London › February Guide
Updated: October 9, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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February is a good month to visit London for lower hotel prices, smaller crowds, and longer days than January. The weather is cold and damp, but it’s a good time for museums, restaurants, and West End theater. The main complication is school half-term, usually one week around the middle of February, when family attractions become much busier. Valentine’s Day also increases demand for romantic hotels and restaurants.
My advice: Visit in early February for the lowest crowds and best chance of hotel deals. I prefer late February for the longer days, provided it doesn’t overlap with school half-term. For warmer weather and greener parks, choose March.
London in February: At a Glance
- Weather: Cold and damp, with afternoon temperatures around 8°C to 10°C (46°F to 50°F) and nights around 3°C to 5°C (37°F to 41°F).
- Rain: Expect occasional showers and drizzle. It rarely rains continuously all day.
- Daylight: Sunset moves from approximately 4:45 PM at the beginning of February to 5:40 PM at the end.
- Crowds: Generally light, except during school half-term and major events.
- Hotel Prices: Often lower than in spring and summer. Valentine’s Day and half-term can be more expensive.
- Best For: Museums, theater, restaurants, pubs, afternoon tea, and good hotel value.
- Main Drawbacks: Cold weather, short days early in the month, and half-term crowds at family attractions.
- Book Ahead: Warner Bros. Studio Tour during half-term, Valentine’s Day restaurants, major exhibitions, popular West End shows, and famous afternoon teas.
Quick Hotel Picks for February
- Best for First-Time Visitors: NoMad London in Covent Garden.
- Best for Couples and Luxury: The Savoy on the Strand.
- Best for Museums: Kimpton Fitzroy London in Bloomsbury.
- Best for Families: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on the South Bank.
- Best for Eurostar: St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
- Best Value: Motel One Tower Hill.
Best Time to Visit London in February
Early February: Best for Low Prices and Smaller Crowds
Early February is generally the quietest part of the month. Hotels are often cheaper, museums are less crowded, and popular attractions are easier to visit without school-holiday crowds. The weather is firmly wintry, and sunset is around 4:45 PM at the beginning of the month. Kew’s Orchid Festival usually begins in early February.
Mid February: School Half-Term and Valentine’s Day
Mid February is often the busiest period. Valentine’s Day increases demand for romantic restaurants, afternoon teas, and luxury hotels. Many restaurants offer fixed menus that cost more and provide less choice than their regular menus. Book an important Valentine’s dinner several weeks ahead, or consider February 13 or 15 for better availability.
School half-term brings families to London’s major attractions. Dates vary by school and local authority, and some holidays fall later in the month. Check the dates for your travel year before booking. The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, London Transport Museum, London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour are particularly busy during school holidays.
My advice: If you’re traveling without children, avoid half-term. If you’re visiting with kids, reserve popular attractions in advance and arrive when they open.
Late February: Best for Longer Days
By the end of February, sunset is around 5:40 PM, nearly an hour later than at the beginning of the month. Daffodils and crocuses may begin appearing in London’s parks, though most trees are still bare. Late February is my favorite time to visit, assuming school half-term has finished. You get longer days without the higher hotel prices and crowds that come with spring.
London Weather and Daylight in February
February is cold, damp, and changeable. Afternoon temperatures average around 8°C to 10°C (46°F to 50°F), with nights around 3°C to 5°C (37°F to 41°F). Expect gray skies, drizzle, passing showers, and occasional bright days. Snow is possible but uncommon, and it rarely settles for long in central London. Wind and moisture can make the weather feel colder, especially along the Thames and on exposed bridges.
Sunset times:
- Early February: Around 4:45 PM.
- Mid February: Around 5:15 PM.
- Late February: Around 5:40 PM.
London gains roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes of daylight during February.
Best Things to Do in London in February
Visit Kew’s Orchid Festival
Kew’s annual Orchid Festival is one of London’s best February events, with tropical orchids and elaborate floral displays in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. The conservatory is indoors, but reaching it requires walking through the gardens.
Buy tickets ahead, especially for weekends and half-term. Allow at least half a day, including travel from central London.
My advice: The festival is excellent for garden enthusiasts and repeat visitors. On a first trip of only two or three days, I’d prioritize London’s major central sights instead.
Visit London’s Museums and Galleries
February is a good time for London’s major museums, particularly on weekdays outside school half-term. My favorites include the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, Wallace Collection, Courtauld Gallery, and Sir John Soane’s Museum.
Most major national museums have free permanent collections, though special exhibitions charge admission. Book popular exhibitions ahead, and arrive at opening for the Natural History Museum and Science Museum during half-term.
See a West End Show
February is a good month for theater, with better chances of finding reasonably priced tickets outside school holidays and busy weekends. Compare weekday and matinee performances, which can be cheaper than Friday and Saturday evenings. Book major musicals and limited-run productions ahead.
Have Afternoon Tea
The Savoy, Claridge’s, The Ritz, and Fortnum & Mason are among London’s best-known afternoon tea venues. All require advance reservations for popular dates. Afternoon tea is substantial. I would skip lunch or keep it very light rather than trying to fit a full lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner into the same day.
Explore Borough Market and Bankside
Borough Market is partly covered and easy to combine with Southwark Cathedral, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and a walk along the Thames. Visit before 11:30 AM if possible. Lunchtime and Saturdays are particularly crowded.
Take a Thames Boat to Greenwich
A Thames boat is one of my favorite ways to reach Greenwich. Regular river services have enclosed seating, so you can enjoy the views without standing outside in the cold.
Leave central London before noon to give yourself time for the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Market, and National Maritime Museum. Greenwich Park has excellent views over London, but paths can be muddy in February.
Walk Through Hampstead
Hampstead is one of my favorite London neighborhoods for a winter walk. The village has attractive old streets, independent shops, cafés, and excellent pubs. Walk along Flask Walk and through the village, then continue onto Hampstead Heath if the weather is dry. The Heath’s paths can become muddy and slippery after rain.
Other February Events in London
- Lunar New Year: London’s main celebrations take place around Chinatown and Trafalgar Square when the festival falls in February. Expect performances, food stalls, road closures, and large crowds. The holiday falls in January in some years, and celebration dates can differ from the holiday itself.
- Six Nations Rugby: England home matches at Twickenham bring large crowds to southwest London and busy pubs on match days. Check the fixture list for your dates.
Where to Stay in London in February
See my complete guide to the best places to stay in London and use the London hotel map to compare neighborhoods.
Covent Garden and Soho: Best for First-Time Visitors and Couples
Covent Garden and Soho put theaters, restaurants, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and much of the West End within walking distance. NoMad London is my favorite upscale choice. Z Hotel Soho and The Z Hotel Covent Garden cost less but have very small rooms.
Bloomsbury: Best for Museums
Bloomsbury is close to the British Museum and within walking distance of Covent Garden and Soho. Kimpton Fitzroy London overlooks Russell Square and sits beside Russell Square Underground station, with direct Piccadilly line service to Heathrow. Bloomsbury is calmer and often better value than Covent Garden, though there’s less nightlife immediately outside the hotel.
South Bank and Waterloo: Best for Families
The South Bank is close to SEA LIFE London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Westminster, and river boats. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has family rooms and an indoor pool.
The Strand and Mayfair: Best for Romantic Luxury
The Strand is better for theater, Covent Garden, and the Thames. Mayfair is better for luxury shopping, grand hotels, afternoon tea, and expensive restaurants. The Savoy is my favorite for a romantic stay, combining luxury with an excellent location for theater and central sightseeing.
King’s Cross and St Pancras: Best for Eurostar
King’s Cross and St Pancras are excellent for Eurostar, Thameslink, and onward rail travel. St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is attached to St Pancras International. The adjacent King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station serves six Tube lines, including the Piccadilly line to Heathrow. The area is exceptionally well connected but less convenient for walking to Westminster, the South Bank, or the Tower of London.
Tower Hill and the City: Best Value
The City often has lower weekend hotel prices and is convenient for the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Spitalfields, and Thames boats. Motel One Tower Hill offers a strong combination of comfort, transport, and price. The neighborhood becomes quiet after office hours. Stay in Covent Garden or Soho if nightlife matters more than value.
What to Pack for London in February
- Waterproof coat: Ideally wind-resistant and large enough to fit over a sweater.
- Warm layers: Museums, restaurants, theaters, and the Tube can be much warmer than outside.
- Water-resistant walking shoes: More useful than heavy winter boots.
- Scarf and gloves: Especially helpful beside the Thames and after dark.
- Compact umbrella: Useful for drizzle, though a hood is better in strong wind.
London in February vs January and March
- January: Generally quieter, darker, and cheaper. Best for travelers prioritizing low hotel prices and smaller crowds.
- February: Longer days than January, good hotel value, and Kew’s Orchid Festival. Avoid school half-term if you want quieter attractions.
- March: Longer days, more spring flowers, and improving conditions for parks and outdoor sightseeing. Early March can still be as cold as February.
Can You Take a Day Trip from London in February?
Bath is one of my favorite winter day trips from London. Fast trains from Paddington take around 80 to 90 minutes, and the historic center is compact, with plenty of indoor attractions, restaurants, and cafés.
Oxford, Cambridge, and Windsor are also good options. I’d be less enthusiastic about Stonehenge in February. The exposed site can be bitterly cold and windy.
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