When to go

Bristol: month by month

Average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and daylight for each month, what to pack, and the bank holidays that can change crowds and prices. Averages are Met Office 1991-2020 figures, not a forecast.

Bristol guide · Rainy-day ideas in Bristol

For a dry day and a wet one: photos from our guide, with where to find each place.

Bristol climate by month

Warmest month: July (highs about 22°C). Coolest: January (about 8°C). Wettest: November (90 mm). Driest: April (48 mm).

Station: Filton. Mean daily maximum and minimum, rainfall, days with 1 mm or more, sunshine hours and day length.
MonthMax °CMin °CRain mmRain daysSun hoursDaylight
January8.12.48213618 h 19
February8.52.45810789 h 50
March10.83.7531012311 h 50
April13.85.5481017413 h 51
May17.08.4581020715 h 41
June19.811.4561021916 h 36
July21.713.4591022016 h 06
August21.313.2751119014 h 31
September18.811.0641015312 h 29
October14.88.3861310810 h 29
November11.05.19015688 h 46
December8.42.89014577 h 51

Source: Met Office, Filton, 1991-2020 averages (Open Government Licence v3.0). Daylight is calculated from the latitude of Bristol for the 15th of each month. Filton is about 7 km north of Bristol city centre, on the edge of the built-up area; central Bristol is usually slightly warmer.

Pick a month

Choose a month for what to expect, what to pack and the bank holidays. Without JavaScript every month is listed below.

January in Bristol

2–8°CTypical night to day
82 mmRain, 13 days
8 h 19Daylight
61 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.1°C at the warmest and nights 2.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 82 mm of rain falls over roughly 13 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 61 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 19 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the coolest month on average.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 19 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 61 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (13 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jan

  • Fri, 1 Jan 2027: New Year’s Day
  • Mon, 3 Jan 2028: New Year’s Day

February in Bristol

2–9°CTypical night to day
58 mmRain, 10 days
9 h 50Daylight
78 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.5°C at the warmest and nights 2.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 58 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 78 hours of sunshine in the month and 9 h 50 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 9 h 50 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.
  • Averaging about 78 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Feb

No bank holidays in England in February for the next two years.

March in Bristol

4–11°CTypical night to day
53 mmRain, 10 days
11 h 50Daylight
123 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 10.8°C at the warmest and nights 3.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 53 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 123 hours of sunshine in the month and 11 h 50 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 11 h 50 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Mar

  • Fri, 26 Mar 2027: Good Friday
  • Mon, 29 Mar 2027: Easter Monday

April in Bristol

6–14°CTypical night to day
48 mmRain, 10 days
13 h 51Daylight
174 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 13.8°C at the warmest and nights 5.5°C at the coolest.
  • About 48 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more, the driest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 174 hours of sunshine in the month and 13 h 51 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 13 h 51 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Apr

  • Fri, 14 Apr 2028: Good Friday
  • Mon, 17 Apr 2028: Easter Monday

May in Bristol

8–17°CTypical night to day
58 mmRain, 10 days
15 h 41Daylight
207 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 17.0°C at the warmest and nights 8.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 58 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 207 hours of sunshine in the month and 15 h 41 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 15 h 41 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in May

  • Mon, 3 May 2027: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 31 May 2027: Spring bank holiday
  • Mon, 1 May 2028: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 29 May 2028: Spring bank holiday

June in Bristol

11–20°CTypical night to day
56 mmRain, 10 days
16 h 36Daylight
219 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.8°C at the warmest and nights 11.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 56 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 219 hours of sunshine in the month and 16 h 36 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 36 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jun

No bank holidays in England in June for the next two years.

July in Bristol

13–22°CTypical night to day
59 mmRain, 10 days
16 h 06Daylight
220 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 21.7°C at the warmest and nights 13.4°C at the coolest.
  • About 59 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 220 hours of sunshine in the month, the sunniest of the year and 16 h 06 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the warmest month on average.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 06 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jul

No bank holidays in England in July for the next two years.

August in Bristol

13–21°CTypical night to day
75 mmRain, 11 days
14 h 31Daylight
190 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 21.3°C at the warmest and nights 13.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 75 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 190 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 31 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 31 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Aug

  • Mon, 30 Aug 2027: Summer bank holiday
  • Mon, 28 Aug 2028: Summer bank holiday

September in Bristol

11–19°CTypical night to day
64 mmRain, 10 days
12 h 29Daylight
153 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 18.8°C at the warmest and nights 11.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 64 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 153 hours of sunshine in the month and 12 h 29 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 12 h 29 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Sep

No bank holidays in England in September for the next two years.

October in Bristol

8–15°CTypical night to day
86 mmRain, 13 days
10 h 29Daylight
108 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 14.8°C at the warmest and nights 8.3°C at the coolest.
  • About 86 mm of rain falls over roughly 13 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 108 hours of sunshine in the month and 10 h 29 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 10 h 29 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (13 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Oct

No bank holidays in England in October for the next two years.

November in Bristol

5–11°CTypical night to day
90 mmRain, 15 days
8 h 46Daylight
68 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 11.0°C at the warmest and nights 5.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 90 mm of rain falls over roughly 15 days with 1 mm or more, the wettest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 68 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 46 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 46 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 68 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (15 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Nov

No bank holidays in England in November for the next two years.

December in Bristol

3–8°CTypical night to day
90 mmRain, 14 days
7 h 51Daylight
57 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.4°C at the warmest and nights 2.8°C at the coolest.
  • About 90 mm of rain falls over roughly 14 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 57 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 51 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 51 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 57 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (14 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Dec

  • Fri, 25 Dec 2026: Christmas Day
  • Mon, 28 Dec 2026: Boxing Day
  • Mon, 27 Dec 2027: Christmas Day
  • Tue, 28 Dec 2027: Boxing Day

Holidays and busy periods

Bank holidays for England come from GOV.UK, listed for the next two years in each month above. Many Britons travel on bank holiday weekends, so book transport and rooms early.

School holidays are set by each local council, so we do not list dates here. Check School term and holiday dates (GOV.UK).

From our Bristol guide

Bristol works all year. Museums, theatres and the covered St Nicholas Market help on wet days, and the harbour, the Downs and Leigh Woods reward dry ones.

  • Spring (March to May): A good time for walking in Leigh Woods and on the Downs, and for the first waterside terraces.
  • Summer (June to August): Harbourside terraces and boat trips are at their busiest. Wikivoyage's Bristol guide says major festivals are held in summer, so check organisers' sites for dates.
  • Autumn (September to November): Quieter streets, woodland colour in Leigh Woods and a full programme at theatres and music venues.
  • Winter (December to February): Days are short and can be wet. Museums, galleries, theatres and covered markets carry the itinerary.

We do not publish crowd or price seasonality: none of the sources used for this page states it.

How we work this out

  • Temperatures, rainfall, rain days and sunshine are the Met Office 1991-2020 monthly averages for one weather station (Filton). They describe a typical month, not a forecast. We never call a live weather service for this page.
  • Packing: warm coat below 10°C highs, warm jacket below 15°C, light layers below 20°C. A full waterproof when a month has 12 or more days with 1 mm of rain or at least 80 mm; a light waterproof from 9 days; sunscreen and a hat from May to September. Shoes with grip when typical nights are 3°C or colder.
  • Daylight is the astronomical day length, including the usual allowance for atmospheric refraction, on the 15th of the month at the latitude of Bristol.

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