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And just like that…2024 is in sight! We may still be in the peak of the festivities, but now’s a good time to make plans for the new year to help beat the January blues.
For many, January’s a time for rest and replenishment - but it’s not all about kicking back and relaxing in front of the telly with tea and biscuits. Why not enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the South West’s nature hotspots, or take a weekend trip to London to enjoy a quieter and less crowded capital? If you’re taking part in Veganuary, we’ve got an extensive list of delicious vegan eats you need to try across our region, and lots of budget-friendly wholesome activity ideas to keep the whole family entertained.
There’s lots more, and to help you make back your festive spends we’re sharing our top free and cheap ideas, and money-off deals on theatre tickets and restaurants with SWR Rewards. Read on to learn more!
Go to London’s New Years’ Day parade
See marching brass bands, colourful performances and beautiful floats on 1 January at London’s New Years’ Day Parade. Running for over 3 decades, the parade - which celebrates diversity in our capital and raises money for charity - features over 2,000 performers. It’s free to attend, and has in the past, reportedly invited nearly a million people to watch.
Running alongside the parade is the parades’ concert series and the finale of the London International Choral Festival performed in internationally acclaimed music venues across the nation’s capital.
The parade starts in Piccadilly, which is a short tube ride away from London Waterloo.
Do some wholesome activities
There’s no better time to do some wholesome activities to zen you out and lift your mood after the holiday period. Try these out…
Free and cheap activities
If you’re on a budget, there are heaps of fun-filled activities you can try without breaking the bank. We’ve got a series of guides to help you fill your calendars. Our free things to do in London guide details top spots to visit like Sky Garden and Columbia Road Flower Market.
Get into nature and visit the region’s best parks and gardens including Hyde Park, New Forest National Park, and Chelsea Physic Garden. Get active for free - cycle along the South West’s most beautiful routes, and see our guide to the best outdoor activities to boost your mood for more inspo.
Planning a date night? Here are our top budget date ideas in the South West.
Head to an escape room
If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity, escape rooms are great fun to enjoy with family and friends. Escape rooms typically involve solving a series of puzzles within a certain amount of time to accomplish a goal - usually to find a key to unlock the room you’re in.
There are plenty of escape rooms in London to choose from - including family-friendly ones. Check out our guide to get the details.
Book some classes
Fill your calendar with some wholesome classes to boost your skills and lift your mood. Nothing screams wellness like these…
Cookery classes: Towns and cities across our region offer some great cooking classes! If you’re in the capital, London Cookery School has affordable expert-led classes in both dim sum and sushi. For more variety, you could opt for the Jamie Oliver cookery school or The Dusty Knuckle for baking. Outside of London some options include Flavours School of Cookery in Bournemouth, Season Cookery School in Winchester and Lemon and Soul in Southampton.
Movement classes: January’s a great time for taking care of your mind, body and soul. You could try classes like yoga and pilates to help release endorphins while building strength. There are heaps of studios across the region including More Yoga and Frame studios which are spread across various London Boroughs. Outside of the city, you can try the Yoga Lounge in Bournemouth, Hotpod Yoga and Pilates on the Avenue in Southampton, and New Energy Yoga in Winchester.
Go to the theatre
Head to the West End to watch a theatre show. You can save up to 55% on tickets with SWR Rewards. Some top money-saving picks include:
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Up to 39% off Sister Act
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Up to 55% off Guys and Dolls
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Up to 36% off Very bad Cinderella
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Up to 54% off the Little Big Things
If you work up an appetite while you’re in town we’ve got plenty of food options nearby to help you make extra savings on your trip. For example, you can save 20% on Sophie’s Steakhouse when you travel with us. See what else is on offer. Staying the night or for a long weekend? See how you can save on hotels.
Explore some museums
London’s a hub of over 170 museums and galleries - it would be a shame not to visit some, especially as London quietens after the festive period.
From the Science Museum and Natural History Museum to Tate Modern and more, we’ve handpicked some of the best exhibitions in London and shared them in this guide.
In the South West, it’s worth checking out the likes of the Southampton City Art Gallery, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum in Bournemouth, Winchester City Museum and Weymouth Museum.
Eat wholesome food
Taking part in Veganuary? See our top-pick vegan eats in the South West for inspo. Also take a look at our guide to the best street food markets in London and the South West - which all have delicious vegan options - including Borough and Camden markets, Boxpark and more.
Now you’ve done your festive shopping for everyone else, treat yourself and fill out your 2024 wardrobe in the January sales! Head to London’s shopping hotspots including Oxford Street, Battersea Power Station and Westfield.
If you don’t fancy facing the business of the city, there are an abundance of shopping centres you can visit across the South West including Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton and much more. See our guide.
Head to London Short Film Festival
Be moved by short stories captured on screen at London Short Film Festival (LSFF). Between 19-28 Jan the LSFF hosts 10 days of short films, live events, Q&As, workshops and multidisciplinary curation.
It’s spread across various London venues including the Design Museum, Phoenix Cinema, and Rio Cinema.
Catch a train to London Waterloo where you’ll find connections to your destinations.
Get tickets to the 2024 Masters Snooker
Join your fellow sports fans at Alexandra Palace for the 2024 Masters Snooker where the world's top 16 snooker players battle for the title. The games take place between 7-14 January.
The first day will see world Champion Luca Brecel face Jack Lisowski.
Reports suggest most tickets have gone, but if you hurry you may be in with a chance of getting some!
Toast to Burns Night in London
Mark the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns at South Bank London on 25 January. There’ll be poetry, dancing and a gourmet 5-course dinner featuring haggis, neeps, tatties and dumplings. There’ll also be live bagpipes and handpicked Scottish whiskeys from Scotland's best distilleries. Get your tickets.
London South Bank is just round the corner from Waterloo - take a short stroll to the station to catch your train home.
Explore 100 years of Disney’s history
Disney keeps the festive magic alive all-year-round. Head to Disney100 at the ExCel London - a global celebration exhibition to mark the official 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.
Here, you can explore the Walt Disney Archives. Highlights include 10 themed galleries featuring classics from the likes of Snow White and newer films like Encanto, and interactive Mickey & Minnie artworks.
January’s your last chance to get tickets for this one, as it ends on 21 of the month.
Plan your travel with South Western Railway
Now you’ve filled your January calendar, it’s time to plan your travel. Find cheap train tickets by travelling off-peak and enjoy further discounts with a Railcard. If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave.
We’ll catch you next month with ideas for what to do across our network in February!
