Rain is part of London life, especially outside summer, which is why having a plan for things to do in London when it’s raining makes such a difference. The good news is that this city is brilliantly set up for wet weather.

A row of London red telephone booths lines a wet, empty street with historic brick buildings on either side.
Red phone boxes in London in winter.
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Covered markets, world-class museums, cosy cafés, cinemas, theatres, and walkable neighbourhoods mean you rarely need to cancel plans, just tweak them.

I’m Hazel, a London-based travel blogger and solo traveller, and I’ve spent years exploring the city in all weathers. Some of my favourite London days have been the rainy ones, when plans slow down and the city reveals its cosier side.

Whether you’re visiting London in winter, travelling solo, or simply trying to rescue a soggy day, here are genuinely good things to do in London when it’s raining.

Wander Covered Markets Without Getting Soaked 🛍️

London’s covered markets are perfect rainy-day destinations. You can browse, eat, and linger without watching the weather every five minutes.

  • Borough Market – One of the best. Hot food stalls, sheltered areas, and endless people-watching.
  • Spitalfields Market – My fave. A great all-rounder with shops, food, and indoor space. Easy to combine with Brick Lane and Shoreditch cafés.
  • Covent Garden Market – Covered walkways, cafés nearby, and a lively atmosphere even in the rain.
  • Mercato Mayfair – An atmospheric indoor food hall set inside a former church. Excellent for lingering over food when the weather is grim.
  • Camden Market – Some outdoors, lots indoors, flea market + alternative/grunge style clothing.
Woman in a black coat and hat standing by the canal at Camden Market in London, with colourful buildings, railings covered in love locks, and waterside walkways in the background.
Outside Camden Market

Museums Are Great on Rainy Days 🖼️

Rainy weather is when London’s museums really shine. Most are free, centrally located, and easy to combine with cafés or walks between showers.

If you’re visiting in colder months, these slot neatly into a things to do in London in winter itinerary.

Cosy Cafés to Hide From the Rain ☕

Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is simply to stay warm and watch London go by through a fogged-up window.

Rainy café time is perfect for:

  • Reading.
  • Journalling.
  • Editing photos.
  • People-watching.
  • Letting the rain pass.
  • Enjoying decent coffee!

Neighbourhoods like Bloomsbury, Notting Hill, Soho, and Greenwich are especially good for café hopping when the weather turns.

👉 Read more: The Best Neighbourhoods in London to Visit in Winter & Things to Do in Greenwich, London: A Slower Side of the City.

Catch a Film or Show 🎭

Rainy days are ideal for slotting in a cinema or theatre visit, especially if your outdoor plans get washed out.

For films, London is brilliant for solo cinema trips:

If you prefer live performances:

  • West End theatres often have matinees that fit neatly into a rainy afternoon.
  • Smaller theatres and comedy venues are dotted across Soho, Covent Garden, and the South Bank.

Rainy days can be surprisingly good for last-minute tickets.

A person in a black coat and hat stands on a rooftop terrace, overlooking a London tourist attraction skyscraper on a cloudy day.
120 Fenchurch Street, looking at the Sky Garden (which incidentally, is indoors)

Walk London Anyway (Just Pick the Right Routes) 🚶‍♀️

You don’t have to give up walking entirely when it rains, just be strategic.

  • South Bank – Plenty of shelters, cafés, and indoor stops along the way.
  • Covent Garden to Soho – Short distances, lots of cover, endless places to stop.
  • Bloomsbury squares – Calm, flat, and close to museums and cafés.

Make It a Slow, Indoor-Heavy Day 🧣

Rainy days are a good excuse to drop the checklist mentality.

A gentle rainy-day rhythm might look like:

  • Museum in the morning.
  • Long lunch indoors.
  • Café or indoor market wandering.
  • Early dinner.
  • Cinema or theatre in the evening.

If you’re travelling alone, this kind of day often feels calmer and more enjoyable than trying to power through the weather.

FAQs: Things to Do in London When It’s Raining ❓

Rain is common in London, so these are the questions people usually ask when planning around it.

Is London still worth exploring in the rain?

Yes. London is one of the best cities in Europe for rainy days thanks to its museums, markets, cafés, and indoor attractions.

What’s best to do in London when it rains heavily?

Stick to museums, covered markets, cinemas, and neighbourhoods where everything is close together.

Are rainy days common in winter in London?

Yes, especially between November and February, but rain is usually light rather than monsoon-style downpours.

Is London good for solo travellers on rainy days?

Very. Many rainy-day activities are naturally solo-friendly and easy to adapt without needing to coordinate plans.

👉 Read more: How to Visit London Solo in Winter.

Rain in London ✨

Rain doesn’t ruin London; it simply changes the pace. Some of the city’s best experiences happen indoors, under cover, or at a slower rhythm that rainy days encourage.

If you plan with flexibility and lean into what London does well, a rainy day can end up being one of the most memorable parts of your trip.

Related Reading 📚

If you’re planning a winter trip to London or building flexibility into your itinerary, these posts pair perfectly with rainy-day plans:

❄️ Things to Do in London in Winter (That Actually Suit the Season).
🏘️ 6 of the Best London Neighbourhoods to Visit in Winter.
🗓️ London in January: What It’s Really Like (and What to Do).
🎄 How to Spend Christmas Solo in London.
🎆 How to spend New Year’s Eve in London.

Save This for Later 📌

London rain is rarely a surprise, but it doesn’t have to derail your plans.
Save this guide on Pinterest so you’ve always got a list of things to do in London when it’s raining, whether you’re travelling solo, visiting in winter, or just caught in an unexpected downpour.

Pinterest-style graphic reading “Things to Do in London When It Rains” over a rainy aerial view of the River Thames and Tower Bridge in London, with city lights glowing through the drizzle.

👉 Looking for practical travel tools? Check out my Travel Resources page.

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