January in London averages highs of 8 °C (46 °F) and lows of 2 °C (35 °F), with about 9 rainy days and 8 h 19 min of daylight.
January weather in London at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is January a good time to visit London?
Tough month: cold and some rain. January is usually shoulder season in London: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in January 2026
- Thu 1 Jan: New Year's Day public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in London in January
With cold days in January, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- British Museum — free, huge, go with a plan indoors
- Tower of London and Tower Bridge — Crown Jewels inside indoors
- National Gallery and Trafalgar Square — free indoors
- Borough Market — lunch under cover indoors
- Westminster and Big Ben — then a walk along the South Bank outdoors
- Hyde Park and Kensington — plus the free museums in South Kensington outdoors
Where to stay: South Bank or Covent Garden for sights on foot; King's Cross for transport; Shoreditch for nightlife.
What to pack for London in January
- A warm winter coat, hat and gloves: it rarely gets above 8 °C (46 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 9 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in London costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | £55–150 | £180–385 |
Excluding flights. January is usually shoulder season in London: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
January in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 7° / 2° | 10 | Tough month |
| Amsterdam | 7° / 2° | 11 | Tough month |
| Dublin | 8° / 4° | 10 | Tough month |
Plan your London trip
- 3 Days in London Itinerary: First-Timer's Plan for 2026
- Is London Expensive? A Realistic Budget Guide for 2026
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is January a good time to visit London?
By the numbers, January is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 8 °C (46 °F) and about 9 rainy days. January is usually shoulder season in London: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower. The best months for weather are June, July, August, September.
How warm is London in January?
Average highs are 8 °C (46 °F) and lows 2 °C (35 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in London in January?
Expect about 9 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 61 mm in total. It is the 5th wettest month of the year in London.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.