01Weather
London weather in May
Afternoons in May average 16.9 °C (62 °F) and nights cool to 8.5 °C (47 °F). The month brings about 50 mm (2.0 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with April it is 3.4 °C warmer; June is 4.0 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 22 °C / 72 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 12 °C / 54 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 5 °C / 42 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 29 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 26.3 °C / 1.8 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:31 | 20:23 | 14.9 h |
| 15 May | 05:08 | 20:45 | 15.6 h |
| 31 May | 04:49 | 21:06 | 16.3 h |
Daylight grows by about 84 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/London).
03Crowds
How busy London is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- two bank-holiday weekends
- Chelsea Flower Show
- half-term at the end of the month
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 3 May 2027 | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Spring Bank Holiday |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in London in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| RHS Chelsea Flower Show | last full week of May | garden |
07Packing
What to pack for London in May
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is many Londoners' favourite month, with two bank-holiday weekends, the first and last Monday of the month, the Chelsea Flower Show in the penultimate week and the parks at their greenest. Days are long and usually among the driest of the year. The last week brings the half-term holiday, so family attractions get busy; adult-oriented sights stay manageable.
The Chelsea Flower Show sells out months ahead and fills the hotels of Chelsea and Kensington for five days; the surrounding streets stage free garden displays. Open-air theatre in Regent's Park opens for the season, and the Thames Clipper boats are a pleasant alternative to the Tube in the long evenings. Temperatures reach 18 °C on an average afternoon, rising past 25 °C in a warm spell. It is the last month before summer pricing begins in June.
09Compare
London month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 2 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 9 °C | 4 °C | 11 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 11 °C | 4 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 14 °C | 5 °C | 7 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 17 °C | 8 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 21 °C | 12 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 22 °C | 14 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 22 °C | 14 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 19 °C | 12 °C | 7 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 15 °C | 9 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 6 °C | 12 | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 8 °C | 4 °C | 11 | – | busy | Mixed |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit London.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Paris in May | 19 °C | 13 |
| Amsterdam in May | 18 °C | 9 |
| Dublin in May | 17 °C | 13 |
| Copenhagen in May | 16 °C | – |
| Prague in May | 19 °C | 11 |
| Venice in May | 21 °C | 10 |
11FAQ
London in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit London?
May is a good month to visit London. Daytime highs average 17 °C (62 °F), rain falls on about 9 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in London in May?
Expect cool days around 17 °C (62 °F) and nights near 8 °C (47 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 22 °C, and one in ten stays below 12 °C.
Does it rain a lot in London in May?
May brings about 50 mm (2.0 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is fairly dry by London standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 29 percent.
What should I wear in London in May?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is London crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: two bank-holiday weekends; Chelsea Flower Show; half-term at the end of the month.
What time does it get dark in London in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 20:45 and rises at 05:08, giving 15.6 hours of daylight.