Well, folks, after a sweltering few days of heat in the city, the weather has finally broken. That’s right, the temperatures have dropped to a balmy hardly-even-20 degrees, and the rain has returned to London. But after spending the last few days merely surviving in the heat, what is there to do in London now? Whether you’re celebrating the return of milder weather or escaping the rain, now’s the time to make the most of our picturesque capital (it does look good in the rain, we have to admit!). So enjoy the rainy day with this roundup of wonderful things to do in London when it rains.
1. Visit one of London’s incredible free museums
London is filled with amazing free things to do, so why not head out for a day of discovering some art and culture? London is, as we all know, home to some of the world’s best museums (like the infamous Natural History Museum), and we’ve rounded up some of the best free ones for you here. (Psst… some of the museums also hide some gorgeous libraries – and does anything go together better than rainy days and books?)
2. Admire some art at some of London’s best galleries
On a rainy day in London, art enthusiasts can find solace and inspiration by exploring some of the city’s finest galleries and their captivating exhibitions. These diverse exhibitions provide a perfect escape from the rain while offering a rich cultural experience in London’s world-class art scene – there’s free ones, photography ones, immersive ones!
3. Take cover in a charming bookshop
There’s something about bookshops that leaves us all warm inside, so why not hide from a rainy day in London alongside the smell of leather-bound ledgers? We recommend a gander around these charming London bookstores that are perfect for literature lovers. And when the weather picks up, you can go on this lovely literary walking tour around the city.
4. Decide the verdict of a thrilling live courtroom simulation
The Jury Experience is a series of immersive live theatre shows that drops you in the heart of a riveting courtroom drama. This season, there’s a host of cases in London for jurors to sink their teeth into, from shocking murder mysteries to scandalous robberies with a twist. Take your seat, examine the witness testimonies, see through the lawyers’ red herrings and then cast your vote to decide the defendant’s fate — guilty or not guilty?
5. Settle in at a cute café for a rainy day latte
What better way to while away a rainy day in London than with a warm cup of coffee and some people-watching? Get comfy in one of our city’s many amazing coffee shops with a book and some music. You could even switch up your work environment for the day and romanticise your life as you stare out the window while you “work”.
6. Jump around and stay cozy at a gig
London may just well be the live music capital of the world. There, we’ve said it. And going into autumn, there’s no better time to see your favourite artists live and be warm and cozy (and sweaty). So without further ado, here’s our roundup of the best gigs in London you can’t miss this year in 2025. Let the good times roll!
7. Make new connections at a fun-filled meetup with strangers
Rain goes away (at least, eventually in London), but real friendships stay. The First Round is all about making new connections with like-minded people in a relaxed setting. Before the meetup, you’ll answer a questionnaire that helps an algorithm match you up with people with similar interests. On arrival, you’ll bond with these strangers over fun icebreakers and games, and you’re more than welcome to purchase drinks and bites at the bar.
8. Warm yourself up with a hot cup of cocoa
We love tea and we sure love a cup of coffee, but a hot chocolate also can’t go amiss. (We’re even partial to them in the summer. Although, there are some pretty fantastic iced versions available if you need it cold all the time!) It’s the ultimate comfort drink — so if you’re craving something extra decadent, check out these delicious chocolate shops that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
9. Or how about something a bit stronger?
Needless to say, any day spent at a bar is a good one, but rainy days provide the perfect excuse to hide away from the world with a drink in hand. After all, there’s not much else you can do, right? You sure won’t have trouble finding bars in London, but if you’re looking for some inspiration, we have plenty of suggestions for a pretty cocktail, a cosy glass of wine, or a pint at one of the city’s oldest pubs.
10. Soak up the immaculate vibes at a live jazz show
Wish those rainy days away with an electrifying evening of live music at The Jazz Room. It’s a series of concerts that pays tribute to a range of timeless genres including jazz and soul. Through electrifying live performances of songs from “Hello Dolly” to “Let’s Get It On”, a band journeys through the best of these genres inside an iconic cabaret club in London. Hear tributes to soul legends like Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye or jazz greats like Spencer Williams, Louis Armstrong and many more.
11. Step out of the rain and into a world of optical illusions
Has the weather in the capital ever made you want to head into outer space, or just totally disappear? You can do both at Paradox Museum, an immersive experience in Knightsbridge, filled with optical illusions.
Home to over 50 different installations, this London museum provides ample opportunity for weird but wonderful photos, as well as a chance to learn the science behind some of the mind benders. Paradox Museum has wowed over 1.5 million visitors in other cities around the world, including Paris, Miami, and Shanghai; here in London, you can expect the likes of a Zero Gravity Room, an Upside-Down Room, and a Camouflage exhibit.
12. Let the good times roll at a bowling alley or indoor golf course
Spend a rainy afternoon with a competitive round of bowling, or challenge your friends to some fun arcade games. Check out these fun bowling alleys or head to the nearest crazy golf venue for a par-fect escape from the rain.
13. If you want to start early, these bottomless brunches are brilliantly boozy
…And you can head straight to the bar right after, like a true Londoner. Here are some of our favourite bottomless brunch spots, but in case you suddenly crave pancakes and mimosas at 1 am, you can always opt for one of London’s late-night eateries when it’s raining.
14. Enjoy an illuminated ballet show
While the rain falls outside, take refuge inside a historic London theatre and immerse yourself in the glow of Ballet of Lights. It’s a 60-minute ballet show that puts a shimmering twist on classics like Cinderella — but how? Ballerinas are dressed in outfits adorned in fibre-optic lights, so every twist, leap and turn lights up the stage in front of you.
15. Use the opportunity to discover your new favourite restaurant
Even in London, we don’t get enough rainy days to check off all of our city’s best restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a fine dining experience, we truly have it all. Heck, we’ve even got a roster of Michelin-starred restaurants – some of which you might even be able to get a table for this year! To get you started, here are the absolute best restaurants the Big Smoke has to offer.
16. Or eat your way through this giant Italian food hall
We promise you that Eataly has enough food and wine to last you several hours, so the giant Italian food hall on Broadgate is the ideal place to tuck into some pizza and pasta or start your own afternoon wine tasting crawl. If you like some more cuisine variety, head to the marvellous Mercato Mayfair, which happens to sit inside a church!
17. Relax with a delightful afternoon tea
I think we can all agree that a hot cuppa is the ultimate rainy day in London remedy – and an assortment of pastries, sandwiches (and perhaps champagne?) can make it even better. We’ve rounded up London’s loveliest afternoon teas which are perfect to brighten up any grey day.
18. Surround yourself with literature at one of London’s suave library bars
I believe (I’m guessing) Shakespeare did proclaim that there is no greater pleasure than surrounding yourself with musky hardback covers as the rain pelts down outside. Maybe. Whether or not the great bard believed this or not, there’s no getting away from the accuracy of that fact. Plus, in a library bar, you can do it all alongside a cocktail and, more often than not, a fireplace! We’ll never pray for the rain, but you truly can’t beat that level of ambience, can you? Here are some of the best library bars the capital has to offer.
19. Take cover under a railway arch…
… And we don’t mean just to hide from the unexpected downpour! London’s railway arches are the new place to be, especially on a rainy day. Check out Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross for some shopping and food, or Camden’s Bavarian-inspired Beer Hall nestled under railway arches.
20. Kick back and snuggle up at a cosy cinema
There’s truly no better way to escape a rainy day in London for a couple of hours than with a visit to the cinema. Grab some popcorn, kick back, and relax with a movie whilst lying out on a reclining sofa. Just try not to fall asleep! Take a look at our roundup of London’s cosiest independent cinemas.
21. Head to the theatre for a West End show
Whether you’re a true West End Wendy for musicals, or prefer a more subdued and dramatic play, London is the ultimate hotbed for theatre-goers. There are simply so many fabulous options to choose from. From the spine-chilling Stranger Things play to staple West End and Broadway productions, we’ve got something to please everyone. So, be sure to check out our round-up of London’s must-see theatre shows here.
22. Dazzle yourself with a Candlelight concert
Why not take advantage of a rainy day in London to romanticise your life and have yourself a main-character moment by surrounding yourself with music and candles? Venues range from churches to music halls, and music comes courtesy of string ensembles and pianists. With classical tributes to the likes of Coldplay and ABBA, Vivaldi and more, you’ll forget all about the gloom outside as the power of the magical performances entrances you.
Check out all upcoming Candlelight concerts in London here.23. Enjoy many of the hundred free things to do in the city
The city offers a variety of free things to do – and while yes, some involve enduring the rain, for the most part you can see a lot of what the city has to offer indoors! From free museums, performances, gigs, markets and historical sites – there’s a wealth of things London offers without spending any pennies – making it possible to enjoy the city without spending a fortune!
Don’t let a rainy day in London ruin your enjoyment of this beautiful city. After all, we’re pretty well adapted to it in this country so you can always find something to do in London, come rain or shine!