Best time to visit UK

In England, it’s the coldest month of the year, with snow settling over the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales while London ticks along on short, crisp days.

Scotland is also bitterly cold and icy winds blow in off the coast in Edinburgh. Burns Night (25th) is celebrated nationwide with whisky, haggis and wonderful poetry readings.

The quietest, cheapest month to visit either country, with hotel rates at their lowest of the year.

It’s still cold in both countries, though usually a touch drier than January. Snowdrops begin pushing through English gardens toward the month's end.

The Scottish Highlands are icy cold but still covered in a dusting of snow making this an excellent time of year for skiing.

London Fashion Week adds a burst of glamour to the capital.

Low-season pricing continues and February is one of the best-value months of the year.

Daffodils appear across English gardens and hedgerows, and Bath's Literature Festival gets underway.

In Scotland, the frost starts to thaw in the south and around Edinburgh, but the Highlands and Cairngorms hold onto their snow.

A quiet, good-value window before the Easter crowds arrive.

Blossoms and bluebells fill the English orchards and hedgerows by late April, and Easter brings the year's first busy season and usually, higher rates.

April is Edinburgh's driest month of the year, and at the end of the month, Beltane, a pagan fire festival, draws crowds to Calton Hill in the heart of the city.

The Highlands' ski season winds down as slopes in the Cairngorms and West Highlands close for the year.

The Chelsea Flower Show takes over London in late May and most of England's gardens at their showiest and brightest.

Scotland's countryside turns to wildflowers and rhododendrons, and World Whisky Day (the third Saturday) is a good excuse for a distillery detour - and some tasting.

Long daylight hours, mild temperatures and the start of Highland Games season make this one of the best all-round months in either country.

Public holidays bookend the month, so the first and last weekends are often busy.

Wimbledon and Royal Ascot dominate England's social calendar and the weather is warm and generally dry.

Scotland's midges arrive from June and linger until September. Insect repellent is a must if the Highlands or West Coast are on your itinerary.

With almost 17.5 hours of daylight in Scotland (and more further north), the evenings are long and perfect for beach walks and late dinners.

Most schools in Europe are on holiday in July, making this a busy time to visit

The weather is reliably (sometimes!) warm in England and nice but cooler in Scotland, though rain is never fully off the table.

Music festivals dominate the English summer, while Scotland's Highland shows and agricultural fairs continue across the country.

Edinburgh is at full volume: the Fringe (the world's largest arts festival) and the Military Tattoo take over the city and rooms are booked out months ahead.

London's spectacular Notting Hill Carnival closes out the month on the August bank holiday.

August attracts peak pricing, but it’s the trade-off for the liveliest atmosphere of the year.

Widely considered one of the best months to visit the UK. Expect warm, dry weather and peace and quiet as the summer crowds ease (although Scotland can still be wet).

The Braemar Gathering, Scotland's most famous Highland Games, takes place just north of Pitlochry.

Down south, England’s harvest festivals get underway, including York's Food and Drink Festival and Bath's Jane Austen Festival.

Autumn colour peaks with purple heather blanketing the Yorkshire Dales, and the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye putting on their best display toward the month's end.

October is cool, crisp and notably less rainy than other months making for good walking weather in both countries.

Some Highland hotels and attractions begin closing for the season from mid-month, but England stays fully open with half-term holidays adding a busy week in the middle.

A quiet, atmospheric month in both countries with shorter, cooler days, and noticeably fewer visitors.

Bonfire Night (5th) lights up the skies with fireworks, while St Andrew's Day (30th) in Scotland is marked with feasts and dancing.

The first snowfall often arrives in the Scottish Highlands and the ski season begins.

Christmas markets and lights brighten towns and cities across the country from early in the month.

Edinburgh is the place to be for Hogmanay (Scottish New Year), with fire dancers, fireworks and one of the world's great New Year parties.

Days are short and dark but often crisp and clear and it’s a magical, if chilly, time to visit either country.