20 Things To Do In London When It Rains

Don’t let this recent spell of warm weather fool you that England is a sunny destination. We English have a reputation for constantly talking about the weather and that’s simply because ours is so unpredictable. Seriously the morning can start cloudy, then turn hot (for us anyway) and then suddenly without warning the heavens will open.  That is why it’s a good idea to have a backup plan if you’re going to be doing some sightseeing in London.

If you need suggestions for what to do in London when it rains here are 20 things you can do in London to avoid the rain… 

 

1. Visit One of London’s Museums

Instead of letting the rain soak you, soak up the culture in one of the capital’s many museums. With so many available you’ll be spoilt for choice! There’s something for the culture lovers, aviation fans, history buffs and even for those who like the weird and wonderful.

 

2. Take in the Views on the London Eye

Just because it’s not s sunny day doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a ride on the London Eye. The views are fantastic come rain or shine. Plus the queues are A LOT shorter on rainy days. In summer the queues are massive!

 

3. Relax at the Cinema

Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. London has lots of cinemas including an impressive IMAX and even several independent cinemas that are worth a visit. Some are in beautiful buildings you just have to see while others offer a unique cinema experience such as the Hot Tub Cinema in Shoreditch.

 

4. Enjoy a Spot of Tea and Cakes at Afternoon Tea

Yes we Brits love a good cup of tea and having afternoon tea is something that originated from the wealthy but is now enjoyed by all and has become very popular with tourists visiting London. Who wouldn’t enjoy being offered a selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes with their tea (and sometimes a glass of champagne too). The Ritz is probably the most famous place to go for Afternoon Tea, but many hotels offer this British experience at a much lower price.

Read Also: The Cheapest Afternoon Teas in London

 

5. Explore London by Bus

Just because you don’t want to walk around London in the rain doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to enjoy the sights. You can get a day pass for the Hop On Hop Off buses where you can sit back and listen to the history of London’s attractions. Or for a cheaper option why not get yourself a ticket for one of London’s iconic red buses. I recommend bus routes 9, 11 or 24.

 

6. Soak up the Culture at a Gallery

Art lovers will have plenty of galleries to keep them amused and dry when it’s raining in London. Popular galleries include the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the National Portrait Gallery, Whitechapel Gallery, plus many more!

 

7. Tempt Your Tastebuds at an Indoor Market

Food lovers visiting London won’t want to miss out on one of the many indoor markets in London. Tempt your tastebuds with the many delicious variety of foods on offer. Plus indoor markets can be great places to shop for antiques, retro clothing, flowers, souvenirs and so much more.

 

8. See a Show at the Theatre

London’s West End is famous for its impressive range of top-class theatre shows so there is sure to be one to fulfil your musical needs. You’ll soon forget about the miserable weather outside.

 

9. Enjoy a Sip of Local Beer at a Brewery

It’s no secret that the British like a drink so of course London has a variety of breweries making delicious craft beers. Some have tap rooms you can visit for beer tastings while others will offer brewery tours so you can learn more about the beer making process.

Read Also: Taking the Meantime Brewery Tour

 

10. Stay Active with Indoor Sports

Feeling too active to sit back and relax in a cinema or a bus? London has plenty of indoor sports to entertain you with from ice skating, to bowling, to rock climbing, and even indoor snow centres if you fancy learning to ski or snowboard.

 

11. Feel Magical at the Harry Potter Studio

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter you won’t want to miss out on a Harry Potter Studios Tour at the Warner Bros Studio. The tour is a magical adventure that’s perfect for all ages. Especially those who are interesting in learning more about the making of Harry Potter.

Read Also: 30 Things to do in Watford

 

12. Enjoy Botanical Flavours at a Gin Distillery

Gins have exploded in popularity recently making them the hip thing to be drinking. Although this trend is new, London has a long history with gin so the city is home to several gin distilleries you can visit.

Read Also: Taking a Self Discovery Tour Around the Bombay Sapphire Distillery

 

13. Face Your Fears at The London Dungeon

If you’re interested in learning more about London’s darker history then a visit to The London Dungeon is the perfect place to wait out the rain. During your visit you’ll learn about the infamous Jack the Ripper, the history of Sweeney Todd and why you should avoid the pies at Mrs Lovett’s Pie Shop and much more!

 

14. Hit the Shops

Sometimes the rain can be the perfect excuse to hit those shops and find that nice little souvenir for mum and dad or a new outfit to remind you of your time in London. So why not head over to the popular Oxford Street, or the famous Harrod’s, or one of the massive Westfield’s located in Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford.

 

15. Go Cafe Hopping

A delicious way to avoid the rain in London is to go cafe hopping. With so many cafes around the city there’s a cafe for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a vegan cafe, outrageous deserts, themed cafes, outstanding coffee or traditional English tea, there’s a cafe for you.

 

16. Gaze Up at the Stars at the Planetarium

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is home to London’s only planetarium. If you want to learn more about the universe and explore the night sky the Peter Harrison Planetarium has lots of shows available.

 

17. Relax at the Spa

Lets face it, sightseeing can be exhausting so why not use the rain as an excuse to relax at one of London’s spas. There are many reasonably priced spas in London and many can be found on voucher websites such as Groupon and Wowcher.

Read Also: Spa Day and Peter Rabbit Afternoon Tea

 

18. Drink With the Locals at the Pub

Londoners love to have a cheeky visit to the pub after work and with more than 3,500 pubs in the city you’ll always be able to find one. Wether your looking for one traditional in style, or maybe more modern or one simply to watch the football, London has you covered.

 

19. Find Nemo at the London Aquarium

The Sea Life London Aquarium conveniently located on London’s Southbank is the perfect place to escape the rain if you’re interested in learning more about penguins, sea turtles, sharks and much more.

 

20. Buy an Umbrella and join the Locals

If you really  want to get a feel for London life why not grab yourself an umbrella and face the dreaded rain head on like the Londoner’s do. We have so much rain here that we can’t hide away every time it pours it down so we are used to heading out in the most terrible of conditions.

 

Planning Your London Trip?

Need some inspiration for planning your London itinerary? These may help…

• Cheap Afternoon Teas in London
• The Best Stadium Tours in London
• Sushi Making Class
• Disney Themed Afternoon Teas
• Vegan Friendly Restaurants in London
• Gin Lovers Afternoon Tea Bus
• Soho Twilight Food Tour

Need more help to plan your trip to London? I personally love the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides and buy one for every country I plan to visit. Click on the image below to get one

 

 

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