If you’re heading to England’s capital city this winter, you’ll need to know what clothes to wear in London during the winter as the weather isn’t the best! But with these tips and advice, you can plan what to pack for London and keep warm and dry as you explore. Here’s what to wear in London in winter so you can prepare your London packing list for winter and be ready for whatever the British weather throws at you!
This article was written by my fellow Brit Suzie, the travel expert behind Greek Island Bucket List, with edits and additions by me, Claire
The Best Clothes to Wear in London in Winter
The varying weather and the mix of activities you’re likely to do in London means that you’ll want your suitcase to be stocked with the best clothes to wear in London to help you enjoy your trip.
Note that I’m far from the epitome of British fashion. So this advice on your London travel wardrobe is from a practical point of view to keep you warm, dry and comfortable for exploring the city. No one has fun when they’ve got soggy feet or are freezing cold, regardless of how great they look!
Prepare for Winter Weather in London
The average temperature in London doesn’t get drastically low, but like at other times of the year, you can experience several seasons in one day with wind, rain and even sunshine or light snow to contend with. Before you pack for London, make sure you check the weather forecast for your trip to at least have an idea of what to expect.
Generally, the weather in London isn’t as cold as the rest of the UK, with temperatures hovering between 2 and 10°C (30-50°F). It rarely freezes in London, and snow isn’t common – although not unheard of. There is a slim chance you may get snow in London during the winter, but it probably won’t last long.
It is far more likely that you’ll have plenty of rain. November is one of the wettest months of the year in London, with an average of 64mm of rain falling in the month. December and January are usually a bit dryer, but during your visit, you will probably get some wet weather, which will, hopefully,be mixed with dry spells.
One thing to remember about the UK in winter is that it goes dark quite early – with sunset at around 4 pm in December and most of January. While London is great to experience at night, make sure you plan your day properly and get an early start if you can to make the best use of the daylight for sightseeing and the top things to do in London in winter.
Dress In Layers
My biggest piece of advice is that layers are the best way to dress for winter in London. Layers are a key rule for the London dress code, so you can bundle up or strip off as you move between different activities and sights.
You’ll probably be quite active as you travel around to visit the top attractions in London. It’s inevitable you’ll end up walking a lot, whatever the London weather decides to do during your trip. Even when the temperature is low, all that walking can make you quite warm. And if you’re hopping on and off public transport too, you can go from cold to hot quite quickly.
It can also get very warm on the tube, both on the platform and on the trains, regardless of the season. Everyone bundles up in their winter coats against the cold temperatures outside. But when the trains start filling up with people, you may well want to be able to peel off a layer. Then when you arrive at your stop, you’ll be grateful to put it back on to go outside!
And while you’ll probably keep warm when you’re walking around, at other times, you might be doing a lot of standing about. If you go to London at Christmas and catch the annual Winter Wonderland, for example, you’ll want to be able to wander about and marvel at everything without getting cold.
So, layers are your friend. I like to wear close-fitting vest tops and a long-sleeve top under my jumper and always pack plenty of those. A cotton tote bag is also handy for carrying around those extra clothes when you’re not wearing them!
Know Before You Go to London
Before travelling to London, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
MY FAVOURITE BUDGET ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON:
$$ Pembridge Palace Hotel: comfortable hotel close to Notting Hill and Portobello Market
$$ The Z Hotel Covent Garden: stylish modern hotel in London’s theatre district
$ Wombat’s City Hostel London: Private rooms and shared dorms with a great bar
⭐ TOP 3 LONDON ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition – one of the top things to do in London!
2. The London Eye Entry Ticket – for great views of London’s iconic landmarks
3. Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Return Transportation – a must for Harry Potter fans
What Coat to Wear in London for Winter
Ok let’s get onto these layers and start with your outer layer. I’d recommend a waterproof coat, but you’ll want it to be warm too. I like a wool coat for London’s cold weather; they’ve always been enough for rainy days too.
If the weather is fairly mild during your visit, you could get away with an iconic Burberry-style trench coat. They tend to be fairly lightweight, though. So, if you go with that option, you need it to fit snugly and have plenty of warm layers underneath.
What Shoes to Wear in London in Winter
Winter Boots And Shoes
Walking is a great way to discover London and is really the best way. Many of the city’s tube stations are very close to one another, and you’re better off walking between them to get to the sights. (I’m not even going to mention driving because it’s an absolute nightmare and unnecessary in Central London.)
As you’re likely to rack up a high daily step count, you’ll need comfortable shoes that are up to the task. Because wet weather is likely, make sure you take a pair of waterproof shoes. Waterproof ankle boots or flat knee-high boots that can take a lot of walking in any weather can work well.
I can’t stress enough the need to keep your feet dry and toasty warm in the winter months. If you don’t, you’re not going to enjoy your sightseeing at all. As well as boots, I wear trainers/sneakers often when the weather’s dry because the cushioning helps when I’m walking miles and miles.
Also, it’s quite common to see women in smart suits commuting to work with trainers/sneakers on. And I don’t mean cute white ones. I mean bog-standard gym trainers. They pack their high heels or leave them at work and travel in comfort.
Most people getting the tube don’t live right beside a station. So they have to walk from home and then again at the other end to get to the office. So don’t get too caught up on whether your footwear matches.
If you were coming to London in the summer, I’d say, by all means, get a lightweight Converse-type thing to pair with your cute summer dresses on warmer days. But they won’t be great for the winter.
What to Pack for London in Winter
OK so we have your coat and shoes sorted, but what about all your other clothes? Here are some of the essential clothing I recommend wearing in London:
Jeans
I like wearing jeans because the heavy fabric keeps my legs warmer, plus they’re just a comfortable piece of clothing. However, the weight of the fabric works against you when it’s wet, so if the warm jacket you’re taking is on the short side, another option might be better for you.
Leggings or Thick Tights
I’m in an international travel group on Facebook, and US women are always debating whether people wear leggings in Europe. The answer is yes. I wear leggings with a long jumper on milder winter days. I pair them with cosy socks and my boots. And with my long wool coat, I’m plenty warm enough.
This was taken in Athens, not London, but it’s an outfit I wear in both places during the winter. I sometimes swap the jeans for black leggings with the same jumper.
Base Layer Vest Tops
Having a base layer of a light vest top or similar can make a big difference in cold weather, and is a great way to add a sneaky layer underneath something more fashionable! Plus they’re small and can be stuffed easily into luggage.
Long Sleeve Tops / Sweaters
Depending on how much you want to layer, having long sleeves either on a top to go underneath a jumper or a sweater as your main layer is essential.
Travel Accessories for London in Winter
Umbrella
People in London still walk even in rainy weather. Take an umbrella so you’re ready to do the same. Of course, you can choose to get a taxi or an Uber. But when the weather’s miserable, lots of people have the same idea, so it can be a bit harder to get one straight away.
Since the British weather often changes, get a small umbrella that fits in your bag. That way, you can be prepared even if the day’s weather forecast looked ok when you left.
Winter Scarf
On particularly cold days, you might welcome a cosy scarf. When I walk around London in winter wearing a scoop or lowish v-neck jumper, my chest always gets bright red from the cold. Probably someone’s mother would advise that you keep your chest warm to stop you from getting poorly, so take that advice!
If you go on one of the Thames River cruises, you’ll probably be quite glad of it, too as the wind coming off the water can be bitterly cold! I love my Waypoint travel scarf which has a hidden pocket so if you are concerned about pickpockets it can keep valuables safe too.
Warm Gloves
I’d take a pair of gloves with you. Or again, you can easily pick some up in London. Either way, they’ll keep your fingers warm while you’re out and about. Especially if there’s an icy wind and you can’t put your hands in your pocket because you’re carrying an umbrella in one hand and bags of souvenirs in the other.
If you’re planning to take lots of photos with your phone, finger-less gloves can be useful, or some of those special ones with a different material designed to be used with phones also mean you don’t have to keep taking your gloves off every time you want to take a picture!
Beanie or Bobble Hat
A cool beanie will keep you warm and help protect your hair from the wind and rain. I prefer hats with bobbles in general, but beanies are more practical for putting your hood up in heavy rain if it’s too windy for an umbrella.
Crossbody Bag
I personally love a crossbody bag. I like having my hands free to hold my phone so I can take photos and use my Apple Wallet when I get on and off buses and the tube. Plus, it keeps everything out of the way for when I’m storming up the escalator on the underground. (Gotta get my leg workouts in!)
Side note, do read some tips for visiting London so you know the etiquette on the escalators; otherwise, some Londoner will eat you alive. (Or at least get rather passive-aggressive with you.)
It’s a good idea to keep your bag of choice on the small side when visiting attractions. When I walked up The Monument (it was one of the best views In London), they made people leave larger bags at the bottom. I think it was the same at St Paul’s, too.
If you prefer a backpack, make sure you take it off on the tube. It can get very busy, and you basically take up someone’s space and then knock everyone over as you turn around.
How To Pack Light For London In Winter
I find it much harder to pack carry-on luggage only in cooler seasons because winter wear tends to be bulky. It’s not that jumpers are heavy; it’s just squashing everything into a little space, especially if you’re tall or plus-sized. Or both.
The best option is to wear things like your bulky coats, boots and jumpers on the plane. I also have a pair of really long jeans that have loads of material. So it’s ideal to travel in those and pack the others.
As you’re layering, you can take fewer jumpers and pack plenty of lighter layers to wear underneath and change up each day. If you’re able to choose cashmere or merino wool jumpers, they tend to be very warm without being bulky. They’ll certainly help keep the volume of your clothes down.
To get the most out of your space, remember to stuff things into any shoes you’re packing and try out packing cubes to keep things organised.
If your airline doesn’t weigh carry-on luggage then compression packing cubes can help to pack more in, but do be careful with any weight limits, especially on low cost airlines like Ryanair or Easyjet.
If your London holiday/vacation is part of a longer trip to Europe, then keep in mind you can wash your clothes along the way. You’ll find laundrettes/laundromats all over London and other cities in Europe, and it’s quick and relatively cheap to do a load.
I never pack a travel iron or steamer. But if you’re one of the people who like to, check the voltage to make sure you can use it in the UK.
What Not to Wear in London
London is a cosmopolitan city and while I would never want to stifle anyone’s creativity or will to express themselves through their clothing, there are a few things that will make you stand out as a tourist in London.
Touristy Clothes & Souvenirs
Avoid wearing head-to-toe branded souvenirs, like “I ❤️ London” shirts or Union Jack patterns, as they scream tourist and could make you a target for scams or pickpockets.
Uncomfortable Shoes
Skip high heels or flimsy footwear if you plan to explore. Londoners walk a lot, and the cobbled streets in some areas like Covent Garden or Notting Hill can be tough on your feet. Opt for stylish but practical trainers, ankle boots or other waterproof footwear.
Too Much Sportswear or Flashy Gear
Londoners tend to reserve gym clothes for the gym. Unless you’re exercising, avoid head-to-toe athletic wear unless it’s fashionable streetwear. The same goes for flashy designer logos. London’s style leans towards understated elegance instead of overloading on designer logos that can feel out of place in most areas.
Now You’re Ready For London’s Winter Weather
Now you’re armed with everything you need to know about putting together winter outfits for London’s low temperatures.
Travelling with hand luggage only is brilliant if you can manage it. But I personally think taking a checked bag is a great option (but keep an eye on it with Apple Airtags!).
You don’t have to stress about packing so precisely when you have some breathing space in your luggage. And if you spot some British high-street fashion looks you love (or designer ones, for that matter), you have room to take some things back with you, and have space for all your London souvenirs.
Whatever you do, have a great time on this winter trip to London!
About the Author
Suzie writes honest and helpful posts for solo, nervous or first-time travellers to Greece at Greek Island Bucket List. She became a Greek resident in 2020 and is on a mission to every inhabited island in the country.