5 Best Places to Visit in January

Winter is well and truly here over on our side of the world. Dark afternoons and winter winds have set in and we’re all having as much fun as we can donning our favourite scarves and beanies as we ponder the best January destinations. It’s a time to revel in the sparkling lights of Christmas Markets and cosying up inside with our loved ones.

There’s a magic to winter that the other seasons don’t possess. From a quiet winter’s night to the sparkle that’s been added to your favourite shops and local streets, we think travelling in winter is a great idea. If you’re thinking of travelling this winter, we’ve made a list of the best places to visit in January in the UK, so you can take advantage of this quiet and beautiful season.

Coming up in this article:  

• Our Top Destinations to Visit in January  

  • The Cotswolds, England 

  • NC500 Route, Scotland 

  • Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, Scotland 

  • York, England 

  • Oxford, England

• January Places to Visit FAQs 

Our Top Destinations to Visit in January  

We love travelling in winter. How could we not when the accommodation is cheaper, queues are shorter, and the streets are that much quieter? Winter is one of our favourite times to jump on a small group Rabbie’s tour with you – because it’s our time to show off the magic of the places we love in a wintery landscape. That might mean snow, or it might mean a low mist, a gently glowing sun, a warm meal in a cosy pub, or an empty landscape. 

So, where should you go? There are so many places to recommend, but these next 5 locations will make your January holiday extra memorable.

The Cotswolds, England 

Average temperature: 2°C - 7°C (35 - 45°F) 

Season: Winter 

Best for:  Cosy cottage core vibes 

Rabbie’s Tour: We have several day tours to the Cotswolds 

We’ve got an image in mind. A quiet cobbled street. It curves slightly to the right; what’s beyond is a mystery. But before you are a row of stone cottage homes pressed side-by-side like best friends linked by the arm. Some are covered in ivy, others have a single lit lamp dangling over the front door, others have a bike leaning against the stone wall. 

It might seem like magic to you, but this is a place where the beauty of a day-to-day life warms the cold streets like an embrace. Friends meet for a pint or two at the local pub. Families push their strollers down the cobbled paths. And travellers like you come to soak up some of that quiet beauty that a place like the Cotswolds provides. 

There’s a reason films like Stardust and shows like Downton Abbey have been filmed across the various quaint towns that make up this beautiful region, making it one of England’s greatest filming locations to tour. 

Maybe you’ll snap a picture of the iconic bridge in Castle Combe or wander the striking row of houses at Arlington Row in Bibury, or perhaps the Tolkien Door in Stow-on-the-Wold is calling your name. Wherever you end up within the Cotswolds, there’s sure to be magic when touring England.

NC500 Route, Scotland 

Average temperature: 0°C - 5°C (32 - 41°F) but often can drop lower 

Season: Winter 

Best for: Narnia winter vibes 

Rabbie’s Tour: The North Coast 500 

They say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation – and that’s something to remember as you explore the wild landscapes along the NC500 Route in Scotland. Known as the Scottish Route 66, the NC500 is an adventure perfect for those who love stepping out of their day-to-day to witness something truly magical. And by that, we mean the Scottish Highlands. 

The NC500 is the kind of place where nature takes over. A place where you’ll be scrambling across boulders to reach the windswept beach one minute, and navigating hairpin turns up a snowy mountainside the next. 

Coastlines boast their local produce, which you can find in the local fire-warmed pub. Routes twist and turn; you’ll never know what’s just around the corner. Legendary tales echo in cave structures and every castle is backed by a brilliant view. 

Touring Scotland in winter is how one learns to be flexible, because sometimes you have to change your plans to suit the weather. If you’re not comfortable or familiar with driving in wintery conditions, especially on winding roads, then you might be better off joining us on a tour and we can do the driving for you. 

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, Scotland 

Average temperature: 1°C - 6°C (34 - 45°F) 

Season: Winter 

Best for: Forest escapes 

Rabbie’s Tour: We have several tours that venture into Loch Lomond 

Nestled in the heart of one of Scotland’s most beloved national parks is a loch that many of us are familiar with. No, we’re not talking about Loch Ness. We’re talking about the one from the song. You know the song. 

You take the high road, and I’ll take the low road, and I’ll be in Scotland before you. But me and my true love will never meet again on the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. 

Scotland is one of those places. In the cities, bagpipes echo in the distance, down one of the many cobbled roads, a piper has set up shop outside a pub, and in the background, a castle looms above. And that’s just the cities. We’ve not even begun to talk about the magic that is buried in the landscapes of Scotland. 

Scotland is the ultimate storyteller. She’ll get you around the campfire and keep you entertained all night with tales of Mary, Queen of Scots and legends of water monsters in lochs. And one such place brimming with stories is the beauty of Loch Lomond and the national park that surrounds it - Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. 

You’ll escape into this sleepy and beautiful landscape, exploring the many woodland trails with spectacular views. Red squirrels hide amongst the Scots pine trees and majestic birds of prey soar overhead searching for prey. You might get lucky and spot a deer leaping through the dense juniper bushes. 

And, if you join us on a small-group tour, we’ll take you to some of our favourite spots in the park, all the while telling you some of our favourite stories. More than that, but you become part of the landscape and part of Loch Lomond’s history too. You can follow in the footsteps of one of Scotland’s most famous outlaws, Rob Roy MacGregor; or see how many lochs you can spot as we journey along. Soon enough you’ll realise just how magical this place truly is. 

Yorkshire (and York), England 

Average temperature: 1°C - 5°C (34 - 41°F) 

Season: Winter 

Best for: Historical winter getaways 

Rabbie’s Tour: The Yorkshire Dales & Peak District 

Most people know quite a bit about England. They know about the royal family, and the Tower of London. They know about King Arthur and the stories of Shakespeare. They know about the idyllic cosiness of the Cotswolds or maybe the incredible landscape of the Lake District. 

And the lucky ones know about Yorkshire. England has many counties, but Yorkshire is the country’s largest historic one. It’s a world within a world, with endless things to do and see. One thing that is a must: savour the pancake-like deliciousness of a Yorkshire Pudding. 

Yorkshire is as varied as it is wide and wonderous, a playground for explorers and adventurers. It’s the kind of place you disappear into for a few days, and when you come back to reality, you’re revitalised and inspired. 

Maybe you’ll visit one of Yorkshire’s incredible national parks. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a splendor of fascinating ruins scattered across striking landscapes, landscapes that were formed over millennia by ice, forming the luscious valleys, windswept hills, and expansive heather-covered moors seen today. 

Or maybe you’ll be drawn to the towering cliffs and dramatic coastlines of the North York Moors National Park. The eastern edge of the park comes face-to-face with the North Sea where it is formed by Jurassic shales and clays, making it a treasure trove for history lovers. 

And for you city lovers out there, the city of York has been around in one form or another since AD 71, giving it plenty of time to grow a personality. Today, York is a treasure trove of history, attractions, and culture. There are thirty world-class museums to explore, and striking architecture around every corner. And of course, there’s the Shambles. Some say these quirky streets are the inspiration for Diagon Alley from the famous Harry Potter book series. Maybe it’s time for some magic of your own? We’re here to guide you, whether from afar with our guide to Yorkshire, or with you on tour. 

Oxford, England 

Average temperature: 2°C - 7°C (35 - 45°F) 

Season: Winter 

Best for: Regal English vibes 

Rabbie’s Tour: We have several tours that visit Oxford 

Wilde called it the ‘most beautiful thing in England’, Yeats said it’s so pretty that one would expect its residents ‘to sing instead of speak’, and Matthew Arnold called it that ‘sweet city with her dreaming spires’. 

Makes you curious, doesn’t it? Makes you wonder what it is about Oxford that has made countless people fall in love with a city. Time to see for yourself, perhaps? 

Oxford truly is a dream destination. You might wander the canal and soak up the luscious scenery, or you’ll explore the alleyways filled with treasure-trove shops. But, most of all, you’ll marvel at its architecture and history of this collegiate town. From Christ Church College and Cathedral to the dusty tomes slumbering at Bodleian Library, Oxford is impossible to ignore. 

And it’s not just our eyes that are on Oxford, the world’s eyes are too. She’s a cinematic star for a reason, featuring in the likes of Harry Potter and X-Men, making her a top film location tour destination.

January Places to Visit FAQs   

Tempted for your own winter adventure? We’re sure you will have some questions about it, so let us answer some of the most common questions asked for this time of year.    

Is January a Good Time to Travel?   

In our opinion, January is a wonderful time to travel thanks to it being far quieter where travellers are concerned, not to mention the Christmas spirit colouring many of the places you’ll visit, including a range of amazing Christmas Markets or local shops and businesses for you to visit. If you’re looking for shorter queue times and more peaceful explorations, then travelling in winter is for you. 

Note that some attractions do shorten their opening hours during this part of the year, so make sure to account for that when planning your trip.  

What Is the Best Short Break for January?   

The best short break in January depends on what you want to do and see, but we have a soft spot for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park in Scotland. Maybe it has something to do with the temptation of seeing Scottish Munros dusted in snow looming over shimmering lochs as you marvel in the peacefulness of such a magical place.  

Winter Escapes with Rabbie’s  

One of the best things about travelling with us? We do all the driving. Which means that you can have that dram of whisky at lunch time to help warm the cockles of your heart before venturing back out into the crisp winter landscape. 

More than that, we’re here to tell you the tricks of the local area, or to take a picture of the whole family so that no one is left out. We’d love to join you on your next adventure on a Rabbie's tour.   

And right now, we’re running a unique offer for autumn and winter with 10% off day trips when you travel from now until the 17th Dec 2024.  

Whether you choose to travel in winter, or you opt for another time of year, our driver-guides will be awaiting you with a smile. What’s more, when you travel with a B Corp certified company, you are making the choice to explore more responsibly. And that’s always a positive thing to celebrate. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter for your portion of inspiration and to be one of the first to know about new destinations we’re going to explore.