London and England in general, aren’t known for good weather although when you compare the amount of rain in inches to other countries, it’s actually slightly lower than average. With only about 615 millimetres of rain a year, the real reason London is thought of as a rainy city is that it rains more often, just slightly lighter. Good news for guests of the spa at Montcalm, you won’t be completely drenched during your stay!
The city of London isn’t just rainy though, due to its microclimate created by urban buildup and of course, climate change, the city is also prone to short but acute heatwaves. This means that guests of Montcalm hotels London should pack for good weather too.
You never know what the weather will bring you in London, forecasts may be slightly off and constantly shifting, even on the day. When paired with the scale and wealth of attractions, this unpredictability demands visitors to pack flexibly for their trip. Whether you’re staying at Montcalm luxury hotels during the summer or the winter, the blend of indoor and outdoor attractions will require you to be versatile and flexible. This blog will outline the typical preparations you might need to fully immerse yourself in the city, whatever the weather may bring.
Spring In London
With high temperatures between 12 and 15 degrees celsius in London during the spring months, London can still see lows between 6 and 10 degrees, there’s a lot of fluctuation throughout the spring. With a mix of sunny spells and rainy days, spring temperatures can change as quickly as the wind in London
Clothing To Pack
Spring requires a flexible wardrobe that should include sturdy, waterproof trainers – useful all year round to be honest – and if you’re feeling extra brave, sandals as well. A jumper or a light jacket would come in handy as well.
Accessories To Pack
Raincoats and umbrellas – but also sunglasses – might be useful for your London springtime, especially on those days that weather forecasters would call “sunny with showery spells”.
Things To Do
Springtime is one of the most flexible seasons for London visitors. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of London’s great outdoors but when the weather turns on you, enjoy an indoor meal at the Montcalm restaurant, or indeed seek solace in a bar. One seasonal spectacle in London is to witness those streets lined with cherry blossom trees, which spring into bloom during the month of April.
Summer In London
Though this summer has been especially hot, the average high temperature in London between June and September ranges between 20 and 23 degrees. You’ll see a little less rainfall (but not none!) during the summer, but generally speaking, you’ll be able to dress a little lighter during these months.
Clothing To Pack
Alongside the classic summer gear of shorts and light tops, make sure to pack a jumper if you plan to be out late at night. Sandals and comfortable shoes are also important to enjoy a London summer, whether inside or out.
Accessories To Pack
Make sure to bring sun cream, though London isn’t as hot as other cities in Europe, the reflective surfaces, river and open green spaces can mean that you may get burnt without even realising it, especially on windier days.
Things To Do
London’s summer is full of exciting events and outdoor activities. Music festivals, art events and borough-centric markets and fairs take over the streets during the summer period and make it one of the best times of year to fully enjoy the city.
Autumn In London
Autumn in London sees average lows of 7 degrees celsius and high averages of 16 degrees. Keep in mind that London can sometimes be prone to “Indian Summers”, in which hotter spells leak into the autumn months. Regardless, expect temperamental weather and average rainfalls reaching up to 10 days a month.
Clothing To Pack
Again, a light coat and a jumper will get you through autumn in London. You’ll still want to explore the green spaces of the city during these months so it’s worth taking mud-friendly shoes with you as well. Layers are key to London’s colder months, allowing you to wrap up for the bracing fresh air and strip down for the museums and galleries.
Things To Do
Alongside enjoying the autumn colours in woodlands such as Epping Forest, visitors to London can enjoy a heady lineup of new movies at the London Film Festival, a great way to keep out of the cold on blustery autumn evenings. Taking place this year between the 6th and the 16th of October, the London Film Festival is one of the biggest film festivals in the country. Further to this, November the 6th marks Bonfire Night in England and there are plenty of firework displays throughout the evening. Halloween in the city is a lot of fun too, with horror movie marathons and parties haunting London’s best venues.
Winter In London
With average lows of 4 and highs of 9 degrees through the winter months, make sure to wrap up warm on a winter London trip, especially if you’re out and about at night. The pavements and walkways can get wet with rain too, meaning that you’ll need to be careful rushing for that bus or train during peak commuting times.
Clothing To Pack
As with autumn, layers are what count during a London winter. Strip down and wrap up, and make sure you have sturdy shoes for walking in wet conditions.
Accessories To Pack
A scarf, umbrella and woolly hat is always useful during a London winter. Make sure to wrap up warm and invest in a pair of gloves. If you’re new to the city and are using apps to navigate, try finding gloves that allow for touchscreen access, so as not to complicate your route planning.
Things To Do
The festive season in London is especially vibrant. From mulled wine in pubs and bars to seasonal restaurant menus, there’s plenty of indoor activities to enjoy throughout the winter months. On top of this, London plays host to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, a market and amusement park that offers festive market stall gifts and foodstuffs alongside Christmas grotto styled bars and eateries.
