London › May Guide
Updated: July 21, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
See Also
My wife and I in London in May.
May is one of the best months to visit London. Parks and gardens are lush, daylight lasts until late evening, and the weather is mild enough for long walks without summer heat. It is an excellent month for first-time visitors, families, garden enthusiasts, and travelers who want to spend as much time outside as inside museums.
The tradeoff is rising demand. London has two May bank-holiday weekends, school half-term commonly begins near the end of the month, and the Chelsea Flower Show fills hotels and restaurants in Chelsea and nearby neighborhoods.
Early May is best for azaleas and lighter crowds. Mid-May offers the strongest overall balance. Late May has the longest evenings but higher prices and more families.
Choose April for blossom and slightly lower prices. Choose May for greener parks, warmer afternoons, and longer evenings.
London in May: At a Glance
- Weather: Mild and changeable, with afternoon temperatures around 16°C to 18°C (61°F to 64°F).
- Rain: Passing showers remain common, but long wet spells are less likely than brief bursts.
- Daylight: Sunset moves from around 8:20 PM at the start of May to close to 9:10 PM at the end.
- Crowds: Moderate on ordinary weekdays; high during bank-holiday weekends, Chelsea Flower Show, and half-term.
- Hotel Prices: Higher than in March and April, with late-May rates approaching summer levels.
- Best For: Parks, gardens, walking, river trips, outdoor dining, museums, theater, and day trips.
- Main Drawbacks: Rising prices, bank-holiday crowds, half-term families, and unpredictable showers.
- Best Time to Visit: Midweek in the second or third week of May.
- Book Ahead: Chelsea Flower Show, major theater productions, viewpoints, popular restaurants, and family attractions during half-term.
Quick Hotel Picks for May
May’s long days make location particularly valuable. Stay somewhere that lets you walk to parks, restaurants, theaters, and major sights rather than ending every evening with a long Tube journey.
- Best for First-Time Visitors: NoMad London in Covent Garden.
- Best for Spring Luxury: The Savoy on the Strand.
- Best for Parks and Luxury: The Connaught in Mayfair.
- 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.
Is May a Good Time to Visit London?
Yes. May is arguably London’s best all-around month.
The weather supports walking and outdoor sightseeing, parks are fully green, flowers remain prominent, and the long evenings let you continue exploring after museums and attractions close.
May is best for:
- First-time visitors who want a balanced London experience.
- Travelers who enjoy walking between neighborhoods and sights.
- Garden enthusiasts visiting Chelsea Flower Show, Kew, or Richmond Park.
- Families traveling outside the busiest bank-holiday and half-term dates.
- Visitors planning river trips, parks, viewpoints, and day trips.
Choose another month if:
- You want winter-level hotel prices.
- You need reliably warm and dry weather.
- You dislike bank-holiday and school-holiday crowds.
- You are visiting only for museums and theater and do not value long daylight.
- You expect summer temperatures every day.
May works particularly well for a first visit because poor weather rarely ruins the day. A shower can be spent in a museum or café, while the long evening leaves time for outdoor sightseeing afterward.
Early, Mid, and Late May
Early May
Early May has fresh greenery, spring flowers, and some of the month’s best garden displays. The azaleas and rhododendrons at Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park are a major highlight.
Temperatures remain cool in the morning and after sunset. A sunny afternoon can feel warm, but evenings beside the Thames still require a jacket.
The early-May bank-holiday weekend brings larger crowds to parks, attractions, trains, and hotels.
Mid May
Mid-May offers the strongest balance of mild weather, long daylight, and manageable crowds.
Parks are fully green, outdoor dining becomes more dependable, and the busiest school-holiday period has not yet begun.
Chelsea Flower Show takes place during the second half of May. Even without tickets, the surrounding Chelsea in Bloom displays make the neighborhood worth visiting.
This is my preferred period for most travelers.
Late May
Late May has the longest evenings and an increasingly summery atmosphere.
The spring bank-holiday weekend and school half-term bring more families, busier museums, crowded trains, and higher hotel prices. Family rooms and timed attractions sell first.
Late May remains excellent for sightseeing, but it no longer feels like quiet shoulder season.
London Weather and Daylight in May
May weather is mild, bright, and changeable. Afternoon temperatures sit around 16°C to 18°C (61°F to 64°F), with nights near 8°C to 10°C (46°F to 50°F).
Warm spells can push daytime temperatures above 20°C (68°F), but cool rain and wind remain possible throughout the month. Do not pack as though every day will feel like summer.
Showers commonly arrive in short bursts. A waterproof jacket is more useful than rearranging an entire day around a forecast showing rain.
Daylight is one of May’s greatest advantages:
- Early May: Sunset around 8:20 PM.
- Mid May: Sunset close to 8:40 PM.
- Late May: Sunset around 9:00 PM or later.
Use the extended evening for parks, river walks, viewpoints, neighborhoods, and outdoor drinks. You can visit museums during the middle of the day without sacrificing all your daylight.
Bank Holidays and Half-Term
England and Wales have two bank holidays in May: one at the beginning of the month and one near the end.
During bank-holiday weekends:
- Hotels and trains become more expensive.
- Popular parks, gardens, and family attractions become crowded.
- Restaurants in central neighborhoods fill earlier.
- Regional trains used for day trips can be busy.
- Engineering work can affect Tube and rail routes.
- Some smaller businesses operate reduced hours.
School half-term commonly begins around the final bank holiday, though dates vary by school and local authority.
During half-term, expect heavier crowds at the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, London Eye, Tower of London, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, London Transport Museum, and Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
Families should reserve accommodation and major attractions ahead. Adults without children will find the middle of May quieter and better value.
Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is London’s most important May event for garden enthusiasts.
Tickets are limited and commonly sell out well before the event. Buy only through the official seller and do not plan on securing a good ticket after arriving in London.
The show takes place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and includes:
- Show gardens by leading designers.
- Floral exhibits and specialist growers.
- Garden products and outdoor design.
- Dense crowds and substantial walking.
Allow most of a day. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light waterproof layer.
Chelsea in Bloom is the best free alternative. Shops, restaurants, and businesses around Sloane Square and King’s Road install elaborate floral displays during show week.
Chelsea in Bloom is easier to combine with lunch, shopping, the Saatchi Gallery, or a walk toward the Thames. Visit on a weekday morning before the largest crowds arrive.
Best Parks and Gardens in May
Isabella Plantation: Best for Azaleas
Isabella Plantation is a 40-acre woodland garden inside Richmond Park. Its azaleas and rhododendrons are at their strongest in late April and early May.
The garden has winding paths, ponds, streams, and dense planting. Some paths are uneven, muddy, or narrow, making the visit less straightforward with a stroller or wheelchair than a central formal park.
Reaching Isabella Plantation requires more planning than visiting Kew or St. James’s Park. Allow most of a day if combining it with a longer Richmond Park walk or Richmond town.
Go early on a weekday. Sunny May weekends become busy, and nearby parking can fill.
Kew Gardens: Best Overall Garden Day
Kew Gardens is lush and colorful in May, with rhododendrons, azaleas, late blossom, fresh foliage, and extensive formal and woodland planting.
Allow at least half a day. The gardens are large, and a visit involves substantial walking even when using the land train.
Kew works better than Richmond Park for visitors who want glasshouses, cafés, toilets, accessible paths, and a clearly structured garden visit.
Garden enthusiasts could visit both. Travelers with limited time should choose Kew for variety and Isabella Plantation for peak azaleas.
St. James’s Park: Best Central Park
St. James’s Park combines formal flower beds, a lake, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, and Westminster.
The main paths are flat and easy with strollers. A relaxed circuit takes around an hour and fits naturally into a day of central sightseeing.
Choose St. James’s Park when you want spring color without sacrificing several hours to travel.
Regent’s Park: Best for a Long Central Walk
Regent’s Park has broad lawns, formal gardens, lakeside paths, cafés, and easy connections to Marylebone, Primrose Hill, and Camden.
Queen Mary’s Gardens are famous for roses, but the strongest rose display commonly comes later in spring and early summer. May still brings fresh foliage and early flowering.
Walk up Primrose Hill for skyline views, though the final climb is short and steep.
Hampstead Heath: Best for Views
Hampstead Heath is greener and drier than in winter, making May one of its best months.
The view from Parliament Hill is excellent on a clear evening. Paths are hilly and can remain muddy after rain.
Combine the Heath with Hampstead village and a pub rather than trying to cross it completely on a short visit.
How to Plan a May Sightseeing Day
May’s long days let you combine major sights with outdoor evenings.
- Morning: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Kew Gardens, or a park.
- Early Afternoon: Borough Market, Thames boat, museum, or covered attraction.
- Late Afternoon: Neighborhood walk, park, viewpoint, or outdoor café.
- Evening: River walk, theater, dinner, rooftop drink, or sunset viewpoint.
Good geographic combinations include:
- Westminster and St. James’s: Westminster Abbey, Parliament, St. James’s Park, and Buckingham Palace.
- Tower Hill and Bankside: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, and Tate Modern.
- South Kensington and Hyde Park: Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, Kensington Gardens, and Hyde Park.
- Covent Garden and Soho: National Gallery, restaurants, shopping, and theater.
- Greenwich: Thames boat, Old Royal Naval College, market, park, and National Maritime Museum.
Do not treat every shower as an all-day event. Move indoors temporarily, then return to parks and outdoor sights when conditions improve.
Best Things to Do in London in May
Visit Chelsea in Bloom
Chelsea in Bloom turns streets around Sloane Square and King’s Road into a free outdoor floral exhibition.
Displays are concentrated around shops and restaurants rather than one enclosed venue. Wear comfortable shoes and expect crowded pavements around the most elaborate installations.
Visit in the morning, then continue to the Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea Physic Garden, or the Thames.
Visit Kew Gardens
May is one of Kew’s best months. The gardens are fully green, flowers remain abundant, and daylight allows an unhurried visit.
Arrive near opening and allow three to five hours. Bring water and comfortable shoes.
Do not schedule Kew and several central landmarks on the same day. Travel and the size of the gardens make that itinerary unnecessarily rushed.
Walk Through Richmond Park
Richmond Park feels far removed from central London, with open grassland, woodland, deer, and long views.
The park is enormous. Choose one area rather than attempting to cover it all. Isabella Plantation, Pembroke Lodge, and the views from Richmond Hill form the most useful May itinerary.
Keep a safe distance from deer and never feed them.
Take a Thames Boat to Greenwich
May is an excellent month for a river trip. Boats have indoor and outdoor seating, and the long daylight leaves plenty of time in Greenwich.
Combine the Old Royal Naval College, National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Market, and the park viewpoint.
The hill through Greenwich Park is steep but paved. Families with strollers can follow the main route.
Walk the South Bank
A riverside route from Westminster Bridge to Borough Market passes the London Eye, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Tate Modern, and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Walking the full route takes well over an hour without stops. Most visitors spend three to five hours once attractions, photographs, and meals are included.
Return by Tube or river boat rather than retracing the entire route.
Visit the Tower of London
Arrive at opening and see the Crown Jewels before larger tour groups build. Allow two to three hours.
May temperatures are comfortable for the Tower’s exposed courtyards and walls, but there is limited shade on sunny days.
Combine it with Tower Bridge, St Dunstan in the East, or a Thames boat.
See a West End Show
Long daylight does not make theater less appealing. It lets you sightsee until dinner before attending an evening performance.
Book popular musicals, limited-run plays, and bank-holiday weekend performances ahead.
Covent Garden, Soho, and the Strand are the most convenient areas for combining dinner and theater.
Visit an Outdoor Viewpoint
The Garden at 120 has an open rooftop garden and does not require the same advance commitment as some ticketed viewpoints.
Sky Garden and Horizon 22 provide higher views but require timed reservations. The View from The Shard is expensive but easier to book.
Visibility matters more than sunshine. A clear evening after rain can produce the best views.
Visit Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road Flower Market operates on Sundays and is at its most colorful in spring.
Arrive early for easier movement and better selection. Late morning has the strongest atmosphere but the densest crowds.
The street is narrow and difficult with strollers when busy. Combine it with Shoreditch, Brick Lane, or Spitalfields.
Take a Day Trip to Windsor or Oxford
Windsor is best for a royal palace, compact center, and riverside walking. Trains from Paddington require a change, while services from Waterloo are slower but direct.
Oxford is better for architecture, colleges, museums, pubs, and a full independent day. Direct trains from Paddington or Marylebone take roughly an hour.
Choose Windsor for royal history and a shorter outing. Choose Oxford for a more varied full-day trip.
Rainy-Day Options
- British Museum: Best for history and a full indoor afternoon.
- National Gallery: Easy to combine with Covent Garden, Soho, and theater.
- Victoria and Albert Museum: Excellent for art, fashion, design, and its historic café.
- Old Spitalfields Market: Fully covered and surrounded by shops and restaurants.
- Borough Market: Partly covered, though some passages remain exposed.
- Afternoon Tea: A good use of several wet hours, but famous venues require reservations.
- West End Matinee: Useful when the forecast shows a longer spell of rain.
May rain rarely requires abandoning the whole day. Use museums and meals as temporary shelter, then continue outdoors.
What to Pack
- A light waterproof jacket: More practical than a heavy coat.
- Removable layers: Warm afternoons can turn into cool evenings.
- Comfortable water-resistant shoes: Essential for parks, gardens, and long walks.
- A compact umbrella: Useful for short showers, though a hood is better in wind.
- A light scarf: Helpful on evening river walks and boats.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: Long spring days can be surprisingly bright.
Bring clothing for cool rain and mild sunshine rather than packing only for one version of the forecast.
What to Book Ahead
- Chelsea Flower Show: Tickets can sell out months ahead.
- Late-May Hotels: Family rooms and well-located properties fill during bank holiday and half-term.
- Family Attractions: Book Warner Bros. Studio Tour, the London Eye, and other timed attractions during half-term.
- Major Museum Exhibitions: Popular temporary shows can sell out.
- West End Theater: Reserve popular productions and weekend performances.
- Sky Garden and Other Viewpoints: Free reservations disappear quickly.
- Destination Restaurants: Book Chelsea, Mayfair, Soho, and Covent Garden dinners during major event weeks.
Ordinary midweek dates outside Chelsea Flower Show and half-term require less advance planning.
Where to Stay in London in May
May is the month to prioritize walkability, parks, outdoor dining, and easy access to long evening strolls.
See my full 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
Covent Garden and Soho put theaters, restaurants, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and much of the West End within a 5 to 25-minute walk.
NoMad London is the best upscale choice. Z Hotel Soho and The Z Hotel Covent Garden cost less but have tiny rooms.
Choose this area for restaurants, theater, and a short first visit. Expect crowds, street noise, and high prices.
Mayfair and St. James’s: Best for Parks and Luxury
Mayfair and St. James’s provide easy access to Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Regent Street, and the West End.
The Connaught is the standout Mayfair hotel.
Choose this area for parks, elegant streets, luxury shopping, and fine dining. It is one of London’s most expensive bases.
Bloomsbury: Best for Museums
Bloomsbury is close to the British Museum and within a 15 to 30-minute walk of Covent Garden, Soho, King’s Cross, and Marylebone.
Kimpton Fitzroy London overlooks Russell Square and sits beside a Piccadilly line station with direct service to Heathrow.
Bloomsbury is calmer and frequently better value than Covent Garden, but it has less nightlife immediately outside the hotel.
South Bank and Waterloo: Best for Families
The South Bank is close to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Tate Modern, Westminster, and river boats.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has family rooms and an indoor pool.
The area is practical and stroller-friendly along the river, but Westminster Bridge and the London Eye become crowded during half-term.
King’s Cross and St Pancras: Best for Eurostar and Day Trips
King’s Cross is best for Eurostar arrivals and rail trips to destinations north of London.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is attached to St Pancras International and sits beside six Tube lines.
The area is exceptionally well connected but less useful for walking to Westminster, the South Bank, or the Tower of London.
Tower Hill and the City: Best Value
The City offers lower weekend hotel prices and easy access to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Spitalfields, and Thames boats.
Motel One Tower Hill offers a strong balance of comfort, transport, and price.
The neighborhood becomes quiet after office hours. Stay in Covent Garden or Soho when nightlife matters more than value.
Marylebone: Best for a Central Residential Feel
Marylebone combines restaurants, independent shops, attractive streets, Regent’s Park, and easy access to the West End.
The Z Hotel Gloucester Place is a compact lower-priced option near Baker Street.
Marylebone feels calmer than Soho and Covent Garden but requires more walking or Tube use for the Tower of London and South Bank.
Public Transport in May
Contactless bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Oyster cards are the easiest ways to pay for London transport. Use the same card or device for every journey so daily and weekly caps are calculated correctly.
Touch in and out on the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and most rail journeys. On buses, touch in only.
The Elizabeth line is useful from Heathrow for Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. The Heathrow Express is faster to Paddington but less useful for hotels elsewhere.
Check planned closures before bank-holiday travel and regional day trips. Trains can be crowded at the start and end of long weekends.
London in May vs April and June
- April: Cooler, more changeable, and frequently cheaper. Choose April for blossom, tulips, and lighter crowds outside Easter.
- May: Greener, milder, and excellent for parks, walking, gardens, and long evenings. Mid-May offers the best balance.
- June: Warmer with even longer days, but hotel prices and international visitor numbers move closer to summer peaks.
Frequently Asked Questions about London in May
- Is May a good time to visit London?
Yes. May is one of London’s best months for mild weather, green parks, long daylight, outdoor sightseeing, and a full cultural calendar. - Is London crowded in May?
Ordinary weekdays are manageable. Bank-holiday weekends, Chelsea Flower Show, and late-May half-term bring heavier crowds. - Is London expensive in May?
Hotel prices are higher than in winter and early spring but frequently lower than summer. Rates rise during Chelsea Flower Show and the final bank-holiday weekend. - What is the weather like?
Expect mild afternoons, cool evenings, sun, cloud, and passing showers. Afternoon temperatures sit around 16°C to 18°C (61°F to 64°F). - Is May warm enough for outdoor dining?
Lunch outdoors is comfortable on many days. Evening diners still need a jacket, especially beside the Thames or after sunset. - What time does it get dark?
Sunset is around 8:20 PM at the beginning of May and close to 9:10 PM by the end. - Is Chelsea Flower Show worth attending?
Yes for serious garden and design enthusiasts. Tickets are expensive and limited, and the event requires most of a day. Chelsea in Bloom is the best free alternative. - What are the best gardens in May?
Kew Gardens offers the greatest variety. Isabella Plantation is best for azaleas, while St. James’s Park is the easiest central choice. - Is May good for families?
Yes. Mild weather and long days make sightseeing easier. Family attractions and hotels become much busier during late-May half-term. - Do I need to book attractions ahead?
Book Chelsea Flower Show, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, major exhibitions, popular theater, viewpoints, and family attractions during half-term. - Can I take a day trip in May?
Yes. Oxford and Windsor are excellent, and May is also one of the better months for countryside trips when the forecast is dry. - How many days do I need?
Four days covers the principal sights at a steady pace. Five or six days allows time for Kew, Richmond, neighborhood walks, or a day trip. - What should I wear?
Wear removable layers under a light waterproof jacket, plus comfortable water-resistant shoes. Bring sunglasses and a compact umbrella. - What is the best area for first-time visitors?
Covent Garden is best for restaurants, theater, and central sightseeing. Mayfair and St. James’s are better for parks and luxury. - What are the best budget hotels?
Motel One Tower Hill offers the best combination of comfort and value. Z Hotel Soho, The Z Hotel Covent Garden, and The Z Hotel Gloucester Place are more central but have very small rooms. - Should I stay near Heathrow before an early flight?
An airport hotel makes sense for a very early departure, especially when bank-holiday engineering work affects trains. See the best Heathrow hotels and Gatwick hotels.
About Santorini Dave