What to do in London when it rains
London barely notices the rain — many of the world's great museums and galleries are free, and there's a covered market or theatre matinee around every corner.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- The British Museum Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, UK
- Natural History Museum Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, UK
- The National Gallery Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK
- Victoria and Albert Museum Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, UK
- Science Museum Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, UK
- Kensington Palace Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX, UK
- Tate Britain Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, UK
- Somerset House Strand, London WC2R 1LA, UK
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Tate Modern Bankside, London SE1 9TG, UK
- The National Gallery Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK
- Victoria and Albert Museum Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, UK
- Barbican Centre Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS, UK
- Tate Britain Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, UK
- National Portrait Gallery St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE, UK
- The Wallace Collection Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN, UK
- Royal Academy of Arts Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD, UK
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Borough Market London SE1 9AH, UK
- Camden Market 54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF, UK
- Spitalfields Market 65 Brushfield St, London E1 6AA, UK
- Chinatown Gerrard St, London W1D 5PT, UK
- Leadenhall Market Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT, UK
- Mercato Mayfair St. Mark's Church, 13A N Audley St, London W1K 6ZA, UK
- Seven Dials Market Earlham St, London WC2H 9LX, UK
- Mercato Metropolitano 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR, UK
Aquarium
The aquarium is a reliable rainy-day winner, especially with kids.
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB, UK
- Blue Aquariums Design 160, Kemp House, London EC1V 2NX, UK
- Merlin Venues County Hall, London SE1 7BP, UK
- Bespoke Aquatics 71-75 Shelton St, London WC2H 9JQ, UK
- Liquid Habitat Orwell Court, Jerrard St, London SE13 7TA, UK
- AQUAPRINT flat 8 Cynthia St, London N1 9FU, UK
Theatre & shows
Catch a matinee — afternoon shows are made for grey days.
- Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP, UK
- Barbican Centre Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS, UK
- Lyceum Theatre 21 Wellington St, London WC2E 7RQ, UK
- Shakespeare's Globe 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, UK
- Dominion Theatre 268-269 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7AQ, UK
- His Majesty's Theatre Haymarket, London SW1Y 4QL, UK
- The London Palladium 8 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF, UK
- Victoria Palace Theatre 126 Victoria St, London SW1E 5EA, UK
Food halls
Settle into a food hall and work your way around the stalls while the rain blows over.
- Borough Market London SE1 9AH, UK
- Camden Market 54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF, UK
- Spitalfields Market 65 Brushfield St, London E1 6AA, UK
- Chinatown Gerrard St, London W1D 5PT, UK
- Leadenhall Market Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT, UK
- Mercato Mayfair St. Mark's Church, 13A N Audley St, London W1K 6ZA, UK
- Seven Dials Market Earlham St, London WC2H 9LX, UK
- Mercato Metropolitano 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR, UK
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Battersea Power Station Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD, UK
- Spitalfields Market 65 Brushfield St, London E1 6AA, UK
- Covent Garden 41 The Piazza, London WC2E 8RF, UK
- Coal Drops Yard Stable St, London N1C 4LW, UK
- One New Change New Change, London EC4M 9AF, UK
- The Truman Brewery Number 1, Ely's Yard, 15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR, UK
- The Royal Exchange Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LL, UK
- Duke of York Square 80 King's Rd, London SW3 4LY, UK
Spa & wellness
Book a spa session and let the weather do its worst while you don't.
- Liberty London Regent St., Carnaby, London W1B 5AH, UK
- Rosewood London 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, UK
- Shoreditch House Ebor St, London E1 6AW, UK
- InterContinental London Park Lane by IHG One Hamilton Place, Park Ln, London W1J 7QY, UK
- The Connaught The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL, UK
- Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA, UK
- Britannia Leisure Centre Pitfield St, London N1 5FT, UK
- The Berkeley The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL, UK
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 62 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.