Month guide · London · United Kingdom
London in August
What August is really like in London: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
August is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 14°C (57°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 14.6 hours of daylight. School holidays keep the big sights crowded, though many Londoners are away and offices are quieter.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 14°C (57°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in London: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 14°C (57°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with July (24°C (75°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 20°C (68°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:46
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:24
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
Summer (June–August). Late sunsets, pub gardens, outdoor theatre and big events such as Wimbledon, the Proms and Carnival, but the most crowded and expensive season, with occasional heatwaves.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in June). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Notting Hill Carnival (August bank holiday weekend, late August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Gallery · Bankside
Tate Modern
Britain's national museum of modern and contemporary art fills the former Bankside Power Station, with its 99-metre chimney and a vast Turbine Hall used for large-scale commissions.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · South Kensington
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
Have a coffee in the tiled Victorian café rooms, then rest by the oval pool in the John Madejski Garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Market · London Bridge
Borough Market
Beneath the railway arches beside Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market gathers British cheesemakers, butchers, fishmongers, bakers and street-food traders selling everything from scotch eggs to raclette and oysters.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Museum · Westminster
Churchill War Rooms
Book the first slot of the day; the narrow corridors become congested by late morning.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 14°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit London?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
London in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit London?
It is a shoulder-season month. School holidays keep the big sights crowded, though many Londoners are away and offices are quieter.
+How warm is London in August?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F).
+Does it rain a lot in London in August?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.