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

July is summer in the United Kingdom, with mild to warm, occasionally hot, weather throughout the country. Many tourists visit in July, and we would recommend traveling to London, Scotland, the Lake District, and Cornwall. Keep reading for more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for July.

United Kingdom Weather in July: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 13–21°C (55–69°F)
• Rainfall: 7 cm (3 inches)
• Rainy days: 11
• Sunshine hours/day: 9
• Humidity: around 65% (slightly muggy)

The weather in the United Kingdom in July is mostly mild to warm, with some hot days in the south of the country in particular, especially as of recent years. Early mornings and evenings might be cool.

There are an average of 11 days of rain in the United Kingdom in July, with 9 hours of sunshine per day on average (the most of any month in the United Kingdom), as the evenings are mostly light until late. This means you will probably get sunny weather with occasional rainfall.

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

The Best Places to Visit in the United Kingdom in July

July's weather is as warm as it is going to get in the United Kingdom, with July and August being the hottest months of the year. This means it is a great time to visit, as you'll be able to enjoy all the nature that the United Kingdom as to offer, and even visit some of the coastlines.

The south of the country is warmer than the north, with places like London and Cornwall having the best chance of very sunny days. We also recommend visiting the Lake District and Edinburgh at this time of year.

1. Explore London's Many Parks and Visit Buckingham Palace

London is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, with enough to see to spend weeks there. For anyone visiting in the summer month of July, we recommend getting out to London's best parks. For example, you could spend one of your days visiting Green Park and Buckingham Palace, or Hyde Park followed by some shopping in the famous department store Harrods.

If you are keen to see a view over London, we suggest checking out Primrose Hill followed by Regent's Park and Madame Tussauds Museum.

With July's great weather, you should also check out some of the famous London pubs' beer gardens for a pint followed by fish and chips or bangers and mash. There are lots of them scattered throughout the city depending on where your day takes you.

In the evenings, after sunset, we recommend visiting Chinatown or going out in central London to either Tower Bridge or Waterloo Bridge to enjoy the views of London's skyline at dusk/night.

2. Visit the British Seaside and the Eden Project in Cornwall

Cornwall is home to one of Britain's best coastlines, and, if the weather is good, this is the place to be. Penzance is on the very west coast of Cornwall, and near there you will find some incredible beaches.

In Cornwall you will also find the Eden Project's two large biomes, which are home to the world's largest indoor rainforest, showcasing a beautiful selection of plants. A third biome simulates a Mediterranean environment. The project is a great way to see the flora of the world as well as learn about plants endemic to the United Kingdom and Cornwall.

On the way back, why not stop off at the Jurassic Coast near Lyme Regis? The site spans an estimated 185 million years of geological history, with coastal erosion exposing Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous layers, and various fossils have and can be found on this beach drawing the attention of many a dinosaur fan.

3. Check out Lake Windermere in the Lake District

As one of the most visited national parks in England, the Lake District is popular with both fanatic hikers and those looking to relax and reconnect with nature alike. The beautiful views make the trip up to the north of England worth it.

One of the most famous spots is Lake Windermere, which you can read more about in our piece about visiting the United Kingdom in June.

4. Discover Loch Ness by Boat in Scotland

We recommend visiting Edinburgh in Scotland, and then heading up to Loch Ness. After you've visited Holyroodhouse Palace, Royal Mile, and Edinburgh castle, head on up to the highlands (you can read more about spending a day in Edinburgh in our piece about traveling to the United Kingdom in March).

At Loch Ness, get on a sailing boat tour to learn about the history of the region, but also to see whether you can spot Nessie, a mysterious large water creature allegedly living in the lake. Encounters with Nessie have been documented for years, with the most recent one being at the time of writing, so you never know what you'll find.

A boat tour is also the best way to experience the beautiful Scottish lochs, and hiking in the glens and on the mountains is also recommended.

High Season: More Expensive and More Crowded

July is the high season for the United Kingdom, with more tourists coming due to the good weather as well as school summer holidays in the region.

We would recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment, but also because the prices can be higher in July. You should expect bigger crowds at some of the most popular tourist destinations as a result, and a queue for attractions such as the London Eye or the Tower of London.

What to Wear in July

The weather in July is generally mild to warm, with plenty of sunshine, so we recommend bringing some summer clothing, and just packing an additional layer in case the temperature drops a little bit or in case you're exploring in the morning or the evening. Bringing both long trousers and shorts is a good idea in case you happen to be there on the odd mild day.

It is worth bringing a waterproof layer or an umbrella just in case, and proper hiking gear if you are going to go on a hike or a walk. Supportive footwear is a must-pack, as is a fleece or a sweater just in case you need it.

Monthly Weather in United Kingdom