London in mid April - anybody know what it's like?

[NewJeffCT]

Delta is having a fare sale right now - from Boston-Logan to London-Heathrow for $219, or $438 round trip. Has anybody been to London around that time of year? How is the weather? (They also have JFK to Heathrow for $199 each way, or $398 round trip, but travel must be completed by 4/17, which isn't feasible for us at this time)

Thanks

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. There's a reason for those good fares...

The weather is not as reliably good then. You're more likely to have rainy days and cool ones too.

I'm not speaking from personal experience, but I do know that spring is like that.

If you haven't been, then I say GO. London is a wonderful city!

Every step shows you history.

We had a ball.

:hi:

[NewJeffCT]

2. We got a great fare to Rome two years ago

Direct from JFK in NYC to Rome was $400 round trip and that was also mid-April. We had fantastic weather in Rome (sunny & low 70s the whole week)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I'm not surprised that Rome had better weather!

It IS a lot further south...

Did you ever see the movie "Enchanted April"?

I think you would appreciate it...

It's about several ladies from London who rent a villa in Italy....in April.

[sarge43]

4. What CaliforniaPeggy said.

There's a reason why the Queen's birthday celibration is held in June rather during her birth month of April.

However, whenever, if you have the chance to visit London, do it.

"The man who is tired of London is tired of life." Samuel Johnson. True then, true now

Take rain gear and sweaters.

[HipChick]

8. if you like cold,wet, rainy..soggy days

it's just fine around that time of year..

[ohiosmith]

5. Been there. A little chilly, a little rain. April is pretty dry. Take an umbrella, you'll be fine.

[Aristus]

6. Very, VERY, rainy...BUT!...

The last week of April when I was there, and the first few weeks of May, were gorgeous and delightful. Beautiful clear blue skies and great weather. Time of the year is very important...

[NewJeffCT]

15. Believe it or not

when I looked it up online, it said that April is one of London's drier months...

http://golondon.about.com/od/londoncalendar/a/calendarapril.htm

* Average High: 57°F (14°C)
* Average Low: 42°F (6°C)
* Average wet days: 11 days
* Average daily sunshine: 5.5 hours
* You may have heard of the 'April showers' but this is actually one of the driest months.

[RebelOne]

7. I was in London in February and again in March

a couple of years later. Quite chilly, but bearable. I loved it anyway. There is so much to see and do that you won't notice the weather. Go for it. The airfare is worth it.

[NewJeffCT]

9. Thanks - we live in Connecticut

so, I doubt cold will be a problem.

[Angry Dragon]

10. Have a different pint in every pub.........

Guinness ...... nectar of the gods

[T_i_B]

22. Or just go in the Harp or the Cask & Kitchen

The Harp (near covent garden) is CAMRA's national pub of the year so you won't be short of choice in there. The Cask & Kitchen in Pimlico is expensive (as most London pubs are) but has the most amazing selection of beer.

I'm certain to pay the Euston Tap a visit when I'm next in London as well.

[Moondog]

11. A rainy day in London beats the stuffings out of a sunny day in most cities of the US.

Spring weather in London, as several others have noted, is hit or miss. But most of the attractions are indoors, not outdoors. Go. That is a very cheap fare. Besides, if you go in summer when the weather is more likely to be clear, you will be inundated with tourists, and prices will be higher.

[pitohui]

12. probably GREAT! i usually do these cheap LON runs in feb or march

because of the gulf stream (& i guess global warming) london is never really dickensian cold, i've been doing feb/march runs since the 1980s, and i always have a great time

in april you're already getting spring weather plus longer daylight hours, it may rain at any time of the year in london but they sell umbrellas everywhere should you need one...

if i didn't have multiple other trips already planned i'd be all over this, even the business class fares are cheap and other parts of europe are cheaper still, some folks are reporting fares boston and miami to paris/CDG SO CHEAP where you can't afford to stay home IN BUSINESS!!!

enjoy your visit! i never mind going in feb (winter, when it's dark) because violent crime is just "not done" in london (oh, they think it's the criminal heart of europe, creating quite a chuckle to somebody from the southern part of the usa) and you can go all over on public transport even at night -- april should be glorious!

any day the weather is bad, there are zillions of free world class museums like the tate, any day the weather is glorious, there is greenwich and the wonderful public parks

GO FOR IT!!! some people are also getting open-jaws etc for paris and other european destinations, do it, do it, do it...my april is booked or you'd totally see me there, that's for sure

[triguy46]

13. Are you wanting to get a tan? At those prices go, the hell with the weather.

It's off season tourist wise which is very good. Take a good all weather kind of jacket, good walking shoes and have fun. I've been many times in late March and the weather never stopped us from doing what we wanted to do.

[marmar]

14. I've been to London in late June with lousy, rainy weather......

..... so I don't think it could be all that much worse in April. Go for it. Ville Londres is great in any weather.

[WinkyDink]

16. Been there 3 Spring/Easter breaks with h.s. students. Temps were light-jacket worthy. Like Spring!

[PassingFair]

17. I think that's the month of the ROYAL WEDDING...but it will be beautiful.

Green Park, April

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Green_Park,_London_-_April_2007.jpg

[T_i_B]

18. Royal Wedding is April 29th

So be aware of that because naturally there will be crowds.

As to the weather, it's Britain so it will be changeable. I'm not so daft as to even think about predicting how the weather will go.

[bif]

19. I've been there several times in April

And had great weather! It beats going mid-summer when all the tourists are there.

[bikebloke]

20. I was lucky.

About 3 or 4 years ago, I went to London for work. It was rather nice. They had the London Marathon at the time. After work, I'd go back to the hotel, change into shorts then go walking the city.

Though I'd expect it's usually chilly and wet. If you plan on indoor activities like museums and drinking, it won't matter.

[WolverineDG]

21. Cold, rainy

but if the sun is out, wow. :)

I wouldn't let the cold, wet weather keep me from going to London, though. :)

dg

[jannyk]

23. Ever heard of 'April Showers' - well we (Brits) invented them

I spent the first 28 years of my life in London, and much visit time since. April's a funny month - can be downright cold and wet or sunny/warm and wet (hence the showers - they come out of nowhere on a sunny day).

Do you have a raincoat with a zip out lining? A brolly - (tho' not for the amateur in London - brolly wielding in a city of 8 million is not for the novice)?

Lots of layers my dear, with the very outer one being waterproof (but not a heavyweight) and the very inner layer ready for San Tropez. And then you will be ready for the weather in London in April!!

[NewJeffCT]

25. While I know nothing is for certain

March & April are supposed to be the driest months of the year in London.

http://www.visitlondon.com/travel/weather

[jannyk]

26. Ne'er cast a clout 'til May be out!

I only grew up there, I'm the only family member that ever left there, what do I know? :shrug:

[LeftishBrit]

24. Could be almost anything...

The saying is, 'England has no climate, only weather'.

That being said, it's unlikely at that time to be either very warm or very cold (i.e. you'll likely need a coat, but there won't be a frost); and there is a pretty good chance of rain at that time.

In any case, I hope you have a great time!