Visiting London in February

Is London busy in February?

February marks the first school holidays of the year and many families will take advantage of the half-term break to visit London at a time of year when the city is generally quieter than during other school holidays.

Other than during half-term, like January, February tends to be relatively quiet in terms of tourists, which means that if you choose to visit London in February you should find that attractions are generally less busy than at other times of the year.

Is London cheap in February?

Other than during half-term, accommodation is likely to be much cheaper as tourist demand is much lower than at other times. If you visit in February you are likely to be able to make your accommodation budget stretch much further than at peak times.

What is the weather like in London in February?

The weather in February in London varies a lot from year to year. But generally you can probably expect it to be cold (although freezing temperatures in London are relatively uncommon). It may also be damp. You should be prepared for rain, but rainy days are less common than dry days.

In general, London is likely to be overcast and cloudy in February. In winter, bright and cold days with blue skies and sunshine are much less common in the UK than in some other countries.

How cold is it in London in February?

In February 2024, the average temperature was 9 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 17 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -2 degrees Celsius.

In February 2023, the average temperature was 7 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 16 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -6 degrees Celsius.

In February 2022, the average temperature was 8 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 15 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -3 degrees Celsius.

What to wear in London during February?

As can be seen from the above, you should be prepared with clothing that will protect you from the cold and the rain.

It might be tempting to pack a single thick padded winter coat for your trip and on the coldest days, this may be very welcome. However, you may find this is too much on warmer days. Rather than one bulky coat, it may be preferable to pack lots of different options that you can layer depending on the weather on any particular day. This will help you deal not only with changes in the weather, but changes in your activities throughout the day – although it may be cold outside, the Tube and indoor venues such as museums can get very warm. Don’t forget a waterproof outer layer, in windy weather umbrellas are often useless and so it’s best to have a waterproof coat with hood.

Although it may be rainy at times during February, it isn’t really necessary to have shoes that are specifically waterproof. A regular pair of trainers or shoes (perhaps with added waterproofing spray) will usually be sufficient as long as you can keep your kids from jumping in puddles!

When does the sun rise in London in February?

At the start of February the sun will rise just before 7.40am. By the end of February, the sun rises just after 6.45am, over an hour earlier.

When does the sun set in London in February?

At the start of February the sun sets at 4.50pm and by the end of February it sets around 5.40pm. It does start to get darker around an hour before sunset though. Note that many parks and playgrounds will shut at dusk.

What is there to do in London in February?

There is plenty to do in London in February. Other than any scheduled maintenance closures, all of London’s attractions and amenities will be open in February.

There are also some special events to look out for in February, including Lunar New Year events (although this year Lunar New Year falls at the end of January, many celebrations will take place early in February). Pancake Day also usually falls within February (in 2025 it is unusually in early March) and there are some unique events that take place to celebrate.

Check out our post on ideas of free things to do in London in February 2025 and our post on free things to do with kids in London.

Summary – Is February a good time to visit London?

Advantages of visiting London in February

• Fewer tourists;
• Accommodation is likely to be cheaper than at peak times; and
• School half-term allows for a longer visit at a quieter time of year than during other school holidays.

Disadvantages of visiting London in February

• Shorter daylight hours; and
• Colder than many other months.