The United Kingdom in April 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

The weather in the United Kingdom in April is cool, with temperatures increasing as the UK heads into April. In April, we suggest visiting London, as well as the Lake District, Cambridge, and Edinburgh. Keep reading for more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for April.

United Kingdom Weather in April: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 5–13°C (41–56°F)
• Rainfall: 6 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 11
• Sunshine hours/day: 6
• Humidity: 65–73% (ranging from comfortable to more humid)

The United Kingdom in April is mild to cool, with the daytime temperatures being mild, but the evenings still being on the cool and chilly side. April sees less rain than the months of March and February, as well as more hours of sunshine per day on average.

Depending on where in the country you visit, humidity levels are moderate to high, with some cities being damp, particularly in the beginning of the month of April.

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April Climate Comparison (Averages) for the United Kingdom's Top Tourism Areas

The Best Places to Visit in the United Kingdom in April

April is a great time of the year to visit the United Kingdom, with spring in full swing and the temperatures rising with every day. Given that there is also more sunshine during the day, and there is less rain, April is great to explore a little more of the British outdoors.

For those planning to visit the United Kingdom in April, we recommend taking the time to explore London, but also heading out to the Lake District for some walking, as well as historic Cambridge and Edinburgh up in Scotland. We've laid out the month's most recommended sights so that you can start planning your trip to the United Kingdom in April.

1. Eat, Drink, Shop, and Sightsee in London

London is one of the busiest cities in the world, and there is something to do for every type of tourist. Whether you're into museums, architecture, parks, historic destinations, or you just want to shop till you drop, you should definitely spend a few days exploring London.

To learn more about which museums to visit, check out our recommendations for visiting London in March.

We recommend heading over to Spitalfields for some snacks, drinks, and to check out the boutiques. There are lots of different stalls selling everything from pizza to sushi to apple crumble and bubble tea. Camden Town is also a great place for shopping, with its market filled with stalls selling vintage clothes and souvenirs.

If you want to check out the bigger brands, we recommend heading through Oxford Street and Regent Street, as well as Carnaby Street, where you'll find a mix of mainstream and luxury stores.

2. Go for Beautiful Walks in the Lake District

The Lake District is a national park located in northwest England, known for its beautiful lakes, mountains, and walkways. April is a good time of year to visit without temperatures being too high and with the rain being less than the winter months.

Sights include Lake Windermere, the Aira Force Waterfalls, Lowther Castle and Gardens, and Castlerigg Stone Circle. Depending on whether you want to do some hiking up a hill or fell, or you prefer to walk around a lake, or even visit a castle, there is something for everyone.

These are the kinds of landscapes that have inspired poets during the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as Beatrix Potter, best known for the Tale of Peter Rabbit. There is even the World of Beatrix Potter that makes a great visit for families with younger kids, or fans of Beatrix Potter.

3. Walk the Old Roads of Cambridge

Cambridge is one of the most beautiful historical cities in the United Kingdom, being home to the University of Cambridge. The university buildings themselves include exhibits on archaeology, anthropology, and more, and we would recommend visiting King's College Chapel.

The city is also home to the Fitzwilliam Museum, the University Museum of Zoology, and the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences.

From London, Cambridge is a great day trip, and having a tour guide with you ensures you don't miss any of the top sights there. There are also some great restaurants and bars and a wonderful nightlife.

4. Explore Edinburgh and Visit the Scottish Highlands

Scotland's capital Edinburgh is a beautiful and fun city with lots of activities for both old and young.

We would recommend starting off with Holyroodhouse Palace and the Royal Mile, about which you can read more in our recommendations for visiting London in March. This is a great place for historical context about Edinburgh and Scotland as a whole. If you are going with kids, there is also Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park, which are great to visit.

If you do have more time, you can also take Edinburgh as a starting point for a day trip into the Scottish Highlands to see the castles, lochs, and glens that have made Scotland so famous. Destinations include the beautiful and fascinating Loch Ness, plenty of whiskey distilleries, and beautiful landscapes that are incomparable with anywhere else in the world.

Low Season (Except Easter): Less Expensive and Less Crowded

April still falls within the United Kingdom's low season (peak tourist season is the summer, between June and August). In general, this means that there are fewer tourists and that prices are lower for flights in and out, trains throughout the country, and also accommodation.

The only exception to this is Easter, when there are more tourists heading over from Europe as well as British tourists traveling domestically.

Dates for Easter are 29 March to 1 April in 2024, 18 April to 21 April in 2025, and 3 April to 6 April in 2026. These are public holidays in the United Kingdom, with 2-week school holidays adjoining Easter too.

What to Wear in April

With April being mild and a little to moderately rainy depending on your destination, we recommend bringing layers to suit all occasions. While you won't need your thickest winter coat for your daytime adventures in London, you will need to wrap up for evenings in the Scottish Highlights. If you pack a combination of layers, you should be able to keep warm regardless of your adventures.

As there can be particularly showery rainfall, we do recommend bringing either a waterproof jacket or taking an umbrella with you.

For those planning to fit in a hike, we also recommend bringing hiking gear to stay both warm and safe in places like the Lake District.

Monthly Weather in United Kingdom