London in the Rain: Best Indoor Activities and Tours

London's reputation for rain is slightly exaggerated (it actually gets less annual rainfall than Rome or Sydney), but it does drizzle frequently. The good news is that many of London's best attractions are indoors, and the city has centuries of experience keeping visitors entertained when the skies turn grey. A rainy day in London can be one of the most memorable parts of your trip.

Rain is the perfect excuse to spend hours in London's world-class free museums:

• British Museum - you could spend an entire rainy day here and still not see everything
• National Gallery - 2,300 paintings in a dry, warm setting overlooking Trafalgar Square
• Tate Modern - contemporary art across multiple floors, plus a free viewing terrace
• V&A Museum - fashion, design, ceramics, and photography. The cafe is beautiful too.
• Natural History Museum - dinosaurs, wildlife, and the stunning Hintze Hall entrance

All are free to enter. Special exhibitions may charge a fee but the permanent collections are more than enough for a rainy day.

These paid attractions keep you dry and thoroughly entertained:

• Tower of London - most of the experience is inside the buildings, including the Crown Jewels
• Westminster Abbey - entirely indoors and endlessly fascinating
• Churchill War Rooms - the underground WWII bunker is naturally weatherproof
• Madame Tussauds - the wax museum is entirely indoors
• London Dungeon - a darkly entertaining underground experience
• SEA LIFE London - the aquarium on the South Bank

Rain makes a matinee show the perfect afternoon. London's West End has over 40 theatres showing musicals, plays, and comedies. Same-day discounted tickets are available from the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. Alternatively, London has some wonderful independent cinemas: the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill (leather armchairs), the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square (classic film marathons), and the BFI Southbank (arthouse and classic films).

London's best markets are covered, making them ideal rainy-day destinations. Borough Market is mostly under cover and the rain thins the crowds. Leadenhall Market is a stunning Victorian covered market. Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden is entirely indoors with excellent street food. Covent Garden Market itself has covered arcades with shops and street performers.

Nothing suits a rainy London afternoon better than a traditional afternoon tea. Settle into a warm room with sandwiches, scones, and pastries while the rain patters outside. The Wolseley, Claridge's, The Ritz, and Fortnum & Mason all offer excellent afternoon tea experiences. Prices range from £30-80 per person. Book in advance, especially for The Ritz and Claridge's.

Several tours work perfectly in the rain:

• Hop-on hop-off bus - the covered upper deck and enclosed lower deck keep you dry while seeing the sights
• Thames river cruise - boats have indoor seating with large windows
• Jack the Ripper walking tour - actually better in the rain for atmosphere
• Ghost tours - rain and darkness enhance the spooky experience

For more London planning ideas, check our budget guide or browse our full tour listings.