Things To Do On A Tight Budget In January

As we look forward to a cold, cold January, the festive season begins to feel like a distant memory. The time that was filled with fun, food and family has now left us with a New Year’s resolution to keep up with and a tight budget to keep. But don’t let this gloomy weather fool you, as there’s plenty to do to keep yourselves entertained. 

Of course, “we could leave the Christmas lights up til’ January” or we can get planning our next big adventure. We suggest that you waste no time and crack on with making 2025 a year full of adventure. To help you make this happen, we’ve curated a list of things to do that won’t cause you any financial stress. Promise you, it’s low on spending and high on entertainment. Dive into our list now!

For Indoor Comfort Seekers

1. Learn To Make A Roast Dinner

Whether you’re planning to host the next Christmas dinner or are simply craving a taste of the last one, a roast dinner is always the answer. Plan a meal filled with your personal favourites and perfect each item on the menu. Practice making the perfect gravy reduced to just the right consistency to wow your guests. Soon, you’ll get the hang of timing your roasties and meat right making you a roast master!

2. Sign Up For An Online Meditation Course

The best thing about the month of January is the budget-friendly offers on memberships and classes. To help you kick off your year on a healthy note, lots of gyms, yoga studios and recreation centres offer discounted courses. Make the best of this period to get started on your recreational journey. 

For Travel Seekers

1. Explore Iconic Locations In The UK

While many take to the comfort of their homes this month, it’s the most ideal time to travel around the UK. Lesser tourists, cheaper accommodations and seasonal experiences… Doesn't that sound like a memorable vacation? If you can just put up with the cold, you can join a winter walk in the UK’s iconic Lake District, experience the magic of the aurora borealis in Scotland and discover the Yorkshire Dales. 

2. Explore New And Niche Interests

Pick a new hobby or interest to explore and learn about this year. Visit iconic Scottish distilleries like Glenfiddich or Macallan for tastings and tours to develop your knowledge of wines and spirits. If snowy mountains and icy destinations are your style, give ice-skating or skiing a try. Dabbling with winter sports will keep you busy and get your blood pumping through the cold months. 

3. Castle Crawls Are The Next Best Thing

Leave those midnight bar crawls in the last year and opt for castles instead. The UK is home to hundreds of castles and manor houses decked with fineries from around the world and packed with exciting historic stories. Get yourself a year’s pass to access these venues at your leisure. For an extra bit of experience, visit the castle’s in-house or nearby cafe for a taste of the local afternoon tea. 

For The Artsy Bees

1. Attend a West End Theatre Show

Catch a popular musical or play, such as The Lion King or Les Misérables, in London’s theatre district. Once you experience the magic of stag performances, you’ll keep wanting to come back for more. The elegance and thrill of dressing up and heading to West End for a night filled with drama, music and entertainment is truly incomparable. 

2. Visit The Top Museums In London

For art lovers, British museums have always offered unique experiences from around the world. Whether it’s V&A’s stunning fashion and photography archives or Tate Modern’s art and technology displays, there’s much to choose from. A visit to one of these homes of art will help you develop an interest in niche topics and educate yourself about global cultures.

For Sheer Procrastinators 

1. Make Your Wishlist Happen

Have you been dreaming about visiting the Harry Potter Studios or Disneyland for years? Quit procrastinating and book those tickets without any further delay. Take this as a sign and think of it as a now or never situation to give you that extra push. There’s no better time than now as you can enjoy the best of this off-peak season. There’ll be virtually no queues for any of the rides and experiences making it a wonderful visit for you and your family. 

2. Spacation Your Way Through Winter

For those who wish to indulge in self-care and relaxation this year, we’ve got the best experiences waiting for you. You can visit the historic city of Bath for a much-deserved rejuvenating spacation. Warm up with a soak in the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa, offering stunning views of the city. Prefer somewhere quieter? Head to the village of Cotswold instead for a countryside escape. Usually packed with wedding parties during peak season, January is the perfect time to visit the Cotswold if you wish to catch it at its idlest. 

For Festive Lovers

1. Continue The Celebration

Who said the party needs to stop when the clock strikes midnight? Take your festive spirit into January to celebrate events like Burns Night. On 25th January, honour Scotland’s national poet with haggis, whisky, and ceilidh dancing. And just as an early PSA, Valentine’s Day 2025 is just around the corner and it’ll lie on a Friday. Get planning early on to make the most of Valentine's weekend. 

2. Plan Your Year Ahead

For music festival goers, it's never too early to plan their yearly festival getaways. Look into the dates of your favourite festivals and plan your holidays and stay accordingly. Get your friends together to sketch out the perfect friends vacation filled with fun, food and music.

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Suhani Lotlikar

Content Writer

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