英國首都是歷史與文化的迷人結合,全年皆展現出獨特魅力,因此造訪倫敦並沒有所謂的最佳時機。 受暖流北大西洋暖流(Gulf Stream)的調節,倫敦的氣溫與其緯度相比相當溫和——儘管其地理位置比加拿大的溫哥華還要北。 對前來倫敦的旅客而言,躲避一兩場陣雨是必經的體驗,即使在隆冬時節,白天的氣溫也極少降至冰點以下。 在這個擁有超過 900 萬人口且不斷發展的大都市中,每個季節都展現出截然不同的面貌。 清新的春季空氣讓邱園和漢普頓宮花園中的大片花卉競相綻放,而夏季則充滿了豐富的戶外活動。 秋季多變的天氣是探索倫敦美食界的絕佳理由,冬季則包含聖誕節、新年和情人節的慶祝活動。
倫敦春季的天氣如何?
大約在 3 月下旬至 5 月下旬期間,倫敦的春季為這座首都的街道帶來了全新的活力。 氣溫可能尚未達到高峰,平均在 13 至 17°C 之間,但隨著進入英國夏令時間,白天時間變長,而這座城市著名的降雨量也並不比一年中的其他時期多。
倫敦春季必去活動
倫敦的綠地在春天煥發生機,展現繁花似錦的景象。 林間的藍鈴花和公園裡的黃水仙從 3 月初便開始綻放, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew和格林威治公園的櫻花也緊隨其後在 4 月盛開。 到了 5 月,皇家切爾西醫院(一所榮民療養院)的園區將被切爾西花展 (RHS Chelsea Flower Show) 的展示花園所佔據。 作為全球最負盛名的園藝盛事,所有名流顯貴都會前來參觀,包括皇室成員。 如果下雨天成為常態也請別灰心,芬喬奇街 20 號(更為人熟知的名稱是「對講機大樓」)總是有室內的空中花園 (Sky Garden) 供您遊覽。 若想探訪新生命, ZSL London Zoo是您的不二之選。它是全球歷史最悠久的科學動物園,並在從大猩猩到加拉巴哥象龜等多種動物的繁育計畫中扮演著關鍵角色。
倫敦夏季的典型天氣
從歷史上看,夏季一直被認為是造訪倫敦的最佳時機,因為這段期間的好天氣最有保障。 每年的這個時節,河畔餐廳露台和頂樓酒吧都會展現出最迷人的魅力。 七月是一年中最炎熱的月份,平均氣溫約為舒適的 22°C;若氣溫攀升至接近 30°C,各大媒體頭條便會紛紛大肆報導。 七月也是擁有漫長溫暖夜晚的月份,直到晚上 10:00 仍有自然的日光。 缺點是濕度可能會增加,屆時您或許會想捨棄地鐵,改搭露天的 Hop-On Hop-Off 巴士。
倫敦夏季的活動推薦
六月、七月和八月的倫敦是戶外節慶的時節,活動從皇家軍隊閱兵儀式 (Trooping the Colour) 到諾丁丘嘉年華 (Notting Hill Carnival) 應有盡有。 皇家軍隊閱兵儀式 (Trooping the Colour) 是慶祝女王官方壽辰的活動,於聖詹姆士公園 (St James’ Park) 的騎兵衛隊閱兵場 (Horse Guards Parade) 舉行。 這場盛會吸引了全國政商名流出席,堪稱加強版的衛兵交接儀式,盡顯這座首都最雄偉莊嚴的一面。 橫跨六月底至七月初,位於倫敦西南部的綠意郊區溫布頓 (Wimbledon) 成為全球焦點,主辦這場可能是世界上最令人嚮往的網球賽事。 溫布頓網球錦標賽 (The Wimbledon Championships) 讓整個倫敦為網球瘋狂,市中心各處都會設置大螢幕轉播賽事。 但無論是持有球場門票 (grounds pass) 還是坐在表演球場觀賽,親身前往全英草地網球和門球俱樂部 (All England Club) 的體驗都是無與倫比的。 諾丁丘嘉年華 (Notting Hill Carnival) 在夏末的公眾假期期間舉行,為期兩天,為倫敦的夏季劃下完美的句點。 作為全球規模最大的街頭嘉年華之一,其歷史可追溯至 1950 和 60 年代定居於此的西印度群島移民,如今已成為這座城市備受喜愛的年度盛事。
倫敦秋季天氣
氣溫穩定下降——10 月的日平均氣溫為 15°C,11 月則降至 10°C——這意味著準備一件保暖大衣是必不可少的。 好的一面是,隨著倫敦的馬栗樹上結實累累的七葉樹果 (conkers) 穩定飄落,整座城市的街道也染上了一層柔和的氛圍。 漫步於海德公園 (Hyde Park),除了 Wellington Arch 和 Kensington Palace 之外,您還會發現大人小孩都在撿拾這種不可食用的堅果中特別精美的標本,因為它在任何於倫敦長大的人心中都佔有特殊地位。
倫敦秋季必玩活動
秋季伊始適逢 Open House Festival 開放房屋節,屆時平時不對外開放的私人空間將向公眾開放。 如果您曾好奇唐寧街 10 號首相官邸的黑門背後發生了什麼,或者想看看菲利斯·福格 (Phileas Fogg) 在朱爾·凡爾納 (Jules Verne) 的經典名著中從何處出發進行《環遊世界八十天》,那麼這就是您不容錯過的倫敦秋季盛事。 雖然萬聖節在這座城市正逐漸受到重視,但五天後的蓋伊·福克斯之夜 (Guy Fawkes’ Night,又稱營火之夜 Bonfire Night) 仍是秋季最重要的活動。 這項活動以私人後院營火和媲美美國獨立紀念日的公共煙火表演為特色,旨在紀念 400 多年前粉碎炸毀國會大廈陰謀的歷史事件。 但蓋伊·福克斯之夜 (Guy Fawkes’ Night) 甚至還不是倫敦秋季最古老的活動。 這項榮譽屬於倫敦市 (City of London) 的倫敦市長公職就職遊行 (Lord Mayor’s Show)。倫敦市即歷史悠久的「平方英里」,範圍涵蓋倫敦塔 (Tower of London)、聖殿教堂 (Temple Church,出自丹·布朗的《達文西密碼》The Da Vinci Code)、巴比肯藝術中心 (Barbican arts center) 以及泰晤士河北岸。 新任倫敦市長乘坐金碧輝煌的國家馬車,在啦啦隊、鼓手、銅管樂隊和來自世界各地穿著盛裝的表演者夾道歡迎下進入城市,這場慶祝首都多樣性的遊行活動可追溯至 13 世紀。
倫敦冬季必玩活動
倫敦冬季的天氣鮮少會為節日氣氛帶來太大的掃興。 氣溫通常維持在 3°C 左右,因此降雪以及隨之而來的交通中斷非常罕見。 除了聖誕節期間,冬季是造訪倫敦最便宜的時段,雖然此時仍有許多讓遊客著迷的事物,且遊客人潮也並非罕見。
倫敦冬季活動指南
在聖誕節來臨之前,牛津街 (Oxford Street) 和史特拉福的 Westfield 購物中心等主要購物區都充滿了節慶氣氛。 這座城市的主要道路都掛滿了聖誕燈飾,而商店也竭盡所能,利用迷人的櫥窗佈置吸引購物者入內。 短短幾天後,倫敦因其跨年煙火再次變得熱鬧非凡。 作為英國最大規模的煙火匯演,這場以倫敦眼 (London Eye) 為中心的表演包含約 12,000 枚煙火,並由大笨鐘 (Big Ben) 的鐘聲觸發。 毋庸置疑,這場狂歡將一直持續到凌晨。 對於追求浪漫的人來說,造訪倫敦的最佳月份非 2 月莫屬。 這座首都城市的酒店和餐廳會全力以赴,為情人節假期營造特別的氛圍,而傳統的英式下午茶正是開啟這段旅程的絕佳方式。 接著,您可以考慮在南岸中心 (Southbank Centre) 觀賞表演、搭乘遊船在泰晤士河上漂流,或是從 The View from The Shard 全景觀景台捕捉夕陽美景。
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Spring in London
Spring in London
What’s the weather like in London in spring?
Spring finds London with – if you’ll indulge us – a new spring in its step, as the city shrugs off its winter coat and temperatures start to rise, from a chilly 12–13°C in March to balmier high teens and low 20s by June. It’s when tulips and bluebells bloom and the days lengthen as we officially enter British Summer Time. Bonus: the city’s famed rainfall is no greater in spring than at any other time of year. That said, savvy travelers to London carry a pocket poncho or small umbrella year round. Just in case.
Is London expensive in spring?
It’s London, so you should take it as read that you’re going to have to dig deep whatever the season. On the whole, hotels will be cheaper in spring than during the imminent peak summer season, but more expensive than the icy January and February months that immediately precede spring.
Note that London prices spike during the Easter holidays and on Bank Holiday weekends at the beginning and especially the end of May.
What seasonal attractions should I look out for in spring?
It’s all about the parks and gardens in London in spring, when London’s green spaces bounce back to life with a flamboyant flourish. Woodland bluebells and parkland daffodils erupt from the very beginning of March, with the celebrated cherry blossoms of Greenwich Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew following close behind in April.
May sees the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea – a nursing home for military veterans – taken over by the showboating RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The world’s most prestigious horticultural event, it’s visited by everyone who’s anyone, including London’s A-list celebs and the green-fingered British royal family. Pro-tip: the nearby Chelsea Physic Garden is open year-round.
Don’t despair if umbrellas are the order of the day: there’s always the covered Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie-Talkie building. And, if new life of the fauna rather than flora variety is more your bag, look no further than London Zoo and its spring baby boom.
Summer in London
Summer in London
What’s the weather like in London in summer?
London’s summer months give the greatest guarantee of fine weather. This is also the time of year when riverside restaurant terraces and rooftop bars really come into their own. So, if al fresco drinks, park life and soaring summer temperatures are your thang, summer could well prove the best time to visit London for you.
Historically, July and August are the hottest months of the year, with temperatures averaging a pleasant 22°C and tabloid headline writers going into overdrive should the mercury creep above 30°C. You can also expect long, balmy evenings with daylight that sticks around until 10PM. The drawback is that humidity can become a factor, and you might want to swap the Tube for an open-top hop-on hop-off bus or Thames boat cruise for getting around.
Is London expensive in summer?
In a word: yes. The weather is at its sunshine-y best and this is peak holiday season – including school holidays – so tourist attractions, parks and Tube lines are awash with sweaty families. All of which pushes hotel prices up, up, up, making saving on entry to attractions even more vital.
What seasonal attractions should I look out for in summer?
June, July and August are prime time for London’s outdoor festival scene, from Trooping the Colour to the Notting Hill Carnival. The monarch’s official birthday celebrations, Trooping the Colour takes place on Horse Guards Parade in St James’ Park. It’s the Changing of the Guard on steroids, and sees the capital at its most majestic.
Bridging the last days of June and first days of July, the leafy suburb of Wimbledon in southwest London takes center stage (or should that be Centre Court?) by playing host to the world’s most beloved tennis competition. The Wimbledon Championships sees London go tennis crazy, with public screens popping up across the capital. But there’s nothing quite like being at the All England Club, whether with a grounds pass or on one of the show courts.
Neatly wrapping up the London summer is the Notting Hill Carnival, spread across two days during the August bank holiday. This huge street party traces its history back to the West Indian population that settled the area in the 1950s and 60s, and has become a much-loved feature of the capital’s calendar.
You can also get your music fix at multiple festivals across London, including BST Hyde Park, All Points East and Lovebox, plus plenty of al fresco cinema action in the city’s parks and gardens.
Summer in London is also the best time to take a dip in London’s lidos. Many of these – including the Serpentine in Hyde Park, Brockwell Lido and Hampstead Heath are open to swimmers year-round. But, for fairly obvious reasons, these unheated pools are at their most pleasant in high summer.
Fall in London
Fall in London
What’s the weather like in London in fall?
A steady drop in temperatures – from September’s relatively balmy daytime highs of 20°C to an average of 15°C in October and 10°C in November – means a warm coat, especially in the evenings, is the order of the day. On the plus side, London’s thoroughfares adopt a mellower vibe as leaves turn red and gold and conkers begin dropping from horse chestnut trees in parks across the city.
Is London expensive in fall?
With the peak summer rush over and kids back in school, fall prices get back to normal shoulder season levels – i.e. around 20–30% below what you might expect to pay in July and August. The pleasant temperatures and more attractive hotel deals make fall a nice time to visit, with prices staying flatter than spring as there are now no more UK public holidays until Christmas.
What seasonal attractions should I look out for in fall?
London’s parks explode into color in October and November, when trees are ablaze with fiery tones of yellow, orange, red and gold. Leaf-peepers will be in their element at any number of parks and gardens around the capital, but Richmond Park, where the resident fallow deer are in rut, and St James’s Park, where blazing leaves frame Buckingham Palace, are particularly special. Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Holland Park and our old pal Kew Gardens with its soaring Treetop Walkway, are also worthy of your attention. Pair a trip to Regent’s Park with nearby Madame Tussauds, and be sure to drop by Kensington Palace if Hyde Park’s your pick.
Fall also makes for great dining, with warming autumnal dishes starring seasonal game, gourds and fruits – venison stew, pumpkin pie and apple crumble for the win. Check out October’s London Restaurant Festival for top-tier street food, resto-hopping tours, cooking masterclasses and much more. Still hungry? Try a food tour of Soho and Covent Garden, then wash it all down on a wander round some of London’s most historic pubs.
As October draws to a close, get your spook on at any one of hundreds of Halloween events happening across London, from creepy themed cocktails in the city’s bars to Covent Garden’s pumpkin market and family-friendly fun at the Southbank Centre overlooking the Thames. And, if there’s any better time to visit London’s most (allegedly) haunted attractions – lookin’ at you Tower of London and the crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral – we’ve yet to find it.
London in winter
London in winter
What’s the weather like in London in winter?
Let’s not beat around the bush here: winter in the UK is cold. Ok sure, it’s not Alaska cold or Siberia cold, but if you ain’t well wrapped up in hat, scarf, gloves and winter boots, you’re doing it all wrong. Temperatures generally hover around 3°C, so snow is rare (though not entirely unheard of) and mugs of mulled wine from the city’s many winter markets are often all that’s needed to keep you warmed from the inside out.
Is London expensive in winter?
Outside of the Christmas period, winter is the cheapest time to visit London, although the city’s countless year-round attractions mean there’s still plenty to enthral visitors. Indeed, January and February are often the best times to check out the most popular monuments and museums, as they tend to be at their least crowded this time of year. You should also find it way less difficult to secure tables at London’s most in-demand restaurants, though your bill at The Connaught or Ritz will be no less eye-watering.
What seasonal attractions should I look out for in winter?
By December, London’s Christmas shopping season is in full, technicolor swing, and even window-shopping is something of a festive joy. Check out the displays at Oxford Street’s iconic Selfridges department store, the mighty Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, or the flagship Hamleys toyshop on Regent Street and you’ll see what we mean. These major shopping thoroughfares are also suitably bedecked with festive lights and ornaments; pure manna for Insta addicts.
You can go ice-skating year-round in London, but winter sees a veritable explosion in al fresco skating experiences, many of them complete with mulled wine and hot chocolate vendors with which to warm up after one too many icy tumbles. Try scenic locations at historic Somerset House on The Strand, Battersea Power Station, the Queen’s House in Greenwich, and at the annual Winter Wonderland extravaganza in Hyde Park.
Christmas markets also abound across the capital, with some of the biggest and best to be found at the Southbank Centre, on Trafalgar Square and in the aforementioned Winter Wonderland. Special shout out to Winter by the River, set against the picture-perfect backdrop of Tower Bridge. Expect sugary treats, cute tree ornaments, unique handcrafted gifts and the welcoming aroma of roasting chestnuts floating on the breeze.
Stick around for London’s world-class New Year’s Eve fireworks, a pyrotechnic spectacular that’s centered around the London Eye, with several thousand individual fireworks released to the accompaniment of stirring music and the bongs of Big Ben. Needless to say, the revelry continues through the early hours and well into the New Year.
Enjoyed this? Discover yet more reasons to visit London in October and get the lowdown on cool things to do in Covent Garden.
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