United Kingdom

United Kingdom in January

Europe Updated 2026-07-01

Dark, damp and the cheapest month of the year in the cities, with Highland daylight barely stretching to seven hours.

Is January a good time to visit the United Kingdom?

January is one of the better months across the United Kingdom, with crowds averaging 45/100 and typical highs near 8°C.

Book things to do

United Kingdom: tours and tickets in London, Edinburgh, from our booking partner.

See all activities in London

What closes and what fills up in January

  • New Year’s Day, 1 January
  • 2 January, a bank holiday in Scotland only

United Kingdom city by city in January

The same month can feel very different depending where you are.

City Crowd High Wet days
Edinburgh 40 7°C 12
London 50 8°C 12

More tours and tickets

More options from our booking partner.

How January compares across the year

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good month to visit the United Kingdom?

January is one of the better months across the United Kingdom, with crowds averaging 45/100 and typical highs near 8°C.

How busy is the United Kingdom in January?

Averaged across the destinations we track, the United Kingdom sits near 45/100 in January. The calmest of them is Edinburgh.

What is the weather like in the United Kingdom in January?

Expect average highs near 8°C and lows near 2°C, with roughly 12 wet days — though the United Kingdom varies by region.

Other months in the United Kingdom