Fun Facts

February …

…… is the only month that can have 28 or 29 days. If you’re born on 29 February, you’re technically called a “leapling.”

St Valentine was officially added to the Christian calendar in England in the Middle Ages. Old English tradition allowed women to propose to men on 29 February during leap years. Some towns even had “fines” if the man refused!

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) falls in February and has been celebrated in England since at least the 16th century. The world-famous pancake race in Olney, Buckinghamshire, has held pancake races since 1445 — yes, people still run in aprons flipping pancakes competitively.

February Snow? Maybe. Chaos? Definitely. February isn’t always the coldest month, but when snow hits, the UK’s ability to function drops by about 73%!!

UK schools have February half-term, meaning packed soft play centres and grandparents googling “cheap days out near me.”

Celtic roots linger: Early February links back to Imbolc, an ancient festival marking the start of spring — optimistic, given the weather.

By the end of February, days are noticeably longer. Newick gains about an extra hour of daylight compared to early January.

Roman roots: February comes from “Februa”, a Roman festival of cleansing and purification — which is ironic given UK weather ie mud season.

The UK’s record cold February temperature was −27.2°C (Braemar, Aberdeenshire, 1895).

Snowdrops are the most recognisable February flower in the UK and are often seen as a symbol of hope.

February was once the last month of the year in the Roman calendar.

The UK gains roughly 2–3 minutes of daylight per day throughout this month.

February is one of the driest months on average in much of the UK….. but doesn’t always seem like it!