Month guide · York · United Kingdom
York in January
What January is really like in York: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 7.9 hours of daylight. Cold and frosty some mornings, but quiet; the Minster and museums are uncrowded and hotels at their lowest prices.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in York: days average 7°C (45°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with December (7°C (45°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 8°C (46°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:14
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:12
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Christmas markets and Minster carols in December, then cold, quiet weeks and the JORVIK Viking Festival in February.
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 York, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Minster Quarter
York Minster
Climb the central tower early, before the narrow stairs fill, and return for Evensong to hear the choir for free.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with the tower
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Views
- Rainy day
Museum · Coppergate
JORVIK Viking Centre
Built on the site of excavations that uncovered Viking-age houses and workshops at Coppergate in the 1970s and 80s, JORVIK takes visitors on a ride through a reconstruction of the 10th-century street, complete with sounds and smells, followed by galleries of the finds.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Leeman Road
National Railway Museum
Walk from the station via the footbridge in about 10 minutes, and check for turntable demonstrations on arrival.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Iconic
Museum · Castle Area
York Castle Museum
Housed in former 18th-century prisons, the museum is known for Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian street with shops you can walk into, as well as period rooms, toys and the cells of the old debtors' prison where Dick Turpin was held before his execution.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near 1°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit York?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
York in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit York?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and frosty some mornings, but quiet; the Minster and museums are uncrowded and hotels at their lowest prices.
+How warm is York in January?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in York in January?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.