Things to Do in London on a Rainy Day

4th January 2024

Things to Do in London on a Rainy Day

It’s a rainy day in London and you don’t know what to do. Fear not, you can enjoy a fun-filled day in London be it rain or shine. Flip through the pages of a novel while sipping some coffee at a cosy café or finding your favourite flowers at a market, there’s a host of activities you could enjoy as the rain pours over Big Ben.

In this blog, we have covered 10 exciting activities for you to enjoy on a rainy day in London. Just don’t forget to take your umbrella.

1. Explore a museum in London

A rainy day is perfect for exploring the diverse museums of London. From the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth to The Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, you have plenty of choices to pick from. 

Keep up with the latest tech at the Science Museum or watch over 300 dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum. You can even experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony for free at the British Museum.

The interior of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

2. Find your next read in a charming bookshop

If you enjoy the smell of vintage parchment, a bookshop is your best getaway on a rainy day in London. Whether you read classics or crime thrillers, London’s charming bookshops have titles catering to all tastes. Classic wooden tables and ceiling-high shelves stacked with books await you at Daunt Books, London.

3. Get coffee at a cosy cafe

A warm drink makes any rainy day magical.  Would you like to romanticise your life by working at a café on a rainy day in London? You can put your headphones on and be tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Did we mention that café cuisine in London is delectable?

Settle in with a cup of coffee and watch raindrops on a window pane at a London café.

 A ceramic cup against a window pane coated with raindrops and showing autumn foliage.

4. Get a taste of Italy at a food hall

Eat your way through an incredible selection of authentic Italian pizza and pasta at Eataly. This giant Italian food hall in London has enough food and wine to last an afternoon. You can even seek refuge on a rainy day in London by heading down to the wine cellar at Mercato Mayfair for a wine and cheese board tasting. Set in a historic church, the building that houses Mercato is part of a £5 million restoration project! Other delicious eateries await all over London - check out some of the best restaurants in Clapton, East London!

5. Buy yourself some flowers

When the skies are grey in London, brighten your day with some flowers. There are several flower markets in London and most open quite early. We recommend the one in Columbia Road for all things floral. Inhale the fragrance of roses as you take a stroll through a flower market on a rainy day in London.

Roses for sale on the flower stand at Victoria train station in London.

6. Treat yourself to a luxury spa day

What better way to unwind on a rainy day than at one of London’s top spas? Ditch those damp clothes for a steamy towel and some natural face pack. 

From House of Elemis in Mayfair to the Mandarin Oriental at Knightsbridge, there are soothing therapies for everyone. Ease those muscles after a tiring workday with some magical oil massage!

7. Indulge in some afternoon tea and cake

You can’t deny that a hot cuppa is the best remedy for a rainy day in London. The city’s top restaurants and hotels make for an unforgettable tea-time experience. You can choose between a quintessentially English experience or open yourself up to some East Asian influences at The Orchid Lounge at Pan Pacific London. Feast on a delightful assortment of pastries, tea cakes, and sandwiches to brighten up a grey day. 

An assortment of cakes and sandwiches at afternoon high tea.

8. Catch a West End Show

Immerse yourself in one of the best musical scenes in the world at London’s West End. Be it a musical, a comedy, or a tragedy, the West End will undoubtedly blow you away with an incredible performance. Keep an eye out for last-minute discounts offered by several ticketing agencies.

9. Enjoy a boozy bottomless brunch

For boozy things to do on a rainy day in London, go for the bottomless brunch experience. It’s a great way to spend a lazy Saturday with friends while it pours outside. 

If you’d like to try something different, you could try an unlimited buffet of curry dishes with beer or prosecco at an Indian bottomless brunch. London’s late-night eateries are open even at 1 am if you fancy some mimosas on a rainy day.

10. Find shelter under a railway arch

On a rainy day in London, take cover under one of the city’s railway arches. You don’t know what you’ll find, Camden Station has a Bavarian Beer Hall tucked under its arches whereas King’s Cross’s Coal Drops Yard offers fantastic food and shopping.

Next time you take cover under a railway arch in London, keep an eye out for some unique finds amongst the ordinary.

A young woman holding a red umbrella and checking for rain with Big Ben in the background.

When the skies are grey in London, it is rarely a cause for gloom. From visiting museums and galleries to sipping coffee at cafés, there are plenty of fun-filled things to do. Some of these activities are meant specifically for rainy days and add to its charm. In this blog, we have covered 10 activities to help you make the best of a rainy day in London. 

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