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

August is the perfect time of year to visit the United Kingdom, with mild to warm weather throughout the country. We would recommend visiting Cornwall, London, the Lake District, and Belfast. Keep reading for more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for August.

United Kingdom Weather in August: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 12–20°C (54–68°F)
• Rainfall: 8 cm (3 inches)
• Rainy days: 12
• Sunshine hours/day: 8
• Humidity: around 69% (no effect on felt temperature except on warmer days)

August is a British summer month, with the warmest temperatures in the year generally seen between July and August. Temperatures reach around 20°C (68°F) in August, with an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day.

There is a little bit more rain in August. Around 12 days of the month see some rain, although the month only sees a UK average total of 8 cm or 3 inches. This means it can feel humid at times too.

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

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The Best Places to Visit in the United Kingdom in August

August is one of the best times of the year to visit the United Kingdom when it comes to the weather, with mild-to-warm summer temperatures throughout the country. During this month, we recommend visiting both the cities for sightseeing as well as the countryside for walks, given that the weather is perfect for both types of travels!

In August, we suggest adding Cornwall, London, the Lake District, and Belfast to your itinerary, which you can find more about below.

1. Visit the Iconic Tower Bridge and Walk Through London

One of the most iconic sights in London is Tower Bridge, often mistaken for London Bridge, this bridge is worth visiting both during the day and after sunset because it lights up. Tower Bridge is also near the Tower of London, which is really worth a visit.

The Tower of London is where you'll find the crown jewels, as well as the tower ravens, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We recommend booking ahead for August since there are more tourists around and tickets for visitors are limited.

You'll need a little more time in London to hit up Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Hyde Park, Harrods, the National Portrait Gallery, Primrose Hill, Spitalfields Market, Camden Market, and more. Whether you're looking for museums or want to enjoy London's food and drink scene, there is something for everyone in the dynamic capital of the United Kingdom.

2. Swim in the Sea in Cornwall

For visitors looking to come to the United Kingdom in August, we would recommend spending some time in Cornwall, home to some of Britain's best beaches and seaside towns.

One of the places we would recommend visiting in Cornwall is St Ives, home to Porthmeor Beach, Porthminster Beach, Carbis Bay Beach, and Bamaluz Beach. If you're there on a sunny and warm day, there's nothing better than visiting the blue seas of the Cornish seaside and going for a swim in the sea.

If you do happen to come across a slightly rainier day, there are the Tate St Ives, a modern art museum, as well as the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, to spend some time in. St Ives is also home to lots of shops and nice restaurants.

Cornwall is also home to the Eden Project, which is comprised of three large biomes that mimic rainforest conditions and other climate zones. You can read more about this in our piece about visiting the United Kingdom in July.

3. Ride a Boat on the Lake District's Lake Windermere, or go Hiking

With August's weather generally looking warm, we recommend going out to Lake Windermere, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lake District. Located in the north of England, the Lake District is home to a beautiful connection of lakes and hills. You can read more about this in our piece about visiting the United Kingdom in June.

If you want to spend some time hiking, the Lake District is also a great place to do this in August. It's worth checking out the Coledale Horseshoe, a long walk over the Wainwright Fells, near Keswick. The path goes through multiple hills and valleys, and there are some rocky spots where you will have to scramble. Make sure you have the right equipment, your route mapped out, and a decent level of fitness before starting this hike.

4. Take a Walking Tour Through Belfast

Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, is a fascinating city to visit and is best seen by foot, which is why we recommend taking a walking tour.

You can take multiple themed tours. Some of the most popular include walking through parts of the city which were important during the Troubles, a turbulent period of history between the 1960s and 1998. To read more about this check out our piece on visiting the United Kingdom in May. Getting a tour guide will help you learn more about this historical period.

Alternatively, if you would like to see where the Titanic was built, there are also Titanic-themed tours in Belfast.

Finish off the day with a visit to an Irish pub to round things off, and you will have seen lots of Belfast during your day of walking!

High Season (and August Bank Holiday): More Expensive and More Crowded

August is part of the United Kingdom's high season for tourists. As a result, you will likely find that there are more tourists at the big tourist destinations, and we recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment. Prices are also a little higher for accommodation and travel in the warm summer months.

In August there is also a bank holiday, the August Bank Holiday Monday, which is a public holiday for British people, meaning there is more domestic travel too. In 2024, the August Bank Holiday falls on 26 August, and in 2025, it is 25 August.

What to Wear in August

Given that August is warm in the United Kingdom, we would recommend bringing mostly summer clothing with a couple of warmer items.

Since there is potential for the occasional shower or dip in temperature, it is worth bringing a sweater or a hoodie, or even a light jacket, just in case this happens during your time traveling. Bringing some jeans or a pair of long trousers (and not just shorts), is also advisable. This is particularly the case if you are going up north to the Lake District, to Northern Ireland, or into Scotland, or heading into the mountains of Wales.

For hikers, we recommend bringing hiking gear and good footwear to make sure that you are supported during your walks out in nature, no matter what the terrain.

Monthly Weather in United Kingdom