Seasonal travelBy Clever Tourists · Published
December is a good month for England if you want Christmas lights, markets and theatre, and a bad one for sightseeing outdoors: London's average high is about 8.8°C (48°F) and the low 3.1°C (38°F), the sun sets around 4pm, and the whole country shuts down for Christmas. In 2027, Christmas Day is a Saturday, so the bank holidays move to Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. We were in England from 14 November to 3 December 2023, so we saw only the first days of December, finishing in London. Weather numbers are 1991 to 2020 normals as listed for each place (Met Office for London and Bath); event dates are from the organisers or councils named below.
• Weather: cold, damp and grey. Frost and rain are both common; snow is possible, but not dependable in London.
• Daylight: about 7 hours 50 minutes at the winter solstice (around 21 December), per Royal Museums Greenwich, with sunset close to 3:50pm in London.
• Crowds: shoppers and market-goers in the first three weeks; London empties and shuts around 25 December.
• Prices: London hotels are in demand around the markets and New Year; book dates early.
• Best for: Christmas markets, lights, pantomime, museums, pubs with fires.
• Skip December if: you want long walks in the Peak District or Cotswolds with good daylight.
1991 to 2020 December normals as listed for each place (Met Office for London and Bath).
• London (Heathrow): highs 8.8°C (48°F), lows 3.1°C (38°F), about 57 mm of rain over 10.8 rain days, and about 55 hours of sunshine for the entire month.
• Bath: highs 8.5°C (47°F), lows 2.5°C (36°F), about 91 mm of rain and 51 hours of sun.
• Manchester (gateway to the Peak District): highs 7.4°C (45°F), lows 1.7°C (35°F), about 84 mm of rain and 47.5 hours of sun.
• York area: highs 7.3°C (45°F), lows 1.2°C (34°F), about 59 mm and 31 hours of sun.
Rain gear and warm layers are the whole strategy. Moorland paths can be wet or icy; check conditions before walking in the Peak District, and keep your hiking to the daylight hours.
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London: the 2026 edition runs 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed on Christmas Day, according to the organiser, and opening times vary by day. See our Winter Wonderland guide. 2027 dates were not announced in what I found, but a similar run is typical.
• Bath Christmas Market: Bath and North East Somerset Council announced 26 November to 13 December for 2026, so it ends before mid-December; see our Bath Christmas Market guide. 2027 dates are not announced; check before planning a late-December visit.
• London New Year's Eve fireworks: ticketed, with the guide at London NYE fireworks tickets. The 2027 arrangements are not yet published.
England's 2027 bank holidays on gov.uk list Monday 27 December as the substitute for Christmas Day (Saturday 25 December) and Tuesday 28 December as the substitute for Boxing Day (Sunday 26 December).
• Christmas Day: National Rail says there are no train services as usual. TfL has in past years run no Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line or bus services on Christmas Day. Most attractions, restaurants and shops are shut.
• Boxing Day: most train operators usually run no service or a limited one. Check National Rail and TfL for the specific year.
• Heathrow: see our London Heathrow to city guide for transfers, and check rail links for your date.
If your dates include 25 and 26 December, plan to be settled where you are staying, with food bought on 24 December.
We spent 8 days in London across two stays (14 to 21 November and 2 to 3 December 2023), 3 in Bath, 3 in Castleton in the Peak District, and 2 near Rowberrow in Somerset, ending in London on 2 December.
• London: the best December city. Christmas lights, Winter Wonderland and indoor attractions; see 3 days in London, how many days in London, where to stay in London and free museums and the Oyster vs contactless guide.
• Bath: Georgian streets, thermal waters and the early-December market; see the Bath guide and the Castle Combe day trip.
• Peak District and Cheddar Gorge: short daylight limits walks; see the Castleton guide and the Cheddar Gorge and Wells guide.
For routes see our England 2.5-week route and day trips from London.
Book trains early for the week before Christmas and for 27 to 28 December. Many restaurants add a discretionary service charge, especially for groups in December; see tipping in England. Costs are in how much does a trip to England cost. For best months see best time to visit England and best time to visit London.
A warm waterproof coat, thermal layers, a hat and gloves, waterproof shoes with grip, a compact umbrella and a power adapter for UK type G plugs. A scarf helps at outdoor markets. See the UK power plug guide and things to know before visiting England.
Cold and damp. London averages highs of about 8.8°C (47.8°F) and lows of about 3.1°C (37.6°F) with 10.8 rain days; Manchester is a degree or two colder.
About 7 hours 50 minutes at the solstice in London, with sunset near 4pm.
Mostly. National Rail runs no trains, TfL has run no Tube or bus services in past years, and most attractions are shut. In 2027 the bank holidays are Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December.
The 2026 edition runs 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, 10am to 10pm, closed Christmas Day. 2027 dates are not announced.
No. The 2026 market runs 26 November to 13 December. 2027 dates are not announced.
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