London skyline along the River Thames at golden hour

London in May

The best overall month

The short answer

May is the best month to visit London.

Everything good about a London summer, before the summer prices.

9/10 overall9–18°CModerate crowds€€€ (Moderate)
Weather9/10
Crowds7/10
Prices6/10
Events9/10

May in detail

What May actually feels like

Weather
9–18°C
Mild and often dry, with daylight until about 9pm
Crowds
Moderate
Busy but not overwhelmed — international summer travel hasn't started
Prices
€€€ (Moderate)
Moderate; two bank holidays lift weekend rates

+Mild weather, long evenings, parks in bloom and major events arrive before summer peak.

–Bank holidays and popular events can create busy weekends.

My tip for May

Travel midweek to sidestep the two bank-holiday weekends and their rate jumps.

  • Parks
  • Rooftops
  • Events
  • Walking

How May compares

Against the other eleven months

1st of 12 overall in London, 2nd for weather, 4th for space, 6th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.

See all twelve months for London

Ready to book May in London?

Mild weather, long evenings, parks in bloom and major events arrive before summer peak.

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