January is the one of the coldest months in Blackpool's calendar. The month has an average of just 4°C. Average high temperatures are around 6°C and average low temperatures are around 2°C. Don't be fooled into thinking that it will always be a little warmer than freezing here this low average indicates that there are likely to be some days during the month where temperatures will be below 0°C.
Your essential suitcase items certainly include a hat, gloves, and scarf at this time of year, and you will not want to venture out without a coat and umbrella on you. Jumpers are a necessity. You are not likely to require suntan lotion, even if sitting outside all day, as a result of the colder temperatures and the shorter days.
People visiting at this time of year should expect some rainfall, as it happens to be one of the wettest months of the year. The month averages around 22 mm of precipitation, which will come down over an average of 20 days of rain. When touring the seaside resort, it is a good idea to carry an umbrella and check the forecast constantly, as the weather is known to change suddenly. The good news is that the rainfall is normally briefer and lighter than in countries where a tropical climate dominates. Still, when it rains, you are definitely going to get wet without some protection.
The sea in the United Kingdom is also quite cold at this time of year and has an average temperature of just 7°C. It is not recommended to go swimming at this time of year, although there are some traditions to venture into the sea by a dedicated few, it is not considered as a safe time to go swimming. Surfers may also dare to risk the cold, trying to get a better wave thanks to the rougher seas created by windy and wild weather.
Where to Stay
For a stay in January, it's important to be as comfortable as possible you may be spending a lot of time in your room. The New Guilderoy Hotel Blackpool is a bed and breakfast which aims to be your home away from home, with food served every morning and candlelit dinners available on booking. The rooms are spacious with retro styling, but modern amenities such as a digital TVs and DVD players. Each room has an en-suite bathroom and there are free daily newspapers.
You could also try the Premier Inn Blackpool Airport Hotel. It's a great location, close to the airport as well as the Pleasure Beach and other local attractions. There is a restaurant on site as well as a play area for children, and wi-fi is available too. You can park for free at the hotel itself, and it has access for wheelchair users. You can expect the same standard here as at any Premier Inn property.
You could also try the King's Hotel Blackpool. Here you will find a sea view coupled with a warm welcome at a guest house which is run by a friendly husband and wife team. They are right in the heart of everything, and offer complimentary touches like slippers and refreshments. You can also have breakfast there with a great menu including a full English and fresh juices. The low prices here are another reason to smile.
Restaurants and Nightlife
If you want some classic British food, stop off at McHalls Bistro. This restaurant is actually part of a bed and breakfast, but offers delicious meals as well. These include menu options like beef bourgignon, braised lamb, pork tenderloin, and vegetable burgers. You will want to leave room for desserts, which include sticky toffee pudding and homemade ice cream as well as upside-down cake and hot chocolate brownies.
A bit of Mediterranean flavour comes in at Mi Casa Su Casa. This restaurant serves Spanish-inspired tapas, as well as offering you the chance to order ahead and pick up a takeaway if you would prefer to enjoy your feast in your hotel room. It is situated just off from the beach, close to a couple of different tramway stations, so you can easily find your way to it.
Ambrosini's is the place to be if you love Italian food. There is a big selection of pizza, pasta and risotto choices and you can also try other home-cooked classics on the daily specials like lasagne, steak or fish. Choose to sit in and dine or order your meal to take away.
Things to Do
Since it can be chilly in January, why not find some ways to amuse yourself indoors? Madame Tussauds Blackpool offers the chance to see waxworks of famous figures from diverse walks of life. It's a lot of fun to see these realistic artworks as you get the chance to pose with your favourite celebrities. So if you enjoy taking selfies, this is the place for you!
How about a trip to the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Visitor Centre? Take a fascinating look at one of the most important war planes of times gone by. You can watch the display team if you are lucky, and you can see full-size replicas as well as working models of the various Spitfire planes. It's a fantastic way to combine entertainment with education on the countries history, and a must for anyone with an interest in aircrafts.
Ripley's Believe It Or Not! has to be one of the best attractions in Blackpool, with interesting exhibits of unusual things that are, as the name suggests, quite hard to believe! Exhibits include a body of a two-headed calf, shrunken heads, and a portrait of Princess Diana made out of penny coins. It's all very bizarre with plenty of laughs along the way, so if you want a day to remember it's a great place to visit. Don't miss out on the ghostly tour, which will leave you feeling terrified!
