London in spring is a strong choice if you want blooming parks, longer days, major cultural events, and milder weather without the peak-summer feel. For trip planning, this guide covers March through May. Expect cool mornings in March, a noticeable warm-up through April, and the mildest spring conditions in May.
Quick Answer
Spring in London is best for parks, flower displays, walking, markets, and seasonal events. March is coolest, April brings rapid changes in weather and blossom, and May is usually mildest. Pack layers and rain protection, book major events early, and expect busier travel around Easter and May bank-holiday weekends.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. Dates and figures were verified against official sources.
Key Takeaways
- Met Office 1991–2020 averages at Heathrow rise from an 11.7°C average daytime maximum in March to 18.4°C in May.
- April is not dramatically wetter than the rest of spring: average rainfall is 42.3 mm, compared with 38.8 mm in March and 45.9 mm in May.
- The 2027 spring calendar includes the London Book Fair, a two-day TCS London Marathon weekend, the London Coffee Festival, and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
- For 2027, Good Friday is March 26, Easter Monday is March 29, and the two May bank holidays fall on May 3 and May 31.
London in Spring Weather: March, April, and May
London warms steadily through spring, but day-to-day conditions can still change quickly. A useful baseline is the Met Office 1991–2020 averages for Heathrow, which show a clear rise in temperature and sunshine from March to May.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rainfall | Days with 1 mm+ rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 11.7°C (53.1°F) | 4.1°C (39.5°F) | 38.8 mm | 8.5 days |
| April | 15.0°C (59.0°F) | 6.0°C (42.9°F) | 42.3 mm | 8.8 days |
| May | 18.4°C (65.1°F) | 9.1°C (48.3°F) | 45.9 mm | 8.0 days |
Temperature Changes Through Spring
March can still feel wintry, especially in the morning and evening. By April, afternoons are noticeably milder, and May is the most consistently comfortable of the three months for outdoor sightseeing.
These are long-term averages, not a forecast. A sunny day can feel much warmer than the table suggests, while wind and cloud can make the same temperature feel colder.
Rainfall and Sunshine
Rain is possible in every spring month, so a compact umbrella or light waterproof layer is useful. The familiar phrase “April showers” fits the changeable pattern, but the Met Office averages do not show April as dramatically wetter than March or May.
Sunshine increases sharply through the season, which is one reason late April and May are especially good for parks, walking routes, and outdoor dining.
The Look and Feel of Spring in London
Spring colour builds in stages rather than arriving all at once. Early bulbs and magnolias appear first, followed by cherry blossom, tulips, bluebells, and fuller green foliage as temperatures rise.
The best month depends on what you want: choose March for a cooler city break, April for blossom and changing gardens, or May for milder weather and a dense events calendar.
Spring Events in London
Spring is one of London’s busiest event seasons, with publishing, sport, coffee, and horticulture all represented. If an event is central to your trip, use its confirmed 2027 date when choosing accommodation because several fall close to bank-holiday weekends or other high-demand periods.
| 2027 event | Dates | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| The London Book Fair | March 16–18 | A major publishing-industry event at Excel London, best suited to readers working in books and media. |
| TCS London Marathon | April 24–25 | A one-off two-day format in 2027, bringing major crowds and road closures along the route from Greenwich to Westminster. |
| The London Coffee Festival | May 13–16 | Coffee tastings, demonstrations, competitions, and industry sessions at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. |
| RHS Chelsea Flower Show | May 18–22 | One of London’s signature spring events, with show gardens, floral displays, exhibitors, and specialist horticulture. |
The calendar changes from year to year, so avoid assuming that a familiar annual event will fall on the same weekend. In particular, the original version of this article placed Notting Hill Carnival in spring, but that event belongs to the late-August bank-holiday period rather than March, April, or May.
Spring Travel Tips for London
The biggest planning issues in spring are weather changes, holiday weekends, and event-driven crowds. A flexible daily plan works well: keep one indoor attraction in reserve, but use dry spells for parks, markets, and river walks.
Plan Around 2027 Bank Holidays
For England and Wales, GOV.UK lists the 2027 spring bank holidays as Good Friday on March 26, Easter Monday on March 29, the Early May bank holiday on May 3, and the Spring bank holiday on May 31.
These dates can increase demand for accommodation, attractions, restaurants, and intercity trains. If your trip overlaps one of these long weekends, reserve the hardest-to-replace parts of your itinerary first.
Use Public Transport Efficiently
London’s Tube, buses, Elizabeth line, London Overground, DLR, and rail connections make it practical to stay outside the immediate West End. Transport for London supports pay-as-you-go travel with contactless payment and Oyster cards.
Whichever method you choose, use the same card or device for the full journey. Walking is often faster for short central-London hops, especially around Westminster, Covent Garden, Soho, and the South Bank.
Book the Things That Can Sell Out
Accommodation, ticketed flower shows, popular exhibitions, and timed-entry attractions deserve early attention. You do not need to schedule every hour; leave open blocks for good weather and spontaneous stops.
Pro Tip: Group nearby sights into the same half-day. London rewards walking, and reducing cross-city trips gives you more time to enjoy parks, neighbourhood streets, and riverside routes.
Outdoor Activities in London During Spring
Spring is ideal for mixing classic sightseeing with outdoor time. Parks become greener, boating returns more regularly, and riverside paths are easier to enjoy before the hottest part of summer.
Picnic or Walk in the Royal Parks
Hyde Park is an easy central option for lawns, lakeside walks, and a break between museums or West End sightseeing. St James’s Park, Regent’s Park, Greenwich Park, and Richmond Park give you very different views of the city.
If you want to picnic, carry a light layer even on sunny days. Spring temperatures can drop quickly once clouds arrive or the sun gets low.
Take a Boat on the Serpentine
The Serpentine in Hyde Park is a classic spring activity. Boating becomes more regular from late March, with row boats and pedalos available during the season, subject to operating conditions.
Walk or Cycle Beside the Thames
The Thames Path gives you long stretches of riverside walking with views of landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, the South Bank, and riverside neighbourhoods farther west. You can also use London’s cycle-hire network for shorter rides, although busy central roads may not suit inexperienced city cyclists.
What to Wear in London in Spring
Dress for variation rather than one fixed temperature. A spring day can move from a chilly morning to a mild afternoon and then back to a cool evening, so light layers are more useful than one heavy coat.
Layer for Changing Temperatures
A lightweight jacket, cardigan, or jumper over a breathable base layer gives you enough flexibility for most sightseeing. Add a compact umbrella or waterproof outer layer for showers.
Comfortable walking shoes matter more than dressing formally. London itineraries often involve long station corridors, pavements, parks, markets, and museum floors in the same day.
Use Markets for Vintage and Independent Finds
Camden Market and Portobello Road Market remain popular stops for vintage clothing, accessories, and independent traders. They can also be combined with neighbourhood walks, food stops, and nearby parks.
High-Street Shopping Is Easy to Add
High-street brands such as Zara and H&M make it simple to pick up a missing layer or rain-friendly basic after you arrive. If you prefer to pack light, central shopping areas give you plenty of backup options.
Flower Markets and Gardens in London
Spring is one of the best times to build a London itinerary around flowers. Different plants peak at different times, so March, April, and May each offer a different garden experience.
Columbia Road Flower Market runs on Sundays and fills the street with flowers, plants, garden supplies, cafés, and independent shops. Arriving earlier in the day generally gives you more time to browse before the market winds down.
Kew Gardens in Spring
Kew Gardens is one of the strongest choices for concentrated spring colour. Kew’s own seasonal guidance says cherry blossom, bluebells, and many tulips are at their best during April and May, although bloom timing changes with the weather. Its spring flower guide highlights Cherry Walk, bluebell areas, tulip displays, magnolias, and primroses.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea Physic Garden offers a smaller and more specialised experience, with medicinal, useful, and historically important plants inside one of London’s oldest botanic gardens. It pairs well with a walk through Chelsea or a visit timed around the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Spring Food and Drink in London
Spring is a good season for mixing food markets with outdoor sightseeing. Longer days make it easier to stop for a market lunch, continue walking, and still have daylight for another neighbourhood or park.
Borough Market is one of the easiest food stops to combine with a Thames walk, London Bridge, or the South Bank. Camden and Spitalfields also give you broad food choices alongside shopping and street life.
Seasonal restaurant menus often shift toward lighter produce as the weather warms. Rooftop terraces and pub gardens also become more appealing, although you should still expect cool or wet spells.
Spring Festivals and Celebrations in London
London’s spring calendar is shaped by Easter, St George’s Day, community celebrations, and the two May bank holidays. Some celebrations are fixed to a date, while public events around them can move from year to year.
Easter and the May Bank Holidays
In 2027, the Easter public-holiday period runs from Good Friday on March 26 through Easter Monday on March 29. The Early May bank holiday is May 3, followed by the Spring bank holiday on May 31.
These are useful dates to know even if you are not attending a specific celebration, because they can change opening patterns and increase leisure travel.
St George’s Day
St George’s Day is April 23. London has hosted public celebrations around the date in recent years, but the exact 2027 Trafalgar Square festival date had not been published when this article was checked, so it should not be treated as fixed yet.
Notting Hill Carnival Is Not a Spring Event
Notting Hill Carnival is a major London celebration of Caribbean culture, but it does not take place in spring. It belongs to the late-August bank-holiday weekend, so plan a separate summer trip if Carnival is one of your priorities.
Day Trips and Easy Escapes from London in Spring
Spring is a good time to add one day outside central London, especially if you want gardens, historic architecture, or a slower pace. Choose one destination rather than stacking several distant places into the same day.
Windsor
Windsor is a natural choice for royal history and a change of scale from central London. Windsor Castle is the main attraction, while the town and riverside make it possible to build a full day without rushing between unrelated stops.
Richmond Park and Kew
Richmond Park is not a traditional day trip from London because it is still within the city, but it can feel like one. Its open landscapes and roaming deer make a strong contrast with central neighbourhoods, while nearby Kew gives you a more formal botanical experience.
Oxford or Bath
Oxford suits visitors interested in university architecture, museums, and compact historic streets. Bath is farther away but offers Roman and Georgian history in a walkable centre. Either works better as a dedicated day than as part of an overpacked multi-city tour.
Why London in Spring Is Worth Visiting
London in spring works especially well for travellers who value parks, walking, markets, and cultural events but do not need guaranteed warm weather. March is cooler, April is visually rewarding for blossom, and May combines the mildest spring averages with several major events.
The main strategy is simple: pack for changeable weather, anchor your trip around any must-see event, and leave enough flexibility to use dry days outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in London during spring?
London spring weather is mild but changeable. Heathrow’s 1991–2020 averages rise from an 11.7°C daytime maximum in March to 15.0°C in April and 18.4°C in May, while rain remains possible throughout the season.
Which spring month is best for visiting London?
May is usually the best fit if you want the mildest spring temperatures and major events. April is stronger for many blossom and tulip displays, while March can suit travellers who prefer cooler weather and an earlier-season feel.
Does it rain a lot in London in spring?
Rain is frequent enough that you should prepare for showers, but spring is not uniformly wet. Heathrow averages 38.8 mm in March, 42.3 mm in April, and 45.9 mm in May, with roughly eight to nine days per month recording at least 1 mm of rain.
What should I pack for London in spring?
Pack light layers, a waterproof outer layer or compact umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes. March needs the warmest layers, while April and May are milder but can still turn cool, windy, or wet during the same day.
What are the biggest London spring events in 2027?
Major confirmed 2027 dates include the London Book Fair on March 16–18, the TCS London Marathon on April 24–25, the London Coffee Festival on May 13–16, and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 18–22.
If you’re planning a trip to London in the spring, you may also want to check out this article on London’s Top Attractions: A Guide for First-Time Visitors. This comprehensive guide provides information on must-see sights, hidden gems, and insider tips to help you make the most of your time in the city. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or shopping, this article has you covered.
Sources
- Met Office Heathrow climate averages: 1991–2020 temperatures, rainfall, sunshine, and rainy-day averages.
- GOV.UK bank holidays: 2027 Good Friday, Easter Monday, and May bank-holiday dates for England and Wales.
- The London Book Fair: confirmed 2027 dates and venue.
- London Marathon Events: confirmed April 24–25, 2027 marathon dates.
- The London Coffee Festival: confirmed May 13–16, 2027 dates and venue.
- Royal Horticultural Society: confirmed May 18–22, 2027 RHS Chelsea Flower Show dates.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: spring blossom, bluebell, tulip, magnolia, and primrose timing.
- Transport for London: current fare and payment guidance for contactless and Oyster travel.
