Late spring · Weather & things to do
The Cotswolds in May
The Cotswolds warms up: highs climb to 60°F (16°C), from 55°F in April, with lows of 43°F (6°C) and about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain.
It scores 77/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 60°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 43°F (6°C)
- Rain
- 2.5 in (64 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 71%
- Daylight
- ~15 h 26 min
- Comfort score
- 77/100 · Great
What May feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 60°F (16°C), good for long walks.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 43°F (6°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.5 in (64 mm).
Long days help: there are roughly 15 h 26 min of daylight mid-month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June – September).
- Comfort improves from 70/100 in April to 77/100.
- May sits inside the May – Sep window our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route recommends.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 43°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.5 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in The Cotswolds in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Daylesford Organic Farm
Organic farm shop, café and bakery in converted barns near Kingham.
Stow-on-the-Wold
Hilltop market town with antique shops and a church door framed by two yew trees.
Sudeley Castle
Castle and gardens where Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's last queen, is buried.
Why now May scores 77/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Hidcote
Arts and Crafts garden of hedged outdoor rooms, at its best in early summer.
Why now Highs near 60°F and 2.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Broadway Tower
Folly tower on a hilltop above Broadway with views across up to 16 counties.
Nearby in May
- Bath in May~44 mi · highs 62°F, 2.4 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- London in May~76 mi · highs 64°F, 2.2 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Dublin in May~213 mi · highs 57°F, 2.6 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Bruges in May~220 mi · highs 63°F, 2.3 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
The Cotswolds in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit The Cotswolds?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 77/100 against a best of 86 in June – September. Expect highs of 60°F (16°C) and 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Sep window our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route recommends.
How cold is The Cotswolds in May?
Average highs are 60°F (16°C) and average lows 43°F (6°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in The Cotswolds in May?
Some: about 2.5 in (64 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 31.2 in (793 mm).
What should I pack for The Cotswolds in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 43°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.5 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on The Cotswolds
Routes in season in May
- London, the Cotswolds & Bath May – Sep
Planning The Cotswolds in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.