London in July: Weather, Activities & What to Wear (2025)

Is London Hot in July?

Yes, London is hot in July. It is not just hot, but it is the hottest month of the year in London.

The average temperature is between 13.5-22 °C (56-72 °F) but it can get much warmer than that!

Is it Rainy in London in July?

It can rain a little in July in London.

July is not the rainiest month in London, but there can always be some rainfall. Thus, it is best to prepare for some rain whenever you visit London.

Is July a Good Time to Visit London?

Whether July is a good time to visit London depends on your preferences. July is one of the busiest times in London due to the high number of visitors during summer.

It is great to visit London in July as the weather is warm and sunny, and there are many outdoor festivals and events.

However, due to the summer holidays, London can get crowded in July, so if you prefer to avoid the crowds, it is better to visit in Spring or Autumn.

The best things to do in London in July is to chill in parks, go sightseeing, take a boat on the Regent’s Canal, go on a day trip to a nearby beach, visit the Kew Gardens, and have fun at outdoor festivals and cinemas.

Crowds

July is proper summer season and it is the busiest times in London, thus there are a lot of travellers during this time.

It can get pretty crowded in the city center and at the famous tourist attractions, nevertheless, if you are taking summer holidays in London, it is pretty cool – especially with all the summer activities in the city!

If you prefer to visit London at a time when it is less busy, then late Spring (April, May) and early Autumn (September, October) are the best times to do so. During these times, the weather is warm and there are not that many tourists in London.

Prices

July is peak summer season in London, so the prices are the highest at this time.

The hotel prices are the highest in peak seasons (summer and Christmas), and the flights to London are also the highest during these times.

The hotels are in full capacity during summer, so you should book the hotel as early as possible. You won’t get low prices for hotels for the summer, but you could get somewhat a decent price if you book it well in advance.

If you want to visit London at a time when there are cheap flights and discounts for hotels, then January and February are the cheapest times to visit. However, the weather is the coldest in the winter in London.

Spring and Autumn are shoulder seasons, so you can also get some good hotels and flight prices if you book it well in advance, although it won’t be as cheap as in January or February.

Visiting the historic landmarks is one of the best things to do in London, and many of the attractions are located close to each other, which make it nice to explore on foot.

The weather can get pretty hot in July, so make sure to have sunscreen on. Sunglasses and sun hats are also nice to have, so you can bare the hot weather more easily while you are out and about.

As July is peak tourist season in London, 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 queue.

CHILL IN A PARK

Summer is the best time to relax and have picnics in parks in London! There are many nice parks in London and during summer, they have also many festivals and events taking place.

Some of the best parks in London are Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, and Greenwich Park.

Hyde Park usually has the British Summertime (BST) festival taking place in June-July where you can see some great bands perform. I saw the Libertines play there a few years ago and I think I even managed to win the ticket through a giveaway, so it was great!

Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill are nice places for picnics or see the sunset over London. If you are up to get up early, they are also nice places for the sunrise.

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 non-touristy places in London. It’s the perfect place to relax on a sunny day!

TAKE A BOAT TRIP ON THE REGENT’S CANAL

The Regent’s Canal is in North-Central London and is 13.8 km (8.6 miles) long. The canal is a peaceful part of London and not as touristy as other famous attractions.

One of the best things about the Regent’s Canal is that you can take a boat from Camden to Little Venice (or vice versa). The boat trip takes around 45 minutes and is the best in the summer when the weather is nice.

There is also a footpath next to the canal, and it is a nice walk in nature from Camden Lock to Little Venice.

You can also see the boats docked by the canal, that are houseboats with people living there. There are also some nice cafes along the way.

VISIT PLACES OUTSIDE LONDON

When the weather is good, it is great to go on day trips. There are a couple of places near London that are perfect for a day trip, or to extend it for a 2-3 day trip.

Some of the best places that can be visited for a day trip from London are Windsor, Oxford, Stonehenge, Canterbury, Hastings, Brighton, and Bath. Going on a day trip is a great way to see more of England and learn about its culture and history.

In the summer, it is also nice to take day trips to beaches near London. One of the most popular 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.

When I lived in London, I loved that the city is well-connected to other towns in England (even Wales and Scotland), and it is easy to go for a trip by train or bus. When we had 3-day weekends, we even managed trips to Wales, although it is a very tight schedule, but you can see a bit of different parts of the UK!

SPEND A DAY IN CAMDEN

Camden Market is one of the coolest places in London and there are many nice things to do. You can stroll around the market with many food stalls, bars, vintage shops and second hand bookshops.

The vintage shops are a great place to buy something unique or funny, or even 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.

Camden Market has everything you need and it is easy to spend at least half a day there. From Camden, you can also walk along the Regent’s Canal for some peaceful environment, or take a boat to Little Venice.

WATCH A MOVIE AT AN OUTDOOR CINEMA

During summer in London, they organize many outdoor cinemas. It’s a unique cinema experience and is a fun way to see a movie.

There are a couple of outdoor cinemas in London and they have a mix of old classics and modern movies. I found that they can get very busy, especially on the weekends, so it’s better to book a spot for a weekday. Either way, it is good to arrive early so you can get a good seat!

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 AT A MARKET

London has many markets that are great places to shop for vintage clothes and items, artworks, jewellery, street food and drinks.

Some of the best markets in London are Portobello Road Market, Spitalfields, Brick Lane, Borough Market, and Covent Garden.

The Borough Market is known for its food stalls, and there are also some bars and shops. If you love food and snacking, it is definitely the place to check out.

They sell many different delicacies, such as cheese, cured meat, street food, bakery items, fresh vegetables and fruits.

The Borough Market can get pretty busy on the weekends and during lunch time, so it is best to visit it during the week (outside of lunch hours).

In Covent Garden you can find many restaurants, bars, shops and theatres. It is located in central London and if you look in small allies in the area, you can find many hidden gems.

There are usually street performers in Covent Garden that are fun to watch and it draws in big crowds.

Covent Garden is great but it is also a very touristy place in London. It can get very busy and crowded so make sure to watch out for your belongings.

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. There are also seasonal flowers that bloom during the summer, so it is a nice activity in July too.

The Kew Gardens is a botanical garden in Richmond (London), and it is the largest botanical garden in the world, having over 50,000 plants.

My favourite places within the Kew Gardens that you should definitely check out is the Kew Palace, Palm House, Treetop Walkway, Great Broad Walk Borders, Temperate House.

The Kew Gardens covers a large area and when we visited, it felt like we could have spent the whole day there to fully explore the whole place. They also have cafes and restaurants within its premises if you get hungry.

There is also a train that goes around the botanical garden, so if you get tired, it is a good way to get some rest. The train ticket costs GBP 6.50 (USD 8).

GO ON A WALKING TOUR

Going on a walking tour is one of the best ways to see London! Having a guide on a walking tour is a great way to learn about the history of London and get to know information you might not know otherwise.

It can get hot in London in July, so don’t forget to use sunscreen while being outdoors. It can also rain sometimes, so make sure to also have an umbrella.

When deciding on going on a walking tour in London, you have the options to explore historic sites, go on a pub tour, street art tour, or even a British music tour!

✅ Book a Walking Tour in London here!

CHECK OUT LONDON’S 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

The best places to see the skyline of London is from The Shard and the Sky Garden. They both offer great views of London (360 degree views!), and the best time to visit is for the sunset.

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.

I liked the views from the Sky Garden, but The Shard is a more unique experience. If you are deciding between The Shard and the Sky Garden, the The Shard is a better choice if you want to celebrate a special occasion.

When planning your visit, make sure to arrive 15 minutes before your time slot for both the Sky Garden and the Shard. In case you are late, they may not let you in anymore and then, you would have to reschedule your slot to another time.

HAVE A DRINK IN A PUB

Pub culture is big in the UK and you haven’t been to London until you have gone to a pub! Many pubs also have beer gardens that are great to hang out at during the summer.

My favourite places for pubs are in Camden and East London (but probably I am biased because I used to live in those areas). What I miss the most about pubs in London is that you could catch a random band perform in a pub at a free event, and then later the band goes on to become pretty famous!

For pubs in Camden, some of the best ones are the Hawley Arms (where Amy Winehouse used to hang out), Elephant’s Head, and the Dublin Castle. They are great pubs and they usually also have live music on!

As for pubs in East London, places like Dalston, Stoke Newington and Shoreditch have so many pubs and music venues. Some of the best pubs are the Shacklewell Arms, The Victoria, and The Three Crowns.

If you just want to go to a typical British pub, you can check out the Porterhouse and the The Lamb & Flag near Covent Garden.

GO ON A THAMES CRUISE

The River Thames flows through London and a river cruise is a good way to see the city and 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 includes a guide and last between 1-2 hours. As it includes a guide, it is best if you want to learn some historical information about London besides the sights.

If you don’t mind much about having a tour guide, there are also public boats in London. The public boats go through pretty much the same route as the paid cruises, but they don’t include a tour guide.

The public boats are run by the Uber Boats by the Thames Clippers, and you can even pay for the boat fare with an Oyster Card.

Ultimately, the public boats are a great option if you don’t want to pay much for a river cruise but still want to see the city from the Thames!

WATCH A PLAY AT THE WEST END

Watching a play at the West End is a great activity all throughout the year! July is hot, but it can still rain sometimes, 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. When I lived in London, many of my friends came to London to see a show, and, uhm, to visit me.

Some of the most popular plays are Wicked, the Lion King, Hamilton, 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.

Another way to get a cheaper ticket is if you go to the ticket booths in the morning. You might be able to get a discounted ticket for the same day, although it is not guaranteed. If you do get a discounted ticket, it is usually for lesser-known plays.

VISIT A MUSEUM EXHIBITION

London has a lot of museums and going to an exhibition helps you to learn about the history and culture of the UK better. The museums are open all year around, and have both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The best thing is that the entry is free to many of the permanent exhibitions, and you only have to pay an entry fee if you want to visit the temporary exhibitions.

GO ON THE LONDON EYE

The London Eye is an iconic landmark in London and even though it is one of the most touristy places in London, it is worth a visit if the weather is clear to get good views.

The queues can be long, and I found that if you don’t have a fast track ticket to the London Eye, it can take a long time to wait out the queue, especially during the peak summer season.

The London Eye is just by the River Thames and once you are on it, 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, and it is great for both kids and adults!

The Harry Potter tour usually takes around 7 hours and you get to see the behind the scenes at the Warner Bros Studios in Watford.

You can walk around the set and also see the costumes that were used in the movies. It is a pretty cool experience and if like the Harry Potter books and movies, it is totally worth checking out!

You can either sign up to a tour or plan to visiton your own. If you plan it on your own, you can take the trains from London Euston Station to Watford Junction.

Once you get to Watford Junction, there is a shuttle bus that goes every 30 minutes between Watford Junction and the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studios. The shuttle bus is free for everyone who has a ticket to the Harry Potter studio.

✅ Book the Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour here!

HAVE BRITISH FOOD

Trying the local cuisine in a new place is always a great thing to do. So, while you are in London, you should try as much local food as possible.

Apart from British food, 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 cuisine, Mexican, Italian, Italian 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. One of my favourite places for Sunday Roast is the Blacklock in central London – I took my mom there when she visited me in London and she loved it!

There is also Secret Food Tour in London where you can have the best British food while also exploring London!

🥘 Follow your stomach and join a Food Tour in London here!

BUY FLOWERS AT THE COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET

The Columbia Road Flower Market is a great place to shop for flowers and chill in nice cafes.

It runs every Sunday from 8 am to around 3 pm and can get pretty busy, especially from noon onwards. If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to arrive early, around 9 am.

With the flower market, cafes and vintage shops on Columbia Road, it is easy to spend the morning here, shopping for flowers and having a coffee.

You may be able to get some discounted flowers if you go later in the afternoon around 2 pm. Although, at that time, you have less choice and less flowers available.

GET A FASHION MAKEOVER

London is famous for fashion, so if you like fashion, London is like heaven! There are many clothes shops from budget to luxury brands, so there is everything for all budgets.

The most best places to shop for clothes 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.

You can also check out the Westfield Shopping Centre which is a massive shopping center in London! It can get very busy but you can find everything there from clothes shops to electronics. 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, Weekend: GBP 33

The London Zoo opened in 1828 and it is located in Regent’s Park near Camden.

The zoo is pretty big and it took us around 3 hours to cover the whole area. There are also restaurants and cafes, which is nice to stop for a break to have food and drinks.

It can get busy on the weekends, so if you have the chance, it is better to visit on the weekdays to avoid the crowds.

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 we saw at the zoo are tigers, lions, penguins and also baby gorillas.

Free Things to Do in London in July

London has so much to offer and the great thing is that there are many things that you can do for free!

July is summer time in London and the city comes alive with many festivals and outdoor events. It can be crowded due to the number of tourists, but nevertheless, it is a great time in the city.

Some of the best free things to do in London in July is to relax in parks, visit museum exhibitions, watch street performers in Covent Garden, go up to the Sky Garden, walk from Camden to Little Venice, and watch the Wimbledon free outdoor screenings.

Tips for Visiting London in July

Public Transport in London

The public transport in London is safe and reliable, 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 there are even public boats on the Thames that are great for sightseeing.

The public transport in London is easy to navigate, and all tube stations 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 tubes 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 transport in London. You can top it up and use it to pay for public transport.

Taxis in London

If you want to have some comfort, getting a taxi in London is also an option. Taxis in London are safe, although if the traffic is bad, it might take longer than the tube.

There are different taxis that operate in London. London has the famous black cab taxi service, as well as taxi apps like Uber and Bolt.

The taxi prices for Uber and Bolt are fixed and are generally more affordable than black cabs.

Black cabs might be 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.

For booking black cabs, you can either hail them or use the Gett App to book.

London is safe 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 system of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Many tourist attractions are located close to each other so it is great to explore London on foot.

The weather can get hot in July 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 July

London has many events during July, including the world famous Wimbledon Championships, and outdoor festivals such as the BST Hyde Park music festival.

• BBC Proms: Classical music concerts (18 July-13 September 2025)
• British Summer Time (BST) Hyde Park: Music festival (28 June-13 July 2025)
• Wimbledon: Tennis tournament (30 June-13 July 2025)

London Seasonal Guides

Want to visit London at another time? 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: London in July

Is July a good time to visit London?

Whether July is a good time to visit London depends on your preferences. July is one of the busiest times in London due to the high amount of visitors during summer.

The great thing about visiting London in July is that the weather is warm and sunny, and there are many outdoor festivals and events.

However, due to the summer holidays, London can get crowded in July, so if you prefer to avoid the crowds, it is better to visit in Spring or Autumn.

The best things to do in London in July is to chill in parks, go sightseeing, boat down the Regent’s Canal, visit the Kew Gardens, and have fun at outdoor festivals and cinemas.

How should I dress in London in July?

The best clothes to wear in London in July 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 July, so in addition, you should also pack an umbrella.

Is July going to be hot in London?

Yes, London is the hottest month in London.

The average daytime temperature is around 22 °C (72 °F) in London in July, but in reality, it can get much hotter than that, even up to 30 °C (86 °F).

Is London expensive to visit in July?

Yes, July is one of the most expensive times to visit London. July is peak summer season, so the hotels and flights are booked at full capacity and are more expensive.

What time does it get dark in London in July?

It gets dark around 9 pm in London in July.

July has one of the longest days of the year in London. The sunrise in July is around 5 am and the sunset in London is around 9 pm in July. With the long days, summer is a great time to explore London!

How rainy is London in July?

It does not rain that much in July in London, but there can always be some rainfall in London all throughout the year. Thus, it is best to prepare for some rain whenever you visit London.

How crowded is London in July?

July is one of the busiest times in London and there are a lot of visitors during this time.

It can get pretty crowded in the city center and at the famous tourist attractions. Nevertheless, if you are taking a summer holiday in London, it is pretty cool – especially with all the summer activities in the city!

Conclusion

In conclusion, summer time in London is great! The city comes alive with many outdoor events and festivals, and it’s the best time to chill in parks.

July is peak summer season in London and it can get crowded with many visitors, but nevertheless, there are so many things to do in the city!

The average temperature is between 13.5-22 °C (56-72 °F) in London in July but it can get much hotter than that, so make sure to pack light summer clothes and sunscreen!

The best things to do in London in July is to chill in parks, go sightseeing, take a boat on the Regent’s Canal, go on a day trip to a nearby beach, visit the Kew Gardens, and have fun at outdoor festivals and cinemas.