15 Things to Do in London on a Rainy Day
Rain in London? Your day is not cancelled
September in London is officially rainy season. The climate of London in September is notably wet, with an average of 11 rainy days, and a total of 69.6 mm of precipitation. Worse, according to the Met Office, London gets a staggering 106 days of rain a year, so knowing where to go when the sky opens up is survival knowledge.
The good news: London was built for this. Most of the city's best experiences happen indoors anyway. New openings, later hours, and indoor venues that feel designed for lingering, not just escaping the weather have made rainy days smarter to plan. South Kensington clusters museums within a ten-minute walk. Covent Garden combines markets, galleries and theatres in one wet-weather zone. The South Bank holds free galleries and a river café. What matters on a rain day is geography: stay in one neighbourhood, move between places quickly, and never cross the whole city chasing activity.
This list is ordered by what works best on a properly wet day — start with all-day commitments (museums you could spend 3-4 hours in), move through food experiences (flexible timing, no booking stress), then neighbourhood walks that work as escape routes if the weather breaks.
Natural History Museum
South Kensington, London SW7 5BD · Natural history with dinosaurs, whales, and galleries · Daily 10am–5:50pm, free entry, underground tunnel from South Kensington station
Operating hours are daily 10am - 5:50pm with last entry at 5:30pm. It's just a 5-minute walk from the South Kensington Underground Station, with a direct underground passageway for convenient access even on rainy days. The Dinosaur Gallery draws lines, but the 25.2-meter-long skeleton of a blue whale named 'Hope' hanging from the ceiling is an iconic symbol of the museum, and seeing it in person is truly awe-inspiring. Plan for 3-4 hours. Book ahead to skip the queue.
V&A South Kensington
South Kensington, London SW7 2RL · Art, design, fashion, and decorative arts · Daily 10am–5:45pm, Friday 10am–10pm, free entry
V&A South Kensington is open daily from 10am to 5.45pm, with late opening on Fridays until 10pm. Home to the world's largest collection of decorative arts and design, you can dive into 5,000 years of global creativity across art, design, fashion, performance and more, exploring world-leading galleries and major exhibitions. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions need tickets. Weekday mornings are emptiest.
British Museum
Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG · World history, Egyptian mummies, Parthenon · Daily 10am–5pm, Friday 10am–8:30pm, free entry, book timed ticket
Visit the Museum every Friday (except Good Friday, 26 March 2027) until 20.30. Stay late on a Friday and enjoy 20-minute free spotlight tours focusing on four iconic areas of the Museum, including the Parthenon. Many now recommend booking a free timed ticket in advance for smoother entry during busy periods. The Egyptian galleries and Great Court (Europe's largest covered public square) are the highlights.
Tate Modern
Bankside, London SE1 9TG · Modern and contemporary art, installations · Sunday–Thursday 10am–6pm, Friday–Saturday 10am–10pm, free entry
Open Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 10pm. Head to the Tate Modern on a rainy day in London and you'll be greeted by thought-provoking installations in its vast Turbine Hall, like the iconic setting sun by Olafur Eliasson. The café on level 10 has wonderful views over London, even on a rainy day. Free entry to the main collection; special exhibitions are ticketed.
FRAMELESS
Marble Arch, London W1H 7AP · Immersive art with Monet, Van Gogh, Dalí · Daily 10am–6pm (weekends later), check website, £20–£28 adults
Step into FRAMELESS, London's most talked-about immersive art experience, just moments from Marble Arch. Explore 42 masterpieces by legendary artists such as Monet, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Dalí, reimagined through 360° visuals and dynamic soundscapes across four stunning immersive Galleries. Most visitors spend around two hours exploring FRAMELESS, although there is no time limit once inside, allowing you to experience the galleries at your own pace. On Fridays and Saturdays, no under-18s allowed after 6PM (visitors under 18 should arrive by 4PM).
Leighton House Museum
Holland Park, London W14 8LZ · Victorian artist's studio with Arab Hall · Daily 10am–5:30pm, closed Tuesdays, £12 entry
Leighton House is open 10am to 5:30pm with last entry at 4:30pm, closed Tuesdays. Created as his 'private palace of art', the former studio-home of leading Victorian artist, Fredric Leighton (1830-1896), showcases an exceptional collection of 19th c. art throughout its unique interiors, including the iconic Arab Hall, with a golden dome and a calming fountain. One of its most significant additions was the 'Arab Hall' extension in 1877-81, combining inspirations from Leighton's travels across the globe, with walls lined by an immaculate Syrian tile collection.
Afternoon Tea Bus
Victoria Coach Station, London SW1W 9SR · Panoramic London tour with tea service · Daily 11:30am–6pm departures, 90 minutes, £44–£49 per person
The afternoon tea with sightseeing in London tour bus departs at 11.30am, 12.15pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm, 5pm and 6pm from Bus Stop 1 Bulleid Way, 123-151 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9SR, close to Victoria Station. This family-friendly afternoon tea tour in London includes a panoramic bus tour of central London and an afternoon tea served on board. As part of your afternoon tea, enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival and a selection of teas. The bus is entirely enclosed so rain doesn't matter.
Borough Market
Southwark, London SE1 9AH · Covered food market near London Bridge · Monday–Friday 10am–5pm, Saturday 8am–5pm, Sunday 10am–3pm, free entry
Borough Market is open seven days a week: Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm; Saturdays, from 8 am to 5 pm; and Sundays, from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission to Borough Market is free of charge. While parts of the market are open-air, much of it is covered, making it a smart pick for things to do in London when raining. You can sample artisan cheeses, fresh-baked sourdough, jerk chicken, truffles, and churros all in one buzzing, delicious space. Arrive around 1pm to avoid the morning rush.
Seven Dials Market
Covent Garden, London WC2H 9AT · Indoor food hall with independent traders · Monday–Tuesday 12pm–10pm, Wednesday–Saturday 11am–11pm, Sunday 11am–9pm, free entry
Opening hours: Monday 12:00 – 10:00 PM; Tuesday 12:00 – 10:00 PM; Wednesday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Thursday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Friday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Seven Dials Market is a busy indoor food market in the heart of Covent Garden, set in a former warehouse just off Seven Dials. Run by the street-food specialists KERB, it brings together a rotating line-up of independent traders over two floors, with communal seating and bars that make it a great spot for a casual meal or a drink. The most distinctive highlight is the rotating cheese bar 'The Cheese Bar', said to be the 'world's first'.
Covent Garden Market
Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RF · Historic covered market with shops and performers · Daily approximately 10am–6pm, free entry
Covent Garden's covered market building is a beautiful Victorian space and perpetually lively regardless of the weather. It has independent shops, boutiques and street performers sheltering under the glass roof. It's surrounded by touristy cafés and restaurants on all sides, but still a good option if you want to sit out the worst of the rain. There are three markets at Covent Garden to tempt you. From handmade crafts and antiques at The Apple Market, jewellery and sweet treats at the East Colonnade and the historic Jubilee Market, you'll have stall after stall of unique produce to choose from.
London Museum Docklands
Canary Wharf, London E14 4AL · History of London's docks and river · Daily 10am–5pm, free entry
London Museum Docklands is open 10am – 5pm every day and entry is free, with no need to book in advance. We recommend giving yourself at least an hour for your visit. London Museum Docklands is housed in a historic warehouse at West India Quay, it tells the story of the Thames, London's docks, and the communities that developed around them. The museum is made up of nine free galleries that explore a different moment or theme of the docks' history. Less crowded than South Kensington museums.
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN · Old Masters (Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Da Vinci) · Daily 10am–6pm, Friday 10am–9pm, free entry
A rainy day in London is perfect for exploring the National Gallery. Located in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is one of London's most famous and prestigious art galleries. It houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings, dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. You might have to dash through the busy streets of central London to get to the National Gallery, but once inside, you can spend hours protected from the rain while you view paintings like "Sunflowers" by Vincent Van Gogh and "Arnolfini Portrait" by Jan Van Eyck.
National Portrait Gallery
Trafalgar Square, London WC2H 0HE · British portraits and contemporary exhibitions · Daily 10am–6pm, Friday 10am–9pm, free entry
Open daily from 10.30am, the magnificent National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square, doesn't close until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. There are creative workshops like artist-led drawing classes, jazz nights and story tours. It's one of the most famous of the London museums and it's free to enter. The National Portrait Gallery has a permanent collection of Tudor monarchs, Victorian figures and modern British icons. For 2026, the temporary exhibition Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait brings together works by Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton, Eve Arnold, and Richard Avedon in celebration of Monroe's 100th birthday. It runs from 4 June to 6 September.
Science Museum
South Kensington, London SW7 2DD · Interactive exhibits on innovation and space · Daily 10am–5:50pm, free entry, paid exhibitions separate
Get ready for a day of discovery at the Science Museum, where interactive exhibits ignite curiosity for all ages. Dive into the history of innovation, exploring everything from the first steam engines to modern-day space exploration. The museum's hands-on galleries keep both kids and adults entertained, making it an exciting refuge from the rain. Last Wednesday of the month – the Science Museum holds an over-18's themed Lates evening from 6.45pm–10pm. Events relate to that month's theme. Regular events include live music, DJ's and bars on each floor, a pub quiz and silent disco.
Sky Garden
20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3R 8AF · Free viewing platform with panoramic city views · Monday–Sunday 10am–6pm (check before visit), free entry, book online
Sky Garden is at the top of the Walkie Talkie building (20 Fenchurch Street), giving you floor-to-ceiling glass views across the city skyline. Even when the weather outside is gloomy, looking out at London from up here still hits different. Yes, it counts as indoors, and it's one of the best indoor experiences in all of London. And if you're a fan of live music and champagne, you can enjoy both on a Sky Garden Music Night! You'll get live music, bubbles, and panoramic views all in one: the ultimate grown-up indoor date night. Book ahead; it fills up. No entry fee but you need to reserve a timed slot.
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