April is when London finally shakes off winter, and you can feel the whole city exhale. Daytime temperatures hover around 14°C (57°F), which sounds modest on paper, but after months of grey skies and single-digit highs, Londoners treat anything above 12 degrees as an invitation to sit outside with a pint. The parks go from brown and bare to properly green in the space of a few weeks — daffodils carpet Hyde Park, cherry blossoms line the paths through Greenwich Park, and by the second half of the month the magnolias in Kensington Gardens are doing their brief, showy thing. It is, genuinely, one of the better times to visit.
That said, April in London still requires a certain tolerance for unpredictability. You might get three days of clear blue skies followed by a morning that feels like February never left — 5°C (41°F), drizzle, wind off the Thames cutting through your jacket. The city averages about 39mm of rain across eight days in April, which is actually one of the driest months of the year here. But London rain is sneaky. It tends to come in short bursts rather than all-day downpours, so you'll want that rain jacket within arm's reach even on mornings that look promising.
The other thing to know: if Easter falls in April, the city's rhythm changes. Schools break up, families flood the museums, and bank holiday weekends mean certain parts of central London — the South Bank especially — get genuinely packed. The London Marathon usually lands on the last Sunday of April too, which closes roads across the southeast of the city and fills hotels in Southwark and Greenwich for the whole weekend. Book around those dates or lean into them, but don't get caught off guard.
Why visit in April
- Rainfall is among the lowest of any month — 39mm compared to October's 87mm — so you're less likely to lose entire days to weather
- Daylight stretches past 8pm by late April, giving you long evenings for walking the South Bank or sitting in a pub garden
- Parks and gardens hit their spring peak: cherry blossoms in Greenwich Park, tulips across St James's Park, and the bluebell woods at Kew Gardens are at their best
- Hotel prices sit below the summer peak but above deep winter rates, making it a genuine shoulder-season value window
- Queues at major attractions like the Tower of London and the British Museum tend to be shorter than June through August, particularly on weekdays
Worth knowing
- Mornings can still feel properly cold — lows of 5°C (41°F) mean you'll want layers even if the afternoon warms up
- Easter bank holidays and the London Marathon weekend cause noticeable hotel price spikes and crowd surges in central areas
- The weather is genuinely fickle — a week of sun followed by three grey days is entirely normal, and planning outdoor activities more than 48 hours out is a gamble
- Some outdoor summer attractions and rooftop bars haven't opened for the season yet, so the city doesn't have its full warm-weather lineup available
Best for
Think twice if
April marks the real transition into spring. Afternoons are mild enough for a single layer — sometimes warm enough to sit outside in the sun — but mornings and evenings still carry a chill that catches people off guard. Cloud cover is common, though the city actually gets less rain in April than in most other months. The humidity sits at 71%, which you won't really feel at these temperatures. Wind off the Thames can make exposed spots along the Embankment and on bridge crossings feel a few degrees colder than sheltered streets. By the last week of April, the sun is setting after 8pm, which makes a real difference to how much you can fit into a day.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7 | 2 | 69 |
| Feb | 10 | 3 | 54 |
| Mar | 12 | 4 | 54 |
| Apr | 14 | 5 | 39 |
| May | 18 | 9 | 63 |
| Jun | 22 | 12 | 53 |
| Jul | 23 | 14 | 70 |
| Aug | 23 | 14 | 40 |
| Sep | 20 | 12 | 77 |
| Oct | 16 | 10 | 87 |
| Nov | 11 | 6 | 76 |
| Dec | 9 | 5 | 63 |
Headline events
London Marathon
Last Sunday of April (usually April 20-27)
One of the world's six major marathons, drawing around 50,000 runners through a course that winds past the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, along the Thames past Tower Bridge, and finishes on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. The atmosphere along the route is genuinely electric — locals line the streets from early morning and the pubs in Bermondsey and Rotherhithe fill up fast. Even if you're not running, it's a spectacle worth seeing.
Best things to do in April
Walk the cherry blossom routes in Greenwich Park and Regent's Park
natureLondon's cherry blossom season peaks across April, and while it's not on the scale of Tokyo, there are specific avenues and groves that genuinely stop you in your tracks. The cherry walk in Greenwich Park runs along the Blackheath Avenue side and usually peaks in the first two weeks. Regent's Park has clusters near the Avenue Gardens that draw photographers in the mornings before the crowds arrive.
Cherry blossoms typically peak in the first half of April — by May they're gone, and in March most trees haven't opened yetBooking tipNo booking needed, but aim for weekday mornings before 10am for photos without crowds in shot
Explore the bluebell woods at Kew Gardens
natureKew's bluebell season starts in mid-April and runs into early May. The natural woodland area near Queen Charlotte's Cottage turns a deep violet-blue that looks almost artificial. The rest of Kew is at its spring best too — the Temperate House glasshouse has its own spring displays, and the Rock Garden is in full bloom.
Bluebells flower for roughly three weeks from mid-April; this is the only window to see them at KewBooking tipBook Kew Gardens tickets online in advance — they sell out on sunny weekends. Weekday mornings are considerably quieter.
Catch a production in the West End or at the National Theatre
cultureApril is a strong month for London theatre. The Olivier Awards typically happen in early April, so there's a general buzz around new productions and transfer announcements. The National Theatre on the South Bank is worth checking even if you're not attending a show — the building itself overlooks the river and the concrete terraces become informal gathering spots on dry evenings.
The Olivier Awards season brings attention to current productions and occasionally drives last-minute availability for shows that have been sold outBooking tipDay seats and rush tickets are available at most West End theatres if you queue early or check the apps — the TodayTix app is widely used
Watch the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race from the Thames path
sportThe Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge takes place on the Thames between Putney and Mortlake, and it's one of those peculiarly British events where the whole riverbank turns into an outdoor party. Pubs along the course in Barnes and Hammersmith fill up hours beforehand. The race itself lasts under 20 minutes, but people make a day of it.
The Boat Race falls in late March or early April depending on the year — when it lands in April, it's one of the month's defining spectacles along the riverBooking tipFree to watch from the riverbank. Arrive at least two hours early if you want a spot near Hammersmith Bridge or the finish at Chiswick.
Browse Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday morning
marketColumbia Road in Shoreditch hosts a weekly flower market every Sunday, and in April it goes from good to spectacular. The stalls are packed with spring stock — tulips, ranunculus, potted herbs, small fruit trees — and the whole street fills with colour and the heavy, sweet smell of cut flowers. The independent shops and cafés lining the road open their doors and it becomes a whole morning's wander.
April's spring stock means the variety and colour at the market peaks — summer flowers haven't arrived yet but the selection is at its most diverseBooking tipArrive before 9am to browse without being shoulder-to-shoulder. By 11am it gets properly dense. The market runs until about 3pm but the best stock goes early.
Walk the South Bank from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge
walkingThe riverside walk along the South Bank is good in any season, but April's combination of longer daylight, milder air, and the general loosening-up of the city makes it feel different from the same walk in January. You pass the London Eye, the Southbank Centre book market, the Tate Modern, the reconstructed Globe Theatre, and Borough Market — all within about a 45-minute walk if you don't stop, though you will stop.
April's extended daylight (sunset after 8pm by month's end) and mild temperatures make the full walk comfortable without either sweating or shiveringBooking tipNo booking needed. Late afternoon into early evening catches the light on the river at its best.
Visit Hampstead Heath for spring wildflowers and city views
natureHampstead Heath is one of London's wilder green spaces — 320 hectares of woodland, meadows, and ponds that feel surprisingly rural for a place you can reach by Tube. In April the meadow areas start filling with wildflowers, the mixed bathing ponds reopen for the season, and the view from Parliament Hill across the London skyline is particularly sharp on clear spring mornings.
The swimming ponds at Hampstead Heath reopen in April after winter closure, and the wildflower meadows begin their spring show before the grass grows tall enough to obscure themBooking tipSwimming at the ponds requires no booking on weekdays but can fill up on warm weekends — arrive early
What to eat in April
In season: fruit
Forced rhubarb
Yorkshire forced rhubarb's season runs from January into April, and by this point it's at its most intense — those bright pink stalks with a sharp, tart bite. You'll find rhubarb crumbles, rhubarb fool, and rhubarb gin cocktails all over the city. The outdoor-grown stuff starts appearing at farmers' markets toward the end of the month too, with a deeper colour and a more robust flavour.
On menus now
Spring lamb
British spring lamb hits menus properly in April — the meat is tender, slightly sweet, and typically served with mint sauce or roasted with wild garlic. Sunday roasts across the city shift to feature it. The lamb from the Welsh Marches and the South Downs tends to be the most sought after by London kitchens.
In markets
English asparagus
The domestic asparagus season kicks off in late April, and the difference between the imported stuff and freshly cut English spears is significant — thinner, sweeter, and with a snap when you bend them. Borough Market starts stocking it from about the third week. Restaurants across London build specials around it the moment it appears.
Wild garlic
The hedgerows and woodlands around London are thick with wild garlic in April — you can actually smell it walking through Hampstead Heath before you see it. Restaurants in Shoreditch and Hackney tend to go heavy on wild garlic pesto, wild garlic butter, and it turns up folded through risottos and scrambled eggs at weekend brunch spots. It has a gentler, greener flavour than regular garlic.
Festival food
Hot cross buns
Technically an Easter tradition, but bakeries across London start selling hot cross buns from March and they peak in April. The good ones — soft, dense with dried fruit, sticky with glaze — are worth seeking out from independent bakeries rather than supermarket shelves. Some places do variations with chocolate or apple, though purists get loud about this.
Regular events in April
Olivier Awards
London's equivalent of the Tony Awards, celebrating the best of British theatre. The ceremony takes place at the Royal Albert Hall and generates a week of theatre buzz across the West End, with some shows offering promotional pricing around the event.
Early April (usually first or second Sunday)Vaisakhi Festival in SouthallFree
The Sikh New Year celebration in Southall, west London, is one of the largest Vaisakhi events outside of Punjab. The main street fills with processions, live music, martial arts displays, and free food served from the gurdwara. The atmosphere is welcoming and the scale of the community turnout is something you won't find replicated elsewhere in Europe.
April 13-14St George's DayFree
England's patron saint's day, marked on April 23. London's celebrations tend to be modest compared to St Patrick's Day — a few events in Trafalgar Square, some pubs hanging the St George's Cross, and occasional morris dancing appearances. It's more of a background note than a major event, but worth knowing about if you happen to be in the city.
April 23London Coffee Festival
A large-scale coffee event at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, bringing together roasters, baristas, and coffee equipment brands from across the UK and beyond. Tastings, latte art competitions, and panels on sourcing and brewing. Attracts a genuinely knowledgeable crowd alongside casual coffee drinkers.
Mid to late April (Thursday to Sunday)Underbelly Festival opens on the South Bank
The Underbelly Festival — a season of circus, comedy, cabaret, and street food — opens its run in the purple cow-shaped venue on the South Bank in April and runs through the summer. Early-season shows tend to be less crowded and the outdoor seating area along the river is a good spot for a drink even if you're not seeing a performance.
Opens mid-April, runs through SeptemberBest places this April
Kew Gardens
gardenThe Royal Botanic Gardens are at their spring best in April. The bluebell woods, the magnolia collection, and the Temperate House all peak this month. The grounds are large enough that even on busy weekends you can find quiet corners.
KewGreenwich Park
parkCherry blossoms along the avenues, clear views of the city skyline from the hill by the Royal Observatory, and the Old Royal Naval College at the bottom of the park. Worth combining with a walk through the Greenwich Market.
GreenwichBorough Market
marketLondon's most well-known food market sits under the railway arches near London Bridge. April brings the first English asparagus, wild garlic, and spring lamb to the stalls. Weekday lunchtimes are the sweet spot — the weekend crowds can make it hard to actually browse.
SouthwarkHampstead Heath
parkThree hundred and twenty hectares of heath, woodland, and ponds in north London. The Parliament Hill viewpoint, the swimming ponds, and Kenwood House at the northern edge make it worth a half-day. The pubs in Hampstead village afterwards are the traditional way to end the walk.
HampsteadColumbia Road Flower Market
marketSunday-only flower market on a narrow street in Shoreditch. April is peak season — the colour and scent are overwhelming in the best way. The independent shops along the road are worth browsing too, selling ceramics, vintage furniture, and bread.
ShoreditchSt James's Park
parkThe most manicured of London's Royal Parks, sitting between Buckingham Palace and Whitehall. The tulip beds along the lake are planted to bloom in April and the pelicans on the island are a strange, charming detail. The view of Buckingham Palace from the Blue Bridge is one of the most photographed angles in the city.
WestminsterTate Modern
museumThe converted Bankside Power Station houses one of the world's great collections of modern art — and it's free. The Turbine Hall installations change periodically and the upper-floor viewing gallery gives you a panorama of the river and St Paul's Cathedral. April tends to have fewer tourists than summer.
BanksideSouthall for Vaisakhi
cultural eventIf your visit coincides with April 13-14, the Vaisakhi celebrations in Southall are worth the trip out to west London. The main road fills with colour, music, and free food. It's one of the most energetic community events in the London calendar and you'll likely be the only tourist there.
Southall
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Insider tips
The Southbank Centre Book Market under Waterloo Bridge runs daily and is sheltered from rain — it's a reliable stop when the weather turns, and the second-hand selection rotates enough that locals visit weekly. Prices tend to be lower than the bookshops in Cecil Court off Charing Cross Road.
If you're near Hampstead, walk down to the Holly Bush pub on Holly Mount. It's tucked up a narrow lane, gas-lit in the evenings, and still feels like a village local rather than a London tourist pub. Getting a table on a Sunday is tough, but weekday afternoons are quiet.
For the London Marathon, the best spectating isn't at the finish line on The Mall — it's in Bermondsey, around the halfway point, where the crowd is enthusiastic but you can actually get close to the barriers. The pubs there open early for the occasion.
The Columbia Road Flower Market traders start dropping prices from about 2pm as they'd rather sell than haul stock back. If you don't need perfect blooms and just want to fill a flat with flowers cheaply, the late-afternoon sweep is the move.
Skip the queue at the main entrance to Borough Market on a Saturday and come in from the Stoney Street side near the Monmouth Coffee shop. The flow is better and you land right in the middle of the produce stalls rather than the busier takeaway section.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing only for the temperature forecast and ignoring the wind. A 14°C day with Thames wind feels like 9°C on exposed bridges and the South Bank. People in t-shirts and light jackets on Westminster Bridge in April look cold because they are cold.
- Booking a hotel for Marathon weekend without realizing it's Marathon weekend. Prices in Southwark, Greenwich, and Bermondsey jump sharply, road closures affect travel across southeast London, and the Tube stations near the course get overwhelmed. Check the date before you book.
- Treating the Easter bank holiday like a normal weekend. Major museums hit capacity, popular brunch spots don't take walk-ins, and train services to destinations outside London run on reduced schedules. If Easter falls during your trip, plan indoor activities for weekdays and save the outdoors for the long weekend when the weather cooperates.
- Assuming April means warm evenings. Sunset is getting later but the temperature drops fast once the sun goes down. Restaurant terraces that look inviting at 5pm will have you reaching for a coat by 7pm. If you're booked for an outdoor table, ask whether they have heaters or blankets — many places do, but not all.
Practical tips for April
Book West End theatre tickets at least a week ahead for popular shows, though day seats and lottery options exist at most venues for last-minute plans. The Oyster card or contactless payment works on all Tube, bus, and Overground services — don't buy single paper tickets, the per-journey cost is roughly double. Museums are mostly free in London (the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A, Natural History Museum) but special exhibitions charge separately and often sell out on weekends, so book those online. If Easter falls in April, supermarkets and many smaller shops close on Easter Sunday — not a crisis, but worth knowing if your hotel doesn't include breakfast. Restaurant reservations for weekend dinners in popular areas like Soho, Shoreditch, and Bermondsey should be made three to five days out; weeknight tables are usually available same-day. The Tube runs from roughly 5am to midnight (later on Fridays and Saturdays on some lines via the Night Tube). Tipping at restaurants is typically 10-12.5%, often added to the bill automatically — check before adding more.
FAQ
Is April a good time to visit London?
April is a solid month for London — not the absolute best, but comfortably in the top half. You get longer days, spring blooms across the parks, relatively low rainfall for London, and shoulder-season pricing outside of Easter and Marathon weekends. The main trade-off is temperature unpredictability: some days feel properly spring-like at 14-16°C, others feel like winter is still hanging around at 7-8°C with grey skies. If you can tolerate that variability and pack layers, April rewards you with a city that's waking up and shaking off the heaviness of winter.
What is the weather like in London in April?
Expect average highs of 14.1°C (57°F) and lows of 5.1°C (41°F). Rainfall averages 39mm spread across about eight days — which is actually drier than most people expect. The rain tends to come in short bursts rather than all-day soakings. Humidity sits at 71%, though at these temperatures it's not something you'll notice. The main weather factor most people underestimate is wind, particularly along the Thames and on exposed high ground like Hampstead Heath and Greenwich Park. Dress in layers and carry a waterproof.
Is London crowded in April?
It depends on the week. Mid-April on a standard weekday — not particularly. Attractions have shorter queues than summer, restaurants are easier to book, and the Tube feels manageable. Easter bank holiday weekends are a different story: the South Bank, the major free museums, and popular parks like St James's and Hyde Park get genuinely busy with families. London Marathon weekend (last Sunday of April) creates intense crowding along the race route and at nearby Tube stations. Outside those specific spikes, April is one of the more comfortable months for navigating London without feeling like you're fighting through crowds.
What should I wear in London in April?
Layers, layers, layers. A typical April day might start at 6°C, warm to 14°C by early afternoon, then drop again by evening — and that's before factoring in whether the sun is out or hiding behind cloud cover. A light waterproof jacket, a mid-layer you can remove, comfortable waterproof-ish shoes, and a scarf for bridge crossings covers most scenarios. Leave the heavy winter coat at home but don't pack like it's summer. Londoners in April tend to dress in a way that acknowledges the weather might do anything — and that's the right instinct.
Do I need to book things in advance for London in April?
For the big-ticket items, yes. West End shows, popular restaurant reservations (particularly in Soho and Shoreditch on weekends), and special museum exhibitions should be booked at least a week ahead. Kew Gardens sells out on sunny weekends and requires timed entry tickets bought online. If your trip overlaps with Easter or Marathon weekend, book accommodation and any must-do activities as early as possible — six weeks minimum. For most other things — walking the parks, browsing markets, visiting free museums — you can be spontaneous.
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