Where to go in May
33 of our 41 regions pass every outdoor check in May. Windsor has the warmest highs (18.4°C on average) and Newcastle and Gateshead the lowest rainfall (42 mm). Numbers are Met Office 1991-2020 averages, not a forecast.
Best for May: regions that pass every outdoor check
A region is listed when, in May, average highs reach 10°C, there are fewer than 12 days with 1 mm of rain, rainfall is under 80 mm and daylight lasts at least 9 hours. These are the same thresholds we use for packing advice on When to go.
Suit May on the numbers
Cambridge (outdoor-leaning): highs 17.4°C, 43 mm of rain on 7.3 days, 15 h 47 of daylight.
Cambridge in May · TheatreWindsor (outdoor-leaning): highs 18.4°C, 46 mm of rain on 8.0 days, 15 h 41 of daylight.
Windsor in MayThe Jurassic Coast (outdoor-leaning): highs 15.7°C, 45 mm of rain on 8.2 days, 15 h 34 of daylight.
The Jurassic Coast in May · TheatreDevon (outdoor-leaning): highs 16.2°C, 54 mm of rain on 8.6 days, 15 h 35 of daylight.
Devon in MayYork (outdoor-leaning): highs 16.4°C, 43 mm of rain on 8.7 days, 16 h 03 of daylight.
York in May · TheatreSheffield (outdoor-leaning): highs 16.4°C, 55 mm of rain on 9.3 days, 15 h 58 of daylight.
Sheffield in MayCornwall (outdoor-leaning): highs 14.5°C, 61 mm of rain on 9.8 days, 15 h 31 of daylight.
Cornwall in May · TheatreLiverpool (outdoor-leaning): highs 15.9°C, 52 mm of rain on 9.8 days, 15 h 58 of daylight.
Liverpool in May · TheatreBath (outdoor-leaning): highs 17.1°C, 59 mm of rain on 10.0 days, 15 h 40 of daylight.
Bath in May · TheatreSt Andrews and Fife (outdoor-leaning): highs 14.5°C, 50 mm of rain on 10.0 days, 16 h 28 of daylight.
St Andrews and Fife in MayManchester (outdoor-leaning): highs 16.3°C, 56 mm of rain on 10.8 days, 15 h 59 of daylight.
Manchester in May · TheatreStirling and the Trossachs (outdoor-leaning): highs 15.7°C, 57 mm of rain on 11.2 days, 16 h 26 of daylight.
Stirling and the Trossachs in MayNorthern Ireland (outdoor-leaning): highs 15.7°C, 60 mm of rain on 11.5 days, 16 h 10 of daylight.
Northern Ireland in May · TheatreNorth Coast 500 (outdoor-leaning): highs 12.0°C, 50 mm of rain on 11.7 days, 16 h 51 of daylight.
North Coast 500 in MayNorfolk and the Broads (mixed): highs 16.3°C, 47 mm of rain on 7.9 days, 15 h 52 of daylight.
Norfolk and the Broads in MayCanterbury & Kent (mixed): highs 17.3°C, 50 mm of rain on 8.0 days, 15 h 39 of daylight.
Canterbury & Kent in MayBrighton & Hove (mixed): highs 16.3°C, 46 mm of rain on 8.3 days, 15 h 36 of daylight.
Brighton & Hove in MayNewcastle and Gateshead (mixed): highs 13.3°C, 42 mm of rain on 8.5 days, 16 h 13 of daylight.
Newcastle and Gateshead in MayLeeds (mixed): highs 16.4°C, 43 mm of rain on 8.7 days, 16 h 02 of daylight.
Leeds in MayStratford & Warwickshire (mixed): highs 17.3°C, 55 mm of rain on 9.0 days, 15 h 48 of daylight.
Stratford & Warwickshire in MayEdinburgh (mixed): highs 14.9°C, 48 mm of rain on 9.6 days, 16 h 24 of daylight.
Edinburgh in May · TheatreOxford (mixed): highs 17.7°C, 57 mm of rain on 9.6 days, 15 h 43 of daylight.
Oxford in May · TheatreThe Cotswolds (mixed): highs 16.8°C, 64 mm of rain on 10.2 days, 15 h 45 of daylight.
The Cotswolds in May · TheatreBristol (mixed): highs 17.0°C, 58 mm of rain on 10.3 days, 15 h 41 of daylight.
Bristol in May · TheatreCardiff (mixed): highs 17.4°C, 78 mm of rain on 11.2 days, 15 h 41 of daylight.
Cardiff in MayWales (mixed): highs 17.4°C, 78 mm of rain on 11.2 days, 15 h 48 of daylight.
Wales in May · TheatreThe Scottish Highlands (mixed): highs 14.8°C, 56 mm of rain on 11.4 days, 16 h 38 of daylight.
The Scottish Highlands in May · TheatrePortsmouth and Southampton (city-leaning): highs 18.0°C, 47 mm of rain on 7.7 days, 15 h 36 of daylight.
Portsmouth and Southampton in MayNottingham (city-leaning): highs 16.4°C, 50 mm of rain on 9.0 days, 15 h 54 of daylight.
Nottingham in MaySalisbury & Stonehenge (city-leaning): highs 17.0°C, 50 mm of rain on 9.0 days, 15 h 38 of daylight.
Salisbury & Stonehenge in MayBirmingham (city-leaning): highs 16.5°C, 61 mm of rain on 10.2 days, 15 h 50 of daylight.
Birmingham in MayOrkney (city-leaning): highs 12.2°C, 54 mm of rain on 11.9 days, 17 h 01 of daylight.
Orkney in MayAnglesey: highs 15.0°C, 52 mm of rain on 9.3 days, 15 h 57 of daylight.
Anglesey in MayClose: one or two checks tripped
Fewer than 2 of the three weather checks (cold, rain days, rainfall) tripped.
Glasgow (mixed): 12.1 days with 1 mm or more of rain.
highs 16.1°C, 69 mm of rain on 12.1 days, 16 h 23 of daylightThe Outer Hebrides (outdoor-leaning): 14.0 days with 1 mm or more of rain.
highs 12.6°C, 69 mm of rain on 14.0 days, 16 h 45 of daylightIslay and Jura: 12.4 days with 1 mm or more of rain.
highs 14.1°C, 70 mm of rain on 12.4 days, 16 h 22 of daylightIsle of Arran: 12.5 days with 1 mm or more of rain.
highs 15.0°C, 79 mm of rain on 12.5 days, 16 h 20 of daylightIsle of Bute: 12.5 days with 1 mm or more of rain.
highs 15.0°C, 79 mm of rain on 12.5 days, 16 h 23 of daylightThe Peak District (outdoor-leaning): 82 mm of rain.
highs 14.5°C, 82 mm of rain on 11.6 days, 15 h 57 of daylightThink twice about, in May
Outdoor-leaning and mixed regions (more than 30% of the sights we tag are outdoors) that trip 2 or more of the three weather checks this month. “Think twice” means plan around the weather, not “do not go”.
Plan around the weather
Mull and Iona (character unknown, 33% of tagged sights outdoors): 13.8 days with 1 mm or more of rain; 95 mm of rain.
Rainy-day ideas in Mull and Iona All May figuresThe Lake District (mixed, 41% of tagged sights outdoors): 12.4 days with 1 mm or more of rain; 82 mm of rain.
Rainy-day ideas in the Lake District All May figuresMay in numbers
- Warmest highs: Windsor 18.4°C, Portsmouth and Southampton 18.0°C, Oxford 17.7°C. Coolest: North Coast 500 (12.0°C).
- Lowest rainfall: Newcastle and Gateshead 42 mm, Cambridge 43 mm, Leeds 43 mm.
- Most sunshine hours: The Jurassic Coast 235 h, Anglesey 233 h, Cornwall 216 h.
- Longest days (calculated from latitude): Orkney 17 h 01, North Coast 500 16 h 51, The Outer Hebrides 16 h 45.
| Region | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Rain days | Sun hours | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anglesey | 15.0 | 8.6 | 52 | 9.3 | 233 | 15 h 57 |
| Bath | 17.1 | 7.8 | 59 | 10.0 | 197 | 15 h 40 |
| Birmingham | 16.5 | 7.3 | 61 | 10.2 | 187 | 15 h 50 |
| Brighton & Hove | 16.3 | 8.1 | 46 | 8.3 | n/a | 15 h 36 |
| Bristol | 17.0 | 8.4 | 58 | 10.3 | 207 | 15 h 41 |
| Cambridge | 17.4 | 7.4 | 43 | 7.3 | 183 | 15 h 47 |
| Canterbury & Kent | 17.3 | 8.0 | 50 | 8.0 | 214 | 15 h 39 |
| Cardiff | 17.4 | 8.5 | 78 | 11.2 | 198 | 15 h 41 |
| Cornwall | 14.5 | 8.8 | 61 | 9.8 | 216 | 15 h 31 |
| Devon | 16.2 | 9.1 | 54 | 8.6 | 216 | 15 h 35 |
| Edinburgh | 14.9 | 7.1 | 48 | 9.6 | 195 | 16 h 24 |
| Glasgow | 16.1 | 7.4 | 69 | 12.1 | 187 | 16 h 23 |
| Islay and Jura | 14.1 | 6.7 | 70 | 12.4 | n/a | 16 h 22 |
| Isle of Arran | 15.0 | 7.1 | 79 | 12.5 | 201 | 16 h 20 |
| Isle of Bute | 15.0 | 7.1 | 79 | 12.5 | 201 | 16 h 23 |
| Leeds | 16.4 | 6.9 | 43 | 8.7 | 188 | 16 h 02 |
| Liverpool | 15.9 | 8.3 | 52 | 9.8 | n/a | 15 h 58 |
| Manchester | 16.3 | 7.1 | 56 | 10.8 | 179 | 15 h 59 |
| Mull and Iona | 14.9 | 7.1 | 95 | 13.8 | 192 | 16 h 29 |
| Newcastle and Gateshead | 13.3 | 7.3 | 42 | 8.5 | 200 | 16 h 13 |
| Norfolk and the Broads | 16.3 | 7.8 | 47 | 7.9 | 207 | 15 h 52 |
| North Coast 500 | 12.0 | 5.5 | 50 | 11.7 | 191 | 16 h 51 |
| Northern Ireland | 15.7 | 7.0 | 60 | 11.5 | 185 | 16 h 10 |
| Nottingham | 16.4 | 7.5 | 50 | 9.0 | 191 | 15 h 54 |
| Orkney | 12.2 | 5.8 | 54 | 11.9 | 193 | 17 h 01 |
| Oxford | 17.7 | 8.2 | 57 | 9.6 | 200 | 15 h 43 |
| Portsmouth and Southampton | 18.0 | 9.2 | 47 | 7.7 | 215 | 15 h 36 |
| Salisbury & Stonehenge | 17.0 | 7.5 | 50 | 9.0 | 212 | 15 h 38 |
| Sheffield | 16.4 | 7.8 | 55 | 9.3 | 198 | 15 h 58 |
| St Andrews and Fife | 14.5 | 6.1 | 50 | 10.0 | 209 | 16 h 28 |
| Stirling and the Trossachs | 15.7 | 6.9 | 57 | 11.2 | 183 | 16 h 26 |
| Stratford & Warwickshire | 17.3 | 7.1 | 55 | 9.0 | 196 | 15 h 48 |
| The Cotswolds | 16.8 | 7.0 | 64 | 10.2 | 192 | 15 h 45 |
| The Jurassic Coast | 15.7 | 9.3 | 45 | 8.2 | 235 | 15 h 34 |
| The Lake District | 15.8 | 6.8 | 82 | 12.4 | n/a | 16 h 08 |
| The Outer Hebrides | 12.6 | 6.4 | 69 | 14.0 | 205 | 16 h 45 |
| The Peak District | 14.5 | 6.1 | 82 | 11.6 | 185 | 15 h 57 |
| The Scottish Highlands | 14.8 | 6.4 | 56 | 11.4 | 184 | 16 h 38 |
| Wales | 17.4 | 8.5 | 78 | 11.2 | 198 | 15 h 48 |
| Windsor | 18.4 | 9.1 | 46 | 8.0 | 207 | 15 h 41 |
| York | 16.4 | 6.9 | 43 | 8.7 | 188 | 16 h 03 |
Met Office 1991-2020 averages, one station per region (see sources). Daylight is calculated for the 15th at the region’s latitude.
Dated events in May
Only events with dates confirmed on the organiser’s page, up to 4 per place. Always check the organiser before you travel.
Bath
- Party in the City21 May 2027 · Bath · source: Bath Festivals (official site)
- Bath Fringe Festival28 May 2027 – 13 Jun 2027 · Venues across Bath · source: Bath Fringe (official site)
Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Marathon Festival29 May 2027 – 30 May 2027 · Holyrood Park (Saturday races); Edinburgh to Musselburgh (Sunday) · source: Edinburgh Marathon Festival (official site)
Liverpool
- Liverpool Sound City1 May 2027 – 2 May 2027 · Liverpool city centre · source: Sound City (official site)
London
- Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep22 May 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 · Natural History Museum · source: Natural History Museum (official site)
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year16 Oct 2026 – 11 Jul 2027 · Natural History Museum · source: Natural History Museum (official site)
- Monet: Painting Time25 Feb 2027 – 27 Jun 2027 · Tate Modern · source: Tate (official What's on page)
- Ink22 Apr 2027 – 30 Aug 2027 · Tate Modern · source: Tate (official What's on page)
Manchester
- Manchester Jazz Festival21 May 2027 – 30 May 2027 · Venues across Manchester · source: Manchester Jazz Festival (official site)
Northern Ireland
- North West 20010 May 2027 – 15 May 2027 · North West 200 race week · source: North West 200 (official site)
The Scottish Highlands
- Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival28 Apr 2027 – 3 May 2027 · Distilleries and venues across Speyside · source: Spirit of Speyside (official site)
York
- Dante Festival12 May 2027 – 14 May 2027 · York Racecourse, Knavesmire · source: York Racecourse (official site)
Bank holidays in May
England and Wales
- 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
Scotland
- 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
Northern Ireland
- 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
From GOV.UK, next two years from this build. Many people travel on bank holiday weekends; we hold no sourced figure for how that changes crowds or prices, so check transport and rooms early.
Editorial note. We do not rank destinations or claim a month is “best” overall. We state no crowd or price levels because no source we fetched gives them. London has no Met Office station in our data yet.
Sources
- Met Office: Valley, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Bute: Rothesay, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Bath, Beechen Cliff School, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Winterbourne, University Of Birmingham, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Shoreham Airport, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Filton, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Cambridge, NIAB, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Cardiff, Bute Park, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Camborne, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Cirencester, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Teignmouth, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Garden No 2, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Paisley, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Inverness, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Islay: Port Ellen, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Weymouth, Wyke Regis, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Faversham, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Keswick, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Church Fenton, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Crosby, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Woodford, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Dunstaffnage, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Tynemouth, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Coltishall, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Wick Airport, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Belfast Newforge, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Nottingham, Watnall, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Kirkwall, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Stornoway Airport, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Oxford, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Buxton, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Southampton, Mayflower Park, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Boscombe Down, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Sheffield, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Leuchars, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Stirling S Wks, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Wellesbourne, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Heathrow, 1991-2020 averages
- Met Office: Church Fenton, 1991-2020 averages
- GOV.UK: UK bank holidays
- Event dates: the organiser pages linked in the events list, checked 2026-11-01.
Station notes: some stations sit near, not in, the town (for example Church Fenton for York, Woodford for Manchester). Daylight is calculated, not a Met Office figure.


