Although I was fortunate to have always dry weather during my trips to London, it is still possible that it you will have a rainy day on your visit. You probably planned a lot of things to do and see outdoors. Walks, visiting markets or a tour on one of the open rooftop hop-on hop-off doubledeckers among others. It’s time to change your plans, but what can you do in London on a rainy day.
Here are 9 great things to do in London on a rainy day.
Explore one of London’s museums
London has a lot of museums to explore, many free of charge.
Some great museums are:
- British Museum
- Science Museum
- The Victoria & Albert Museum
- Natural History Museum
- National Gallery
- Tate Modern
- Tate Britain
- London Transport Museum
- National Maritime Museum
- Queen’s House
- Royal Obervatory Greenwich
Visit a covered market
Instead of going to one of the many street markets, there also a number of covered markets where you can spend your time on a rainy day with a roof over your head.
Visit one of the following covered markets:
- Borough Market
- Covent Garden Piazza
- Old Spitalfields Market
- Leadenhall Market
- Brixton Village and Market Row
- Camden Market
Go to the store
Go shopping in one of the famous department stores London has to offer.
Best department stores in London:
Go to the theatre
There are many shows, musicals and plays, which have a performance during the day, in one of the many London theatres that keep you out of the rain for a couple of hours.
Check the available shows here.
Take a boat trip
Also recommended on days with nice weather is a river cruise on the Thames with City Cruises. See al the important sights along the Thames with commentary from an expert guide.
Alternatively you can take a trip on a narrowboat from the London Waterbus Company departing at Little Venice to Camden Lock on the Regent’s Canal. After the trip you can visit Camden Market, where the trip ends.
Go see a movie at a luxury cinema
Enjoy a movie in one of London’s luxury cinema’s. With cosy sofa’s and armchair seats, food and drinks this is truly an experience.
Visit one of these luxury cinema’s:
Shop until you drop
Go shopping in one of the huge shopping centers in London.
A selection of shopping centers:
- One New Change
- Westfield London
- Westfield Stratford City
- ICON Outlet at The O2
- Angel Central Shopping Centre
- Broadway Shopping Centre
Enjoy an afternoon-tea
Afternoon-tea is a british tradition has become very popular all around the world. But when it’s a rainy day it’s time to try the original.
Places to have a jolly magnificent afternoon tea:
Go buy an umbrella
Or you can just buy an umbrella, which are called “brolly” by the locals, at one of the department stores above and hit the streets.
Or if you want to spend some money on your “brolly” go visit James Smith & Sons, who is specialized in all sorts of quality umbrellas.
But beware, there is a “brolly” etiquette. See this article on Londonist.
Conclusion
Even when it’s raining London has lot’s of things to see and do, so this shouldn’t hold you back in having a great time.
So have fun even when it rains!
