Discover the Hottest Cities in the UK: Top 10 Rankings and Temperature Insights

UK enjoys an annual average temperature between 9°C and 11°C. The weather is generally unpredictable, but the best part is that it’s never too extreme. However, some cities in the UK, especially in the southern region, are a bit hot.

We are here with the top 10 hottest cities in the UK. We will rank each city using a specific methodology and help you know their temperature ranges and peaks during summer. Not only that, but we will also help you prepare to stay comfortable.

How We Ranked the Hottest Cities in the UK?

We ranked the cities based on some important factors, including:

• Summer highs
• Average daily maximum temperature
• Highest recorded temperature
• Humidity
• Climate
• Perceived heat and comfort

We have taken the data of daily maximum temperature, highest temperature peak, climate details, and other data from the Met Office. It will help analyze and rank the top 10 hottest cities in the UK.

The summer highs of the city define how hot the city is during the summer heatwave. It gives an idea of the temperature range you can expect during the day. However, the average daily maximum temperature shows the mean temperature throughout the year to present a summary.

The highest recorded temperature sets an expectation that the temperature can rise to this level. The climate plays an important role in all of this.

Along with these, we will also discuss the humidity level. Because this is what makes the summers more uncomfortable. It helps people understand the perceived heat and comfort during summers.

The 10 Hottest Cities in the UK

London

London is considered the hottest city in the UK. It has an oceanic climate, and the highest extreme temperature is 40.2°C. In the summer, the high temperature is around 23.5°C–24.5°C. However, the average daily high is 15.3°C.

The city is hot because of the high population density, tall buildings, and concrete everywhere. There is poor air circulation in dense streets. That’s why the city traps heat even after sunset. During heatwaves, nighttime is also uncomfortable and goes above 20°C.

Cambridge

Cambridge is the second one on the list. In 2022, it recorded the highest temperature of 39.9°C. The summer highs are around 22.5°C–23.8°C, and the average daily high is 14.5°C.

It’s known for the sharpest heat spikes in the country. The reasons behind this are the maritime breezes and dry soil conditions. The sun heats the soil, surface ground, and air quickly. On top of that, it records the lowest annual rainfall in the country.
Simply put, it’s hot and dry with sharp temperature spikes.

Chelmsford

Chelmsford recorded the peak of 39.1°C in July 2022. With summer highs of 23.0°C–23.8°C, it is one of the hottest cities. Its average daily max is 14.6°C.

It’s located in the East of England and has high daytime temperatures and low humidity. In fact, it’s in the UK’s driest rain-shadow zones. Thus, the summer stays for a longer period of time and makes people more uncomfortable.

The dryness and high annual sunshine make the city warm from late spring through August. It’s known for its intense solar radiation.

Southampton

Southampton is next on the list because of its summer highs around 22.5°C–23.0°C. The average daily high temperature is 15.1°C–15.7°C. The highest recorded temperature in the peak season is 36.5°C.

The reason behind the heat is that it has the highest annual sunshine totals in the UK. Because of the Maritime oceanic climate, the coastal humidity is high, which makes the summers more uncomfortable.

It remains warm and humid throughout the year, and there is no winter frost.

Exeter

Exeter’s daily high temperature is 14.8°C. During summers, the highs are between 21.8°C and 22.6°C.

It’s located in the South West, which is the reason it gets warm summers and sunny days. Even during winter, there is no frost. The recorded peak temperature of the city is 36.0°C.

The mild maritime oceanic climate keeps it consistently mild to warm. Most of the time, you will experience sunny days with a bit elevated humidity.

Cardiff

Cardiff is in South Wales. It experiences mild winters and warm and humid summers. It’s located in the Severn Estuary/Bristol Channel coastal plain. Therefore, its climate is affected by southern latitude and maritime moderation.

Because of the coastal sea breezes, the relative humidity is quite high. And that’s the reason the summer heat feels more uncomfortable.

The average daily high ranges from 14.7°C to 14.9°C. The summer highs are around 21.5°C–22.5°C. It has witnessed the highest peak of 35.9°C. Even though the city is warm, you can experience minimal frost.

Canterbury

Canterbury is in the South East. It experiences warm air currents traveling north across the English Channel from France and Spain. That’s the reason it offers hot and dry summers.
The average daily high is 14.7°C. The summer highs range from 22.8°C to 23.5°C. The highest peak recorded is 39.2°C.

It has a Maritime or Near-Continental climate. You can expect intense daytime highs. Moreover, the city also experiences low rainfall during the year.

Gloucester

Gloucester has a unique geography. It’s situated between the low-lying Severn Vale and the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. That’s why it traps warm air flowing up the Bristol Channel. And just because of the trapped valley heat, the city experiences high temperatures.

The average daily high is 14.7°C. During summers, the highs are between 22.6°C and 23.4°C. The city offers a bit of high humidity and high daytime maximums.

Oxford

Oxford is also a city with the highest temperatures in the UK. And it’s because of its geography. The upper Thames Valley creates a basin, and Oxford sits inside it. Therefore, the city is protected from the winds from the coasts.

It is surrounded by hills, and those trap air. All this creates humid and hot conditions, especially during the high-pressure spells.

The average daily high of the city is 14.6°C. The highest peak recorded is 38.4°C in July 2022. You can expect summer highs around 22.5°C–23.2°C.

Bristol

The final hottest city on the list is Bristol. It’s here because its average daily high is a bit lower than all of the above cities, which is 14.3°C–14.5°C. The summer highs are around 22.0°C–22.8°C. And it has recorded the highest peak of 35.3°C.

It’s in the South West with a Maritime Oceanic climate. You can experience consistent warmth the whole year. The summers are hot and humid, but the winters have low chill exposure. It’s a large southern urban city, which also affects the temperature.

What Should Be Done in the Face of High-temperature Weather?

To deal with high temperatures, you have to prepare on your own. Extreme heat in the UK feels like an oven indoors. The reason is trapped heat, and the exterior, like bricks and roof tiles, also radiates heat. So, indoors feels hotter than outdoors.

The humidity makes it more uncomfortable. The sweat stays on your skin and makes breathing feel heavy. Keep in mind that underground commutes also act as heat sinks. Another issue is the night-time exhaustion, which affects sleep.

Here’s what you can do:

• Stay hydrated. Drink water consistently throughout the day to meet your water needs. Carry a water bottle wherever you go.
• Eat light and go with water-rich meals. If you are sweating, you can take an electrolyte drink or ORS.
• Try to keep your living and working space cool. Install fans and air conditioners to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Manage sunlight coming from windows. Cover them with blinds and only open them after evening.
• Avoid going outdoors without any reason. You can also reschedule your tasks and meetings in the early morning or after evening.
• Use sun protection on your skin. Wear UV sunglasses and apply sunscreen when you go out.

Keep an Eye on Your Home During Hot Weather

During hot weather, it’s difficult to travel from your office to home and other places. Ideally, you should reduce your outdoor activities during highs as much as possible. However, keeping your home safe is essential.

In such hot conditions, the best way is to use a reliable security camera. It allows you to keep an eye on your home no matter where you are. You get peace of mind without affecting your comfort.

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is an incredible option. It’s a battery-powered security camera with a 1,000-lumen floodlight. This means it not only captures clear videos during the day, but also records true colors and clear details at night. It illuminates a wider area and recharges automatically through sunlight.

Once its battery is charged, it can last up to 3 months, and 1 hour of daily sunlight is enough to keep it running all day. It’s a Wi-Fi security camera, and you can access it remotely. You can see the live feed and get real-time updates on your devices.

Altas PT Ultra

Altas PT Ultra is also a solar/battery-powered security camera. But it offers pan and tilt motion to cover a massive area. Its battery can last up to 500 days, while the solar panel recharges it automatically.

It smartly detects objects and automatically tracks their motion. It sends real-time alerts to your devices. You can check live and even talk to the person in front of the camera. It records videos in 4K resolution, which ensures optimal clarity and details. Even at night, it uses ColorX technology to capture true colors and details.

FAQs

Which part of the UK has the most sun?

The Isle of Wight receives the most sun in the UK. Its town of Shanklin receives over 1,970 hours of sun each year.

Is 2026 the hottest UK summer?

Yes, 2026 is the hottest UK summer officially. The average temperature is quite high compared to normal. Multiple heatwaves have pushed the temperature over 38°C in various parts of England.

Has it ever hit 40 degrees in the UK?

Yes, London has recorded the highest temperature of 40.2°C in July 2022. Similarly, Lincolnshire has also recorded 40.3°C, which is a record-breaking temperature in the UK.

Conclusion

Some cities in the UK experience high average daily and summer temperatures. These make people a bit uncomfortable, and the humidity makes it worse. We have listed the hottest cities in the UK along with their temperature ranges. Not only that, but we have also talked about the perceived comfort and climate. In extreme heat, you can follow the tips we have shared and install security cameras to keep an eye on your home.