10 Things to Do in London in February

Today, London is one of the most diverse cities in the world; rich in history and traditions, it is home to some of the most vibrant cultures on the planet. The British capital attracts over 27 million visitors every year, making it the most visited city in Europe.

Specifically, February is an excellent month to visit London, as the winter chill tends to draw smaller crowds and queues are shorter. What’s more, the festive atmosphere of Valentine’s Day will captivate you. Below is a curated list of activities you should consider if you’re visiting London this month.

This attraction takes us straight behind the scenes of the making of one of the most iconic film sagas of all time. It’s a tour of the Harry Potter Park in London where you can see the actual sets from the legendary saga, as well as a wide variety of props, models and accessories used for the big-screen special effects.

If you’re wondering how to get to the Harry Potter Park at Warner Bros. Studios, you should know that it’s located in Leavesden, Hertfordshire; about 32 km north-west of London. Alternatively, you can book tickets that include transfers from London.

If you’re visiting London in February with your partner, resisting the festive Valentine’s Day atmosphere that permeates the city throughout the month will be mission impossible. London is the ideal setting for a Valentine’s Day that isn’t plagued by boring plans and seasonal clichés. In the British capital , some people even dress up for the occasion.

Without a doubt, the star attraction for this special evening is one of the Thames cruises. There is a wide range of prices for these cruises, to suit all budgets. You can choose from the most economical options, a one-hour trip from Westminster to Greenwich, to those that include dinner, right through to the most romantic: the sunset cruises.

Every year, from the first weeks of February until mid-March, Kew Gardens hosts its annual Orchid Festival. If you’re interested in plant life, this is an opportunity not to be missed and an experience that only London can offer.

The festival takes place in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, a climate-controlled space designed to maintain the tropical environment these beautiful flowers require.

Kew Gardens

This floral paradise in central London is the place to go if you fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle and polluted air of the city for a while. Here you’ll find countless species of plants and trees, several galleries of immaculately tended gardens, greenhouses and even an impressive display of a beehive.

London, as well as being a popular tourist destination, is a city famous for its theatre scene. Just like Broadway in New York, in the West End you’ll find the best musicals in London. That’s why tourists visiting the city always add a West End show to their list of things to do in London.

In turn, winter in London is the perfect time for theatre lovers to take advantage of the sales. Depending on the show, you can find discounted tickets and various offers. During December, January and February, theatre tickets are cheaper in an effort to encourage more people to venture out of the warmth of their homes.

This is an immersive experience in haute couture, featuring shows and presentations by British and international designers that fashion lovers thoroughly enjoy.

London Fashion Week is one of the four most important fashion weeks in the world and takes place every year in February and September. This event is held in other cities such as Paris, Milan and New York. Tickets for the event can be purchased directly on its website by selecting the designer you wish to see and contacting the event’s Press Office.

If you’re having trouble getting into the most exclusive events, here’s a tip: get tickets to attend the London Fashion Week Festival. It’s a more accessible and affordable event that takes place straight after London Fashion Week. You can take part in live talks with figures from the fashion industry, attend exclusive catwalk shows, get discounts at high-end shops and enjoy many other activities.

If you’re planning to visit London with children, we recommend taking part in the Imagine Children’s Festival, an arts festival designed primarily for children, which takes place every February for 12 days at the Southbank Centre. There are events for all ages, from babies to teenagers, and at least half of them are completely free!

This children’s festival, as well as being delightful, wholeheartedly celebrates the power of storytelling. We recommend that during your visit to London you take a look at the delightful range of activities and performances, as there is something for all ages and tastes. From music and art to storytelling and puppet shows, creativity is the order of the day.

Shrove Tuesday is a religious festival that precedes the 40-day fasting period of Lent. It is celebrated between 3 February and 9 March each year, and the English mark the occasion with their traditional pancake party. If you’re in London for this celebration, treat yourself and join in the fun with a mountain of pancakes and attend one of the famous pancake races.

What are Pancake Races?

It is a relay race where participants run down a street, frying pan in hand, flipping pancakes. It is a Shrove Tuesday tradition in England; although it takes place in almost every English town and city, historians trace its origins to Olney, Buckinghamshire. If you’d like to join in this unique celebration, here are a few ideas:

• The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race takes place at the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, from 12.30 pm.
• The Trowbridge Flipping Race takes place in Trowbridge from 10.30 am.
• The Greenwich Market Pancake Race takes place at Greenwich Market to raise funds for cancer research. Starting at 1.00 pm.
• The Parliamentary Pancake Race raises funds for the charity Rehab and takes place outside the Houses of Parliament from 10.15 am.
• The Lendenhall Market Pancake Race takes place right in the city centre, at Lendenhall Market, and free pancakes are given to the first 100 spectators.

Why do they celebrate Pancake Day?

The tradition behind this celebration involved the creative use of certain foods that people would voluntarily give up during Lent for fasting purposes; these foods are: butter, eggs and milk.

The London Classic Car Show is described as the event that every owner, collector, connoisseur or fan of classic cars must attend. It is a popular celebration held in February in the English capital, bringing together one of the most extensive collections in the whole of the UK.

Over the course of a couple of days, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a collection that usually features over 700 classic cars. At past events, an indoor driving track has been set up where the finest cars are showcased in action. Furthermore, you’ll have the opportunity not only to view but also to purchase some of the models on display and to network with influential figures and leading dealers in the sector.

It is London’s fourth most popular tourist attraction and one of the world’s most famous markets; around 10,000 tourists flock there every weekend, so it can get incredibly busy. Our advice is that, if you’re visiting London in February, make the most of the off-peak season and the quieter days to visit Camden Market and enjoy the experience even more.

What can you find at Camden Market?

Located in north London in an area known as Camden Town, it has a very different atmosphere to the rest of the city. Full of originality and an alternative vibe, the market is divided into six different areas, where you’ll find souvenir shops, alternative clothing, footwear, thousands of handcrafted items and, of course, great food!

What are Camden Market’s opening hours?

The official website states that Camden Market is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. During the winter months, these opening hours may vary from 8.30 am to 5 pm. Camden Market is open all year round and is only closed on Christmas Day.

Chinese New Year takes place every year around mid-February, varying by a few days or weeks. The celebration of this festival in London is one of the largest in the world outside Asia, which is why hundreds of thousands of people gather there every year.

Chinese New Year events in London are lively, fun and welcoming. They include dragon dances, traditional dishes and theatrical performances. The wonderful creative display of the Chinese New Year parade, organised by the Asian community, takes place right in the heart of London. Local bars and restaurants join in the celebrations by embracing the tradition and hosting themed parties in their venues.

If you decide to visit London in February, you should be prepared for fairly cold weather for most of the month. According to official data, the average maximum temperature is 8°C or 46°F, whilst the average minimum hovers around 2°C or 36°F.

There are an average of just 12 sunny days in February, with 16 days of rain or 10 days of rain and 3 days of snowfall. To sum up, you can expect sunshine on only half of your days in London during February. Make the most of those moments to enjoy outdoor activities such as the city’s main tours.

Due to the winter and its low temperatures, tourist numbers in London in February are below average compared to other months of the year in this destination.

February is the ideal month to travel to London on a budget. During this month, most tourists prefer to holiday in warmer destinations. This is a great advantage you should take advantage of: queues are reduced to almost nothing, so you can enjoy many more activities such as the capital’s main museums.

February is a good time to visit London on a tight budget, as it is the off-season and, due to the cold, many people do not consider it the best time to travel to London. A visit during February could end up costing much less than a similar trip during the high season months of June or July.

Although it is still quite cold, we are sure that the reduced ticket prices will encourage you to put up with it. During February, many accommodation providers offer discounts, and if you’re flying in from another country, you can also find discounts on flights. What’s more, you’ll also be able to enjoy reduced prices on day trips.

As we mentioned above, London is quite a cold destination during February, so you’ll need to have your winter clothes ready before you travel. As a general tip, avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes, as as well as the cold, the winds can be quite strong, which can lead to discomfort or a gust of wind blowing away one of your favourite items.

When travelling to London, make sure to pack the following in your suitcase:

• Warm winter clothing.
• Waterproof coats
• Waterproof boots
• Warm gloves and ear muffs.
• Hats, or coats with hoods, or both.
• Don’t forget your umbrella; you’ll be glad you brought it when the rain starts to fall.

As February in London is a month that promises the occasional shower, it’s a good idea to have alternative plans or activities lined up for when your weather app forecasts showers all day. Here’s a post on activities worth doing in London in winter:

Visiting London’s museums

Whether you’re interested in art, science or history, in London you’ll find some of the world’s most impressive museums, all with free admission to the public. Among the best museums in London are the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum.

Not included on this list is London’s wax museum, better known as Madame Tussauds; it is one of the few for which you’ll have to pay an entrance fee, but when you consider the wax figures you can find at Madame Tussauds, it’s well worth it.

A tour of the Tower of London

This is the ideal place to learn about British history and, whilst you’re at it, marvel at the wonderful display of the Royal Family’s Crown Jewels, including the Imperial State Crown. The guards are really friendly and entertain visitors who buy tickets for the Tower of London with gory tales and stories from days gone by.