London Weather in December

Visiting London in December

December brings highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C, with rain on 13 days and just 2.1 hours of sunshine a day on average. The short 7.6-hour daylight window makes outdoor sightseeing feel compressed: visit Westminster Abbey or walk along the South Bank in daylight, then turn to the National Gallery or a West End show when it gets dark. Showers and heavy cloud can spoil long views from the London Eye, so leave flexible time for indoor stops. November is slightly milder and just as rainy; January is colder and drier.

Christmas crowds and practical tips

Christmas lights and markets give central London a seasonal draw, while Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is a major December event. Oxford Street and Covent Garden can be especially crowded around Christmas shopping and the school holidays; early December is generally a calmer choice for a city break. Prices vary: festive dates around Christmas and New Year can be costly, while quieter parts of the month may offer better value than peak summer, one of London's best-known high seasons. Many museums and shops change their opening hours over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so check individual venues before setting out. For a weather-proof evening, take the Underground to Leicester Square for a West End performance, then eat in Chinatown nearby; keep an umbrella handy on the walk between the station and theatre.