Does it Snow in London? Winter Guide on Things to Do When it Snows

Want to know “Does it snow in London”?

I used to live in London and winters in London tend to be mild.

To the question, “does it snow in London?”, the short answer is that yes, it can snow in London but it does not snow much! Many years ago it used to snow more, but in recents years it has not snowed much.

There is some chance of snow in London between December and February, but even if it snows, it only snows a little and it melts away quickly.

If you are visiting London in winter and it happens to snow, some of the best things to do is to see the historic sites covered in snow, watch a play at the West End, go to a museum exhibition, go ice-skating, and play in the snow in a park.

Winter in London

Winter in London runs from December to February. London is the coldest during the winter, and it is usually gloomy and rainy, with a small chance of snow.

The most chance of snow in London is between January and February, but it usually doesn’t snow much. Even if it does snow, it usually melts away quickly.

The days are short during winter, and the sunset in London is usually around 4 pm. On average, there is around 8 hours of daylight in London in winter.

As winter is cold in London, make sure to pack clothes that you can wear in layers. It is good to have a warm winter coat, jumper, hat, gloves, scarves, and waterproof shoes/ankle boots. It can also rain, so make sure to pack an umbrella.

How Cold Does it Get in London?

The average temperature is between 2.2-8°C (36-46°F) in London in winter. Winters in London are generally mild, and while it is cold in London, it does not get extremely cold.

As winter is cold in London, make sure to pack clothes that you can wear in layers. It is good to have a warm winter coat, jumper, hat, gloves, scarves, and waterproof shoes/ankle boots. It can also rain, so make sure to pack an umbrella.

Does it Snow in England?

Yes, it sometimes snows in England in winter but not that much.

London usually does not get much snow, but places in northern England tend to have snow in winter. Places in northern England that get snow include Northumberland, County Durham, Cumbria and Lancashire.

Does it Snow in London?

Yes, it can snow in London but it usually does not snow much.

The most chance of snow in London is between January and February, even if it snows, it usually melts away quickly.

When Does it Snow in London?

The most chance of snow in London is between December and February but even if it snows, it is usually just a quick snowfall and it doesn’t last long.

How Much Does it Snow in London?

It does not snow much in London, even if it does, it usually melts away quickly.

Does it Snow in London in November?

No, it usually doesn’t snow in London in November.

There is some chance of snow between December and February, but it usually doesn’t snow much even then.

Does it Snow in London in December?

There is a small chance of snow in London in December but it usually doesn’t snow. Even if it does, it usually only snows for a little bit and the snow melts away quickly.

Does it Snow in London in January?

There is a chance of snow in London in January but it usually doesn’t snow much and it melts away quickly.

Does it Snow in London at Christmas?

No, it usually does not snow in London at Christmas.

In general, it does not snow much in London and even if it does, it’s only a light snowfall and the snow melts away quickly.

My Favourite Things to Do in London When it Snows

See London in Snow

In general, there is not much chance for snow in London but if it happens to snow when you are visiting London, then seeing the famous sites covered in snow is one of the best things to do!

Although usually the snow melts away quickly, so even if it snows, it might not be the winter wonderland you are hoping for.

However, on the odd chance that it does snow a lot while you are in London, then head to the famous attractions and see them covered in snow!

Some famous places you can check are the Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. You can also go up on the London Eye and get to see London in snow from high up!

If you are out and about in London when it snows, make sure to dress in warm layers, and wear a winter coat, waterproof shoes, hat, scarves, gloves!

✅ Skip the queue and book your ticket to the London Eye here!

Play in the Snow

Playing in the snow is very much dependent on the amount of snowfall – and well, typically it does not snow that much in London to go out and play in the snow.

However, on the odd chance that it does snow a lot, you can play with the snow outside and also go to one of London’s parks to play snowball fights or build a snowman!

Some of the best parks in London are Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park, Hyde Park and St. James’ Park and they are great places to play in the snow!

Go Ice-Skating

• Somerset House Ice Skating: Mid-November to Mid-January every year
• Glide Battersea: November to early January every year
• Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink: Mid-November to early January every year

The most chance of snow in London is during winter (even if it only snows a little) and there are many ice-skating rinks set up in London between mid-November and early January.

Ice-skating is fun with friends and family and it is a cool activity if you are visiting London in winter. Even if you are not so good at ice-skating, you can go, give it a try and have fun!

The best ice-skating rinks in London are at the Somerset House, Battersea Power Station and at the Hampton Court Palace.

Watch a Play at the West End

The West End is known for the best theatre plays in London and it is the best to watch a play when it is cold and snowy outside!

The shows are so good that many people come to London just to see a show. I am pretty sure that my friends who came to visit me while I lived in London, mainly just came for the shows at the West End, and catching up with me was only secondary!

The most popular shows at the West End are Wicked, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Lion King, Back to the Future, Phantom of the Opera, and ABBA Voyage.

Generally, the tickets are between GBP 30-210 (USD 40-270) and the cheaper tickets are only available for selected shows on specific dates. To get better prices, make sure to book your tickets well in advance.

It’s also possible to get cheaper tickets by going to the ticket booths in the morning. It is not guaranteed but this way, you may be able to get a discounted ticket for a less famous show for the same day.

Go to a Museum Exhibition

When I lived in London I loved going to museums. I even had a yearly membership to Tate Modern and Tate Britain and used to go to museums with my friends almost every weekend!

The great thing about the museums and galleries in London is that most of the permanent exhibitions are free and you don’t even have to pay for entry, only for the temporary exhibitions.

Going to a museum exhibition when it snows is not just good to escape the cold, but you can also brush up on your art, science and history knowledge.

Some of the best museums in London are the British Museum, National Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and the Natural History Museum.

Stay in with a Good Book

When it’s cold and snowy outside, sometimes it’s nice to just stay indoors, turn up the heater and chill with a good book.

Don’t worry, even if it snows, it only snows a little, so it’s the perfect time to relax and regain your energy until the weather gets better!

While it is fun to play in the snow, it is also cold and transport can be delayed. With the delays in transport, it is more difficult to get around and explore London.

Ultimately, a snowy day can be the perfect time to catch up on some reading or movies, and wait until the weather gets better.

Rejuvenate in a Spa

Going to a spa and pampering yourself on a cold winter day is the best! It is great to recharge while it’s cold outside!

Depending on which hotel you are staying in, it might already have spa services and then, you don’t even have to go out into the cold.

If your hotel does not have its own spa services, you can check out the spa at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, The Aire (Covent Garden), Old Hammam and Spa, and the spa at the Langham Hotel.

Sometimes you can also get a deal for spa treatments on Groupon, so it’s worth checking out for lower prices.

Warm up in a Pub

Going to a pub on a snowy day is a fun way to warm up, whether you are travelling solo, with friends or family!

If it is snowing, the best is to look for a pub close to your hotel, so you can just walk there. It might be cold outside, but inside the pub it is warm and cosy.

If you are staying in the city center, some of the best pubs that you can check out are the Porterhouse and the The Lamb & Flag near Covent Garden, and The Victoria in Paddington.

The pubs are usually busy in December as lots of people are out having Christmas parties. January and February are quiet times and not many people go out in London, but pubs are still great to warm up if it snows outside.

Apart from the pubs in the city center, Camden and Dalston/Stoke Newington has really nice pubs. Many pubs in Camden and Stoke Newington have live music, so you can also catch bands or DJs playing.

Best Pubs in Camden (North London):

Camden has lots of nice pubs and if you locate Camden High Street on a map, you can basically walk from Mornington Crescent to Chalk Farm and pass by many iconic British pubs.

When I lived in London, there was a time when I lived near Camden, so it is hard to make a short list of the best pubs. Nevertheless, some of my all time favourites are:

• Hawley Arms: where Amy Winehouse used to hang out
• Elephant’s Head: pub + live music (free entry)
• Dublin Castle: pub + live music (tickets between GBP 10-15)
• The Blues Kitchen: restaurant, bar, live music (entry free, some events around GBP 6)

Best Pubs in Dalston/Stoke Newington (East London):

Places in East London (such as Dalston, Stoke Newington, Shoreditch) are also known for their pubs and live music.

If you are around East London and looking for a cosy pub with live music, check out:

• Shacklewell Arms: pub + live music (events with bands and DJs usually cost around GBP 10-20)
• The Victoria: pub + live music (events free or paid – around GBP 10)
• The Three Crowns: pub + live music at it’s underground venue The Waiting Room

See the London Skyline

• Sky Garden: Free but you have to reserve the tickets
• View From the Shard Ticket Cost: GBP 32-38 (General entry), GBP 45-51 (All inclusive entry). Reserve tickets here

Two of the best places to see London’s skyline is at the Sky Garden and The Shard. They both offer 360 degree views of London and the best time to visit is at the sunset and evenings.

It doesn’t snow much in London, but if you happen to be in the Shard or Sky Garden when it snows, you get a really unique view of London.

The Sky Garden is in the top of the Fenchurch building, which is nicknamed the “Walkie-Talkie” building as it looks like a walkie-talkie from the outside.

The Sky Garden is free but you have to reserve the tickets in advance. The tickets are released up to 3 weeks ahead and you have to book a specific time slot.

The Shard is the tallest building in London and while you have to pay for entry, you get really nice views of the city!

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.

Go for Afternoon Tea

Britain and tea are two things that always go together. My British flatmates in London drank tea like there is no tomorrow. It wasn’t the fancy afternoon tea with saucers and scones, just tea, all the time.

I think I somewhat missed out on the whole experience of “afternoon tea” just because if you live anywhere in the UK, drinking tea becomes a part of everyday life.

While not everyone is so big into drinking tea, the kettle is somehow always there, full of water in every household, ready to make tea.

So, I can definitely attest that drinking tea is a big part of British culture. The origins of the afternoon tea goes back centuries and started as a tradition as an afternoon snack between lunch and dinner.

If you are visiting London for a short time, there are many places that organize afternoon tea events in London. The afternoon tea not only includes tea, but also scones, cakes and sandwiches.

I mean sure, you can just buy some tea bags and make tea at home, but to really get into the tradition of British tea drinking, you should book a spot for a proper afternoon tea.

Some of the best places for afternoon tea in London are at the Ritz and Savoy. There is even a boat tour with afternoon tea, and afternoon tea event where you can learn to make scones.

Tips for Visiting London when it Snows

What to Pack for Snow in London

The average temperature is between 2.2-8°C (36-46°F) in London in winter. While it does not get extremely cold, it is good to pack warm clothes that you can wear in layers.

It is good to have a warm winter coat, jumper, hat, gloves, scarves, and waterproof shoes/ankle boots. It can also rain, so make sure to pack an umbrella.

It usually doesn’t snow in London but there can be some rain, so make sure to also have an umbrella.

Getting Around London in Snow

It usually does not snow in London but if it does, there can be some slight delays due to the snow. Nevertheless, public transport should go as usual, but expect that there can be some delays.

London is a walkable city and there are many places to explore on foot. In case it snows in London, just watch out as the roads and sidewalks can be slippery.

London Seasonal Guides

Not sure when to visit London? Check out my London seasonal and monthly guides:

• London in Spring
• London in Summer
• London in Autumn
• London in Winter

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: Does it Snow in London?

Does it ever snow in London?

It sometimes snows a little in London, but usually it doesn’t get much snow. Even if it snows in London, it usually doesn’t last long and melts away quickly.

How often does it snow in London?

It doesn’t snow often in London. The most chance of snow in London is between January and February, but even if it snows, it melts away quickly.

What are winters like in London?

Winters in London are generally mild, and while it is cold in London, it does not get extremely cold. The average temperature is between 2.2-8°C (36-46°F) and it gets dark around 4 pm in the winter.

It usually doesn’t snow much in London in winter and even if it does snow, it usually melts away quickly.

Does England get a lot of snow?

Northern England can get a lot of snow, but generally other parts of England does not get a much snow.

Places in northern England that get snow include Northumberland, County Durham, Cumbria and Lancashire.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can snow in London but usually it does not snow much in London!

There is some chance of snow in London between December and February, but even if it snows, it only snows a little and it melts away quickly.

If you are visiting London in winter and it happens to snow, some of the best things to do is to see the historic sites covered in snow, watch a play at the West End, go to a museum exhibition, go ice-skating, and play in the snow in a park.