Exciting things to do close to the capital in January 2025, all easily accessible in a day trip. Browse our Beyond London section for ideas for other day trips and weekends away, and start your year on a high.
ICE SKATING: Not done with ice skating this season? Hop on the train down to Brighton, where the Royal Pavilion ice rink stays open for the first week of the year. Take a twirl on the ice against a gorgeous backdrop, safe in the knowledge that it’s environmentally friendly, as it’s powered entirely by wind and solar energy. Find other things to see and do in Brighton while you’re there. Until 5 January (East Sussex)
MR SELFRIDGE: Learn about the history of Oxford Street’s famous department store, at the Guildford Institute in Surrey. Historian, novelist and London walks guide Ian Porter gives a talk about entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge, and how his ideas revolutionised the worldwide retail industry. It’s worth keeping an eye on the Guildford Institute’s upcoming events — it’s an educational, cultural and social community hub which has been running for 125 years, offering regular one-off talks on a wide range of topics. Guildford’s just over half an hour from Waterloo, and a wonderful town which is worth exploring. 8 January (Surrey)
VEGANUARY MELA: The British seaside isn’t an obvious destination for a January day trip, but when there’s warming Indian food involved, why not? The Southend-on-Sea Veganuary Mela is a carnival of vegan Indian Street food, with dishes starting from as little as £1. If the weather isn’t too blustery, we highly recommend visiting the world’s longest pier while you’re there. 12 January (Essex)
MARVELLOUS MARS: Mid-January is apparently the perfect time to view the Red Planet here on Earth. Head out to the Kent countryside to get a better view, guided by the Edenbridge and District Astronomers at Bore Place. Hear a talk about Mars, before (if weather permits) viewing it through a telescope. If conditions are perfect, you should be able to see polar caps and surface markings on the planet. Note that part of the event takes place outside, so dress appropriately. 16 January (Kent)
PINK FLOYD BY CANDLELIGHT: Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon installation is currently on show at St Albans Cathedral. As part of the events programme running alongside it, head to the Dark Side of the Moon for a night of Pink Floyd by Candlelight. Tribute band What The Floyd perform the album in full, in a rather atmospheric setting. 16-18 January (Hertforshire)
LEWES SPEAKERS FESTIVAL: Radio host Iain Dale, crossbench peer Baroness Lola Young, historian Giles Milton, and Stanley Johnson are among the guests on the line-up at the Lewes Speakers Festival. They discuss their books on topics ranging from dictatorships to foster care to art fraud to Ancient Rome. Read our guide to the town of Lewes to help you make a weekend of it. 17-19 January (East Sussex)
WINTER WOODLAND LIGHTS: Head to The Hawk Conservancy near Andover after dark for a live owl display and light trail through the woods, accompanied by music and sound effects. Winter Woodland Lights has a self-led trail, with the on-site restaurant open for refreshments. 17 January-2 February (Hampshire)
MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION: Kickstart a rather exciting year for the railways at Canterbury’s model railway exhibition. 13 layouts are already confirmed to be on display, with train rides from the Canterbury and District Model Engineering Society, and a chance to buy the products you need for your own layouts from a range of suppliers. 18-19 January (Kent)
SEAFRONT RUN: Taking up running this new year, or just need to blow the cobwebs away? Sign up for the BrighTEN Brighton 10 mile/10k race, and pound the pavements along the seafront. Pick your distance, and run past landmarks including Brighton Palace Pier and the i360 tower. Need somewhere to refuel afterwards? We highly recommend JB’s American Diner. 19 January (East Sussex)
LIGHT FESTIVAL: Hampshire’s not the only place getting a glow-up this month (above). Gravesham Light Festival takes place across two evenings in Gravesend, with light installations from several artists dotted around the area, including a canopy of illuminated jellyfish, and trapeze and circus performances. FREE, 24-25 January (Kent)
WINE LUNCH: The Gusbourne Wine Estate near Ashford in Kent opens its doors for a special wine tasting masterclass and lunch. Sample some of the company’s oldest vintages, dating back almost to the vineyard’s first season in 2004, then enjoy a three-course lunch. You can choose to stroll through the vineyards afterwards, if you like. 25 January (Kent)
WINE ESTATE BURNS NIGHT: From one wine estate to another, Denbies near Dorking goes all out for Burns Night. Enjoy a three-course dinner down in the atmospheric cellar, followed by a traditional Scottish Ceilidh band in the conservatory. 25 January (Surrey)
WINTER BEER FESTIVAL: Toast the end of Dry January at the 16th annual Colchester Winter Beer Festival. The beer and cider list for the CAMRA event isn’t available yet, but we’re promised real ale, real cider, food, soft drinks, English wine, foreign beers and more. Something for all drinkers, then. 29 January-1 February (Essex)
