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Hows London in August 2025?

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Thinking about visiting London in August? You’re in for a treat. August is one of the most exciting months to explore the capital of the UK, offering warm weather, lively festivals, and long daylight hours. From open-air events to iconic attractions, here’s everything you need to know about what London is like in August.

What’s the Weather Like in London in August?

London weather in August is typically warm and pleasant, making it a perfect time for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Average temperatures range between 18°C and 25°C (64°F to 77°F), but occasional rain showers can still occur—this is England, after all.

Quick Weather Tips:

  • Bring layers – Think light t-shirts, a sweater, and a rainproof jacket
  • Stay hydrated – August can get muggy, especially on the Tube
  • Use sunscreen – Long days mean more sun exposure
london weather in august is typically warm and pleasant with occasional rain
London weather in august is typically warm and pleasant with occasional rain. Photo by Mark Saxby on Unsplash

Top Things to Do in London in August

1. Attend the Notting Hill Carnival – 24th – 25th August 2025

The Notting Hill Carnival is the highlight of London’s August events calendar. Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend from 23rd August 2025 to 25th August 2025, it’s Europe’s biggest street festival celebrating Caribbean culture with vibrant parades, music, and food.

A street dancer walks at London Notting Hill Carnival
A street dancer walks at London Notting Hill Carnival, photo by Photo by Drenke on Unlimited Photos

2. Enjoy Outdoor Entertainment

August in London is all about open-air experiences:

  • Watch classic films at outdoor cinemas
  • See Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre
  • Attend concerts in Hyde Park or Regent’s Park

3. Explore Iconic London Attractions

While August is a peak tourist month, it’s still a great time to see:

Tip: Book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues.

Best Outdoor Places to Visit in London in August

Warm weather means London’s green spaces are at their best. Some top spots include:

  • Hyde Park – Perfect for boating, picnics, and relaxing
  • Kew Gardens – Explore one of the world’s most famous botanical gardens. Know more here: The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Admission Ticket
  • Hampstead Heath – Offers stunning views of the London skyline
Palm house in Kew Gardens London
Palm house in Kew Gardens London, Photo by Mkos83 on Unlimited Photos

What to Eat in London During August

Take advantage of the warm evenings by enjoying alfresco dining at:

  • Riverside pubs along the Thames
  • Street food markets like Borough Market or Camden Market
  • Summer pop-up restaurants and rooftop bars
Sunny Day in Borough Market London
Sunny Day in Borough Market London. Photo by Taylor Keeran on Unsplash

Seasonal treats to try:

  • Pimm’s cocktails
  • Eton Mess
  • British strawberries and cream

Travel Tips for Visiting London in August

1. Book Accommodation Early

Hotels and Airbnbs get booked up quickly in summer. Reserve early for better rates and availability.

Book Accomodation

2. Use Public Transport

London’s transport system is reliable but can be busy in summer. Use an Oyster Card or contactless payment for easy access to the Tube, buses, and trains. Check out our article on how to travel around in London.

3. Expect Crowds

Major tourist attractions will be busy. Visit early in the morning or opt for guided tours with skip-the-line access. Checkout our London tours here.

Is August a Good Time to Visit London?

Yes—if you enjoy warm weather, outdoor festivals, and a buzzing city vibe. August is ideal for walking tours, garden visits, and soaking up London’s cultural life. Just be prepared for crowds and higher prices typical of the summer travel season.

Final Thoughts: London in August Is Alive with Energy

From sunny parks and world-class attractions to music festivals and street parades, August is a fantastic time to experience London at its most lively. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for more, there’s no shortage of unforgettable things to do in London in August 2025 🙂

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Notting Hill Carnival 2022 returns for the first time since pandemic began

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Notting Hill Carnival 2022 returns for the first time since the pandemic began

For the first time since the pandemic Adults, Day at Notting Hill Carnival returned to the streets of west London. Performers in brightly-coloured costumes have marked the return of the Notting Hill Carnival after a two-year hiatus during the COVID pandemic.

Millions of people attended the festival which lasted until Monday and saw many of those in the parade dress up in brightly-coloured costumes in commemoration of Caribbean heritage.

Dancers, brass bands and floats entertained the large crowds in west London on what is known as ‘family day’. The event lasted until Monday till the bank holiday. The carnival, which celebrates Caribbean culture, has been held online over the past two years due to the COVID pandemic, but now the huge street party is back, with music, dancing, parades, and extravagant outfits.

Its origins date back to the 1950s when Trinidadian human rights activist Claudia Jones began organizing gatherings after racially motivated attacks in the area. To check out historical pictures of the previous Notting Carnivals see our previous post on Notting Hill Carnival Going Digital 2020.

The festival has since become a “part of the very fabric” of London, according to the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan.

Notting Hill Carnival 2022 Events 

At 3 pm, a group of people stopped in 72-seconds of silence by the parade marking the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire five years ago.

Among the group were the first firefighters to arrive at the scene, alongside survivors and campaigners. Behind a food stand a man selling jerk chicken for a queue summed up how lots of people were feeling and enjoying the festivities. Revellers dressed in colourful costumes descended on the streets of west London for Notting Hill Carnival for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

The Metropolitan Police said there had been 76 arrests for “a variety of different offences” by 7 am on Monday. No festivals can go in please and the same was seen on Monday morning. Officers also said a police horse died on duty during the carnival after collapsing around 9 pm on Sunday. The force said it was too early to determine the cause of death and added that there will be an investigation.

Sadiq Khan Please Notting Hill Carnival is Back

London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “As a Londoner, I’m really pleased carnival is back.” London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Biggest street party in Europe! And the vibes are immaculate.” He said it had “become one of the world’s biggest street festivals and part of the very fabric of this city”. This year’s event comes amid a cost-of-living crisis, which Mr Khan said had affected the carnival. He said the carnival was celebrating Caribbean culture, heritage, and history and there was a “pent-up” demand for festivities this year.

Cost of Living Crisis

The 2022 Notting Hill Carnival is also marked by the cost-of-living crisis, as organisers claim that some people were unable to afford the extravagant costumes which are traditionally seen at the event; while some bands were not able to perform due to the costs involved.

Notting Hill Carnival went Digital for 2020

The 2020 carnival was cancelled because of COVID, although there were live-streamed events, and last year’s carnival did not take place either due to the coronavirus risk. You can check out the Notting Hill carnival digital event of 2020 here.

Check out some pictures taken by various news channels on Notting Hill Carnival 2022

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Notting Hill Carnival Going Digital for August 2020 Festival

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Notting Hill Carnival Going Digital for August 2020 Festival

Notting Hill Carnival announced that they are going Digital for the coming annual August 2020 calendar festival. This is not a surprise as many festivals are hit by the COVID Pandemic. The street festival in London attracts more than a million visitors every year. The main parade starts on Great Western Road, winding its way along Chepstow Road, then on to Westbourne Grove, and then down Ladbroke Grove. However, all this is set to change this year.

Matthew Phillip, executive director of organisers Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said the event which will be broadcasted globally over four online channels will offer viewers a peak behind the curtain of Europe’s biggest street party. It will include performances, interviews and cookery shows.

He told the Standard: It was not right to not do anything. We wanted to celebrate the carnival and the people behind it. With it being digital, now it is an around-the-world experience – it is going global.

Notting Hill London Carnival going Digital Aug 2020
Notting Hill London Carnival going Digital Aug 2020

Speaking about the logistics of hosting a digital carnival, Matthew said: Lockdown has meant that we have all fast-forwarded in terms of technology. It is something we should have been embracing before, online and broadcasting. This is a new kind of carnival. It was always going to adapt and we are going to be embracing it. It is an opportunity to open people up to the carnival and give people a peak behind the curtain.

The cancellation of this year’s physical festival marks the first time it is not being staged on the streets of Notting Hill and Kensington since it was launched in 1966.

Notting Hill Carnival over the years – See Pictures below

Digital Notting Hill Carnival Schedule

Viewers tuning in from 6 pm on Saturday, August 29 will be able to experience the performances from steel bands, sound systems, plus calypso and Soca dancers. There will be interviews with the people behind the event, plus food and drink shows.

The content for the digital carnival has been filmed over the past month. The event is being supported by Kensington and Chelsea Council, Westminster Council and the Greater London Authority.

Watch the Digital Notting Hill Carnival 2020 Introduction video

 

Digital Notting Hill Carnival for 2020 Replaces the Street Festival for one year

The arts, music and food of the Notting Hill Carnival go online

The Carnival experience at home!

Steel Bands, Sound Systems, Mas Bands, Brazilian Bands, Calypso and Soca performances, food and drink shows, interviews and much more!

Carnival Warm-Up

Steelpan Show & Calypso & Groovy Soca

Channel 1: Saturday 29 August 6 pm – Midnight

Carnival Culture

Channel 1: Saturday 29 August 9am – 12pm

Parade Channel

Channel 2: Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August 12pm – 8pm

Sound System Channel

Channel 3: Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August 12pm – 8pm

Main Stage Channel

Channel 4: Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August 8pm – 11pm

For access to the video channels please head over to Lets Go Do and sign up.

Watch at: www.NHCarnival.org

Twitter:@NHCarnivalLDN Instagram: @nhcarnivalldn FB: @NHCarnivalLDN

Get The Official Notting Hill Carnival App – Apple & Android

Details on how to register to view the channels and the full lineup can be found at NHCarnival.org.

If you are already in London, check out our London Tours Page to see which tours you can go for during the current COVID-19 Pandemic. Keep looking into our News sections for all the latest.

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Notting Hill Carnival London 2018

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The 52nd Notting Hill Carnival this year showed an amazing array of colours showcased by revellers and participants. The carnival kicked off in west London with carousers showcasing a vibrant display. Pictures show smiling carnival-goers covered in body paint and bejewelled outfits as Notting Hill was transformed into a feast of music, dance and colour.

Floats are parading through the streets today as a million people flock to the two-day event over the Bank Holiday weekend to celebrate the Caribbean and West Indian culture in the capital. The carnival featured steel bands, dance troupes and elaborate floats, with many among the crowds tossing paint and coloured powder at each other while dancing on the Notting hill streets.

Beautiful dance performer in sky blue dress Notting Hill Carnival London 2018 waves at the ongoing crowd
Beautiful dance performer in sky blue dress Notting Hill Carnival London 2018 waves at the ongoing crowd

A celebration of the Afro-Caribbean community, the two-day event has its roots in a 1964 London procession to bring people together despite racism and a lack of opportunity that blighted day-to-day life.

Police deployed metal-detecting arches to counter potential knife crime and have been given additional stop-and-search powers at this year’s carnival based on intelligence and after a spate of violent crime in London over the past week.

Notting hill Carnival 2018 London dance performers on the bank holiday MondayNotting hill Carnival 2018 London dance performers on the bank holiday Monday
Notting hill Carnival 2018 London dance performers on the bank holiday Monday

Almost 7,000 officers, some from the Metropolitan Police’s newly formed Violent Crime Task Force, are policing Monday’s event to “combat the threat of violent crime”.

This is up from the 6,100 on-duty officers at the less busy family day on Sunday. Undercover police as well as officers from the force’s firearms and dog units will be in place. The event attracted more than a million revellers to its floats, food stalls and music scene.

Beautiful dancers in varied colour costumes in Notting hill London Carnival 2018
Beautiful dancers in varied colour costumes in Notting hill London Carnival 2018

Heavy rain played a big spoiler, however, the attendance was still immense and police patrolling was well managed. Police made 133 arrests for a variety of weapon and drug-related offences, which has been a scene in past carnival events as well. A total of 20 weapons, including knives, were also seized as metal detecting knife arches were used at the event for the first time.

Millions of people took part in the event over the Bank Holiday weekend, and despite heavy rain on Sunday’s family day they proved they were out to party.

Instead of the t-shirt and shorts sported for the intensely hot weather of just a few weeks ago, there were umbrellas and a roaring trade for colourful plastic raincoats at Europe’s biggest street party. The community celebration carved its way around the streets in a mass of music, dancing, bold costumes and floats of soaked entertainers.

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