Everything you need to know about visiting London in June

Pleasant weather, unique festivals, and a wealth of outdoor markets — London in June is the sweet spot before peak season hits in July and August. You'll still be able to enjoy relatively short lines for the best places to visit in London, like the renowned British Museum and the historical Tower of London, and you'll have longer daylight hours to explore.

Pack a picnic for Hyde Park, attend open-air Shakespeare at the Globe, see Kew Gardens in full bloom, and get geared up for major events like Wimbledon and Trooping the Colour. From cultural highlights to seasonal delights, June brings out the best of London’s charm and vibrancy.

Why go to London in June?

London in June is perfect for outdoor events

From the famous Trooping the Colour, with its ceremonial parade, to outdoor film screenings, music, and food festivals, London is full of energizing activities to make the most of early summer. Whether you're watching an international film at Barbican Outdoor Cinema, jamming at LIDO Festival, or eating your way through the food stalls at Marylebone Summer Festival, you'll find something unique to do outdoors every day of June.

Wimbledon kicks off with a star-studded opening ceremony

Although Wimbledon takes place throughout early July, the event itself kicks off on June 30 with a bang, attracting hundreds of thousands of global visitors. See mega-stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova serve up smashing entertainment on a racket.

London's parks and gardens are rocking and in full bloom

From central Regent's Park with its ornamental lake and open-air theater to the UNESCO-listed Kew Gardens with the world's largest collection of living plants, June is the ideal time to see the early summer blooms or kick back with an afternoon tea picnic spread. Hyde Park also showcases some big names for summer concerts, including past performances by The Rolling Stones and The Who.

Markets and food festivals are popping up all over the city

London's best outdoor markets shine in June, with Camden Market delivering global street foods and shopping, and Borough Market alighting with fresh summer produce. Whether you're a foodie enamored with Michelin stars or looking for a casual international bite, this is a great month to explore every culinary corner of London, including Taste of London, held in Regent's Park.

Long daylight hours mean more time to explore "the Big Smoke"

June sees the longest days on the calendar, with some 18 hours of daylight. With the sun rising around 4:30 AM and setting as late as 9:30 PM, visiting London in June allows you to maximize your adventure in "the Big Smoke." Whether you're museum-hopping, hitting up one of London's rooftop bars, taking a cruise along the Thames, or watching street performances at Piccadilly Circus, long days mean more time to soak in the city.

What's the weather like in London in June?

London weather in June is warm and pleasant, with occasional summer showers. Bring an umbrella or a light rain jacket and some layers for London's somewhat changeable weather.

• Average day temperature: 70 F (21 C)
• Average night temperature: 55 F (13 C)
• Average days of rain: 15
• Average days of sun: 4

Top things to do in London in June

1. Experience Trooping the Colour

With around 1,400 soldiers, 400 musicians, and 200 horses, this annual parade is an unmissable experience in London, celebrated in mid-June to honor the British monarch’s official birthday. The elaborate display of British pageantry sees the King's Guard in their bright red uniforms and tall fur hats give their king the royal salute at Buckingham Palace before marching down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade. The Royal Family historically appears on the palace balcony to watch the Royal Air Force flyover. Head to The Mall early to secure a good spot for this impressive event. Although it always takes place in June, the exact date of the event varies each year and is announced in January or February.

Address

Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA

2. Watch live tennis at Wimbledon

As June comes to an end, it’s all about tennis at Wimbledon. Even if you don't have tickets to the opening ceremony, public screenings are shown all around the city, with big screens broadcasting matches in places like Canary Wharf and Covent Garden. You can also try your luck in the daily ticket queue for potential Grounds Tickets or Show Court Tickets, but you'll have to queue up hours before opening. Try the traditional strawberries and cream, and keep your eyes peeled for attending celebrities.

Address

Wimbledon Quarter, 4 Queen's Rd, London SW19 8ND

Opening hours

April–September: Daily 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
October–March: Daily 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

3. Visit Kew Gardens at peak bloom

Taking a themed walking trail around Kew Gardens is one of the top things to do in London in summer, with June in particular seeing early roses and sunny yellow laburnum, also known as “golden rain.” The Wanderer takes you on a scenic path across Kew's graceful lake, while the Adventurer launches you through the soaring canopy of the Treetop Walkway, with a 360-degree adventure upwards, downwards, and even sometimes upside down through the gardens’ 12,000-tree Arboretum.

Address

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond

Opening hours

Daily 10:00 AM–7:00 PM

4. Immerse yourself in Shakespeare under the stars

Enjoy the full Shakespeare experience with theatre-in-the-round at The Globe, or pop into one of London's squares for Shakespeare in the Squares, a theatre company that performs the playwright’s greatest works in outdoor venues every summer. From “The Taming of the Shrew” to “Twelfth Night,” the Bard is made accessible to everyone in public spaces, making seeing a play one of the best things to do in London in June. If Shakespeare isn’t your thing, you can still have an outdoor theatre experience at Regent’s Park, which presents everything from ballets to Broadway musicals to the five-day food festival, Taste of London, in late June.

Address

Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT

Opening hours

Monday–Friday 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

5. Explore London’s outdoor markets

London has some of the best outdoor markets on the planet, with varied food trucks, boutique and bargain shopping, fresh flowers, and so much more. The historic food-centric Borough Market offers up British chippies, sausage rolls, dry cider, and diverse international fare, while the eclectic Camden Market is great for live music, street food, and unique finds, including vintage clothing and jewelry. Columbia Road Flower Market is a colorful stop for fresh cuts of tulips and peonies, potted plants and herbs, art galleries, vintage stores, and Italian and English delis. Keep an ear out for that iconic “cockney banter.”

Address

Borough Market, London SE1 9AL
54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF
Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG

Opening hours

Daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM