Are you considering a visit to London in July but are wondering what it’s like? Are you wondering how warm it gets and what to wear? Whatever you want to know about visiting London in July, we’ve got answers for you to help you decide whether it’s a good month to take a holiday or short break with your family.
Is London busy in July?
The summer months are always busier than other months of the year, but it really gets much busier when schools break up towards the end of July. The start of school summer holidays combined with (usually) better weather, means that London becomes noticeably more busy with tourists in July.
Is London cheap in July?
The combination of summer weather and the start of school holidays means that accommodation prices tend to go up.
Book accommodation as far in advance as possible as reasonably-priced accommodation gets booked up during the peak summer months. Leave booking until close to your trip and you might find that you are either forced to pay higher prices or you might need to look further away from the centre to fit within your budget.
While accommodation can get expensive, the combination of summer and the school holidays means that there is often much more to do in London by way of activities that are free or cheap. If the weather is nice you are also more likely to spend time outside than when the weather is poor. So, even if you end up spending more on accommodation, you might find that you spend less on doing things.
What is the weather like in London in July?
Being one of London’s hottest months, there is a very good chance that you might experience very warm weather (note that anywhere upwards of about 27 degrees Celsius is very warm in the UK).
Although July is usually reasonably warm, the weather in London can be highly unpredictable and so can vary hugely between very high temperatures and temperatures that verge on chilly. Even on the warmest days, you will find that the mornings and evenings are still cooler and often do not have the warmth of a warm summer’s day, even if midday is warm.
Be prepared for rain, but rainy days are less common than dry days.
How hot is it in London in July?
In July 2024, the average temperature was 18 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 31 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being 8 degrees Celsius.
In July 2023, the average temperature was 18 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 29 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being 8 degrees Celsius.
In July 2022, the average temperature was 21 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 40 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being 9 degrees Celsius.
For tips on how to cope with hot weather in London, see our post London in the summer with kids: The best ways to stay cool and beat the heat.
What to wear in London during July?
London weather is highly unpredictable, even in summer. It could be very warm one day and not warm at all the next. In addition, as noted above, mornings and evenings are often not particularly warm even on otherwise warm days.
Given the changeability of the weather, you will really feel the benefit of packing lots of different options and layers because the weather could be very changeable. Layers allow you to deal not only with changes in the weather, but changes in your activities throughout the day – although it may be warm outside on a particular day, you may visit somewhere where the air conditioning is blasting and you need a light layer on top. Don’t forget a waterproof outer layer with hood, usually a simple mac will do, and these have the benefit that they usually pack down small.
Although it may be rainy at times during July, 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!
Most of London’s attractions do not have strict dress codes, but when visiting religious locations like St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey it’s best to wear clothing that is respectful. Unlike some other countries you won’t be required to cover knees etc, but it’s best to avoid very short shorts or revealing clothing for days when you are visiting such places.
When does the sun rise in London in July?
At the start of July the sun will rise at around 4.45am. By the end of July, the sun rises just before 5.25am.
When does the sun set in London in July?
At the start of July the sun sets at 9.20pm and by the end of July it sets around 8.50pm.
What is there to do in London in July?
The longer daylight hours in July offer you a great opportunity to discover more of London. For example, parks often shut at dusk and as dusk is later during British Summer Time you will have longer to explore.
Being peak summer season, look out for evening activities, like open air cinema screenings and other events.
Check out our post on ideas of Free things to do in London with kids: July 2025 and our post on free things to do with kids in London.
Summary – Is July a good time to visit London?
Advantages of visiting London in July
- Weather is more predictably warm than in preceding months; and
- Summer events are held and during the school holidays there will often be lots of activities aimed at children.
Disadvantages of visiting London in July
- A higher likelihood of visiting during very hot weather; and
- Accommodation is more expensive than at other times in the year, especially during school holidays.
