Weather in the UK

There are four distinct seasons to the UK: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.

The UK has a reputation for having cold, wet and dreary weather. However, you can have some sunny days even in Autumn and Winter and some great weather during the Spring and Summer months.

The best time to visit the UK is in Spring and Summer, when days are long (the sun will rise around 4 am and will set up to 9 or 10 pm at night in summer) and temperatures are warmer.

Temperatures are generally in the region of 15°C to 25°C, but the UK has experienced even warmer conditions (over 30°C) over the past few summers.

Of course, it can also rain during the summer months!

Autumn arrives in September, with temperatures dipping anywhere from 5 to 15°C  and shortened days. 

However, Autumn can also provide beautiful weather (sunny and mild temperatures), what is called ‘Indian summer’.

Don’t be surprised if winter runs longer during some years! Expect cold weather, rain, sometimes snow and fog. The days are short and nights are long, with the sun rising at about 7 or 8am and setting at about 4 pm.

Temperatures will generally range between 0 to 7°C and although sunny days are possible they will be cold. If it does snow (generally more likely in the northern part of England and Scotland) accumulation will generally only be a couple of inches and will not last long. It is rare for England to have a lot of snow!

Spring is a great time in the UK, with blooming flowers and warming temperatures. 

Although temperatures during these months generally range from about 5 to 15°, don’t be surprised if winter last longer or summer comes early – springtime weather in the UK is unpredictable!

The UK is an island, so it can rain a lot, during any season and on any given day – so bring your umbrella, a waterproof coat and waterproof shoes if you can!

Obviously, depending on the region of the UK, the weather can change quite dramatically. For instance, because it’s located at the extreme north of the island, Scotland can be much colder than England. 

For more precise weather information, visit the Met Office Website.

For general information about what to bring with you to the UK, see the relevant section ‘What to pack’ on our website (see button below).

If you are coming from warmer countries, it might be best to buy in the UK what you need, such as coats, waterproof shoes, thermals etc. 

There are several specialized shops in Oxford/online selling outdoor clothing (for instance, specialist waterproof and thermal clothing). Some recommendations of retailers are listed below:

• Uniqlo
• Mountain Warehouse
• Trespass
• GO Outdoors
• Cotswold Outdoor

These retailers are generally pricier than some high-street shops. For more information about shopping in the UK, see the relevant section on our website (see button below).

Tip:  To regulate your body temperature in warm or cold conditions, the layering technique is a great idea!