The best months to visit Cambridge are June, July, August and September, when average highs sit in the comfortable low-20s and sunshine runs long — June reaches 20.7 °C with 10 rain days, while August is 22.6 °C with just 9 rain days. July and August fall in peak season, when school holidays fill the colleges, punts and streets, so June and September offer similar warmth with a calmer feel. Winter is the low season: December's high is 8.7 °C with only 3.2 hours of sunshine a day, quiet but cold and grey.
Best months JuneJulyAugustSeptember
Cambridge month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.4 °C | 1.8 °C | 11 | 4.2 h |
| February | 9.2 °C | 2.9 °C | 11 | 5.4 h |
| March | 11 °C | 3.8 °C | 13 | 6.7 h |
| April | 13.6 °C | 4.8 °C | 10 | 9.7 h |
| May | 17.2 °C | 8.4 °C | 11 | 10.6 h |
| June | 20.7 °C | 12 °C | 10 | 11.3 h |
| July | 22.6 °C | 14 °C | 12 | 11.2 h |
| August | 22.6 °C | 13.8 °C | 9 | 10.3 h |
| September | 19.9 °C | 11.6 °C | 10 | 8.4 h |
| October | 15.4 °C | 8.9 °C | 10 | 6.1 h |
| November | 10.6 °C | 5.1 °C | 11 | 4.5 h |
| December | 8.7 °C | 3.8 °C | 12 | 3.2 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Good for gardens and blossom before the summer rush, though still cool early on.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The prime window for punting and college visits — aim for June for warmth with fewer people.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is excellent; later autumn suits those wanting calm and mild days.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Best for festive atmosphere and low crowds if you don't mind grey, chilly days.
Notable events
- Summer (late July or August)
- Cambridge Folk Festival
- June
- May Bumps rowing races
- December (Christmas Eve)
- Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College
- December
- Mill Road Winter Fair
Frequently asked
Is Cambridge too hot in August?
No. August highs average 22.6 °C with 9 rain days, comfortably warm rather than sweltering, and one of the driest months for rain days.
What is the rainiest month in Cambridge?
March sees the most rain days at 13, though rain is fairly steady year-round; summer months like August have fewer at 9.
Is winter worth visiting Cambridge?
It's quiet and atmospheric, especially at Christmas, but cold — January highs are 7.4 °C and December offers only 3.2 hours of sunshine a day.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Cambridge area guide →
Areas of Cambridge
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Cambridge — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.