London is notorious for its fickle weather, but the month of May is fairly constant. The days are longer and the sun creeps towards the heat. It’s a great time to visit and you’ll find plenty to do in relative peace and quiet because the tourist crowds won’t start to descend on the area for a month or so. Here are some tips to help you plan your trip.
Weather
- Average High: 62 ° F (17 ° C)
- Average Low: 46 ° F (8 ° C)
- Average wet days: 8.5 days
- The average daily sun increases to more than six hours
What to pack
- Prepare for the change.
- Keep a lightweight waterproof jacket with you for days. It rarely snows in London at this time of year, but you will need it in case of rain.
Reflexes
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is where florists and breeders present their new plants each year on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. RHS stands for the Royal Horticultural Society, and the Great Pavilion exhibits more than 100 nurseries. There are many available to buy from a variety of commercial stalls that sell products and accessories.
Annual events
- The FA Cup soccer final takes place on a Saturday in mid-May each year. Remember that ‘football’ means football in the UK. The British also love American football, but consider it a completely different game and will have a hard time finding a Londoner who calls this game football. The FA Cup final showcases the best of English football.
- The PJF (Punch and Judy Fellowship) hosts the Punch and Judy Festival in Covent Garden in mid-May. It’s a three-day event that typically includes more than 60 Punch performances along Main Street and a beach at City Square that is specially built for the festival.
- The Kensington Dollshouse Festival also takes place in mid-May each year, and has been held since 1985. The Festival welcomes more than 170 artists from around the world who commemorate every literally small aspect of life in miniature. Materials and tools are available for purchase if you are tempted to take over the craft yourself.
Public holidays
London calls its holidays “public holidays” because banks and many other businesses close their doors during the day, although shops and attractions often remain open. Holidays are conveniently extended throughout the year and schools are often closed on these days as well. You’ll find plenty of locals enjoying various events on their days off, so expect more than the usual May crowds. Two public holidays take place in May.
- Londoners celebrate May Day on the first Monday in May.
- The last Monday in May is Spring Bank Holiday or Whitsun, the British name for Pentecost, a Christian festival celebrated 49 days after Easter.
