January is one of the United Kingdom's winter months, with the occasional rainfall and generally cold weather throughout the country.
For visitors in January, we recommend London, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Devon.
Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for January.
United Kingdom Weather in January: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 3–8°C (37–46°F)
- Rainfall: 11 cm (4 inches)
- Rainy days: 14
- Sunshine hours/day: 2½
- Humidity: 76–80% (humid and rainy throughout the UK, making it feel colder)
January is a cool to cold month in the United Kingdom, with temperatures on the lower side. Luckily there are plenty of indoor attractions throughout the country, including well-warmed pubs with traditional British pub grub that are going to make your trip unforgettable.
For visitors to the United Kingdom in January, you can expect around 2½ hours of sunshine per day, with mostly wintery conditions. Some days can be a little rainy, but there is also occasionally snowfall in January in the United Kingdom, particularly on peaks in its national parks. To avoid the rain and cold, you will want to make sure you've planned some indoor activities as back-ups.
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January Climate (Averages) Comparison for the United Kingdom's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Cool | Cold | Low |
| Cardiff | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| Edinburgh | Cold | Cold | Low |
| Lake District | Cold | Cold | Moderate |
| Belfast | Cool | Cold | Moderate |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 8 | 3 | 6 |
| Cardiff | 9 | 3 | 16 |
| Edinburgh | 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Lake District | 7 | 2 | 17 |
| Belfast | 8 | 3 | 9 |
| City/Area | High (ºF) | Low (ºF) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 46 | 37 | 2 |
| Cardiff | 48 | 37 | 6 |
| Edinburgh | 45 | 36 | 2 |
| Lake District | 45 | 35 | 7 |
| Belfast | 46 | 37 | 4 |
The Best Places to Visit in the United Kingdom in January
Regardless of January being on the cooler side in the United Kingdom, there are plenty of things to do and see throughout the country. This is particularly the case if you are interested in seeing some of the snowy peaks in Devon, or if you'd like to celebrate New Year's Eve in London to witness some incredible fireworks. The country is also full of amazing museums and exhibitions to warm up and stay dry should you happen upon a rainy day.
These are some of our top recommendations for visitors coming to the United Kingdom in January, for a mix of nature, indoor activities, and amazing architecture.
1. See the New Year's Eve Fireworks in London
London makes for a great New Year's Eve destination, with fireworks displays lighting up the skies behind the Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye every year. On top of that, there are plenty of parties going on in the capital of England every New Year's Eve, just make sure you get tickets ahead of time as they are likely to sell out.
For the days following New Year's Eve, we recommend visiting the Tower of London, the British Museum, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, the National Gallery, and taking a ride on the London Eye to see the city from above.
There is so much to see that even if it rains a little, you'll be busy exploring some of the world's best galleries and museums inside, and sampling some of the best food in the world at London's amazing restaurants.
2. Marvel at Edinburgh's Architecture, from Palaces to Castles
As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has been a place of national importance for a long time, and this is reflected in its incredible historical sights and architecture.
We recommend visiting Edinburgh Castle, but also the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, as well as St Giles' Cathedral and the Royal Mile. Finish off your day by sampling some of Scotland's famous dishes, including Haggis, a deep-fried Mars bar, or Scotch pies.
For a clear day, we also recommend walking up Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano based in Holyrood Park. The views from there are beautiful.
3. Photograph the Snowy Caps of Dartmoor National Park in Devon
There is no cozier time to visit the snowy-capped peaks of Dartmoor National Park in Devon than winter. A visit in January includes crisp wintery walks with potential to see the mountains topped in a powdery snow, warm evenings by the fire with hot chocolate, and delicious meals in traditional British pubs.
The best walks include the area surrounding Belstone Tor, Great Staple Tor, or the summit of Hound Tor. These walks are based around tors, which are dramatic formations of granite, making unique landscapes throughout the area.
4. Explore Belfast's History and Coastline
Belfast has an incredible array of things to see, from the Titanic Experience (being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic), and the dockyards' Titanic Quarter along the rugged coastline.
We also recommend stopping by the Ulster Museum, St Anne's Cathedral, and going for a stroll near Belfast City Hall, a gorgeous building dividing the commercial and business areas of the city. There are free guided city tours there, for which tickets are available on a first-come first served basis.
Finish off your day at the pub with a Guiness (originating in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland, not Northern Ireland, but also extremely popular in Northern Ireland!) and you'll have had the full Irish experience.
Low Season (except NYE): Less Expensive and Less Crowded
In general, January falls outside of the United Kingdom's peak tourist season, which is between June and August in the summer. This means that your accommodation prices are lower, and tickets are more likely to be available for special events and attractions.
However, there is an exception: lots of European travelers come to the United Kingdom for New Year's Eve, and tourists from all over the world come in the period between Christmas and New Year's Eve to see the Christmas lights and experience the Christmas markets. For visitors hoping to come between the end of December and early January, we recommend booking ahead of time.
What to Wear in January
With January being relatively cold and rainy in the United Kingdom, we recommend wrapping up warm and bringing a good winter coat as well as some additional layers to wear if you are going to be outside for a longer period of time. A hat and scarf, as well as gloves, are also a good idea.
If your coat isn't waterproof, we do recommend bringing an umbrella as well, just in case.
For visitors looking to go hiking in wilder places, including around Dartmoor National Park, bring and wear proper winter hiking equipment to keep warm and safe during your walks.
