April or May? Will it make much difference?

Daylight hours will be getting longer in May and weather may be better than April but we won't know for sure until June.:-)

It depends somewhat on where in GB you are going. London has lots of indoor sights, so a bit of chill and rain could easily be spent at one of the great museums there. On the other hand, if you're planning time tootling through Devon and Cornwall poor weather could be a real downer - not that going a month later is a guarantee of better weather . . .

According to Rick's guidebook weather summary for London, for instance, the average number of days with no rain is 20 days in March, 18 in April, and 19 in May. Not much difference. My first trip was of an April and I had no regrets.

the advantage of going later is that daylight hours will be longer and the countryside will be greener as summer approaches

as to the weather, monthly changes are rarely significant

Take the half price flight, you will have a wonderful time in April or May. Weather entirely unpredictable at any time and crowds will be a little less.

The first half of April next year, and the last week of May, will be school holidays, so museums and historic sites will be busier with families on day trips.

I'd go in April for the lower airfare. Might be a little cooler and wetter than May, and shorter daylight hours, but not enough to make much difference. Weather is a crapshoot anyway. Just bring some layers including something waterproof. And if you're underdressed for the weather, you can get a sweater or something for less than that extra airfare!

I've been to England, on separate trips, in both April and May. Both times the weather was about the same with some rain during both trips. I don't think you can get around the rain in Spring. I would go for the cheaper flight. The nice thing about travel during that time of year is that everyday you are going to gain daylight, so by the end of your trip, you will probably have close to an hour more of daylight than you did at the beginning. I love traveling during the Fall but you do lose daylight.

In early May, the countryside bursts into green. In April, many of the trees & hedges will still be devoid of greeness. (The fields will be green whichever of these to months you travel).

In April, blossom trees will be out along with tulips in the parks. Rhododendrons and azaleas tend to flower in May rather than April. Magnolias and Camellias should be in flower during April but not May.

Avoid the school holiday as accommodation will be more expensive.

April means school holidays so accommodation will be much more expensive than May and places will be busier. There are two Bank Holiday weekends in May.

I prefer May as the weather will be better and there will be more colour in the gardens.

I agree with Mike J; take the lower priced flights in April. The savings in air fare is too good to pass up. I was in London and England for most of May 2016. I was amazed that so many people had decided to travel in the so called "off-season" to London. Starting about May 3, London was packed with tour buses from Germany, and some large tour groups. I thought I was going when it would not be crowded in London! Boy, was I wrong! So, next year, I am switching to April. I am expecting the weather to be slightly cooler than what I experienced in May 2016, but only a slight difference. Around London, I will wear long sleeved T-shirts instead of short sleeved shirts, which I wore in May 2016. When I travel north of London, to York, I will take a fleece jacket to pull on ontop of my long sleeved shirt. I will also have a waterproof jacket with hood available to put on over that if I need it, in case of rain and wind. I don't know that I will need it; just being prepared.

It was unusually warm and sunny when I was in London in May 2016. I got very hot while walking around within the Tower of London's grassy areas; got slightly sunburned on my face. I was wearing capri pants and a short sleeved blouse, and was still hot! I do not think that is typical May weather for London. English weather seems to be very unpredictable.

However, if the savings on air fare is not a deciding factor for you, I would agree with Jennifer that May is a better month to go. If you prefer to visit historic homes and gardens and see the gardens in bloom, do go in May. Some close for winter, and do not open back up to the public until May. Be sure and check the websites of those that are on your must-see list to be sure of when they open. I am not speaking of those in London, just the ones that are out in the country.

When (exact dates) are the April school holidays?

Thank you, Emma! This helps me to plan my April 2017 trip to England.

For weather:>http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/London/forecasts/latest
https://www.windytv.com/?temp,55.753,-30.851,4

I've lived in SE England for about 40 years now, and you really can't predict what the weather will be like in April or May from one year to the next. I'd take the lower air fares and travel in April.

I was interested above to see reference to a large number of touring buses from Germany being in the UK around 3 May. This would have been in connection with Ascension Day - which is a holiday in many countries in Europe including Germany but not the UK. The lack of awareness of this holiday 40 days after Easter is quite common and provides a surprise to people who can't work out why things are busy tourist-wise on and around it in the UK. It seems to be especially used by school trips.

For reference the day itself was on 5 May in 2016 and will be on 25 May in 2017 - which will 'double-up' business with the UK bank holiday on 29 May.

Ah, the English weather. You may have seen spectators at Wimbledon in July wearing jackets and sweaters. April or May, it makes little difference. Personally, I'd rather not travel somewhere with an expectation for decent weather and then be disappointed if some didn't eventuate.

Sounds like a significant savings. I'd suggest going in April