London in January

Cold, dark by 16:30.Cold, dark by 4:30 PM.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatGood month; bank holidays busy.
• JuneGreatLong days; Trooping the Colour.
• JulyGreatWarm, busy; some heat waves.
• SeptemberGreatMild and drier.

• LondonHighs around 8 °C (46 °F), lows around 3 °C (37 °F), rain on about 12 daysHighs around 46 °F (8 °C), lows around 37 °F (3 °C), rain on about 12 days
• London and the south-east, United Kingdom · London, Oxford, Cambridge, Kent, Brightoncool

  Mildest and driest region; summer heat waves above 30 °C (86 °F) are now common, and older Tube lines and many homes have no air conditioning.Mildest and driest region; summer heat waves above 86 °F (30 °C) are now common, and older Tube lines and many homes have no air conditioning.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• New Year's Day Parade check

  Jan 1 · Westminster to Piccadilly

  Road closures; the tube and buses are busy.

• Chinese New Year check

  Late January or February (check) · Chinatown and Trafalgar Square

  Parades and street events; Soho is crowded.

Crowds · United Kingdom overall

Low

Prices · United Kingdom overall

Low

United Kingdom overall: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in London, side by side.

• A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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