London › January Guide
Updated: October 9, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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January is one of the cheapest and quietest months to visit London. The weather is cold and damp, daylight is limited, and most Christmas decorations disappear during the first week. But museums are less crowded, theater tickets are easier to get, and central hotels are often much cheaper than during busier months.
January is less appealing for parks, gardens, countryside day trips, and long outdoor sightseeing days. Choose December for Christmas lights and festive atmosphere. Choose January for lower prices and lighter crowds.
London in January: At a Glance
- Weather: Cold and damp, with afternoon temperatures around 7°C to 9°C (45°F to 48°F). Rain is common; snow is uncommon.
- Daylight: Sunset is around 4:00 PM at the start of January and 4:45 PM by the end.
- Crowds: Busy around New Year, then among the lightest of the year.
- Book Ahead: Popular West End shows, major exhibitions, famous afternoon teas, and special restaurant reservations.
Quick Hotel Picks for January
- Best for First-Time Visitors: NoMad London in Covent Garden.
- Best for Luxury: The Savoy on the Strand.
- Best for the British Museum: Kimpton Fitzroy London in Bloomsbury.
- Best for Families: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on the South Bank.
- Best for Eurostar: St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
- Best Value: Motel One Tower Hill.
Early, Mid, and Late January
New Year and the First Week
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are busy, with higher hotel prices, crowds, and transport disruptions.
The New Year’s Day Parade brings performers, bands, floats, and road closures to central London on January 1. Some Christmas lights, skating rinks, and seasonal markets remain open for a few days, though closing dates vary. Some museums and businesses are closed or operate reduced hours on New Year’s Day.
Mid January
From the second week onward, crowds thin out and hotel prices are often among the lowest of the year. The London Eye sometimes closes for maintenance in January. Check its opening calendar before planning a visit.
Late January
Burns Night on January 25 brings Scottish dinners, whisky tastings, poetry readings, and special menus to pubs and restaurants across London. Late January is my favorite time to visit. Hotel rates are usually low, crowds are light, and the days are getting longer.
London Weather and Daylight in January
Afternoon temperatures average around 7°C to 9°C (45°F to 48°F), with nights near 2°C to 4°C (36°F to 39°F). A rainy 7°C afternoon can feel colder than a calm day close to freezing.
Daylight improves throughout the month:
- Early January: Sunrise around 8:05 AM; sunset around 4:00 PM.
- Mid January: Sunrise around 8:00 AM; sunset around 4:20 PM.
- Late January: Sunrise around 7:40 AM; sunset around 4:45 PM.
Most museums close around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, so don’t leave them all until after sunset.
Keep each day geographically compact. Combining Westminster, the Kensington museums, and the Tower of London in one winter day means unnecessary Tube journeys and too much time spent traveling.
Where to Stay in London in January
See my complete guide to the best places to stay in London and use the London hotel map to compare neighborhoods.
Covent Garden and Soho: Best for First-Time Visitors
Covent Garden and Soho put theaters, restaurants, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and much of the West End within a 5 to 25-minute walk.
NoMad London is my favorite upscale choice. Z Hotel Soho and The Z Hotel Covent Garden cost less but have extremely small rooms. Expect some street noise and higher prices than in Bloomsbury or the City.
Bloomsbury: Best for Museums
Bloomsbury is close to the British Museum and within walking distance of Covent Garden, Soho, and King’s Cross.
Kimpton Fitzroy London overlooks Russell Square and sits beside a Piccadilly line station with direct service to Heathrow. Bloomsbury is calmer and frequently better value than Covent Garden, but it has less nightlife immediately outside the hotel.
South Bank and Waterloo: Best for Families
The South Bank is close to SEA LIFE London Aquarium, the Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Westminster, and river boats. Tate Modern is farther east along the river. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has family rooms and an indoor pool.
King’s Cross and St Pancras: Best for Eurostar
St Pancras International is the Eurostar terminal, while adjacent King’s Cross station provides extensive Tube and rail connections. Thameslink services also run through St Pancras.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is attached to St Pancras International. The adjacent King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station has direct Piccadilly line service to Heathrow. Great for train connections, less convenient for sightseeing on foot.
Tower Hill and the City: Best Value
The City often has lower weekend hotel prices and easy access to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Spitalfields, and Thames boats.
Motel One Tower Hill offers a strong balance of comfort, transport, and price. Parts of the City become quiet after office hours. Stay in Covent Garden or Soho when nightlife matters more than value.
Spitalfields: Best for Character and Restaurants
Spitalfields combines a covered market, restaurants, historic streets, and easy access to Shoreditch and the City. Batty Langley’s is a beautiful boutique hotel with antique-filled rooms and a quiet location near Spitalfields Market.
Spitalfields is livelier than Tower Hill but less convenient for Westminster and the West End.
Best Things to Do in London in January
Visit London’s Museums
The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, and Victoria and Albert Museum are excellent choices for first-time visitors. The Wallace Collection, Courtauld Gallery, and Sir John Soane’s Museum are favorites of mine for smaller, less overwhelming visits.
Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends, especially outside school holidays. Wet weekends can still draw large crowds to the British Museum and Natural History Museum. General admission to many national museums is free, but temporary exhibitions require tickets. Reserve popular exhibitions and any required timed-entry tickets ahead of weekend visits.
See a West End Show
With Christmas visitors gone, weekday theater performances often have better availability and lower prices. Book major musicals and limited-run plays ahead, but compare weekday prices before committing. Same-day tickets can be good value if you’re flexible about which show you see.
Explore the Tower of London
Arrive at opening and see the Crown Jewels before larger groups arrive. Much of the site is outdoors, so choose a reasonably dry day. Allow at least two to three hours, or longer if you want to join a Yeoman Warder tour and explore the exhibitions. Combine it with Tower Bridge, St Dunstan in the East, or a walk along the Thames rather than crossing London for another major sight.
Spend a Day in South Kensington
The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum sit close together, making South Kensington one of the best areas for a wet January day. Do not attempt to see all three museums properly in one day. Choose one as the main attraction and use another for a shorter visit.
Walk Through Hampstead and Visit a Pub
Hampstead is one of my favorite London neighborhoods for a winter walk and pub lunch. Walk through Flask Walk and the village before heading onto Hampstead Heath. The Heath can be muddy in January, so wear proper shoes if you’re planning a longer walk.
Explore Borough Market and Bankside
Borough Market is partly covered and easy to combine with Southwark Cathedral, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Thames path. Weekdays are more enjoyable than Saturdays. Arrive before the lunch rush, especially if you want to eat at the popular food stalls.
Take a Thames Boat to Greenwich
Scheduled Thames river boats have enclosed seating and provide good city views without a long outdoor walk. Leave central London before noon so you reach Greenwich with enough daylight for the Old Royal Naval College and Greenwich Park. The National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Market are good indoor stops. For the best views, walk up the hill toward the Royal Observatory. It’s a short but steep climb.
Shop the January Sales
London’s winter sales generally begin after Christmas and continue into January. Discounts can improve later in the month, but popular sizes and products become harder to find. Oxford Street has the largest concentration of major retailers, including Selfridges, but it can be unpleasantly crowded. Regent Street and Carnaby Street are better for browsing. Liberty is one of London’s best department stores, while Harrods is worth visiting for its food halls and luxury shopping.
Celebrate Burns Night
Burns Night on January 25 celebrates Scottish poet Robert Burns with haggis, whisky, poetry, and traditional music. London pubs, hotels, and restaurants offer Burns suppers and tasting menus. Reserve ahead if you have a particular venue in mind.
Have Afternoon Tea
The Savoy, Claridge’s, The Ritz, and Fortnum & Mason are among London’s best-known afternoon tea venues. Famous venues require advance booking and can cost as much as a good dinner. Choose one special tea and treat it as a meal rather than a snack between lunch and dinner.
What to Pack for London in January
- A waterproof coat: Wind protection is as important as warmth.
- Warm layers: The Tube, museums, shops, and restaurants can feel hot.
- Water-resistant walking shoes: More important than heavy winter boots.
- Scarf, gloves, and a warm hat: Useful during outdoor attractions and evening walks.
- A compact umbrella: Helpful in drizzle, though a hood works better in wind.
Public Transport in January
Contactless bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Oyster cards can be used for pay-as-you-go travel. Use the same card or device for every journey. A physical card and the same card in Apple Pay or Google Pay are treated separately for fare capping. Touch in and out on the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and participating National Rail services. On buses, touch in only.
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