Rain, rain, go away, come again another day! Every British child grows up learning those words. The reason for that is that it rains a lot! That’s why it’s great to have some ideas about what to do if you’re visiting London in the rain.
Thankfully, in a city that’s more than used to a spot or rain, there are plenty of great plans for both young and old. We hope our guide to what to do in London when it rains helps you banish those rainy day blues!
Table of Contents
Our top six rainy day plans
1. Head to a museum
One of the great advantages of museums on a rainy day is that they have rooves! Rooves mean you’ll stay dry. They’re also generally full of pretty cool stuff that will fill you head full of lots of interesting facts and ideas.
Your main problem might be choosing where to go. There are so many amazing museums in London. Of course, there are the obvious ones like the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert. They’re among London’s most popular attractions for a reason. And that reason is that they’re totally brilliant!
Sir John Soane’s Museum
If you’re looking for something a little more unusual then London has plenty more to offer on its museum menu. One of our favourite museums in the city is the Sir John Soane’s Museum, which is a truly fascinating house museum.
Sir John Soanes was a famous architect in the 18th and 19th centuries. He designed the Bank of England, Dulwich Picture Gallery and several other London landmarks. He even worked on the Palace of Westminster. In 1792, he bought his house in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and, over the years, he filled it with art, antiquities and assorted other interesting bits and pieces.
In 1833, he has his house declared a museum upon the event of his death by Act of Parliament. The man clearly had influence. Today, the museum is one of London’s most unique and fascinating places. We guarantee that you’ll be able to happily while away an hour or two there.
Young V & A
Formerly known as the V & A Museum of Childhood, the Young V & A is a great place for the kids and for anyone who’s ever been a kid. It’s one of the many brilliant things to do in London with kids. It’s full of fun interactive exhibits that are designed to spark the imagination and get your creativity running wild. It’s a brilliant place to hide when the skies break open.
Beyond the traditional galleries, London has plenty of brilliant indoor attractions that are perfect for a rainy day. With the London Pass — including the London Eye + Madame Tussauds + SEA LIFE + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour — you can easily fill a whole day with family-friendly fun, all under cover.
And that’s just the start. The city is packed with fantastic museums, like The Postal Museum in the heart of the West End, where you can ride through hidden tunnels beneath the city!
Whatever your interests, there’s a museum in London for you. Just have a quick Google and you’re bound to find one that feels like it was made especially for you.
2. Hop on the City Sightseeing Bus
We know our buses are famous for being open-top, but just like a posh sports car, they’ve got retractable rooves that we can use when the rain comes down. London in the rain has its own special magic. To get a double dose of dry sightseeing, you can even combine the bus with a covered river boat. A London River Cruise + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus gives you a fantastic perspective of the city from the Thames without you needing your brolly.
Remember that you can stay on the bus if you like and just enjoy the view. From the warmth of the bus, you’ll pass landmarks like the Tower of London. If the weather has you in a historical mood, you can hop off and spend hours exploring its past. For the ultimate deep dive, the Tower of London Tickets + Thames River Cruise + Bus Tour package covers centuries of history, all in one go.
Remember that the bus might be hop-on hop-off but you can also stay on the bus if you like and just enjoy the view until the rain stops or you find somewhere you want to hop off and explore. We’ve got three interlinked routes so you can happily spend several hours on the bus watching the world go by.
3. Catch a film
There’s a reason that cinemas do well when it rains.
Cinemas are a great place to escape for a couple of hours. Seeing a film in Leicester Square is a treat. One of our favourite cinemas is the Prince Charles, right in the heart of the West End. They’ve always got something interesting on and it’s cheaper than most. You can’t go the cinema, buy some popcorn and a drink and get change from a fiver anymore, can you?
Before your film, you could duck into a classic pub, the kind that becomes the heart of city-wide events like St Patrick’s day. You could even follow in the footsteps of modern icons; exploring Taylor Swift London Locations might lead you to a classic cinema she once visited.
4. Pop to the shops
Another great hiding-from-the-rain activity is to spend a few hours in one of London’s famous department stores. The most obvious is Harrods, which can be found on our Blue Route. It’s a great place to get an idea of how the other half lives. Our bus route can also take you past another grand residence nearby. While you can’t just pop in for a browse, booking a tour inside Buckingham Palace is another magnificent way to spend a few hours indoors.
They used to say that you could get anything in Harrods, even an elephant but you had to order those in as they didn’t generally have them in stock. So if you’re looking for an elephant, then you know where to go!
For a completely different shopping experience, we love Spitalfields Market. Housed in a attractive Victorian building, this indoor market is where you can check out all the latest trends from fashion to food. We think an afternoon there is an essential London experience.
5. Take in a show
A visit to London isn’t complete without seeing a West End show. It’s an experience you’ll treasure. If you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day, you might even be able to get cheap last-minute tickets from TKTS in Leicester Square. This whole area is the city’s entertainment hub, packed with attractions near piccadilly circus.
6. Eat!
Another brilliant way to chase away the rain day blues is to comfort eat! Find somewhere with some delicious food and fill your belly with yummy grub. Listing all the good places to eat in London would take a lifetime and we know you’ve not got that long. We’ve already talked about Spitalfields Market. That’s a definite winner when it comes to dinner but our favourite foodie destination has to be Borough Market.
Just a short hop from one of our stops, Borough Market is a true food lovers paradise. You could spend a couple of hours here just choosing what to eat. If you go there without an appetite, we guarantee you’ll soon have one. We went there with the kids this summer and we ordered food from three different stalls. Delicious tacos, onion bhajis and super sandwiches that were full of the most amazing mix of mouthwatering ingredients.
Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find a version of it here. And a version of it that’s very likely the most delicious you’ve ever tasted. If you’ve left your appetite at home, just going for a wander around the market is an experience and is one of the few and far between free things to do in London! Best of all, for those rainy days, is that Borough Market has a roof!
Another brilliant way to chase away the rainy day blues is to comfort eat! For a truly classic and cosy rainy-day treat, you can’t beat a traditional afternoon tea. Our Tea at Rubens + Hop-On Hop-Off bus + Thames Cruise offers a quintessentially British experience, letting you indulge in scones and sandwiches while the rain patters outside.
Let it rain!
As you can see, a rainy day in London doesn’t have to mean a day that’s wasted. A city with as much rain as London is a city with its own rain plans.
This is true all year round, but especially during winter when a rainy day can feel extra festive. It’s the perfect time to catch a Christmas Lights Bus Tour in London or explore the covered sections of the best Christmas markets in the world. No matter the weather, London offers endless possibilities for a brilliant trip, making it a great starting point for exploring other. You could even continue your journey with an Edinburgh + London Hop-on Hop- off Tour Package.
In fact, we’d even go so far as to say that you haven’t really experienced London until you’ve been there on a rainy day!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Monmouth Coffee Company: This iconic cafe in the heart of Covent Garden is known for its ethically sourced coffee and welcoming atmosphere.
- Chiltern Firehouse: Located in Marylebone, it’s a beautiful café with a cozy fireplace.
- The Attendant: A unique café in Fitzrovia that’s converted from an old Victorian toilet, offering a charming and cozy experience.
- Timberyard Seven Dials: A perfect spot to relax on a rainy day with its warm, rustic decor and a wide selection of teas and coffees.
- Sky Garden: Enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea alongside a mesmerizing view of the city’s skyline from this café.
- West End Theatre Performances: London’s West End is famous for its theatre performances. Many shows run year-round, rain or shine. Check out classics like ‘The Lion King’, ‘Les Miserables’, or newer additions like ‘Hamilton’.
- London Museums: Many of London’s world-renowned museums, like The British Museum, Natural History Museum or the V&A, are perfect to visit during a rainy day.
- Indoor Concerts: Venues such as the O2 Arena or Royal Albert Hall often host a variety of concerts and performances regardless of the weather.
- Sky Garden Events: Sky Garden features a variety of events throughout the year, from morning yoga to live music evenings, all in their enclosed, indoor garden space.
The rainiest month in London is typically October, although rainfall varies from year to year. It’s always good to keep an umbrella handy when in London, as the city is known for its frequent bouts of rain.