In a nutshell
- London is known for rainy weather — on average, it rains here on 106 days a year. But don’t worry: that doesn’t mean your city trip has to be a washout.
- We’ll show you 10 genuinely great things to do in London when it rains — from cozy to spectacular.
- Our top picks for a rainy day are the covered markets, London’s free museums, and a classic afternoon tea. Come evening, we love ducking into a pub or catching a musical in the West End.
- One more thing upfront: we’ve experienced London in the rain ourselves multiple times and had a fantastic time every single time. So don’t stress about bad weather — there’s genuinely so much to do indoors.
Visit Covered Markets
When it’s drizzling or pouring outside, London’s covered markets are the perfect refuge. You can browse, eat, and soak up that special London vibe — all without getting wet.
Our favorites are:
- Covent Garden (West End): One of the most beautiful markets in the city, with a glass roof, street performers, boutique shops, and cafés.
- Borough Market (Southwark): Perfect for foodies. You’ll find street food, bakeries, and delicacies from around the world.
- Camden Market (Camden Town): Creative, colorful, and alternative. Many areas are covered and the shopping is great.
Discover London's Museums
Museums are always among the best indoor activities, and London has a seriously impressive number of them — covering every taste and interest, and some of them completely free.
We recommend:
- Natural History Museum: Stunning architecture, dinosaurs, taxidermied animals, and natural science that’ll blow your mind. Free to enter (you book a timed entry slot online) and great with kids!
- Tate Modern: Contemporary art inside a former power station on the Thames. Admission is also free here.
- Charles Dickens Museum: A real local favorite and totally underrated! The author’s former home is incredibly atmospheric and fully furnished. Tickets are available at the door.
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Have Afternoon Tea in London
It doesn’t get much cozier than this. A classic afternoon tea is practically made for a rainy day in London. You’re warm and dry, indulging in pastries and tea to your heart’s content.
Best places to do it:
- Swan London: A cozy café and restaurant with beautiful views right on the Thames next to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The afternoon tea here gets a new theme every year — in 2026, for example, it’s the “Shakespeare Inspired Afternoon Tea.”
- The Drawing Room at Brown’s Hotel: Elegant salon ambiance with sofas, lamps, and a genuine old-British vibe.
- Afternoon Tea Bus: Tea, scones, and sandwiches on a sightseeing tour aboard a covered double-decker bus — sightseeing without getting wet.
Shopping & Views at Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station is one of the smartest ways to spend a rainy day in London — and honestly, it’s worth visiting even in sunshine.
The former industrial complex has been transformed into a modern, fully covered shopping and entertainment destination. You’ll find countless well-known and lesser-known shops, cafés, and seriously good food spots.
One standout highlight is the Chimney Lift, officially called Lift 109. It’s a glass elevator that takes you 109 meters up inside one of the chimneys.
Before you head up, you walk through a short exhibition area in the Turbine Hall that uses light and sound effects to tell the story of the power station.
At the top, you’re treated to a 360-degree view over London and the Thames — completely covered, of course.
The whole experience takes about 45 minutes.
Drink Pints in a London Pub
When it’s raining outside, London reveals not only its coziest side but also its most quintessential side. And what else is quintessentially England? Exactly! The pubs!
So when the rain sets in, just duck into a pub and let the atmosphere sweep you along. Good vibes, good beer, and great conversations with locals are practically guaranteed.
Our favorite pubs are:
- George (Southwark): One of London’s oldest pubs, dating back to 1676, with genuinely historic charm.
- The Black Dog (Vauxhall): Down-to-earth, authentic, and serving seriously good fish & chips.
- The Starman (West End): Laid-back and David Bowie-themed. Bowie shot his Ziggy Stardust cover on this very street.
See a Musical in the West End
A musical is one of the absolute top indoor activities in London. While it’s wet and gray outside, you can lose yourself in the West End’s captivating stories, music, and stunning stage productions.
Many shows run twice a day — at matinee and evening times.
It’s best to book tickets online in advance, since especially popular shows often sell out weeks ahead.
If you want to catch a show on a whim because of the rain and can’t find tickets online, try the TKTS Booth at Leicester Square. They sell last-minute tickets there daily for performances the same day or the next.
Especially popular shows:
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Visit Platform 9¾ at King's Cross
A perfect stop for Harry Potter fans is, of course, King’s Cross station with its famous Platform 9¾.
The station is completely covered and has everything in one place: a photo spot with a luggage trolley, a large Harry Potter fan shop, and a themed café where you can even try Butterbeer.
And even if you’re not a Potter fan, the visit is still a lot of fun. There’s so much to see, other shops to browse, and King’s Cross is architecturally fascinating in its own right.
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A Special Cinema Experience in London
In London, going to the movies can be a whole different experience. Instead of a standard multiplex, you’ll find truly comfort-driven cinemas here. At an average of 15 to 25 pounds, a trip to the cinema costs about the same as most other attractions in London.
Our recommendations:
- Electric Cinema (Notting Hill): One of London’s oldest cinemas. Instead of regular seats, you get leather armchairs, sofas, and small daybeds, plus a bar right inside the screening room. Perfect for a long, rainy afternoon or evening.
- Everyman Cinema (Islington & Baker Street): Features cozy sofas, food and drinks served to your seat, and a mix of blockbusters and classics. Living room vibes with a big screen.
Visit Madame Tussauds London & the London Dungeon
When the London sky locks in on permanent gray, it’s also the perfect opportunity for a bit of wax & wonder.
At Madame Tussauds London you’ll come face to face with royals, stars, and superheroes, easily spending one to two hours among selfies, immersive sets, and impressively lifelike wax figures. It’s definitely a rainy day activity where you completely forget about the weather outside — and one that’s a huge hit with kids too.
Right afterward, you can get a little spooked at The London Dungeon. Here you’ll spend around 90 minutes journeying through London’s dark history — complete with actors, special effects, and a healthy dose of British humor.
Both attractions are also available through the so-called Merlin Magical London Pass. It’s a type of city pass for families with children that lets you visit five family-friendly highlights at great value.
Book Madame Tussauds London Tickets
Book the Merlin Magical London Pass
Children's Experience Attractions in London
Especially when you’re traveling to London with children, you need a solid Plan B if the weather doesn’t cooperate. The kids need to burn off energy even on a rainy day — and London delivers.
Our secret weapon: immersive play experiences and indoor spaces with plenty of room to run around and forget about the gray skies outside.
Check these out:
- The Paddington Bear Experience (South Bank): An interactive indoor world all about Paddington Bear, with lovingly designed rooms and hands-on activity stations. Great for young children. Book tickets here
- Gravity MAX Wandsworth (Southside): A large indoor action park with trampolines, obstacle courses, VR games, and bowling. Ideal for older kids and teenagers. Reserve activities here
- Oxygen Freejumping Trampoline Park (multiple locations): Large indoor trampoline halls with obstacle courses, jump areas, and action zones. Perfect for burning off energy on a what-to-do-in-London-on-a-rainy-day kind of afternoon.
