How to Spend a Rainy Day in London: A Local’s Guide (2026)
Rainy day in London got you down? Here’s my personalised guide for how to spend a rainy day in London (from a local). Enjoy!
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It doesn’t take long in London to realise which stereotypes hold true. And let’s just say London isn’t exactly known for bright sunny days.
Whether you’re in London for a spell or the long haul, you and rain will be making very, very good acquaintances.
But don’t let the drear of the city get you down.
In fact, there’s a certain charm in London that comes only with a rainy day.
Over the past ten years, I’ve experienced every kind of UK weather under the sun (or lack of), and learned not to let a rainy day keep me inside.
So if you find yourself in less than balmy weather (which may be often), here’s how to spend a rainy day in London — from a Londoner.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
How to Spend a Rainy Day in London: A Local’s Guide
P.S. – Coming to London? Have the perfect trip planned for you with our 3,5, or 7-Day London Tourist Itineraries 🇬🇧
Ride on Top of a Double Decker Bus
If the best way to see a city is by foot, then the best way to browse is by bus.
Read More: 5 Best Open Top Bus Tours, London
As cheesy as it sounds, double decker buses are still one of my favorite parts about London.
Grab your Oyster, head to Central and hop up to the top deck to get spectacular panoramic views of London, without a drop in sight.
Stop “N” at Westminster Cathedral to Primrose Street in Shoreditch is a particular favorite. So I tend to start with a walk around Central and take a ride down to East London after.
Putting you in the perfect spot to…
Do Some Vintage Shopping
Fashion has no weather bounds. Indulge in some retro retail therapy with a visit to the best thrift shops in London.
I always find there are less crowds on rainy days, meaning uninterrupted browsing and more chances to find a decent piece or two. Personal recommendations include…
- Atika | 55-59 Hanbury St, Spitalfields, London E1 5JP
- East End Thrift Store | 4 Assembly Passage, Stepney Green, London E1 4UT
- Rokit | 42 Shelton St, West End, London WC2H 9HZ
- Beyond Retro | 110-112, Cheshire St, London E2 6EJ
- Reign Vintage | 12 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PN
Read more about vintage shopping in London with these guides of the best charity shops in North London, Central London, West London, East London and South London.
Go to a London Museum or Gallery
My go-to antidote for weather spoiled plans, London museums and galleries are a guaranteed pastime for a rainy day.
From roaming historic artifacts at the British Museum to eclectic art at the V&A, there’s an oddly comforting feeling that comes with a rainy day in a museum.
If you’re especially in the mood to explore, you can make the day out of popping into all the galleries and museums London has to offer.
Some of my favorites include…
- Tate Modern — A modern and contemporary art gallery featuring installations from around the world, including Picasso! | Bankside, London SE1 9TG
- The Queen’s House — A former royal residence featuring award-winning portraits and an infamous tulip staircase. | Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF
- Science Museum — An interactive museum tracing the world’s scientific breakthroughs, with an IMAX cinema! | Exhibition Rd, London SW7 2DD
- The Wallace Collection — A renovated townhouse featuring 18th-century French treasures and 28 rooms of painting and armories. | Hertford House, London W1U 3BN
- National Gallery — A treasure trove of renowned paintings from artists like Van Gogh, Turner, and Botticelli to name a few. | Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DN
Other popular options among both locals and visitors are the massive Natural History Museum and the quirky Sherlock Holmes Museum, while history buffs will love the Imperial War Museums and the Churchill War Rooms.
Or if you’re a massive Harry Potter fan, then it’s definitely the perfect time to join the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter with Transportation.
You’ll spend hours exploring the sets and props from the real movies, and by the time you finish, there won’t be any rain left!
Pro-Tip: Most museums are free in London, but may ask for a small donation.
Take Up a Class in London
Make the most of existing indoor activities by learning a new thing or two…
London is gloriously filled with classes spanning from pottery to Thai cooking classes, and everything in between.
Have a browse on Eventbrite or Obby and soak up a new skill for the day!
Read More:
Nosey Around a London Bookshop
Take a dip into one of London’s many literary havens with a day at the bookstore.
Unbiasedly (biasely) speaking, London has some of the best bookstores in the world.
From the beautiful, to the quaint and quirky; you can escape the rain into a whole new world in a single afternoon. Some personal recommendations include…
- John Sandoe’s Bookstore | An eighteenth-century bookshop tucked in the streets of Chelsea | 10 Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London SW3 2SR
- Daunt Books | A beautiful Edwardian style bookstore specializing in travel books | 84 Marylebone High St, Marylebone, London W1U 4QW
- Notting Hill Bookshop | The bookshop from the Notting Hill movie! | At 13 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 2EE (I wrote a whole blog about it here)
- Primrose Hill Books | An intimate family-run bookshop right off of Primrose Hill | 134 Regent’s Park Rd, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL
P.S. Have a peek at the Best Second-Hand Bookshops in London.
Visit a London Cemetary
It might not be the first thought that comes to mind when you think of rainy day activities, but if you’re anything like me you’ll appreciate all the beauty London has to offer… even in a graveyard.
That’s right. You can use this rainy day in London to visit one of the oldest homes of the city’s forgotten, Brompton Cemetery or the beautiful Highgate Cemetery.
It’s particularly eerie, but beautiful nonetheless, especially on a rainy day. So grab your umbrella and spend a lazy hour or two escaping city life.
P.S. – If you prefer to be indoors, why not seek refuge inside Westminster Abbey?
Catch an Old Film (the London Way)
I still haven’t figured out what it is about the rain that makes you feel so nostalgic, but catching an old film is the perfect way to step back in time for a less-than-pleasurable London day.
Catch an old film at one of London’s many independent theatres to leave your London weather worries behind. My personal recommendations are…
- Regent Street Cinema — A cosy independent theater in the heart of London | 307 Regent St, Marylebone, London W1B 2HW
- Rio Cinema — A lively art deco styled cinema | 107 Kingsland High St, Dalston, London E8 2PB
- Deptford Cinema — An intimate Southeast cinema run by locals! | 39 Deptford Broadway, Deptford, London SE8 4PQ
Have a London Theatre Day
Of course, if you’re looking to take your rainy day escapades a step further, you can always catch a show in the fabulous West End.
With endless options to choose from, there’s something for every theatrical taste.
You can check out the latest shows here!
Find a Covered London Market
A bit of rain shouldn’t keep you hungry, and a covered-roof market is all you need to avoid the rain and indulge in some street food finds.
Luckily, London has plenty.
Between Greenwich Market, Leadenhall Market, Spitalfields Market, Covent Garden Market, and Borough Market, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice.
See London from a New Perspective
A rainy day easily calls for catching the city’s skyline from the Sky Garden or Horizon 22.
Lovely to visit, even in bad weather! Plus tickets are free…
Read More: Visiting the Sky Garden, London
Go for Afternoon Tea
If you’re hiding indoors when the rain’s hitting London, why not consider ticking off that popular tradition from your bucket list?
Afternoon tea is a quintessential British ‘thing to do’ when in London (or anywhere in England, really).
And lucky for you, there are hundreds of different options to do so.
From the best afternoon teas in London to fun themed afternoon teas, have your pick!
Go to a London Cafe
As a certified coffee fiend, this is how I spend most rainy days in the capital — and now you can too.
You don’t have to bring a laptop to enjoy some of the best coffee spots London has to offer, just a book and a rainy day perhaps?
Read More:
Rainy Days in London FAQs
Q: Is it true that it rains a lot in London?
Honestly, yes and no. London definitely gets its fair share of wet days, but it’s not constant downpours.
Most of the time, it’s light drizzle or quick showers rather than anything dramatic — enough to keep the pavements damp and the air feeling humid, but rarely the kind of rain that ruins your day.
Q: How many days of the year is it raining in London?
On average, you’re looking at around 106–133 days with some rain — but that includes the lightest of showers.
Most Londoners just get on with it.
A good waterproof jacket with a hood will cover you for most situations (though you’ll be glad to have an umbrella when it really comes down).
Q: What do you wear in London when it rains?
I would love to say ‘wellies and a yellow coat” but the truth is most Londoners end up wearing what they normally would before they realised it was going to pour!
With that said, shoes you don’t mind getting wet are your best friends.
Q: What to do in London with kids when it rains?
Stick to the indoors — London’s full of options!
Read more: 99 Fun Things To Do in London With Kids
Thanks for reading my Rainy Day in London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE LONDON GUIDES:
- When Does it Snow in London? Your Ultimate London Snow Day Guide
- Your Ultimate London Packing List: What to Wear in Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- What Is the Weather Like in London?
- How to Spend a Day in London for Under £25
- The Ultimate Travel Guide for London in April — from a Londoner!
- 50 Most Romantic Things To Do in London
- How to Use Your Phone When Visiting London From Abroad
- 10+ Unique Experiences in London You Have to Try for Yourself
- Is London Safe? 10 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers
- 27 Effortless Ways to Save Money in London
- 10 Tips for Tourists in London (Tourist Mistakes and How to Avoid Them)
Happy Londoning,
