Visit London in August 2025 – Things To Do, Weather, Tips and More

August is a brilliant time to visit London. 

The city is bursting with vibrant events and activities perfect for all ages and interests.

From the lively Notting Hill Carnival to the serene Buckingham Palace gardens, there’s something for everyone.

Experience open-air theatre, swim in outdoor lidos, or explore the city’s rich history with themed walking tours.

Art lovers can visit the Tate Modern or enjoy free installations at the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival.

Families will love the kid-friendly events at the National Gallery and the Paddington Bear Experience. Whether you’re cruising the Thames, dancing at the BBC Proms, or savoring summer afternoon teas, London in August promises unforgettable adventures for all. 

No August in London is complete without experiencing the Notting Hill Carnival, one of the world’s largest street festivals.

In 2025, the carnival takes place on 24th and 25th August. Celebrate Caribbean culture with parades, colorful costumes, infectious music, and mouth-watering food.

Join the crowds dancing to the beats of calypso, soca, and reggae while enjoying jerk chicken and other Caribbean food.

Take advantage of the warm August weather to watch a play outdoors.

Choose between either a Shakespeare classic at The Globe or something something more contemporary at the open air theatre in Regents Park.

If you are on a budget, The Globe offers standing tickets from between 5 to 10 pounds.

The Royal family leave Buckingham Palace during the summer so the Palace can open to visitors. In 2025, the Palace is open throughout August.

Take the chance for a rare glimpse into the state rooms of the British monarchy. The tour also includes access to the picturesque palace gardens, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Book Your Tour of Buckingham Palace.

See Free Art Installations at the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival

The Greenwich+Docklands International Festival takes place between 22nd August and 6th September.

It’s London’s leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts. See outdoor performances, installations, and artistic displays.

Take a Dip in the Outdoors

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Feeling the August heat? Then why not cool of at one of the many outdoor swimming pools in London. Tooting Bec Lido, Brockwell Lido, and London Fields Lido are just a few of the many lidos in the city. Additionally you can take a swim in open water at canary wharf for free if your brave enough!

Westminster Abbey was the setting for King Charles III coronation and for the wedding of William and Kate as well as for many other Royal occasions. It’s a stunning place to visit and one of the top tourist attractions in London.

This August it’s also hosting lots of family events in their garden which include craft activities, trails and performances.

Challenge friends and family to a free game of mini golf? at Canary Wharf. The colourful course is open from 12pm to 6pm and can be played by all ages.

Don’t Miss the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall

The BBC Proms is a summer tradition that runs from mid-July to early September. Held at the beautiful Royal Albert Hall, the Proms are a multitude of concerts, from grand symphonies to intimate chamber music performances.

August is a prime month to catch some of the most anticipated concerts of the season. Don’t miss the famed Last Night of the Proms, the geat festive finale!

See Contemporary Art at the Tate Modern

If you enjoy modern art, the Tate Modern is also home to lots of free exhibitions and well worth a visit in it’s own right. Entry to the art gallery is free and you can enjoy modern and contemporary art collections from around the world.

August is a brilliant time to marvel at the view from the observation level at the Tate Modern. It’s free to take the lift to the top floor of the Blavatnic Building. Tuck into a drink and snack from the bar while admiring the view of the River Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf.

Summer is a brilliant time to take a cruise along the River Thames.  Why not make it extra special with an afternoon tea while you enjoy the sights? Plus it’s afternoon tea week between 12th and 18th August, so it’d be rude not too. 

There are also outdoor options available for those who would like to enjoy the British tradition of afternoon tea outdoors in the sun. Try the the tranquil Garden Room at the Corinthia Hotel. St. Ermin’s Hotel is renowned for lovely afternoon teas and it has an outdoor terrace as well.

August is the ideal time for a picnic in one of London’s many beautiful parks. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and St. James’s Park (which is featured in the picture above) big lush green spaces to relax and soak up the sun. Bring a blanket, pack some snacks, and enjoy a leisurely afternoon surrounded by nature.

Hyde Park is London’s largest park and well worth a visit. Take a boat out on the Serpentine lake or a dip in the Serpentine lido. Wander around and look at the many memorials, fountains and statues. Visit the children’s playground with the kids.

There’s a series of themed events taking place in the Royal Parks over the summer, join in with Tai Chi, take the kids to a discovery day and young people can even get involved in volunteering.

For a touch of tranquility, visit the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, a serene Japanese garden with koi ponds and elegant landscaping.

There are some amazing walking tours of London which are ideal for August while the weather is warmer and hopefully dry.

Ideas include: 

The themed street art and graffiti tour (featured above) which allows you to discover the street art and graffiti of East London.

A Harry Potter walking tour –with the option of a short river trip along the Thames

A Jack the Ripper walking tour – where you can discover more about 19th Century Victorian Britian with an expert guide.

A Secret London walking tour – journey off the beaten track and discover the secrets of London’s past and present.

Enjoy the rush of a a speedboat tour during the warmer month of August.

The Ultimate London Adventure by Thames Rockets is one of the best speedboat trips!. Enjoy a 50 minute ride along the River Thams. See London’s famous landmarks from Big Ben to London Tower Bridge

The Skippers make the trips both informative and fun.

Summer is the perfect time the lively atmosphere at Camden Market. If you like to wander, shop, people watch and eat, this is definitely the place to eat. 

Discover vintage clothing and handmade jewelry. Tuck in to some international street food and find some unique souvenirs. Wander through the maze of stalls and you’re sure to discover hidden gems,

Marvel at magnificent London landmarks London on a river cruise from Westminster to Greenwich. It’s a great way to see London during August. 

Hampton Court Palace is about a 45 minute train ride from London.

It’s a beautiful place to visit in the August. See Henry VIII’s great hall and visit the Tudor kitchens. Wander through the 60 acre grounds and take the kids to the playground.

Between 23rd and 25th August, fill up on street food as the grounds transform into a bustling food festival. 

Between the 24th July and 6th September, kids go free with a paying adult to the theatre with an adult. This happens every year so it’s well worth looking out for when the tickets go on sale in June.

Find out more about kids week.

The kids will also love the The ‘Horrible Science’ trail which runs until the beginning of September

Between 23rd and 25th August, Battersea Park is hosting a series of summer concerts with music inclulding proms at the park, a night at the musicals and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

Book your tickets here. 

Greenwich is a lovely part of London to visit in August. Why not take a boat from Westminster (you can do a return trip or get the boat back too!)?

Walk around the Cutty Sark and if it does rain you can pop into one of the museums which includes The National Martime Museum.

Enjoy some time at Greenwich park and climb the hill to see views of Canary Wharf and the south part of London.

With more sunny days in August than most other monhts (although it’s never guaranteed!), it’s a good time to hop on the  London Eye. Ride in one of the 32 spacious capsules and enjoy a slow, 30-minute rotation that offers brilliant views of the city’s iconic landmarks and skyline.

On a clear day from the top of the wheel, you can see up to 40 kilometres (25 miles) in all directions, taking in sights such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and St. Paul’s Cathedral

Take the Cloud Cable Car

See London on the Cloud cable car from a different perspective. Enjoy amazing views of the south east city. The ride lasts for around 10 minutes each way and is reasonably priced.

The Paddington Bear Experiences is at the County Hall in August

Explore many amazing locations from the Paddington movies while helping Paddington and the Brown Family prepare for a very special event; the Marmalade Day Festival.

Find out more

The Horrible History, Terrible Thames Tours are boat rides on the River Thames which are popular with families with kids during the summer school holidays.

Climb aboard to hear the horrible history surrounding the River Thames. See the sites along the river and learn fun, educational facts.

Ideal for the whole family – even the oldies will probably learn stuff they didn’t already know.

Located at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford,  East London, the ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide is the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide.

Climb the steps up the 114.5m tall structure. If you like amazing views, you’ll love seeing London’s skyline through stunning floor to ceiling windows. An outside observation walkway suspended 80m above the ground.

On the slide, you can reach speeds of up to 15mph. This isq quick but an unforgettable experience

Book your slide today

Discover the top London landmarks and sights on a London bus tour. A great way to see all the sights when you’re short on time. In the summer months hop on the top deck for some sunshine. Hop off at the sights you want to see. 

As you go round, listen to insights with on-board audio commentary. There is a bus route with 36 stops, starting at Grosvenor Gardens and ending at Buckingham Palace.

See Queen Elizabeth Gate in Hyde Park and the Thames Embankment. Travel across Westminster Bridge and catch a glimpse of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye.

Weather In August

In August, London typically experiences warm weather.

Daytime temperatures usually range from 15°C (59°F) to 23°C (73°F). On hotter days, temperatures can occasionally reach up to 30°C (86°F).

August can be relatively wet, with an average of around 50-60 mm of rainfall over the month. Expect some rainy days, but also plenty of dry spells.

London enjoys long daylight hours in August, with the sun rising around 5.30 am and setting around 8:30pm.

Overall, August in London is a lovely time to visit weather wise, with comfortable temperatures and a mix of sunny and rainy days.

What to Wear in London In August

When you bring clothes, you need to be prepared for both warm and rainy weather. The weather is unpredicatable so always check the weather forecast before you leave each day to see if you’ll need a light jacket or an umbrella or whether it’s sun cream you should take.

Lightweight clothes which you can layer are ideal. If you use the tube, it can get very warm underground in the summer, even if it’s cool outdoors. It’s great to be able to take off and / or put on layers when you need to. A small bag to carry layers you’ve taken off or may want to wear later can also be useful.

Here is a list of clothes you may need in London in August:

Light Layers: Wear light, breathable clothing like t-shirts, blouses, or light sweaters. Since temperatures can vary, having layers allows you to adjust easily.

Comfortable Trousers or Shorts: Depending on the day’s temperature, you might choose light trousers, jeans, or shorts.

Dresses and skirts are also a good option too if you like wearing them. A dress with pumps and a light jacket is always a good option.

Jacket or Sweater: Evenings can be cooler, so bring a light jacket or sweater for when the temperature drops.

Waterproof Jacket or Umbrella: Given the possibility of rain, a waterproof jacket or umbrella is essential.

Comfortable Shoes: London is a city best explored on foot, so pack comfortable walking shoes.

Accessories: Sunglasses and a hat for sunny days.

Bag: A small backpack or crossbody bag to carry your essentials.

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