Visiting London in January

The winter months in the UK aren’t usually a time that most people consider for a trip to London. But, it can be a very good time to visit, as long as you are prepared. Whether you are looking to visit from the Southern hemisphere during school holidays or simply want to take advantage of the post-Christmas and New Year lull in tourism, you are likely find better deals and quieter attractions. In this post, we answer all of your questions about visiting London in January to help you decide whether January is a good time to visit with your family.

Is London busy in January?

January is one of London’s quietest months for tourism.

The first week of the new year is generally pretty busy as families take advantage of the last few days of the school holidays to catch the last few days of the Christmas lights and decorations being up.

Once the school holidays are over, the rest of the month tends to be pretty quiet. This makes January an excellent time to visit and explore sights and attractions that are a lot busier during the peak summer months. You will likely find that you are able to take London at a slower pace and/or be able to move more freely around attractions and get closer to things of interest.

Is London cheap in January?

Accommodation

After the first week in January, accommodation is likely to be much cheaper as tourist demand is much lower than at other times. If you visit in January you are likely to be able to make your accommodation budget stretch much further.

Attractions

Some attractions offer cheaper tickets in off-peak seasons, including January. For example, Kew Gardens offers cheaper off-peak tickets between November and January. These cheaper prices do sometimes reflect that you aren’t getting quite the same experience you might in peak months when daylight hours are longer and attractions might be at their ‘best’.

What is the weather like in London in January?

The weather in January in London varies a lot from year to year. But generally you can probably expect it to be cold (although freezing temperatures in London are relatively uncommon). It may also be damp. You should be prepared for rain, but rainy days are less common than dry days.

In general, London is likely to be overcast and cloudy in January. In winter, bright and cold days with blue skies and sunshine are much less common in the UK than in some other countries.

How cold is it in London in January?

In January 2023 and 2024, the average temperature was 5 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 14 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -8 degrees Celsius.

In January 2022, the average temperature was 5 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 15 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -6 degrees Celsius.

What to wear in London during January?

As can be seen from the above, you should be prepared with clothing that will protect you from the cold and the rain.

It might be tempting to pack a single thick padded winter coat for your trip and on the coldest days, this may be very welcome. However, you may find this is too much on warmer days. Rather than one bulky coat, it may be preferable to pack lots of different options that you can layer depending on the weather on any particular day. This will help you deal not only with changes in the weather, but changes in your activities throughout the day – although it may be cold outside, the Tube and indoor venues such as museums can get very warm. Don’t forget a waterproof outer layer, in windy weather umbrellas are often useless and so it’s best to have a waterproof coat with hood.

Although it may be rainy at times during January, it isn’t really necessary to have shoes that are specifically waterproof. A regular pair of trainers or shoes (perhaps with added waterproofing spray) will usually be sufficient as long as you can keep your kids from jumping in puddles!

When does the sun rise in London in January?

At the start of January the sun will rise just after 8am. By the end of January, the sun rises around 7.40am, almost half an hour earlier.

When does the sun set in London in January?

At the start of January the sun sets at 4pm and by the end of January it sets around 4.45pm. It does start to get darker around an hour before sunset though. Note that many parks and playgrounds will shut at dusk.

What is there to do in London in January?

There is plenty to do in London in January. Other than on New Year’s Day when some attractions may be shut, all of London’s attractions and amenities will be open in January.

There are also some special events to look out for in January, including:

• the New Year’s Day Parade;
• the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival – for more information, see our post A look at: Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival; and
• (depending on when it falls – in 2025, it’s 29 January), Lunar New Year events.

Check out our post on ideas of free things to do in London in January 2025 and our post on free things to do with kids in London.

Summary – Is January a good time to visit London?

Advantages of visiting London in January

• Fewer tourists;
• Accommodation is likely to be cheaper than at peak times; and
• Some attractions may offer cheaper tickets.

Disadvantages of visiting London in January

• Shorter daylight hours; and
• Colder than many other months.