Month guide · Bath · United Kingdom
Bath in January
What January is really like in Bath: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fahdshariff at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 8.3 hours of daylight. Cold and damp but quiet, with short queues at the Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa at its most atmospheric in steam.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 8.3 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Bath: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with December (9°C (48°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 9°C (48°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:07
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:29
- Daylight
- About 8.3 hours
Winter (December–February). The Christmas Market in early December, then quiet streets, low prices and the rooftop thermal pool steaming in cold air.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Bath, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · City Centre
Roman Baths
Arrive at opening or come in the late afternoon in summer to avoid the midday tour groups, and use the free audio guide.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Experience · City Centre
Thermae Bath Spa
The only place in Britain where you can bathe in natural thermal spring water, this modern spa combines restored historic buildings with a glass-walled block.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Views
- Rainy day
- After dark
Museum · Bathwick
Holburne Museum
Walk on through Sydney Gardens behind the museum to the Kennet and Avon Canal bridges.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Upper Town
Jane Austen Centre
A Georgian townhouse on Gay Street, close to where Austen lived in 1805, tells the story of the author's Bath years and the city's role in Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, with costumed guides and a Regency tearoom upstairs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near 2°C and 13 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Bath?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Bath in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Bath?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and damp but quiet, with short queues at the Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa at its most atmospheric in steam.
+How warm is Bath in January?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bath in January?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.