With temperatures fluctuating with some days decidedly colder than others across the festive period, we have delved into the archives of the coldest locations.

Now that colder temperatures have been forecast for the beginning of January, it might be an idea to wrap up warm - but it's nothing compared to some of the temperatures seen on the Met Office's 'coldest locations' list. 

It's fair to say that nowhere urban or city-based is going to turn into -20C any time soon - but in more rural locations, especially up mountains, those temperatures are entirely possible. 

As part of the 'coldest locations', the Met Office has put together a list of the coldest temperatures ever recorded. 

The Northern Echo: A frozen lake A frozen lake (Image: PA MEDIA)

According to the weather service, the coldest temperature recorded on UK soil is a blizzard-inducing -27.2C in Braemar, East Scotland, which was recorded in 1982. 

In recent times, the coldest recorded was -22.3C in Altnaharra No 2, North Scotland.

Despite all of these records, once upon a time, it was a location in County Durham that held the record for the coldest place in the whole of England. 

Discounting these freezing temperatures of Scotland, Gainford in County Durham was listed in 1878 as the coldest place in England with a temperature of -18.3C, which occurred on Christmas Day of that year.

Located on the north bank of the River Tees in County Durham, Gainford is halfway between Barnard Castle and Darlington.

Thankfully, for residents in Gainford, temperatures haven't got anywhere near -22.7C.

Looking ahead, it looks like the temperature of Gainford won't fall below 1C.

Here's the forecast for the rest of the week:

Today: Unsettled throughout the day with widespread, persistent and often heavy rain and strong winds. Rain initially falling as snow across the Pennines, but soon turning to rain. Maximum temperature 11 °C.

Tonight: Rain turning showery in nature but still heavy at times, perhaps wintry later over the Pennines, with a few clearer spells between showers. Winds remaining strong and gusty throughout. Minimum temperature 5 °C.

Thursday: Unsettled throughout Thursday with blustery showers. Some sunny spells possible, most likely to the east of the region. Showers perhaps turning into longer spells of rain overnight. Maximum temperature 8 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Early outbreaks of rain clearing to give a bright but chilly day Friday, with a widespread frost overnight. Rain and strong winds arriving through Saturday. Breezy with scattered showers Sunday.

This isn't the first time that County Durham has been linked with severely colder temperatures. 

A County Durham location where it snows on average 54 times a year was named within the snowiest UK places list.

The UK list, which has been compiled by the Met Office, finds the coldest and most snow-filled villages and towns up and down the country, including one where it has the potential to snow for close to 100 days per year. 

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Within that Met Office list, the County Durham location of Copley was listed at number five.

The Met Office included the little village, with a population of around 400, and said that snow falls in the area an average of 53 days a year, and was the highest entry for England on the list.

Here's what The Met Office said about Copley: "The North Pennines are one of the snowiest parts of England and Copley, County Durham, sees snow falling on average 53 days each year. 

"It is just south of the North Pennines AONB, home to one of only a handful of outdoor ski centres in England."