The weather is something to take into account when you go on a trip, but it is especially so in those cities where the weather is rainier, and London is not far behind in this matter. Many of us improvise if a rainy day comes out, but for those of you who like to have everything under control, and go with a plan B, in this post we offer you ten good plans to do in London if it rains.
Where can I go when it rains in London is surely one of your concerns if you are planning a getaway to the British capital, since London is undoubtedly famous for a lot of rain!
Although I really have to say that it doesn’t rain every day of the year, and when it does rain it tends to rain intermittently, it’s not a bad idea to have a plan up your sleeve so you don’t run out of plans if it rains in London while you’re here.
What will you find in this article?
What Tourist Attractions are there to see when it rains in London
Here are some ideas for you to keep in mind and know what to do in London when it rains:
Visit an indoor attraction
Good news! Many of the best attractions in London are indoors, and you will be able to make the most of the day without any problems. Here are some of the most famous attractions to enjoy some of the best things about London when it rains:
- Madame Tussauds Wax Museum: You can easily spend a couple of hours visiting the London wax museum, and being indoors it’s a good option if it’s raining in London.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - London Dungeons: If you want to be scared but not wet, drop by London’s famous Terror Passage on a rainy day.
London Dungeons - The Tower of London: Although there is a lot to see outside, when you visit the Tower of London you can go inside the different buildings and sections to take shelter from the rain.
The Tower of London - London Aquarium: Located next to the London Eye, the London Aquarium is one of the most famous attractions in the city, and you can be surrounded by water but not get wet! It is also one of the best plans for traveling with children, but very helpful if the rain catches us near the London Eye. The visit is very entertaining and will free you from the rain for a while. Visiting hours are 10am to 7pm and admission is £27.50 but there are often coupons online to save you a few quid. The nearest tube stations are Waterloo and Westminster.
London Aquarium
Visit Museums in London
Visiting a museum in London when it’s raining is probably the most obvious option, but with so many fantastic museums to visit in London, if you wake up and it’s raining, it’s definitely one of the best options.
Most of the museums in London are spectacular and I can guarantee you that you will not regret visiting them. On top of that, the vast majority of London museums are free to enter, so if you change your mind – you don’t want to continue visiting the museum, or it has stopped raining and you want to go somewhere else, you can leave whenever you want. Inside the museums there are usually cafes and restaurants, so it is possible to spend the whole day visiting some of these museums. I would definitely recommend visiting the Natural History Museum for example, as it is spectacular and you can really spend the whole day seeing things. Other options are the Transport Museum, the Science Museum (ideal to go with children), the Victoria & Albert or the British Museum.
Visit Saint Paul’s Cathedral
Another good option to shelter from the rain is to visit Saint Paul’s Cathedral, whose enormous dome is one of the symbols of the London skyline. The visit through the audio guide does not help to understand the keys of one of the largest Anglican temples in the United Kingdom. Your visit is also included in the London Pass.
Climb inside Tower Bridge
Another activity included in the London Pass is the Tower Bridge Experience, which consists of a visit to the ins and outs of one of the most photographed bridges in the world as well as entry to the engine room from which the drawbridge mechanism is activated.
Visit Kensington Palace
The traditional residence of the women of the British monarchy is located not far from Harrods, at one end of Hyde Park. In addition to knowing in depth the figure of Queen Victoria, an exhibition goes through the key pieces of the wardrobe of the women of the royal house.
Stroll through Covent Garden Covered Market
One of the most magical squares in London, which is covered and even if it rains there is always a lot of movement. You will also find that on one side of the square there is a covered flea market (Jubilee Market) and the London Transport Museum, ideal for visiting on a rainy day.
Covent Garden is one of the most atmospheric areas in all of London and also a place to enjoy the best concerts and shows. In fact, in the part of the covered market you can normally attend acrobatic or classical music shows while drinking something from the lagoon on its terraces or shopping in one of the small shops. If you are interested, you can read here something more about this peculiar area.
Visit the famous luxury department stores
If what you like is to go shopping and see emblematic places of the British capital, one of the things you can do in London when it rains is to visit some of the most famous stores in the city, and who has not heard of Harrods ? ? And if you like luxury shops so much, you definitely can’t miss Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly Street, next to the Ritz Hotel, or Liberty, located on Carnaby Street, which although they appear less in the travel guides, in my opinion they are corners of London that no one visiting London should miss.
Visit a covered flea market
Most of London’s best-known markets are outdoors, but the Spitalfields flea market, located next to Liverpool St Station, is indoors. It is also good to know that part of the Stables Market of Camden Market and Borough Market are also covered, so if it is one of those days when it is rather sparkling in London, visiting one of these markets is an option since you will have somewhere to shelter when needed!
Go shopping
If you want to go shopping by visiting several different stores I recommend that you visit one of London’s Westfield department stores. The largest is the one located in Stratford, where the London Olympic Park used to be. Another option is to go to the Canary Wharf shopping center, which is covered, and take the opportunity to see the area if it stops raining.
Go to the movies
But not to a normal cinema, but to one of those cinemas that offer you a totally different experience, such as the Electric Cinema or the Everyman (specifically the one in Hampstead!).
Go to the theater
With sessions at 2pm and 7pm, escape the London rain for around two to two and a half hours by watching one of London’s best musicals. Although it can be difficult if you don’t have tickets yet, but here we tell you the tricks to get tickets at the last minute.
Walking with an Umbrella
If it’s just sparkling and you’re wearing good shoes, consider strolling with an umbrella (or waterproof jacket) through the main streets of London. You will see that life does not stop when it rains in London, and surely you can take some very cool photos!
Take refuge in an English pub
If you are walking and it starts to rain, take refuge in an English pub, either to have a beer or eat one of the traditional British dishes, which usually come in handy when it rains, such as a Sunday Roast or the typical Fish & Chips.
Take the Afternoon Tea
Why not take advantage of the fact that you are in London and have a traditional afternoon tea or five o’clock tea in an authentic tea room?
Take a bus route
Hop on the London Sightseeing Bus, which often has a rain cover upstairs, and discover London the easy way.
As you can see, it is also possible to enjoy London despite the rain. With all these plans, staying in the hotel because of the rain will no longer be an excuse.