This is a post about London in spring.
Spring is genuinely one of my favourite times to be in London. After what feel like a million months of grey skies and that particular brand of cold that gets into your bones, the city transforms in a way that’s hard to describe unless you’ve seen it. Wisteria tumbles over mews houses in Notting Hill. The parks fill up with blossom. Magnolia trees are everywhere! People emerge from their hibernation and immediately sit outside with a drink at the first opportunity, regardless of whether it’s actually warm enough. It’s wonderful.
If you’re planning a trip to London in spring or you’re a Londoner trying to make the most of the season, this guide covers everything you need to know. When spring actually starts, what the weather is really like, what to wear, what to pack and the best things to do.
When is Spring in London?
Meteorological spring in London runs from about 21 March until 21 June, give or take a day or two. In practice what this means is:
March tends to be unpredictable. You’ll get glimpses of sunshine and the occasional beautiful day but cold spells are common and rain is frequent. The city starts to feel lighter though and the first flowers begin to appear, especially my beloved Magnolias.
April is the most classically “spring” month. Blossom is everywhere, the parks are beautiful and the days are noticeably longer. It’s also the month when London gets that famous April shower situation, so rain is still very much on the table. Although it’s 9 April and it’s been really lovely. We had 27º yesterday!!
May is arguably the best month to visit London in the whole year. The weather is genuinely pleasant more often than not, the city is alive with outdoor events and the wisteria hysteria is at its peak. It’s busy but not quite at the summer tourist crush level yet.
London Weather in Spring: What to Actually Expect
Let’s be honest about this because a lot of guides are weirdly optimistic about London weather. Spring in London is mild and often beautiful but it is not reliably warm and it is absolutely not dry. It’s almost impossible to predict.
Here’s what you can realistically expect:
March temperatures sit between 5°C and 12°C (41°F to 54°F). Cold mornings, occasional warm afternoons, frequent rain. This past March was a mixed bag but I definitely needed an extra layer at least 28 of its 31 days. Sometimes, a wintery one.
April temperatures range from 7°C to 15°C (45°F to 59°F). More sunshine than March, still plenty of rain, the odd genuinely lovely warm day. It’s been really nice but I remember very cold, wintery Aprils and even one when it snowed! Granted, it was just a few minutes and Prince had just died. He said it himself, “sometimes it snows in April”.
May temperatures reach 10°C to 19°C (50°F to 66°F). This is when London starts to feel properly warm. Some days will be absolutely gorgeous and some will be grey and drizzly, but the balance tips towards the former.
These temperature ranges are the expected but, like I said, it’s always a surprise!
The important thing to understand about London spring weather is that it can do all four seasons in a single day. A morning that starts cold and overcast can turn into a warm and sunny afternoon and then deliver a sudden shower at 4pm. Dressing in layers and always having a light waterproof with you is not optional, it’s just how we deal with spring in London.
READ MORE: 10 Best Walking Routes in London For Spring/Summer 2026
What to Wear in London in Spring
The key to dressing for London in spring is layers that can be added and removed throughout the day. Here’s a breakdown by month:
March in London: Think winter-adjacent. A proper coat is still necessary. Not a heavy winter parka but a structured wool or wool-blend coat that will keep you warm in the morning. Underneath, a light jumper or long-sleeved top. Jeans or trousers rather than anything lighter. Boots or trainers rather than sandals.
April in London: This is where layering really earns its keep. A medium-weight jacket or trench coat. The trench coat is genuinely the most useful thing you can own for London spring. Underneath, a light jumper or a long-sleeved top you can tie around your waist if it warms up. Jeans still work well. You might start seeing opportunities for lighter trousers or even a dress with tights on the warmer days toward the end of the month.
May in London: You can start to wear lighter layers but keep a jacket handy. Dresses and skirts with a light cardigan or denim jacket work well. Trainers or loafers rather than boots. A small packable rain jacket or a compact umbrella lives in your bag permanently.
London spring outfit formula:
- Base layer: light top or shirt
- Mid layer: jumper, cardigan or light knit
- Outer layer: trench coat, light structured jacket or packable rain jacket
- Footwear: comfortable trainers, loafers or ankle boots, you’ll be walking a lot
- Bag: something that fits a jacket when you take it off (and it’s not easy to get into – attenzione pickpocket!)
Colours and style: London in spring actually looks really good in the warmer tones like terracotta, dusty pink, sage green, cream and camel. They all work beautifully against the city’s backdrop of Georgian stone and blossom. But wear whatever you like, of course. London is one of the most stylishly eclectic cities in the world and nobody will look twice at anything (although, tbh, I feel like with Pinterest and socials everyone dresses the same nowadays… personally, I prefer colours rather than everything beige and minimal).
What to Pack for London in Spring
Here’s a practical packing list for a London spring trip:
Clothing:
- Trench coat or light structured coat (non-negotiable)
- 2-3 jumpers or cardigans in varying weights
- 3-4 tops or shirts
- 2 pairs of jeans or trousers
- 1-2 dresses or lighter bottoms for warmer days (May especially)
- Comfortable walking shoes. You’ll walk 15,000+ steps per day in London without trying
- One pair of smarter shoes if you’re planning nicer dinners (although you can be pretty casual in London…unless you go somewhere that requires a dress code, which I don’t)
- Pyjamas
Essentials:
- Compact umbrella or small packable rain jacket (don’t skip this!)
- Reusable water bottle
- Oyster card or contactless payment for the tube and buses
- Portable phone charger; long days exploring drain batteries fast
- A small crossbody bag or daypack that keeps your hands free (and your belongings safe!)
Nice to have:
- A light scarf; useful for cold mornings in March and April and doubles as a blanket on long train journeys
- Sunscreen; genuinely needed on sunny May days even if it doesn’t feel that warm
- A small tote bag for market shopping and picnic supplies
READ MORE: Packing Checklist for Europe: Essential Items For The Best Eurotrip
Best Things to Do in London in Spring
Visit the Flower Fields and Blossoming Parks
Spring in London is defined by blossom and the parks are where you feel it most. St James’s Park, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park all put on extraordinary displays. Richmond Park has deer wandering among the bluebells. The Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park has azaleas so vivid they look almost unreal in late April and early May.
For the most photogenic blossom, the streets of Notting Hill and the mews houses in Kensington are beautiful in April. Kew Gardens is worth the entry fee in spring more than any other time of year.
I’ve written a full guide to the best flower fields near London this spring here. Everything from lavender farms in Surrey to tulip festivals in Kent.
Walk Along the Thames
The Thames Path in spring is one of the best free things you can do in London. The riverside is beautiful from Westminster through to Greenwich and in the other direction toward Hammersmith and Chiswick. I’ve written a self-guided walk from Westminster to London Bridge that takes in most of the highlights on the Southbank, one of the most iconic areas of London. It’s a brilliant way to spend a spring morning!
Explore the Outdoor Markets
London’s outdoor markets are at their best in spring. Borough Market near London Bridge is busy year-round but on a warm spring morning with the sun catching the Victorian ironwork above you, it’s genuinely magical. Columbia Road Flower Market in East London on a Sunday morning can be pretty glorious (if busy). It’s a narrow street entirely taken over by flowers, with independent cafés and shops spilling out on either side.
Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is another spring favourite. The surrounding streets are beautiful with blossom and the market stretches for miles with antiques, vintage clothing and street food.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to the Best London Food Markets (2026)
Take a Day Trip
Spring is the perfect season for day trips from London. The countryside is lush and green, the coastal towns are quieter than in summer and the weather is generally good enough to make outdoor exploration enjoyable. Some of my favourites for spring specifically:
Rye in East Sussex is at its most beautiful in April — the cobbled streets, the harbour and the surrounding Romney Marsh all look extraordinary with spring light. Hever Castle in Kent has its tulip festival in late April. The South Downs are ideal for walking on a clear spring day.
I’ve written a full guide to the best day trips from London in spring and summer with transport information for each one.
Visit the Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place in May and is one of the highlights of the London calendar. Tickets need to be booked well in advance but if you can get them, it’s a genuinely spectacular event. The most extraordinary garden designs and floral displays all packed into the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Even if you can’t get tickets, the surrounding area of Chelsea is beautiful to wander in during show week.
Go to an Outdoor Cinema or Theatre
Spring signals the start of outdoor events season in London. Rooftop cinemas open up across the city from April onwards: Roof East in Stratford, the Rooftop Film Club in various locations and various pop-up screenings in parks and unusual venues. Open-air theatre starts at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre usually in late May and it’s one of the most lovely ways to spend a spring evening.
These go on through the summer too – here’s my London summer bucket list btw, if you’re still in town wondering what to do!
Picnic in the Royal Parks
This might sound simple but a picnic in a London park in spring is one of the best free activities the city offers. Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Victoria Embankment Gardens, Primrose Hill, Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath and Greenwich Park all have beautiful spots. Pick up supplies from a local deli, a Pret or a market and find a patch of grass. On a warm May afternoon it’s genuinely hard to beat.
Explore London’s Witchy and Bookshop Side
Spring is a wonderful time for slower, more exploratory days in London. Wandering into the kinds of shops and streets you’d normally rush past. The area around the British Museum in Bloomsbury has some of the best independent bookshops in the city, including some genuinely fascinating occult and witchy shops. I’ve written a full guide to the best bookshops in London and the best witchy shops in London if you want to make a proper afternoon of it.
Watch a Sunset from a High Point
London sunsets in spring are extraordinary and the longer days mean you can be out exploring until 8pm or later by May. Some of the best viewpoints: Greenwich Park with the city skyline behind you, the Tate Modern’s viewing platform and the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street which is free but requires advance booking. Possibly also Terrace Gardens in Richmond. The sun sets straight across during the winter. Around April it starts setting more to the right until it’s hidden by trees later in the month.
READ MORE: Best Day Trips from London in Spring / Summer 2026
London Spring Breaks: Quick Ideas for Every Budget
On a budget: A weekend in London in spring doesn’t have to be expensive. The parks, markets and many of the best neighbourhoods to walk around are entirely free. Budget accommodation in areas like Bethnal Green, Peckham or Elephant and Castle gives you great connections to the centre without central London prices.
Mid-range: A weekend centred around one or two paid attractions such as Kew Gardens, the Chelsea Flower Show or a river cruise plus great food at Borough Market and a rooftop cinema evening is a lovely and very manageable spring city break.
Splurge: A long weekend in a hotel in the Covent Garden or Soho area with dinner at some of London’s best restaurants, tickets to a West End show and a day out in Notting Hill is one of the best city break experiences in Europe at any budget level.
Frequently Asked Questions
May is generally the best month. The weather is the most reliably pleasant, the days are long and the city is alive with outdoor events without being at summer tourist peak. If you want blossom and tulips, April is the month to aim for.
Spring is slightly cheaper than summer peak season but London is never a budget destination. Flights and accommodation are more affordable in March and early April than in May when school holidays start to affect prices. Booking accommodation and popular attractions in advance always saves money.
Mild, unpredictable and frequently rainy, especially in March and April. May is warmer and sunnier but rain is still possible at any time. Temperatures range from around 5°C in early March to around 19°C on warm May days. Although, like I’ve said a few times, we can never tell! Yesterday we had 27º – unusual for April -, tomorrow it’s looking like the highest will be 14º. Always pack a light waterproof.
Layers are essential. A trench coat or light structured jacket, comfortable walking shoes and a compact umbrella are the non-negotiables. In March and early April think closer to winter layers underneath. By May you can lighten up significantly but always have a jacket accessible.
Lots. The Chelsea Flower Show in May, the Hampton Court Tulip Festival in April, outdoor cinema from April onwards, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from late May and various markets and food festivals throughout the season. Check Time Out London for the most current listings.
Walking the Thames Path, picnicking in the Royal Parks, Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday, wandering the streets of Notting Hill during blossom season and visiting the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park are all free and all genuinely wonderful in spring.
Which part of London in spring are you most excited about? Drop a comment below, I’d love to know what you’re planning!
