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The summer months of June – August are the best time to visit Wales. Wales is beautiful year-round but summer offers better weather, a host of events, and more tourist infrastructure.
You’re most likely to see visitors to Wales in the glorious sunshine during the summer months of June – August. But you’ll have a wonderful trip no matter when you visit! The best time to visit really depends on what destinations you visit in Wales and what you want to do while there.
As a local, I’ll guide you through some of the season changes and highlights throughout the year to help you choose when to visit Wales.
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Table of Contents
When is the Best Time to Visit Wales
Wales changes with every season and is beautiful all year round. But the summer months (June – August) are a particularly great time to visit Wales.
You can explore Wales’ beautiful nature, national parks, and spectacular coastline any time of the year. Wales changes with every season and typically has unpredictable weather year-round. So it can be hard to decide when to visit!
As a local, I’ll give you an overview of the seasons, weather, and climate. I’ll talk you through when the best time to visit for outdoor activities, beach days, and events. And I’ll cover when to visit for families and to avoid crowds.
As Wales’ breathtaking green scenery is partly thanks to a wetter climate, you’ll need to pack a raincoat whenever you visit!
When to Visit Wales for Outdoor Activities
June – August is the best time to visit for outdoor activities. There are higher average air and sea temperatures in Wales during the summer months.
Summer is the high season in Wales and it can get busy. This means that popular places for outdoor activities are often better equipped for visitors. There are generally more bus connections and facilities open in summer, making it easier to explore.
Summer is a great time to do outdoor activities in one of Wales’ three National Parks: Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Bear in mind that the mountainous heart of Wales is generally the wettest region of the country. Always check the forecast before doing activities outdoors to stay safe.
To get planning, check out my list of the best activities and attractions in Wales.
When to Visit Wales for Beach Days
The best time to visit for a beach day is in June – August. The summer is the hottest period of the year, and the sea temperature is highest in August. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to do water sports like sea kayaking at some of Wales’ bigger beaches.
The Wales Coast Path is a spectacular walking route around the country’s entire coastline. It goes past popular beach areas like the Gower Peninsula and Llŷn Peninsula.
There are more frequent bus services connecting rural coastal areas during the summer.
Beaches can get busy on sunny days. Don’t let wet and windy weather dampen your beach dreams! These can be some of the best days for surfing and catching the Welsh coast at its wildest.
When to Visit Wales for Families and Kids
The best time to visit for families and kids is in the summer months (June – August). Many popular family-friendly attractions are open longer during summer and offer a programme of fun events. The Welsh school summer holidays typically run from mid-July to the start of September.
There are some great family-oriented places to visit in Wales for both indoor and outdoor activities. These are a perfect choice if you have a wet day during your summer holiday! Popular destinations include Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo and GreenWood Family Park.
When to Visit Wales for Festivals and Events
Wales has a large calendar of festivals and events throughout the year. Some major events happen during the summer.
Here are some highlights of summer events in Wales:
- The Royal Welsh Show (mid-July) is a momentous event in the agricultural calendar. It takes place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.
- The National Eisteddfod (in August) is a celebration of Welsh literature, music, food, and much more! It takes place in a different spot each year and is a pinnacle of Welsh culture.
- Green Man Festival (mid-August) is a lively music and arts festival in the Brecon Beacons. It is known as a family-friendly festival.
- The Gower Festival (early July) is a music festival that hosts talented musicians from around the world. It takes place in beautiful churches and chapels around the Gower.
When to Visit Wales for Fewer Crowds
October to February is the best time to visit if you want to avoid crowds. The low season in Wales is between October and February when the weather is generally wetter and colder.
You might not be able to do as many outdoor activities as in the warmer, drier months of the year. But you’ll have more peace and quiet when exploring! You may also get a more authentic taste of rural, Welsh life without lots of other tourists.
Another bonus of visiting Wales in the low season is that it might be cheaper. There is less demand for accommodation throughout this period, so you might find a good bargain!
Wales Travel Seasons
Visiting Wales in Spring (March – May)
The weather in spring is warm with an average high temperature of 10°C (50°F) to 16°C (61°F). It is a relatively windy season and has around 7 days of rainfall per month on average.
One of my favourite things about spring is that the beautiful spring flowers are in full bloom!
March is an important month for Welsh culture. Wales celebrates St David’s Day, their Patron Saint, on March 1st. The Six Nations Rugby Championship is an important fixture for Wales rugby fans. The Championship culminates in mid-March.
There are several UK-wide bank holidays in spring, making it a popular time for British people to go on holiday for long weekends. Apart from bank holiday weekends and rugby match days, you can expect fewer crowds in this period.
👉 If you’re a bookworm, don’t miss the Hay Festival at the end of May – beginning of June. This world-famous literary festival takes place annually in the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye, known as the Town of Books.
Visiting Wales in Summer (June – August)
Summer is typically the season with good weather in Wales. But the Welsh summer isn’t tropical! The maximum average temperature is between 17°C (63°F) and 21°C (70°F) depending on where you are in the country. July is usually the hottest month of the year, but you should still expect rain on a few days.
A much-loved sunny day in Wales is a great time to explore the outdoors and watch a spectacular sunset at the coast.
A summer day out in Wales isn’t complete without packing suncream and a rain jacket – to prepare for all eventualities!
Visiting Wales in Autumn (September – November)
The temperatures are cooler, ranging from an average high of 17°C in September to an average low of 4°C in November. October is the rainiest month of the year with an average rainfall of 50 millimetres.
Regardless of the weather, autumn is a wonderful time to visit Wales. The heavy rainfall means that the many waterfalls across Wales look particularly spectacular. And the autumn leaves are stunning!
There are also some popular festivals held in these months:
- 👨🍳 Abergavenny Food Festival (mid-September) is the perfect place to sample incredible food and drink and hear from top chefs.
- 📚 The Dylan Thomas festival (starting on the 27 October) is a cultural event celebrating the Welsh literary legend.
- 🎶The Porthcawl Elvis Festival (mid-September) is a big seaside celebration of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – the largest Elvis event in Europe!
Visiting Wales in Winter (December – February)
It can get cold and wet in winter. Average winter temperatures are usually between 2°C (36°F) and 7°C (50°F). January is the coldest month.
I love a crisp winter morning walk when the landscape is frosty. There are on average 40 to 110 days of ground frost each year, depending on whether you’re near the Welsh coast or inland. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch Wales in the snow too! Snow is more likely in the mountains.
Most villages, towns, and cities in Wales have a magical display of Christmas lights in the festive season. There are many wonderful festive events, too. You could go ice skating in Cardiff Castle or visit Santa and his elves in an underground grotto at Zip World, Llechwedd!
Wales Weather and Climate
Wales generally has a maritime climate. It is often mild but wet and cloudy. Wales is a windy country, and coastal areas are usually windier than towns sheltered by mountains.
Average temperatures typically range from 2°C (36°F) to 21°C (70°F). The highest average temperatures are in the summer months but rarely reach above 26°C (79°F). The lowest average temperatures are between October and February and rarely drop below -3°C (27°F).
The weather varies across the country just like the spectacular landscape. It is generally cooler the higher you go and milder near the coast. North Wales and Mid Wales are the highest parts of the country and tend to be cooler than coastal regions like Pembrokeshire.
The weather can be very geographically specific and quickly change. You might get caught in a downpour of rain and then see the cloud move to the next valley!
👉 Read Next: Best Day Trips from Cardiff
Tips for Visiting Wales
Keep Plans Flexible
Welsh weather is very unpredictable and changes regularly. Try and keep your plans flexible so you can change them depending on the weather. I recommend always having a plan B in mind if your planned activity or destination is weather-dependent.
Stay Safe and Sensible
It may seem obvious, but you need to be sensible when exploring Wales’ amazing nature. Keep in mind the weather forecast, transport, tide times, and daylight hours. And always wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather.
You want happy lasting memories of your trip to Wales!
Talk to Locals
Welsh people are renowned for being a friendly bunch. Locals often know the weather patterns of their area better than anyone else! And weather is a popular subject of conversation across Britain. Ask people if you’re unsure about something or want to learn more.
Always Check the Most Recent Bus Timetable
Public transport is a great way to get around when visiting Wales. Always check the bus stop and online for the most recent bus timetable. Bus timetables in Wales – especially for rural bus routes – usually change throughout the year. Some routes offer more services in the summer or change during school holidays.
FAQs About When to Visit Wales
When is the high season in Wales?
The summer months of June – August are the high season in Wales. Popular destinations in Wales can get busy during the peak season. The shoulder seasons of March – May and September are also popular periods to visit Wales.
What is the best month to go to Wales?
July is the best month to visit Wales. It is typically the hottest month of the year with less rainfall. There is more tourist infrastructure during the summer months, such as bus connections and more facilities.
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Thanks for reading my guide to when to visit Wales. I’m sure you’ll love Wales whenever you go! Next up, check out my guide to when to visit Cardiff.
