Things to Do in England in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in England
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring at its absolute peak - gardens across England are spectacular in May, with bluebells carpeting ancient woodlands (particularly in the South East) and formal gardens like those at RHS Wisley hitting their stride. You'll catch wisteria draping Georgian townhouses and late tulips still showing off.
- Bank Holiday Monday falls on May 5th in 2026, meaning locals take long weekends and there's a festive atmosphere without the full summer tourist crush. Many villages hold their spring fetes and morris dancing events this weekend specifically.
- Daylight stretches gloriously long - you're looking at sunset around 8:30pm by late May, giving you genuinely useful evening hours for sightseeing after the day-trippers have left. The light has that particular golden quality photographers obsess over.
- Weather sits in that sweet spot where it's warm enough (typically 15-18°C or 59-64°F during the day) for outdoor activities without the unpredictable thunderstorms of high summer or the baking crowds of July-August. Locals actually eat outside at pub gardens without needing three layers.
Considerations
- Half-term school holiday hits the last week of May (May 25-29 in 2026), which means domestic tourism spikes suddenly. Attractions like the Tower of London and Stonehenge get noticeably busier, and accommodation prices in popular spots like Bath and the Cotswolds jump 20-30% that final week.
- Rain remains genuinely unpredictable - you'll average 10 rainy days but the showers can be persistent rather than the brief afternoon bursts you might expect. Pack for four seasons in one day because that's actually how it works here, not just a cliché locals trot out.
- Some coastal areas and northern regions still feel properly chilly, especially mornings and evenings when temperatures drop to 8-10°C (46-50°F). The Lake District and Scottish borders won't have that summery feel yet, and you'll see locals in proper jackets while tourists shiver in their optimistic shorts.
Best Activities in May
Cotswolds Village Walking Routes
May is genuinely the ideal month for walking the Cotswolds before summer crowds arrive. The countryside is absurdly green, wildflowers line the footpaths, and villages like Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury are manageable rather than overrun. Morning temperatures around 10-12°C (50-54°F) are perfect for hiking, warming to comfortable 16-18°C (61-64°F) by afternoon. The limestone villages photograph beautifully under May's softer light, and pub gardens are actually open with locals willing to sit outside.
London Royal Park Cycling
With 15-plus hours of daylight and parks in full bloom, cycling through Richmond Park, Hyde Park, and along the Thames Path is exceptional in May. You'll catch deer in Richmond Park during their calmer season, and the tree canopy provides natural cover during those brief showers. Early morning rides (7-9am) let you experience London before the city fully wakes, with temperatures around 10°C (50°F) - crisp but not cold.
Historic Garden Tours
England's historic gardens are specifically designed for May viewing - this is when head gardeners plan their peak displays. Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, and Hidcote are at their absolute best, with May being the bridge between spring bulbs and summer perennials. The 70% humidity actually helps rather than hinders, keeping everything lush. Weekday visits in early-to-mid May mean you'll share these spaces with serious gardeners rather than tour groups.
Peak District Hiking Routes
May offers the Peak District before the full summer rush but after the muddy spring thaw. Trails around Castleton, Dovedale, and the Kinder Scout plateau are properly walkable, with streams running full from spring rains but paths dried enough for good footing. You'll get that dramatic scenery with changing weather patterns creating atmospheric conditions - clouds rolling over hills, sudden sunshine breaking through. Pack for 8-16°C (46-61°F) temperature swings.
Bath and Roman Heritage Walking
Bath is manageable in May before the July-August onslaught. The Roman Baths, Georgian architecture, and surrounding countryside benefit from longer daylight hours and that spring freshness. Walking the city and nearby villages like Lacock works beautifully in 15-18°C (59-64°F) weather - warm enough to enjoy outdoor exploration without the exhausting heat. The Thermae Bath Spa rooftop pool makes particular sense during cooler May evenings around 10-12°C (50-54°F).
Literary England Trail Experiences
May weather is ideal for exploring literary England - Stratford-upon-Avon for Shakespeare, the Lake District for Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, Haworth for the Brontës. These locations combine indoor museum visits (useful during those 10 rainy days) with outdoor countryside that inspired the writing. The Dove Cottage gardens in Grasmere and Anne Hathaway's gardens in Stratford are specifically planted for May displays. Fewer tourists mean you can actually absorb the atmosphere.
May Events & Festivals
Chelsea Flower Show
The absolute pinnacle of British gardening happens May 20-24, 2026 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. This is where the RHS unveils cutting-edge garden design and nurseries debut new plant varieties. Tickets are genuinely competitive - members get first access, public tickets typically sell out weeks ahead. It's expensive (45-100 GBP depending on day) but if you care about gardens or want to see Britain's horticultural obsession at peak intensity, nothing else compares.
Brighton Festival
England's largest arts festival runs throughout May (typically May 3-25 in 2026) with theatre, music, visual arts, and street performances across Brighton. The seaside location means you can combine cultural events with beach walks along the 8 km (5 mile) promenade. Events range from free outdoor performances to ticketed shows (15-40 GBP). The festival atmosphere transforms the city and locals actually participate rather than just tolerate tourists.
Hay Festival of Literature and Arts
Held in Hay-on-Wye (the Welsh borders town famous for bookshops) typically in late May, this brings major authors, thinkers, and performers to a small market town. The 2026 dates will likely fall May 21-31. Tickets for individual talks run 12-25 GBP, with day passes around 50-70 GBP. The surrounding countryside and bookshop browsing make this worth building a 2-3 day trip around if you're remotely literary-minded.