Ten years in London – what a milestone! It feels like just yesterday I was settling into this incredible city, yet here I am, a decade later, still completely enamored with its charm, quirks, and ever-changing energy. January kicked off another year of London adventures, and despite the gloom and chilly weather, I made the most of it by taking long walks, exploring museums, and even getting caught in one of the city’s more unusual traditions. Whether you’re planning a trip to London in January or just looking for inspiration to make the most of winter, I’ve got you covered with a mix of cozy, cultural, and downright unexpected experiences. Let’s dive in!
A Gloomy But Fabulous New Year’s Day
I started the month with New Year’s Day. We had celebrated the New Year at Kensington Roof Gardens and woke up the next day to gloomy skies and pouring rain. I like to spend my New Year’s Day by treating myself to a cup of takeaway coffee and a long walk somewhere in London. While it took a lot of coaxing, I finally got myself out of the cozy, warm house and popped over to Regent’s Park. It was still raining but I managed a good long walk through my favorite nooks of the park before heading home. Even though I got pretty wet, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Let it serve as inspiration for you in 2025 – even in the gloom and rain – you can get out there and have fun.
What Is The Weather Like In London In January?
If you’re interested in visiting London for New Years or for January – prepare yourself. I found this year colder than usual – we had a lot of gloomy skies, but also rain and even snow. The temperatures ranged from the 30s-50s! That pretty much sums up London – it tends to be warmer than Boston, but it’s unpredictable at best. We did have a few lovely sunny days and I even took advantage of a warmer day to play tennis outside! If you do travel to London in January, pack layers and a warmer winter coat, plus a hat, gloves, and scarf. Sunglasses are always good too to manifest a nice day.
What Are The Best Things To Do In London In January?
I love to take long walks around beautiful areas of London year round. Even in January, I managed great walks in Regent’s Park, along Southbank from Tower Bridge to Embankment, and along the Regent’s Canal. Walks are a great way to see the city, give you exercise benefits and are free or inexpensive if you pair it with a stop for coffee and a snack or meal!
I also recommend visiting an attraction or museum in January. If the weather is not great, there are so many interesting places to explore indoors. You can check out my London Guide for some interesting attractions to visit but a few that I personally went to in January include Southwark Cathedral, the Moco Museum, and the London Art Fair.
Southwark Cathedral is a historical cathedral located adjacent to Borough Market. As we were on our walk from Tower Bridge to Embankment, we stopped in, only to discover that it is free to enter with an optional donation and it is so beautiful inside! Definitely one to add to your list if you enjoy historic cathedrals.
I also visited the new-ish Moco Museum, a modern, contemporary, and street art museum located by Marble Arch. With three floors, it was wonderful to explore and to see a wide range of art – some of the pieces from very famous artists.
I also went to the London Art Fair in January, which is a temporary exhibition at the Business Design Centre in Islington. The London Art Fair is fun for exploring but you can also purchase art here. Both made for fun days out.
The No Pants Tube Ride
I found myself in the middle of a random annual event in January – the No Trousers Tube Ride! It’s a community organized event where strangers come together to ride the London tube with – you guessed it – no trousers. While I was aware that this event happens in January, I somehow managed to get caught in it en route to meet a friend in Chelsea. I was sitting on the tube, minding my own business, when throngs of people in their underwear piled on to my tube car. Somehow, I ended up in the tube car where the news media was having a photoshoot of the attendees. Please enjoy my surprised face in the background of these photos!
Hungry for More?
To prevent this post from getting too long, I included the new restaurants I went to in my London Guide update which has already been posted. But, if you prefer to see ALL of the things I got up to in January, including some great meals out and a few other surprises, check out my vlog on YouTube below!
For more of my life updates, click here. For more of my London adventures, check out my posts here.
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