition to have Sunday Roast goes back centuries and it started as a meal to bring the family together. Blacklock and Hawksmoor are great places to try Sunday Roast in central London.
There is also Secret Food Tour in London where you can have the best British food while also exploring London!
🥘 Book a Food Tour in London here!
SHOP FOR CLOTHES
London is like heaven if you like fashion! There are many clothes shops in London, and you can find everything from budget to luxury brands.
The most famous places for fashion in London are Oxford Street and Regent Street. They are right next to each other and there are many fashion brands you can choose from.
Oxford Street is the biggest shopping street in Europe and it has more than 300 shops. Apart from clothes shops, there are also jewellery, electronics and homeware shops.
Another place I can recommend for shopping is the Westfield Shopping Centre. It is a massive shopping center and while it can get very busy, you can find everything here in one place. It is not too far from the city center and you can take the tube to Shepherd’s Bush to get there.
VISIT THE LONDON ZOO
- London Zoo Opening Times in May: 10 am – 6 pm
- London Zoo Entry Price: Weekday: GBP 27-31 (USD 35-40), Weekend: GBP 33 (USD 42)
The London Zoo is almost 200 years old and it is located in Regent’s Park near Camden. The zoo is pretty big and for us it took around 3 hours to cover the whole place.
We visited on a weekend and found it was very busy, so I recommend that if you have the option, it is better to visit on a weekday as it should be less busy then.
The enclosures in the zoo are well maintained and built in a way that you get to see the animals from pretty close up. Some of the animals that we saw at the zoo are lions, tigers, penguins, and baby gorillas.
✈️ London Trip Planning
Ready to book your trip to London? Plan your trip with my favourite travel resources:
✔️ SafetyWing: Get travel insurance here!
✔️ Booking.com: Book accommodation here!
✔️ GetYourGuide: Book activities here!
Tips for Visiting London in August
What to Wear in London in August
The average temperature in London in August is between 14-22 °C (58-72 °F) but it can get hotter than that. So it is best to pack light summer clothes for August.
As it is hot during the day in August, you can wear summer clothes like T-shirts, dresses, skirts, shorts, light trousers, and sunglasses.
The temperature drops to 14 °C (58 °F) in the evenings, so it is good to also have a cardigan or light jacket for the evenings.
Clothes to Pack for London in August:
- T-Shirts
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Shorts
- Light trousers
- Light sweater, cardigan for evenings/if it gets cold
- Light jacket for evenings/if it gets cold
- Sandals, comfortable walking shoes
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Umbrella
It does not rain much in August, but there is always a chance of rain in London, so make sure to also have an umbrella with you.
Public Transport in London
The public transport in London is safe and it is one of the best ways to get around the city. The main modes of transport in London include the tube, buses, trains, and public boats.
The public transport in London is easy to navigate, and all tube stations and bus stops have maps and signage. In case you are not sure which way to go, you can always ask other people for directions.
It can get hot and sweaty inside the tube during summer, so it is good to prepare for it mentally, but otherwise it is one of the best ways to get around.
To pay for public transport in London, you can use contactless payment or the Oyster Card. Oyster Cards are specific cards for paying for transport in London. You can top it up and use it to pay for public transport.
Taxis in London
Getting a taxi in London is a great option if you want to have some comfort. Taxis in London are safe, although if the traffic is bad, it might take longer than the tube.
There are different taxis in London, such as the famous black cabs, Uber and Bolt.
The taxi prices for Uber and Bolt are fixed, and are generally more affordable than black cabs. The Black cabs are a bit more expensive but the advantage is that they can use the bus lane, so it is a little bit faster than Uber or Bolt.
London is a safe city and it is also safe to take taxis. If you take a taxi alone late at night, it is considered safer to take black cabs.
Walking in London
London is a walkable city and it has a well-built sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Many tourist attractions are located close to each other in London so it is great to explore places on foot.
The weather can get very warm in August but it can also rain sometimes. So, if you go exploring London on foot, you should have both sunscreen and an umbrella to be prepared for all scenarios!
Events in London in August
There are many outdoor events and festivals in London in August, including the Notting Hill Festival, Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, Camden Fringe, and the Docklands International Festival.
- BBC Proms: Classical music concerts (18 July-13 September 2025)
- Camden Fringe: Performing arts (28 July-24 August 2025)
- Hampton Court Palace Food Festival: Street food, pop-up bars (23-25 August 2025)
- Notting Hill Carnival: Street festival celebrating Caribbean culture (24-25 August 2025)
- Greenwich + Docklands International Festival: Theatre and performing arts (August 2025 TBC)
Hotels in London
Not sure where to stay in London? Check prices and availability for the top hotels for every budget:
📍 Best Hostel: YHA London Central
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: The Resident Covent Garden
📍 Best High-End Hotel: The Savoy
London Seasonal Guides
Want to visit London at another time? Check out my London seasonal and monthly guides!
London Monthly Guides
- London in January
- London in February
- London in March
- London in April
- London in May
- London in June
- London in July
- London in August
- London in September
- London in October
- London in November
- London in December
FAQs: London in August
Is August a good time to go to London?
It depends on your preferences whether August is a good time to visit. August is one of the busiest times in London due to a lot of travellers visiting during the summer holidays.
The great things about visiting London in August is that the weather is warm and sunny, and there are many outdoor events and festivals.
The downside of visiting London in August is that it is very crowded with tourists. August is still a great time to visit London, just be prepared that it is a busy time of the year.
Some of the best things to do in London in August is to chill in parks, take a boat on the Regent’s Canal, go on a day trip to a nearby beach, go sightseeing, visit the Kew Gardens, and go to outdoor festivals and cinemas.
Will it be hot in London in August?
Yes, London gets hot in August, and it is the second hottest month of the year in London.
The average temperature is between 14-22 °C (58-72 °F) but it can get much warmer than that!
What clothes should I wear in London in August?
The best clothes to wear in London in August is T-shirts, dresses, skirts, shorts, light trousers, and sunglasses. For the evenings, it is good to have a cardigan or light jacket.
It can also rain in London in August, so additionally, you should also pack an umbrella.
How crowded is London in August?
August is peak summer season and it is one of the busiest times in London.
There are many travellers in London at this time and it can get pretty crowded in the city center and at the famous tourist attractions.
What time does it get dark in London in August?
It gets dark around 8 pm in London in August.
August has a lot of daylight and has one of the longest days of the year in London. The sunrise is around 5:30-6 am and the sunset in London is around 8 pm in August.
Conclusion
In conclusion, August in London is great! There are many outdoor events and festivals, and it is the best time to relax and have picnics in parks.
The average temperature is between 14-22 °C (58-72 °F) in London in August but it can get much warmer than that, so you can pack light summer clothes for your trip.
The best things to do in London in August is to chill in parks, take a boat on the Regent’s Canal, go on a day trip to a nearby beach, go sightseeing, visit the Kew Gardens, and go to outdoor festivals and cinemas.
