Windsor in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in Windsor

7°C (45°F) High Temp

1°C (34°F) Low Temp

45 mm (1.8 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

Shortest queues at Windsor Castle - January sees 75% fewer visitors than summer months, meaning 15-20 minute waits instead of 90+ minutes for State Apartments
Cozy castle atmosphere with fireplaces lit throughout State Apartments and St. George's Chapel - authentic medieval winter experience impossible in warmer months
Hotel rates drop 40-60% compared to peak season - luxury Thames-side properties available for £120-180/night versus £300+ in summer
Perfect weather for exploring Windsor Great Park's 20 km (12.4 miles) of winter walking trails without summer crowds or heat - crisp air ideal for 2-3 hour woodland walks

Considerations

Daylight limited to 8.5 hours (8:00am-4:30pm) restricts outdoor activities and makes evening castle photography challenging
Raw dampness at 1-7°C (34-45°F) with frequent drizzle creates uncomfortable conditions for extended outdoor exploration - typical January day feels colder than temperature suggests
Many riverside restaurants and outdoor attractions operate reduced hours or close entirely during weekdays in January

Best Activities in January

Windsor Castle State Apartments Winter Tours

January is the absolute best time to experience Windsor Castle with minimal crowds and atmospheric winter ambiance. Fireplaces burn throughout the State Apartments, creating the authentic royal winter experience. Security lines take 15-20 minutes versus 90+ minutes in summer. The Semi-State Rooms are typically open in January, offering access to rooms closed during busy periods.

Booking Tip: Book tickets online 7-14 days ahead for 10% discount and guaranteed entry. Winter opening hours are 10am-4:15pm (last entry 3pm). Standard tickets range £28-32 for adults. See current tour options and skip-the-line tickets in the booking section below.

Thames Valley Winter Walking Routes

January's crisp 1-7°C (34-45°F) temperatures and bare trees create perfect conditions for riverside walks without summer heat or foliage blocking views. The Thames Path from Windsor to Maidenhead (8 km/5 miles) offers impressive winter river views and cozy pub stops. Eton College grounds walking tours also operate with smaller groups in January.

Booking Tip: Self-guided walks are free, but guided Thames Valley heritage walks typically cost £15-25 per person. Book 3-5 days ahead as group sizes limited to 12-15 people in winter. Waterproof boots essential for muddy riverside paths.

Windsor Great Park Winter Photography Tours

The 2,020-hectare (4,990-acre) Great Park transforms in January with frost-covered landscapes and dramatic bare oak trees. Long Walk's 4.26 km (2.65 miles) provides unobstructed castle views without summer crowds. Virginia Water's 1.6 km (1 mile) circuit offers mirror-like reflections and rare winter bird spotting opportunities.

Booking Tip: Photography workshops cost £45-75 per person for 3-4 hour sessions. Book 10-14 days ahead as winter light conditions limit daily tour capacity. Early morning tours (8:30am start) capture best light during short January days.

Royal Borough Heritage Pub Tours

January's cold weather makes Windsor's historic pubs particularly appealing. Many date from 15th-17th centuries and offer roaring fires, seasonal ales, and traditional British comfort food. The concentration of historic pubs within 800 m (0.5 miles) of castle makes for perfect winter afternoon touring.

Booking Tip: Guided pub history tours cost £25-35 per person including tastings. Private group tours (4-8 people) range £200-300 total. Book 5-7 days ahead. Most tours run 2-3 hours starting at 2pm to maximize January daylight.

Ascot Winter Racing Experience

While Royal Ascot occurs in June, winter jump racing at Ascot Racecourse (10 km/6.2 miles from Windsor) offers authentic British racing atmosphere without summer crowds. January meetings feature smaller, more intimate crowds and lower admission prices. The raw weather adds to the authentic British racing experience.

Booking Tip: Winter race day tickets cost £15-35 versus £75+ for Royal Ascot week. Book 3-7 days ahead online for best prices. Grandstand tickets recommended in January weather. Racing typically runs 1:30pm-4:30pm, perfect for short January daylight.

Savill Garden Winter Landscape Tours

Located within Windsor Great Park, the 14-hectare (35-acre) Savill Garden showcases winter garden design with structural plantings, bark textures, and winter-flowering species. January reveals garden 'bones' invisible during growing season, making it ideal for horticultural education and peaceful walks.

Booking Tip: Garden admission £12-15 adults, free for children. Guided winter tours available weekends for additional £8-10. Open 10am-4pm in January. Café provides warm refuge during visits. Book guided tours 5-7 days ahead as winter capacity reduced.

January Events & Festivals

Early to mid-January

Windsor Castle Christmas Decorations Extended Display

The castle's elaborate Christmas decorations typically remain on display through mid-January, featuring 20-foot Christmas tree in St. George's Hall and festive garlands throughout State Apartments. This offers the decorative splendor without December crowds.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof walking boots with good grip - cobblestones become slippery in January drizzle and Great Park paths turn muddy

Layered clothing system: thermal base layer, wool sweater, waterproof outer shell for 1-7°C (34-45°F) temperatures that feel colder due to dampness

Compact umbrella AND waterproof jacket - January brings frequent light drizzle that umbrellas can't fully protect against during walks

Warm hat and gloves essential for castle courtyards and park walks where wind chill drops feels-like temperature by 3-5°C (5-9°F)

Comfortable indoor shoes for castle tours - you'll be walking 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) on stone floors during typical 3-hour visit

Power bank for phone - cold weather drains battery 30-40% faster during outdoor photography sessions

Cash in small notes - many historic pubs and local shops prefer cash, and card machines occasionally fail in cold weather

Light scarf that packs small but provides neck warmth in drafty castle corridors and during riverside walks

Insider Knowledge

Windsor Castle's Changing of the Guard occurs at 11am on select dates in January (weather permitting) - check castle website day-of as winter schedule varies based on conditions

Many locals use January to walk the full 4.26 km (2.65 mile) Long Walk from castle to Copper Horse statue - attempt this between 11am-2pm for best light and warmest temperatures

The Guildhall where Prince Charles married Camilla offers free ground-floor exhibitions - perfect warm refuge during castle area exploration

Windsor Central Station has better train frequency to United Kingdom than Windsor & Eton Riverside in January due to reduced Belgium service - check schedules day-of travel

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how cold stone castle floors feel through shoes - wear thick-soled footwear for 2-3 hour castle visits

Planning too many outdoor activities after 3:30pm - January sunset at 4:30pm makes evening castle photography and park walks impractical

Assuming restaurants keep summer hours - many Windsor establishments reduce January hours or close Mondays-Tuesdays, always check before walking over