Things to Do in England in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in England
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Longest daylight hours of the year - sunset around 9:15pm means you can pack in a full day of sightseeing and still have evening light for riverside walks or outdoor pub gardens. You're getting roughly 16.5 hours of usable daylight, which genuinely changes how much you can accomplish.
- Gardens and countryside at absolute peak condition - English roses, lavender fields, and historic gardens like those at Sissinghurst and Hidcote are in full bloom. The countryside is that specific shade of green that only happens in early summer, before things get scorched or tired-looking.
- Festival season in full swing without school holiday crowds - Glastonbury, Trooping the Colour, Royal Ascot, and countless food festivals happen in June, but you're visiting before the mid-July school holidays when domestic tourism peaks. Hotels in non-London areas are still reasonably priced.
- Comfortable outdoor temperature for walking and exploring - that 20°C (68°F) average high is actually ideal for covering 16-19 km (10-12 miles) on foot daily without overheating. You can layer up or down as needed, and the extended daylight means you're not rushing to see things before dark.
Considerations
- Unpredictable weather requires flexible planning - June sits in that shoulder period where you might get three gorgeous days followed by a chilly, grey afternoon that feels more like April. You'll need indoor backup plans and the mindset that weather can shift within a single day. That 54 mm (2.1 inches) of rain doesn't sound like much, but it tends to arrive in sudden showers rather than predictable patterns.
- Major events drive up accommodation costs in specific areas - Royal Ascot week (mid-June) makes Windsor and surrounding areas expensive, Glastonbury Festival impacts Somerset pricing, and Wimbledon (starts late June) affects southwest London. If your dates overlap with these events and you're not attending them, you'll want to stay elsewhere or book months ahead.
- Tourist attractions get busy on weekends and around events - while you're avoiding the peak summer crush, June weekends at places like Stonehenge, Bath, and the Cotswolds still mean queues and crowded photo spots. The Tower of London and British Museum see their summer visitor patterns starting, though weekday mornings remain manageable.
Best Activities in June
Historic Garden Tours and Estate Visits
June is objectively the best month for England's gardens - roses are blooming, herbaceous borders are full, and places like Kew Gardens, Sissinghurst Castle Garden, and the gardens at Chatsworth are designed to peak now. The longer daylight hours mean you can visit in early evening when day-trippers have left. Temperature-wise, you're comfortable walking extensive grounds without overheating, and that 70% humidity actually helps the floral scents carry.
Coastal Walking Routes
The South West Coast Path, Seven Sisters cliffs, and Northumberland coastal sections are perfect in June before the peak summer crowds arrive. That 20°C (68°F) temperature is ideal for covering 13-19 km (8-12 miles) daily without the exhaustion you'd face in July-August heat. Wildflowers are out on clifftops, seabirds are nesting, and coastal villages haven't hit their August accommodation crunch yet. The extended daylight means you can start walks at 8am and still have light until after 9pm.
London Open-Air Theatre and Outdoor Events
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre runs through June with that 9:15pm sunset meaning performances happen in natural light transitioning to dusk - genuinely atmospheric in ways indoor theatre can't match. The South Bank, Somerset House courtyard, and various parks host outdoor cinema, food markets, and live music. That 11°C (52°F) evening low means you'll want layers, but it's not the teeth-chattering cold of spring or the unpredictable chill of September.
Peak District and Lake District Hiking
June gives you the best chance of clear weather in England's national parks before the summer tourist peak. Trails are dry enough that you're not dealing with spring mud, but vegetation is still green rather than the parched brown of late summer. That UV index of 8 is significant at higher elevations - you'll actually need sun protection on exposed ridges. The landscape looks postcard-perfect, and wild swimming in tarns and rivers is becoming comfortable as water temperatures rise.
Festival Circuit Experiences
June hosts some of England's most significant cultural events - Glastonbury Festival (if it's running in 2026), Trooping the Colour in London, Royal Ascot, and the start of Wimbledon. Beyond these marquee events, countless food festivals, music weekends, and county shows happen across the country. The weather is warm enough for outdoor festivals without the exhausting heat of July, and that extended daylight means events can run later without feeling rushed.
Historic City Walking and Pub Culture
Cities like Bath, York, Cambridge, and Oxford are ideal in June - warm enough for comfortable all-day walking, but those 10 rainy days mean you'll appreciate the mix of outdoor exploring and ducking into historic pubs, museums, and covered markets. The university cities have a different energy in June with term ending - less student hustle, more accessible college grounds. Pub gardens are actually usable in the evenings with that 11°C (52°F) low, though you'll want a jacket after 8pm.
June Events & Festivals
Trooping the Colour
The official birthday celebration for the monarch, typically held on the second Saturday in June. This is one of the most spectacular displays of British pageantry - over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians parade from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. You can watch from The Mall for free if you arrive very early (5-6am for decent spots), or ballot for seated tickets months in advance through the Household Division website. The RAF flypast happens around 1pm over Buckingham Palace.
Royal Ascot
Five days of high-end horse racing and social spectacle, usually the third week of June. Even if you're not into racing, it's fascinating for the fashion, the pageantry of the Royal Procession, and the sheer Britishness of it all. General admission to the Windsor Enclosure is the most accessible option - you'll see racing and people-watching without the strict dress codes of the Royal Enclosure. Book tickets 2-3 months ahead as popular days sell out.
Glastonbury Festival
When it runs (it takes occasional fallow years, so confirm 2026 status), Glastonbury is the world's most famous music and performing arts festival. Held on a farm in Somerset, it's a five-day event featuring hundreds of acts across multiple stages. Tickets sell out within hours when they go on sale in October the previous year. The festival completely transforms the surrounding area - accommodation within 48 km (30 miles) becomes scarce and expensive, so factor this into your England itinerary if it coincides with your dates.