Until recent years, England has had a bit of a reputation for being pretty damp and chilly. However, recent heatwaves seem to be putting the stories of drizzly cities behind the UK — and while it's far from the Costa Del Sol, when England gets warm and sunny, it really goes all out!
If you've been hearing stories about England sunshine recently and want to experience its rare but pleasant rays for yourself, keep reading to find out the best times to travel, when you can expect rain, and where might be best to soak up the English sun.
How many days of sunshine does England get every year?
There's no definite number, but the Met Office estimates that England is getting sunnier every year, with more than 1,600 hours of sunshine recorded across the UK, generally, in 2025. At the time, that record beat the UK's previously sunny best, which was set all the way back in 2003.
The Met Office further claims that 2025 saw the sunniest spring ever for the UK, and reportedly, only February and October of that year were below-average in terms of sunshine. Therefore, visit any time of the year outside of late winter and mid-fall, and you're likely to see some sun here.
And, if you've paid attention to the news in recent years, England and the rest of the UK are also getting warmer. By late July 2026, according to BBC Weather, the UK had experienced an incredible four separate heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 95F, or 35C. That's pretty unheard of!
What's the sunniest part of England?
The Isle of Wight, just off the southern coast of England, gets just over five hours of sunshine a day on average, according to almost three decades of Met Office data collected by Condé Nast Traveller. The data studied the whole of the UK, meaning that, sadly, while there are plenty of things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland didn't rank anywhere near the top ten sunny spots.
The data also claims that Kent, East and West Sussex, Essex, Dorset, Suffolk, Hampshire, Surrey, and Cornwall clock in plenty of sunny hours. Therefore, it's little wonder why so many people head to the south of England for vacations.
Specifically, CNT notes that popular seaside resorts such as Bognor Regis, Bournemouth, and Brighton are among the sunnier spots to visit while exploring England's coast. While topping up your tan, you'll have lots of opportunities to enjoy classic English seaside fare, from traditional fish and chips to crazy golf!
[esim flag="🇬🇧" label="United Kingdom" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/united-kingdom" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Track weather changes while you explore England — stay connected with reliable data[/esim]How much rain does England get?
England is infamous for its rain, and again, we can rely on the Met Office for some statistics. The Lake District is reportedly one of the rainiest places in England, getting more than four meters of rainfall in a year's period! Otherwise, the Met Office's data suggests that Scotland tends to have it wetter than most.
However, you can also expect a fair amount of rainfall if you visit high-elevation areas in parks like Dartmoor and Exmoor, and the elevated northwest beyond the Lake District tends to get fairly saturated, too.
Statista, meanwhile, estimates that the UK's rainfall averages seem to be fluctuating, though they have held steady at around 1,400 millimeters (1.4 meters). That figure in itself is very high — but, as mentioned, it's the higher-altitude areas in England's parks that will raise it up, and Scotland, yet again, is contributing to this figure!
[tip title="Flat, lowland areas see far less rain than the national average"]Flat, lowland areas across England will receive significantly less rain than this average figure is suggesting — but do bring waterproof clothing and an umbrella just in case![/tip]England's climate: season by season
England's climate is fairly straightforward and predictable, barring a few interesting heatwaves (and snow in fall!) across the years. It observes four main seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Springs in England, as you might expect, tend to be bright and breezy, as the chills of winter give way slowly — though, as mentioned, you can expect quite a bit of sunshine if you're traveling between March and May.
Summers can be surprisingly warm and sunny depending on where you go, so stick to the south if you really want to catch some rays. What's really interesting about English summers is that they're not always as dry as you might think. Summers tend to get smatterings of showers here and there.
Fall, or autumn as it's known in the UK, is cooldown time. Rain tends to become more commonplace, and while there are some sunny moments here and there, summer is all gone by mid-September.
Winter doesn't always bring snow (depending entirely on where you are in the UK, of course), but it routinely brings chilly temperatures, blustery winds, and a fair amount of rainfall. Again, the further south you go, the less likely you will feel the cold. Anyone hoping for a white Christmas in England might not get to build snowmen after opening presents!
When is the best time to visit England?
The weather in England is usually most pleasant in the late spring to early summer, before heatwaves and humidity can really kick in. Many people also enjoy visiting in the fall, when the weather is cooling down, and the leaves start to fall. September and October are great months to explore some of England's best-loved national parks, for example.
[tip title="Load up an eSIM before you travel to track weather changes"]Regardless of when you choose to visit England, always make sure you have an eSIM for the UK loaded up and ready to go. That way, you can keep track of weather changes while you explore.[/tip]Travel tips for visiting England
If you've never visited England or the wider UK before, here are some tips to keep in mind.
[tip title="Book trains as far ahead as possible"]If you're traveling on trains, always book as far ahead as you can, as you'll have access to lower prices. One of the best ways to save on train journeys in the UK in general is to use Split My Fare.[/tip] [warning]While the UK is a generally safe country, there is always a risk of petty crime. Make sure to keep your belongings safe at all times, for example, by wearing a crossbody bag in public and by avoiding holding your phone out while walking. Check out our guide to London safety to learn more about the capital.[/warning] [tip title="Contactless payments are widely accepted"]England is all-in on cashless technology, even on many local buses. Therefore, you'll be able to make contactless payments in the major cities and towns.[/tip] [tip title="Tipping isn't required, but is appreciated"]Tipping isn't necessary when you go out to eat, but leaving some money with the bill or paying into a tip jar is greatly appreciated. Watch for service charges on some bills, however, at around 12.5%.[/tip] [warning]Countryside driving can get quite dangerous if you're not used to narrow, winding roads and blind spots! Where possible, stick to public transport or using Uber, for example, if you're not feeling confident about hiring and driving a car.[/warning] [tip title="Queue properly — it's an English staple"]Cutting in line is an absolute no-no! Queuing is very much an English staple — wait your turn, or risk causing disrespect to people around you.[/tip] [faq] [q]How sunny does England get?[/q] [a]England is getting sunnier — 2025 was recorded as the UK's sunniest year on record, with more than 1,600 hours of sunshine across the country, according to the Met Office. Only February and October that year were below average, meaning most of the year offers a reasonable chance of sunshine.[/a] [q]What is the sunniest part of England?[/q] [a]The Isle of Wight is the sunniest part of England, getting just over five hours of sunshine a day on average across nearly three decades of Met Office data. Other sunny counties include Kent, East and West Sussex, Essex, Dorset, Suffolk, Hampshire, Surrey, and Cornwall — with seaside resorts like Bognor Regis, Bournemouth, and Brighton among the sunniest coastal spots.[/a] [q]How much does it rain in England?[/q] [a]The UK's rainfall average sits at around 1,400 millimeters (1.4 meters) a year, though this is skewed upward by wetter regions like Scotland and higher-altitude areas such as the Lake District, Dartmoor, and Exmoor. Flat, lowland areas of England receive significantly less rainfall than the national average.[/a] [q]When is the best time to visit England for good weather?[/q] [a]Late spring to early summer is generally the most pleasant time to visit England, offering good weather before peak-season heatwaves and humidity arrive. Fall (September and October) is also popular, with cooling temperatures and ideal conditions for exploring England's national parks.[/a] [q]Is England's weather really that rainy?[/q] [a]England has a reputation for rain, but it varies significantly by region. The Lake District and other high-elevation parks see well over four meters of rainfall a year, while flat, lowland areas across the south and east of England see considerably less. It's always worth packing waterproof clothing regardless of the season.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for visiting England?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO eSIM for the UK (10GB · 30 days from $8.50) is a convenient way to stay connected throughout your trip — useful for tracking weather changes, checking train times, and navigating between cities. It means no hunting for a local SIM card on arrival.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇬🇧" label="United Kingdom" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/united-kingdom" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in England[/esim]
