There are so many things to do in London in the rain. As any Londoner will say, you should always be prepared for rain in London. Even if you’re visiting in summer, a rainy day in London is something you can always count on!
But don’t worry, there are countless things to do on a rainy day in London. I’m going to give you some of my personal favourites from over the years.
Some of my suggestions are perfect if you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day in London with kids. Others are better suited to a day out with friends, or an evening date.
I’ve got all bases covered, so there’s no need to be lost for something fun to do with your friends or partner on a rainy day in London town.
Rainy Day Activities London
Catch A Movie
One of the best things to do in London on a rainy day is catch a movie in one of the many cinemas all around the city.
A personal favourite spot of mine is one of London’s Everyman Cinemas. You can cosy up for a movie on one of their comfy sofas, and order drinks and snacks to your seat. Everyman has locations in Crystal Palace, Borough (near London Bridge), Chelsea, and more.
Another comfortable cinema in London is the ODEON in Leicester Square, complete with reclining seats. It’s in a top location, always has the latest movies, and is worth every penny for a more luxurious cinema experience.
If you’re looking for cinema tickets on a budget, Peckhamplex in South East London has amazingly cheap tickets and some really good movies available. A few floors up, above the cinema, you can also grab a pre-movie bite to eat at Bar Story, a multi-level restaurant and bar complex.
All of this sits within and underneath a multi-storey car park which has been transformed into a great entertainment space. Peckhamplex is currently showing ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ for under £5.
Cinema lovers will never be short of things to do in London in the rain.
Visit A Museum
We’re always looking for things to do with kids on a rainy day. Sunny weather can never be relied on in London, whether that’s at Halloween, Christmas, half term or the summer holidays.
It can be difficult to find things to do in London in the rain during half term when kids want to be outside at the playground. London’s museums offer great space for kids to explore, learn, and play.
One of our favourite things to do in London in the rain is visit a kid-friendly and fun museum, of which London has plenty. Madame Tussauds is a fantastic choice for a rainy day in London.
Our kids also love the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, both in South Kensington, which has specific kid-friendly sections to explore for hours.
I’ve written about these two favourites if you’d like to read more! The two museums, within a minute’s walk of each other, are both completely free to enter. Special exhibitions can usually be booked in advance for around £15.
Another favourite of ours is the Horniman Museum in South-East London. It has a huge interactive music room where kids (and adults) can listen and learn about instruments from around the world.
There’s also a glass-front beehive where kids can enjoy finding the queen bee! The museum is free to enter, usually with just one ticketed exhibition, and the nearest station (Forest Hill) is just a short walk away.
Art Exhibition
The best museums and exhibitions in London are often housed at 180 The Strand. Previously the home of LUX, an immersive art installation featuring the famous wave room, pictured below.
At the moment, award-winning artist Richard Mosse’s major new work premieres at 180 Studios. Weekend tickets are available for around £15.00 per hour slot, although the staff are lovely and I’ve never felt rushed to leave within the hour.
If art is your thing, get your hands on an Art Pass for inspiring things to do on a rainy day in London all year round.
The pass provides year-round access to over 800 places in the UK, including the best Homes, Galleries, Gardens, and Museums London has to offer.
The National Art Pass is available for £75 per person, £45 for under 30’s, and £112 for a double membership. Kids can also be added to your membership for an additional £15.
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is a world-renowned art museum located in London that features a wide range of contemporary and modern art. Here you can see work by world famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Andy Warhol.
Most London galleries such as the Tate Modern have fantastic indoor bars and cafes for rainy-day refreshments. Spending a day looking at art and relaxing with a coffee can be one of the best things to do in London in the rain.
Entry to the gallery is free, and it’s easy to spend an entire rainy day in London wandering around. I would recommend arriving early, around 10 or 11am, and grabbing lunch in the Level 2 café.
Before you leave, make sure to head up to the 10th floor to enjoy the panoramic views of the city from the Tate Modern’s viewing terrace.
Exploring an amazing gallery such as the Tate Modern, and stopping for some food or a coffee, is one of my favourite things to do in London in the rain.
The Tate Modern is located in Bankside on London’s Southbank of the river Thames. The nearest tube or railway station is Blackfriars which is served by the District Line. If you don’t mind the rain or you’ve got an umbrella, take a walk down Southbank while you’re there.
On Southbank you’ll be able to watch some skateboarders in the famous covered skate park near Waterloo station. It’s always busy when it rains because it’s one of the few covered skate parks in the city.
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is a great place to wander around on a rainy day in London. Home to some really interesting Brutalist architecture, there are always fun and quirky installations and exhibitions to see here.
You can also catch a live music concert here – check their website before you visit or subscribe to their newsletter if you want to find out what’s going on.
As well as art exhibitions and live music, the Barbican Centre is also home to a cinema showing the latest films including some exciting independent films. Check showtimes online before you visit.
Travel to the Barbican via Moorgate tube station, served by the Hammersmith & City and Northern lines, or Barbican tube station which is on the Hammersmith & City, Circle, and Metropolitan lines. Liverpool Street station is also a short 10 minute walk away.
The V & A Museum
The Victoria & Albert Museum is a must for anyone with an interest in art and design. Reimagining Musicals is on until late 2023 and celebrates the world’s best-loved musicals.
The museum can be found on Cromwell Road in South Kensington, London. The nearest station, South Kensington, is just a 4 minute walk away and is served by the District and Circle lines.
If you need things to do in London in the rain, South Kensington is a great place to be because there are there are so many things to do in the area. You can find the V&A Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum right next door to each other. Also, a new exhibition called Dopamine Land has recently opened in the area.
Dopamine Land
There are plenty of exciting new things to do in London in the rain, and Dopamine Land is one of them. It’s an immersive, multi-sensory experience in central London which combines media, technology, and play.
Go in the day time with the kids or in the evening if you’re just with adults. It would be a great date idea for a rainy day in London!
Tickets start at £20.00 for adults and £16.00 for children under 15. Group deals are also available – why not go with a group of friends or colleagues!
Dopamine Land is just around the corner from many famous London museums in South Kensington.
Twist Museum
Similar to Dopamine Land, Twist Museum in Oxford Circus offers a new kind of art experience. Curated by artists, neuroscientists, and philosophers, Twist Museum explores the wonders of illusion and is currently going viral on Instagram and TikTok. Off-peak adult tickets start at £19.50.
Oxford Circus tube station is only 8 minutes away from Victoria train station by tube (on the Victoria line), or 9 minutes on the Bakerloo line from Marylebone train station.
I would recommend visiting the Twist Museum, which will take around 45 minutes to an hour and a half, grabbing some lunch at the covered Kingly Court off Carnaby Street around the corner.
If you’re vegan, Kingly Court is home to Club Mexicana, a really great (100% vegan) Mexican food restaurant. There you can get all vegan tacos, nachos, and burritos with vegan chicken and short ‘rib’!
Club Mexicana also have locations in Spitalfields and Soho.
After lunch, you have to finish your rainy day in London with some shopping as you’re in London’s best shopping neighbourhood. It would be rude not to!
The British Museum
Founded in 1753, the British Museum is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive museums, with a vast collection of artifacts and artworks from around the world.
It’s also one of the most interesting historical things to do in London in the rain! Inside you will find ancient artefacts from the Rosetta Stone to the mummies of Ancient Egypt and more, spanning over two million years of human history and culture.
Admission to the British Museum is free, though some special exhibitions may require a fee. The museum is open daily and is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, culture, and the arts.
The British Museum can be found between Tottenham Court Road and Holborn tube stations. Head to either of these if you’re travelling by public transport and then take a 5-minute walk. These stations are on the Central and Piccadilly lines.
Grab A Bite To Eat
My most loved thing to do in London in the rain is absolutely to meet with friends or family and enjoy some nice food and a drink. If this is what you’re looking for, the ideal area to head to would be Soho.
On a rainy day in Soho, cozy down in a trendy bar or restaurant and have a few drinks. If you’re a Guinness drinker, the Irish pub Waxy’s Little Sister is one not to miss.
As well as proper Guinness on draft, the pub has an old fashioned rope-pull drinks lift. It’s a great novelty and really fun! Having a drink with family or friends is always a great option for things to do in London in the rain.
Round the corner at 23 Greek Street on a rainy day in London, you’ll find a gorgeous bar and restaurant, Wun’s Tea Room & Bar. I love the retro décor (pictured above), and they are serving up some of the best cocktails in Soho.
To drink, order the Pandan & Lychee cocktail (pictured below). You’re welcome just to have a cocktail in their cozy downstairs bar, but if you’re hungry I’d recommend the Smacked Cucumber Salad. Yum!
Going out to eat or grabbing a drink with friends is one of my favourite things to do in London in the rain. There are so many great options for whatever you fancy.
Back in Soho, just a few doors down from Wun’s Tea Room & Bar, you’ll find Eat Tokyo, my favourite spot for sushi. The bento boxes are really affordable and delicious. Get there early because you may have to queue.
There are plenty of other excellent restaurants, bars, and cafes in and around Soho. Getting comfortable in a nice café with a coffee and a book is a gret thing to do in London in the rain.
Rosa’s Thai Café and Bar Italia are two personal favourites of mine. Bar Italia is a neon-lit, family-run Italian café with all the original retro décor.
Once you’ve finished eating dinner, my favourite place for dessert in Soho has to be Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream. It’s a Phillipino ice cream shop where you can get purple yam flavoured ice cream in a warm pancake sandwich or on top of a brownie.
Visit A Covered Food Market
If food is your thing, you’ll never be short of things to do in London in the rain. Brick Lane is home to a huge covered food market with cuisines from around the world. There is also a covered vintage clothing market just round the corner for a bit of shopping!
Covered food markets in London are a popular with both locals and tourists because they offer such a diverse range of food and drink. These markets often offer a wide variety of cuisines and delicacies, as well as a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for exploring and discovering new things.
As you walk around, food stalls will often offer you a taste of what they have on offer, so you can take your time wandering around finding what you like.
One of the most well-known covered food markets in London is Borough Market, which is located near London Bridge and has been in operation for over 1,000 years. It’s known for its artisanal food products, including baked goods and cheese, as well as a range of international street food stalls.
Borough Market is open from Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays.
Another popular spot is Camden Market, which is located in the trendy neighborhood of Camden in North London. This market features a variety of international cuisine, from Indian and Chinese to Mexican and Middle Eastern, as well as vintage and unique clothing and accessories.
Camden Market is open seven days a week and is a great place to explore on weekends. Travel there on the Northern Line to Camden Town tube station and the market is just a short walk up the high street towards Camden Lock.
Camden high street is a great destination if you’re looking to get any piercings or tattoos. Also, if you’re out late, Camden Town is home to some really interesting bars which you’ll particularly love if you’re a fan of rock or heavy metal music.
Other covered food markets in London include Spitalfields Market in East London, which is known for its street food vendors and artisanal food stalls, and Greenwich Market in South East London, which offers a mix of food, crafts, and antiques.
Visiting a covered food market is a great way to spend a rainy day in London and experience the city’s diverse culinary scene while exploring new neighbourhoods.
Explore London’s Historical Sites
If history is more your thing, there are plenty of London attractions for rainy days. These are great days out whether you’re visiting London on holiday or you’re a local.
The British Museum has undoubtedly the most impressive collection of historical artefacts in London (and arguably the world).
Collections include famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, the original Ancient Greek Parthenon Sculptures, and glass from the Roman Empire.
Children’s itineraries for the British Museum are available on the website, as well as free audio guides and bookable daily tours for a fee. During late Friday opening, there are free 20-minute tours, recommended for adults only.
With or without the kids, exploring a historical attraction can be one of the best things to do in London when it rains.
Why not explore inside St Paul’s Cathedral, visit the Tower of London, or Westminster Abbey? Entry to all three of these amazing attractions are available for discounted rates with a Go City London Pass.
Click here to check out what’s on offer on their website and get yourself a pass to all three!
On a London rainy day, why not take a tour of Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath? Hampstead Heath is a wonderful neighbourhood to explore in the North of London.
Kenwood House and the grounds of Kenwood Estate are completely free for you to enjoy, although tickets may need to be booked in advance during busy times, especially on bank holidays. There’s also a second-hand book shop and cosy café on site.
Visit The London Dungeons
There are so many great things to do in London in the rain which also makes for a spooky rainy day activity in London town, look no further than the London Dungeons.
The dungeons are a walk-through historical experience recreating the scarier side of London’s history.
A highlight was exploring the Fleet Street barbers of Sweeney Todd. There is a scary drop ride and boat to enjoy! This is a great activity to do with kids on a rainy day during half term or the summer holidays.
The dungeons are located just off London’s South Bank with Waterloo being the closest station. Attractiontix offer a 10% discount on tickets to the London Dungeons.
Click here now to book tickets for the London Dungeons today!
Bowling
London is home to plenty of indoor activities to enjoy on a rainy day, from bowling with the family, axe-throwing, electronic darts, or an evening game of indoor crazy golf (cocktails optional).
If you need some fun things to do in London in the rain for your family or friends, you should try your hand at bowling.
All Star Lanes have locations around London including Holborn and Brick Lane, and the retro décor and great soundtrack make it an extra special day out for you and the kids.
I’d really recommend this for birthdays of all ages with party packages (food and drink included) starting at £25 per person.
Click here to book All Star Lanes at a huge discount with GoCity London Pass!
One of the best rainy day London activities has to be visiting an arcade. NQ64 Soho is a really cool spot for late night arcade games and drinks. They even have a vintage Japanese Dancing Stage arcade machine, pictured above.
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in London on a wet day. In South-West London’s Wandsworth Town you’ll find a huge complex of indoor games and activities, Gravity Wandsworth.
As well as a bowling alley, Gravity is home to axe-throwing, electronic darts, an arcade, indoor go-karting, and an e-sports room. There’s absolutely something for everyone here. It’s free to enter, so have a look around and pick an activity!
If you’re planning things to do in London in the rain, the only thing I’d really recommend booking in advance is the go-karting because it’s often fully booked and once you see it you won’t want to miss out.
The ‘e-karting’ area is Japanese-themed, complete with a street kitchen noodle bar.
If you’re looking for fun London rainy day activities to do with your friends or work colleagues I would recommend grabbing a spot at Flight Club. Play social darts with friends have a beer, and a delicious slice of pizza.
Guests at Flight Club must be 18+ years of age. Locations in Shoreditch, Victoria, and Bloomsbury.
You’ll never be short of things to do in London when it’s raining.
One of the most fun things to do in London in the rain is undoubtedly one of the many VR experiences on offer around the city.
OTHERWORLD VR Experience is an other-worldly immersive experience with a futuristic bar and VR pods to get lost in!
Enter separate pods (pictured below) and then join each other in the virtual reality world with a whole range of games to play. The pods recreate wind and heat sensations to further the immersion.
Our favourite game was ‘Arizona Sunshine’, a zombie apocalypse shoot-out, not for the feint hearted. OTHERWORLD encourage a drink or two in the bar before you play, but be careful if you’re prone to motion sickness!
See A Comedy Show
A fantastic thing to do in London in the rain is to watch a stand-up comedy show. The city is full of hidden comedy gems waiting to be discovered!
London is home to some of the best comedy clubs in the world, so there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to seeing a comedy show.
The Top Secret Comedy Club on Drury Lane, London has hosted shows by top comedians including Russel Howard and Dane Baptiste. The Top Secret Comedy Club is known for its intimate setting and relaxed atmosphere.
An amateur comedy night can be a great laugh, too.
Book your next comedy night out here!
The Comedy Store is located in Soho and is one of the most popular comedy clubs in London. The Comedy Store hosts a range of shows each week, featuring both established and up-and-coming comedians.
Up the Creek is located in Greenwich and has been hosting comedy shows since 1991. Up the Creek offers a range of shows each week and has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy.
Visiting a comedy club is generally one of the less expensive things to do in London in the rain, with tickets often available at around £10 – £15.
These are just a few of the many comedy clubs available in London. Each club has its own unique atmosphere and range of comedians, so it’s worth doing some research to find the one that’s right for you.
Looking for more things to do in London in the rain?
If you’re spending a rainy day in London alone, or just looking for something more chilled than arcades and axe-throwing, lets look at some more options for things to do in London in the rain.
Visit A Spa
If you’re looking for some more relaxing things to do in London in the rain, why not visit a spa in London on a rainy day? Indulging in some self-care is one of the best things to do in London in the rain.
If you’re staying in one of London’s hotels you may be lucky enough to have a spa and gym so you won’t be lost for things to do in London in the rain.
Visiting a spa is one of the most relaxing things to do in London in the rain. There are plenty of spas and massage parlours to choose from.
Most spas in London also have a cafe or restaurant to enjoy after a relaxing day of treatments.
A favourite in London has to be the award-winning Bulgari Spa if you’re looking to treat yourself or a loved one. This spa is located in the heart of London and offers a range of treatments including massages, facials, and body treatments.
The Bulgari Spa also features a 25-meter swimming pool, vitality pool, hydromassage, and thermal experiences. On top of this there is an in-house gym complete with personal training.
Make your reservation online in advance and definitely check out their exclusive offers such as the Sunday Reset Experience.
The Bulgari Hotel is located in the heart of London near Hyde Park and is best accessed via Knightsbridge tube station if you’re travelling on public transport.
Another beautiful Knightsbridge spa can be found in the Mandarin Oriental hotel just around the corner. As well as an award-winning spa with a range of treatments, the hotel offers a wellness and fitness centre complete with a pool.
Unique offers are available on their website if you’re celebrating a special occasion such as Mother’s Day or if you’re buying someone a gift.
Their Mother’s Day package includes a full body massage and Sandalwood & Oud body scrub, access to all Spa facilities, treats, and a complimentary mask to take home.
Or, why not combine a relaxing spa treatment with a beautiful afternoon tea in the hotel afterwards for what they call ‘an afternoon of complete decadence’!
Submit your enquiries regarding package treatments online at their website where you can also find out what fitness classes they have on offer.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing massage or a more specific beauty treatment or facial, there are plenty of options to choose from on a rainy day in London.
Relaxing in a warm spa and being pampered is definitely one of the most luxurious things to do in London in the rain.
Do Some Shopping
If you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day in London, shopping is hard to beat.
Whilst I wouldn’t recommend wandering up and down Oxford Street in the rain, there are plenty of other shopping destinations if you’re wondering what to do in London when it rains.
Westfield London holds two major locations in London, White City and Stratford, and is home to all of your shopping needs, from high-street favourites to luxury brands.
As well as more than 250 favourite retail stores, Westfield is also home to All-Star Lanes bowling, a Vue cinema, and more than 80 places to stop for a bite to eat.
Westfield is full of things to do in London in the rain. A highlight for many is House of CB in Westfield Stratford, one of only four locations for this on-trend store favoured by the Kardashians.
Make up lovers will also find Morphe’s only London store at Westfield Stratford.
If you love shopping you will want to spend hours on a rainy day in London in one of the many department stores. Liberty, Harrods, and Selfridges all offer hours of shopping fun and are great things to do in London in the rain.
London’s department stores are particularly fun around Christmas time! Shopping is one of the best things to do in London in the rain.
See A Show
If you need London rainy day things to do with family, friends, or on a date, I suggest seeing a show at one of London’s theatres. There are great options online for finding budget-friendly tickets at the last minute.
Click here to browse discounted theatre tickets for a rainy day in London.
Tickets on Theatre Tickets Direct are as low as £18.00 for the new Great British Bake Off Musical!
Other shows like Grease The Musical and We Will Rock You are returning to London’s theatres in the Spring and Summer seasons this year. Tickets are available now.
Theatre shows and musicals can be some of the best things to do in London in the rain. Enjoy a pre-theatre dinner in one of Central London’s amazing restaurants, and then make you way to the show.
I hope this list has given you some inspiration for things to do in London in the rain. There is something here for everyone – enjoy!
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