England in Nov. and Dec.?

I always think the end if Nov is about as grim a time of year as it gets
It's already dark here by 5.15pm already .
Depends on what bit of england for the weather as the mountains are 12 fold wetter than the dry east.
Highs might get to 13c or so

London and the south east will generally be much drier and warmer than the north and the west. The Lake District, Cornwall and Devon are green for a reason - it rains more!

We haven’t had much weather this year that has been average for the time of year, so expect anything! Wind isn’t much of an issue unless you are climbing mountains or taking ferries.

Museums etc will be open. Some National Trust properties may have closed for the winter. Daylight hours are short.

Long ago and far away I visited London several times in December when I lived in FL.

You need a good winter jacket with a waterproof outer layer. Look at Land's End or LLBean or Eddie Bauer for reliable outdoor clothing. I'd get wool socks - and currently Costco has their Kirkland brand merino blend socks online. These will sell out. You'll need gloves and a warm hat, I'd go with a watch cap/stocking cap kind of thing that you can pull the hood of your jacket up over if it is windy.

I'd get a base layer (again, Costco or Lands End) to wear under your pants and if you are really cold-natured a base layer top.

For a person from FL, especially if you haven't lived where it is cold, you'll do fine if you have the right clothing for it.

I'd plan to stay in London as this will give you the most things to do if the weather is yucky and when it gets dark early.

editing to add: Regarding the "grim" factor. You are not going to live there and are going to return to sunny FL at the end of your trip. Even though the northern latitudes can be very grim and gray for those of us that have to live there (yes, Idaho Panhandle included) it's not bad if you are headed back to sunshine.

The time you are talking about will most definitely be grey and dull, short days with little sunlight, and you may well get transatlantic storms - that depends on what you and the Canadians send over to us.

Plan for rain and if it only drizzles or brightens up be thankful. What sun there is will be low in the southern sky.

Expect footpaths and roads to be wet even if it hasn't rained that day - they don't dry with no sun.

It is a great time to be in museums (many free in London) and in front of a cozy fire in a pub.

but then again, this year, who knows? I've had a Robin singing his head off the last couple of weeks because he thinks it is spring.

Thank you for the helpful responses! Weather, sunlight, and even clothing suggestions. Thank you all.
I believe I will change my time to next late Spring or early Summer. I could handle the wet and short days, but why if my plans are flexible? I was thinking of the fewer tourists I would have to deal with, but it sounds like it is not worth it.
Thanks again for your thoughtful, and helpful, comments.

I think London over the holidays is a fun time, but as an ex-pat, I must admit, I tend to avoid England from November through March. If you can wait, early June is a fabulous time to visit.

I would say Go!
I was in London in December 2018, and it was just at the beginning when they had all the Christmas lights up in the streets, and trees lit up.
Yes, it gets dark early, but there is so much to do there.
I spent four days in London, then went up to Edinburgh to see family for a week.
It was cold, but not freezing.
More damp than anything else...as in it felt damp, but it didn't rain in London.
I went to museums and the theatre and enjoyed all the light displays.
I believe I took my regular waterproof lined winter jacket, some comfy walking boots that look good with most things.
Hat and gloves and scarf.
You can always buy extra layers there if you're cold!
Stay in a hotel, not a vacation rental, as it will probably be warmer with fuel prices going up over there.
London in winter is wonderful!

If your focus is visiting cities and you are going to be indoors for a significant proportion of your time, then shorter daylight hours don’t matter as much.

London is busy year round. Other parts maybe quieter in December, but you have left it far too late to get good accommodation deals for this December.

For decades due to my career those were the months I often traveled to London.

Loved my visits.

Why?

Over the span of 40 years there were fewer tourists, cheaper airfare, less expensive accommodations and very minimal rainfall. Wind has never been an issue.

Weather wise no one can predict but probably some grey skies and light drizzle but some brilliant blue skies and sun as well.

My Instagram has countless November images showing lovely clear skies and sun. In fact if there are any outdoor selfies I have on my prescription sunglasses.

I go to see decorated Christmas windows, see pantos, hear choral groups, watch Santa Runs, and see Christmas lights, ….getting to wear a winter coat, gloves, a scarf, long pants, fleece top for me is enjoyable….Full disclosure, I live in Southern California. Sunshine 365 is BORING.

Lastly, its LONDON. Always changing, always the same and NEVER boring!

GO!!!

I agree with everything Claudia says.

We've been to England many times in Nov and Dec, and are going again in a few weeks (after June and July trips this year also – we are tower bell ringers, and England is THE place for that particular obsession!).

I remember distinctly one trip to London in early December, the sun 'set' at 3:51pm – not that we had seen it all day. Quite a different trip from those with long, lazy summer days. But so many wonderful things about England that time of year, including cosy Christmas lights, fewer tourists, advent services and concerts, mince pies ... and for us, coming from California, any drizzle is a welcome treat. And, like Claudia, I get to wear TIGHTS and BOOTS and a SWEATER and a MUFFLER :-)

We never visit Europe that time of the year. Why go when it is cold?

What Claudia said. Yes, it gets dark early. Yes, it can get grey and grim. Yes, it might be a little chilly. You mention England - are you thinking just London or other locations in the country? York, Yorkshire, and the north are glorious. London is fabulous, and as has been mentioned, never boring.

Mind your inner Claudia. Just go.

Again, thanks for al the informative replies. There is much to think about as respects when to go and people have their favorite times, I can see.
As for where I would go, this time of year I would limit my travels to London and south of there. I believe I hear the Isle of Wight calling.

We purposely travel to European cities the end of November, first week in December. As South Floridians, it is always hot and sunny here. We go specifically for the cold, rain, possible snow, and dark days.

We leave for London on November 27th.

My first ever trip to London was in November 2002 and it was lovely. Not very different weather wise from the mid-Atlantic where I live, I just made sure to dress warmly and have a good coat, hat, and gloves. And overall the weather was pretty good, I don't think it rained more than a couple times and it wasn't very cold IMHO. Plus the city was decorated for Christmas which I really enjoyed.

geovagriffith I go BECAUSE it is cold. Nice and welcomed alternative to the sunshine of LA. Its why I prefer skiing to sunning on beaches.

And London is great in its build up to Christmas.

WinterWonderland in Hyde Park, dining Igloos along the Thames, Oxford, Regent streets Christmas lights, Kew Gardens Christmas Lights, Santa Runs, Pantos, midnight Christmas Eve Mass at St Pauls, shopping in Selfridges, Liberty, Fortum and Mason, getting boxes of Charity Christmas cards in church lobbies, enjoying mulled wine…..

And in the 1/2 dozen Christmases I’ve spent in London its not rained nor snowed.

So Each to there own regarding the cold.

jojosiestokey have a great trip!!!

Don’t miss the lights at the Southbank.

@Claudia I love South Bank and have the Christmas Markets there on my list!

I've never been to London in Nov or Dec, but my husband and I went in January 2004 for our honeymoon. We enjoyed ourselves very much. It rained a little, but most days were dry.