Wales in January: What to Expect + Things To Do

Like most of Europe, once the festive season is out of the way, most of Wales experiences post-Christmas blues in January, but what exactly is it like to visit during the first month of the new year?

January in Wales is one of the coldest, wettest, and darkest months with temperatures around 4℃ and an average of 18 rainy days. It's probably one of the worst months to visit Wales.

Although there are few crowds, many accommodations remain closed and lots of tours have stopped for the winter. However, if you head to the large towns and cities, there are plenty of indoor activities and you can take advantage of off-peak pricing.

Keep reading to find out more about visiting Wales in January and some of my favourite things to do during the month.

What Will the Weather Be Like?

If you’re thinking about travelling to Wales in January, you can expect it to be cold, windy, wet, and dark.

With it being the depths of Winter, temperatures average out around a chilly 4℃¹ - that’s big coat territory for sure!

It's also one of the wettest months, with an average of 18 rainy days in January, although some years we can have up to 23 rainy days².

January is also the windiest month to spend in Wales. The winter storms swell up in the Atlantic and make their way across to the coastlines of Wales.

It can make it feel a lot colder than it is, but if you’re visiting Wales for watersports, this makes for some excellent surfing conditions.

For those of you looking for cosy nights, days in January have approximately 8.2 hours of daylight - the second shortest in the entire year. Be prepared for it to start getting dark around 4pm.

The best months to visit Wales for the weather are June, July, and August. This is when the days are long, with sunsets as late as 9.30pm and when you'll have the greatest chance of warm, sunny weather. However, with good weather and the school holidays in full swing, July and August are the busiest months in Wales.

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What Should I Expect?

With the weather not being ideal, January is a pretty quiet time in Wales.

There aren’t a ton of tourists so many seaside towns and holiday resorts are closed down for the season. This can limit your accommodation choices in rural destinations. However, you'll be able to get some great off-peak deals in the large towns and cities.

If you’re thinking of heading to a university town or city in Wales, such as Aberystwyth or Bangor, these will be a lot busier with the students coming back after the Christmas break.

Many of the tours also stop running through the off-peak season. So there are no trips to Skomer or Puffin Island, no dolphin spotting tours, and no walking tours in the cities. However, most of the castles remain open and there are a ton of museums in Wales and other indoor activities.

For anyone thinking about hiking in Eryri (Snowdonia) in January, it’s almost guaranteed that there will be snow on the peaks. Make sure you have all the necessary gear and experience to make it up the mountain and back down again - mountain rescue are likely to be working overtime at this time of year!

Now, this might sound like a bit of a dud month to visit Wales, but it’s a beautiful time of year to visit. If you wrap up warm, you’re probably going to have the main sights all to yourself.

Make sure to check the weather conditions closer to your trip. If there are snowstorms, everything can grind to a halt in Wales, much like England, and it can be difficult to get around.

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What to Pack

As it’s so cold, layers are going to be essential. A thick, waterproof coat is going to be your best friend and will help keep both the wind and rain off you.

You’ll need all the necessary woollen accessories; gloves, hats, scarves, thick socks, etc.

If you're planning to be outdoors, I'd also suggest a sturdy pair of walking boots. There can be snow, ice, and mud in Wales this time of year, so it will minimise your chances of slipping.

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What's on in Wales in January?

Dydd Santes Dwynwen - 25th January

World Mountain Bike Chariot Racing, Llanwrtyd Wells - 14th January

Hen Galan, Pembrokeshire - 13th January

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Best Things To Do in Wales in January

Here are some of my favourite activities to do in Wales in January:

1. Look to the stars at the Dark Sky Reserves

Wales is an excellent country for stargazing with three International Dark Sky Places (IDSPs). These are areas that have been officially designated and protected to ensure the best stargazing experiences.

The three places are Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the Bannau Brycheiniong (Brecon Beacons) National Park, and the Elan Valley. You can hunt out some great stargazing spots for yourself, or head out on this stargazing experience with an astronomy expert.

Due to the lack of light in the surrounding area and the earlier nights in January, it’s the ideal combination for stargazing. However, you'll need to check the weather to ensure you avoid the cloudy nights.

Tip: Check when the Quadrantids meteor shower will be visible in the skies - this is usually around January.

Remember to bring torches to help you find your way around the trails!

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2. See the Botanic Gardens Bloom

The National Botanic Gardens of Wales is a huge complex with both indoor and outdoor areas. Expect rare plant species, themed areas, waterfalls, birds of prey, and more.

The Great Glasshouse is the largest single-span greenhouse in the world, home to plants from all over the world. January is the best time to visit to see the plants from South Africa blooming into life.

As for the outdoor areas, look out for tons of winter flowers including jasmines and viburnums. The extra rainfall that the winter brings will also ensure the lakes are brimming and the waterfalls are flowing.

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3. Go Skiing and Tobogganing

Wales doesn't quite have it's own ski resort, but you can still partake in winter sports at Pembrey Country Park. This is a family-friendly parkland, woodland, and beach near Llanelli with family-friendly activities that are suitable year-round.

Winter activities at the park centre around the dry ski slope where you can go skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or tobogganing (my favourite). Note that for tubing, you will need to have at least 6 people in your group.

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4. Visit the Museums

Wales is typically seen as a destination for outdoor activities. But we have a huge range of museums and galleries across the country that are worth visiting. Here are some of my favourites:

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5. Take a New Year's Dip

Want to ring in the New Year with a splash - literally? A booming tradition across Wales is to take a New Year's Day dip in the sea. At beaches across Wales, you'll find thousands of locals donning their swimwear and bearing the icy cold January waters.

But it's more than just a dip. Expect fancy dress, parades, competitions, and even fireworks. Most are held in aid of local charities too. Find a full list of festive swims across Wales here.

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6. Go Husky Sledding

Husky sledging is one of those activities you might associate with the Arctic, but, did you know you can go husky sledging in Wales too? It might be a little bit different without the snow, but thanks to a handy set of wheels, it’s close enough.

Just outside Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park near Llyn Brenig and Alwen Reservoir, you’ll find Mynydd Sleddog where Joe and the team have Siberian Huskies which have been bred for racing.

January is a great month to hop in the passenger cart and be drawn through the Welsh countryside by six dogs.

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7. Go Surfing

At this time of year, the winter storms swell up in the Atlantic and make their way across to the coastlines of Wales. This makes for some excellent surfing conditions.

The best places for surfing are typically found in South and West Wales. Some great surfing beaches are Freshwater West, Newgale, and Llangennith. You can also visit Hell's Mouth in North Wales (see more surfing destinations here).

However, the water in Wales is very cold at this time of year. You're going to want a 5mm full-body wetsuit.

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8. Celebrate St Dwynwen's Day in Anglesey

St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers. After being unlucky in love, she became a nun and established a convent on the gorgeous Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Island).

We celebrate her on 25th January each year on St. Dwynwen's Day. This is widely considered to be the Welsh equivalent of Valentine's Day.

Ynys Llanddwyn is a tidal island just off the coast of Anglesey. Here, you'll find a beautiful lighthouse and the ruins of the Church of St Dwynwen which was once a popular pilgrimage destination. This is a very beautiful and romantic place to visit in January.

But you can also celebrate the occasion anywhere in Wales by spending time with loved ones or giving them a gift as a gesture of your love. A traditional gift to give is a Welsh Love Spoon.

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9. Visit a Welsh Castle

No trip to Wales would be complete without stopping off at a Welsh castle. Most of the castles in Wales are open year-round, but there are a few that are better to visit in Winter due to having lots of indoor areas.

Here are a few to consider: