Near year, new journey! Start the year fresh by exploring these best places to visit in the UK in January. We’ve rounded up a list of activities and fun things to do in winter in beautiful — and crisp — corners of the UK, so if you’re wondering where to go on holiday in January, you’ve come to the right place. Hire a winter-proof motorhome with your loved ones and get cosy in the fresh air until those cheeks turn rosy.
1. Stargazing in the Brecon Beacons
In January the nights are longer, darker, colder and… clearer. This is why this month just so happens to be an excellent (if not the best) time of year to dust off the binoculars or telescope, fill the thermos and go stargazing. In winter you can spot many prominent constellations, such as Orion, Gemini, Taurus, The Great Bear, The Little Bear and Cassiopeia. In areas with little light pollution, you may even spot the entire Milky Way stretching across the sky.
And the fun doesn’t end there! In early January, a phenomenon called the Quandratid meteor shower occurs, which can produce a high number of bright meteors or ‘shooting stars’. Furthermore, clear winter skies offer incredible views of the moon, with a higher chance of spotting its craters and mountains. In January, several planets such as Venus, Jupiter and Saturn can even be observed with the naked eye.
In the UK, Six National Parks have been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve, but Brecon Beacons National Park in south Wales has to be one of our favourite places for a stargazing holiday in a motorhome. The parks authority is committed to preserving its dark skies, limiting light pollution as much as they can. Check out these other unmissable things to do in the Brecon Beacons while you’re in the area! 
2. Woodland walking in Marshham Heath
A walk in the woods is a joy in every season, but surely a forest becomes even more enchanting in wintertime. Maybe it’s the way the bare branches cast a complex shadow on the forest floor. Or the crisp rustle of frost-covered leaves under your heavy winter boots. Or the way in which even the thinnest layer of snow mutes all forest sounds to a state of muffled silence. Whatever it is, a stroll over a meandering forest track in the wintertime is an ethereal experience, so get amongst it!
An incredible spot to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland, and one of the best places to visit in the UK in January, is the woodland of Marsham Heath. This 117-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest just north of Norwich is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and has earned itself the reputation of being the perfect place for a winter escape. Head there in a cosy motorhome, so you can warm your hands around a cup of tea when you get back from a dreamy winter woodland walk.
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash
3. Beachcombing on the Isle of Wight
There are few activities as meditative as scouring a shoreline for treasures that nature has left behind. Whether you’re looking for shells, driftwood, sea glass or a message in a bottle, winter is by far the best time of year to go beachcombing. Mainly because the often relentless coastal weather means fewer people head out to brave the cold, which leaves the UK’s beaches empty and pristine. Head out at first light to really beat the crowds and increase your chances of finding real gems.
If you’re looking for the perfect destination for your beachcombing holiday in January, hop on the ferry across The Solent to the Isle of Wight. The Isle’s milder and more forgiving winter climate makes for the perfect beachcoming circumstances. The bravest may even take their shoes off for the real experience, toes in the sand! The Isle of Wight is a real treasure trove for beachcombers, as the island’s remarkable geological history makes for a very high chance of finding fossils among other collectables. The island's maritime heritage and shipwrecks further add the allure.
Check out our full itinerary for a road trip around the Isle of Wight!
Photo by Kevin Lofthouse on Unsplash
4. Celebrate Celtic music in Glasgow
If you’re looking for a more festive type of winter fun, head north to Glasgow this winter. The Scottish city has well and truly earned its place on this list of best places to visit in the UK in January, as on January 18th the Celtic Connections festival kicks off. This annual folk, roots, indie, world and traditional music festival celebrates the connection between Celtic music and cultures across the world.
The festival lasts longer than two weeks, and more than two thousand musicians from across the globe bring the city to life during this time. But there’s more to the event than the music! From talks to workshops, events and exhibitions, there’s truly something for all its visitors, whether you’re into Celtic music or not. The festival is renowned for its infectious energy and inclusive spirit, so if you’re looking for a place to go and snap out of the post-holiday season blues, head to Glasgow this January.
Photo by Melanie van Leeuwen on Unsplash
5. Skiing in the Cairngorms
Whilst you’re up in Scotland, why not head for the slopes? It may not have crossed your mind, but there’s ample opportunity for some skiing and snowboarding action right here on the isle of Great Britain. One of the best places to ski in Scotland is typically the Cairngorms National Park due to its higher elevations and colder temperatures during the winter months. At Goboony we have a tendency to rave on and on about this fantastic road trip destination, there’s simply nothing but great things to say about the Cairngorms. So if you haven’t made it up there yet, you might want to make the trip this year.
The primary ski resort in the Cairngorms is Cairngorm Mountain near Aviemore, where there’s a range of runs suitable for all levels of skiers. Even though the resort is known for its stunning alpine-like scenery, keep in mind that the conditions might not be as predictable or consistent as in major European ski destinations. Even so, the views from the slopes in Cairngorm Mountain are to die for, and it tends to have better snow cover than other Scottish ski resorts.
If we still haven’t managed to pass the campervanning bug to you, we strongly urge you to consider embarking on a ski trip in a motorhome for that extra dose of adventure. These are our top tips for an early-season motorhome ski trip.
Curious about where you can ski in Scotland? Check out these best places for a skiing or snowboarding holiday in Scotland.
Photo by Steve Douglas on Unsplash
6. Ice skating in Brighton
Looking for a fun winter activity to entertain the little ones after Christmas? Head towards the Royal Pavillion Ice Rink in Brighton in the first week of January. This beautiful winter attraction is open until the 7th, is set against the backdrop of the Royal Pavilion and is beautifully illuminated. Its twinkly lights, which are completely powered by green energy, create a magical atmosphere that will make your kids feel like they’re gliding through a fairytale. Adults can join the skating fun on the ice, or soak up the festive spirit from the rink-side cafe or bar in the heart of Brighton.
Photo by ocd studio on Unsplash
7. Whisky tasting on the Isle of Islay
Exploring a Scottish Isle exposed to the roaring northern Atlantic in the height of winter may not sound like an alluring experience. But what if you get to warm your old bones by guzzling some of the country’s most exquisite water of life afterwards? If the thought suddenly became a whole lot more enticing, then head to Islay.
Located off Scotland’s west coast, this windswept island is a whisky lover’s haven renowned for its distinctive single malt whiskies. Islay is home to several iconic distilleries including Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig, which all craft their unique version of peaty, smoky liquid gold. Winter is a great time to go on a sensory journey through the unique maritime and peaty natural environment of the rugged isle, which has such a significant impact on the production process of its world-famous whiskies.
Photo by Alexander Hanssen on Unsplash
8. Birdwatching on Lundy
Are you committing to dry January and planning to stay as far away from any kind of alcoholic festival as possible? Or just craving some serenity and solitude after the end of December madness? In either case, we have just the place for you. Next up on the list of best places to go on holiday in January is Lundy Island off the coast of Devon. The stunning Lundy Heritage Coast sees fewer visitors in winter, which leaves the destination more tranquil and peaceful than any other time of year.
Just being able to take in the island’s natural beauty undisturbed is reason enough to ferry across, but there are more arguments for a January visit. When tourists scurry away from the windswept isle, birds flock to it! Lundy Island becomes a temporary refuge for various migrant bird species in January. Birdwatchers can spot waders such as curlews and oystercatchers, as well as waterfowl like ducks and geese, which all use the island’s estuaries and shores as their feeding grounds.
If you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a white-tailed eagle soaring over the island. After the last eagle ever on Lundy was shot in 1880, the impressive species is now being reintroduced to the island to many birdwatchers' delight, and it just so happens they are most active in winter and early spring.
9. Coastal walking on the Jurassic Coast
Last up on our quest for the best places to visit in the UK in January: the Jurassic Coast. Its impressive rock formations such as Old Harry Rocks, Durdle Door and Gad Cliff simply have even more of a dramatic feel to them when the winter swells are bashing up against them, the wind is blowing a gale and without the hustle and bustle of the summer season.
Walks along the coast path provide breathtaking views over the unique seascapes and offer great opportunities for fossil hunting. So go and stretch those legs after a long month of overindulgence and start the year right!
Photo by Jack Anstey on Unsplash
10. Winter camping, wherever you like!
Struggling to decide where to go on holiday in January in the UK? A great way to combine some of these destinations and activities is by hiring a motorhome and setting off on a winter road trip! Wondering where to spend the night? There are plenty of campsites in the UK that are open all year round in England, Scotland and Wales, where you can enjoy winter camping activities in the cold, as well as make use of heated facilities. 
Don’t let the chill be the limiting factor to your adventure. On Goboony you can hire plenty of vehicles that are winter-proof, complete with a heater, hot water and other amenities.
