The United Kingdom is a festive destination for a trip in December, with cold weather throughout and plenty of Christmas-related activities to be done. In December we recommend visiting London, Edinburgh, York, and Oxford. Read on to see more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for December.
United Kingdom Weather in December: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 3–8°C (37–46°F)
- Rainfall: 11 cm (4 inches)
- Rainy days: 14
- Sunshine hours/day: 3
- Humidity: 81% (wet and humid throughout the country)
The United Kingdom is cold in December, with temperatures having the potential to drop underneath zero, but generally hovering around the 3–8°C (37–46°F) mark. Many of the days are wet with approximately 14 days of rain a month, and humidity of around 81% as a result. Rainfall in the United Kingdom for the month of December averages 11 cm (or 4 inches).
With regard to sunshine, the days in December are short, with an average of 3 hours of sunshine per day. This is the perfect opportunity to cosy up and enjoy some of the United Kingdom's skylines at night!
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December Climate Comparison (Averages) for the United Kingdom's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (main city, museums, galleries, famous buildings) | Cool | Cold | Low |
| Cardiff (Capital of Wales, culture, architecture) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| Edinburgh (Capital of Scotland, castles, culture) | Cold | Cold | Low |
| Lake District (Lake and fell scenery, hiking) | Cool | Cold | High/td> |
| Belfast (N. Ireland capital, Irish scenery and culture) | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (main city, museums, galleries, famous buildings) | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| Cardiff (Capital of Wales, culture, architecture) | 9 | 3 | 14 |
| Edinburgh (Capital of Scotland, castles, culture) | 7 | 2 | 7 |
| Lake District (Lake and fell scenery, hiking) | 8 | 2 | 17 |
| Belfast (N. Ireland capital, Irish scenery and culture) | 8 | 3 | 10 |
| City/Area | High (ºF) | Low (ºF) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (main city, museums, galleries, famous buildings) | 48 | 37 | 2 |
| Cardiff (Capital of Wales, culture, architecture) | 48 | 37 | 6 |
| Edinburgh (Capital of Scotland, castles, culture) | 45 | 36 | 3 |
| Lake District (Lake and fell scenery, hiking) | 46 | 35 | 7 |
| Belfast (N. Ireland capital, Irish scenery and culture) | 46 | 37 | 4 |
The Best Places to Visit in the United Kingdom in December
The weather in the United Kingdom is cold in December, and with the festive vibes ramping up towards Christmas, there are plenty of opportunities for seasonal sightseeing, shopping, and taking in the Christmas lights throughout the country. The dark evenings also mean it is a great time to check out London's famous skyline.
To anyone planning to visit in December, we would recommend checking out London, Edinburgh, York, and Oxford. To find out more about the different activities and sights we recommend checking out, read on.
1. Go Christmas Shopping in London and Enjoy the Skyline at Night
London is one of the most exciting cities in the world, and December is a great time of the year to enjoy the shopping that the city has to offer. With everything ramping up for Christmas there is incredible shopping to be done in London. From Hamley's Toy Store to Harrods department store, there is something for everybody.
After you've been out to the shops, we recommend heading over to Southbank for a walk along the Thames, where you'll be able to enjoy the lights of the city. Going up in the London Eye gives a great view too, and we recommend visiting after sunset.
For your other days in London, there are so many great museums to visit and explore. Many of the museums will also have temporary exhibits up that are worth checking out before you plan your visit to London.
2. Check out Edinburgh's Royal Architecture
Edinburgh is Scotland's capital, and has so many beautiful sights to see. As the capital city, it is home to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the British monarch's residence in Edinburgh, a great place to learn about Scottish history. There is also the impressive Edinburgh Castle, located up on a hill, with a great view over the city.
For more information about visiting Edinburgh and Scotland in winter, check out our piece about the weather in the United Kingdom in November.
3. Visit the York Christmas Market
York attracts a large number of tourists each year, particularly because of its winding streets, long history, and cute shops and architecture. It's great to visit year-round, but it also boasts a great Christmas market that is usually open from mid-November through to a day or two before Christmas.
On site you will find stores selling hand-crafted gifts, locally sourced foods, and drinks, such as a traditional hot toddy made with rum, or a mulled wine sure to warm you up. There is also usually a band and carol singers, which is a wonderful experience if you're not visiting from somewhere that doesn't usually sing Christmas carols.
You don't need a ticket to enter, and the market is free for all visitors.
4. Explore Oxford's Colleges and Old Buildings
Oxford is one of the United Kingdom's most popular cities to visit, partially due to the architecture and partially due to the fact that it is home to Oxford University.
While visiting Oxford, you can walk around Christ Church College, Magdalen College, the Bodleian Library as well as the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. The Christ Church College dining hall makes for a good visit as this is what the Hogwarts Great Hall was modeled on.
There are also great museums in Oxford, including the Ashmolean Museum and the Oxford Museum of Natural History. And the fact that Oxford is just a quick train ride away from London makes it a great day trip to do by train.
Low Season (Except Christmas): Less Expensive and Less Crowded
December is a good time of year to visit the UK, with less visitors generally and lower prices for accommodation and travel. The exception to this are the weeks immediately before and after Christmas. Due to school holidays in the UK and Europe, some of the popular cities to visit are significantly busier, including London.
We do also recommend booking restaurants ahead of time for this time period, or asking for Global Highlights' help to do so, because popular spots book up quickly in the festive season.
Christmas Day falls on Wednesday 25 December in 2024, and boxing day, Thursday 26 December is also a public holiday in 2024. On this day you might find more people sightseeing in places such as London or Edinburgh.
What to Wear in December
December is cold throughout the country, and we recommend bringing lots of layers and a thick winter coat that will keep you warm. Wearing a hat, a scarf, and gloves is important if you are planning to be outside exploring for much of the day, especially for kids.
It is also not a bad idea bringing an umbrella or a waterproof layer, given that there might be (wintry) showers in December.
