What can you do in London on a rainy day for free?

The British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, Tate Modern, British Library and Sky Garden (booked) are all free and indoors.

Which month is wettest in London?

Rain is spread across the year. October to January tend to be the wettest months, but showers are usually light and short.

Things to do in London when it rains

It rains in London on about one day in three, usually lightly. Plan a couple of indoor options near your hotel and a wet day costs you nothing.

1.British MuseumFree
You could spend a week inside. Free.
Stay nearby: Bloomsbury · ~$255/night
2.The three South Kensington museumsFree
Natural History, Science and the V&A, linked by a tunnel from the Tube station.
Stay nearby: Kensington · ~$295/night
3.Churchill War Rooms
Underground in every sense; book ahead.
Stay nearby: Westminster · ~$320/night
4.Borough Market
Mostly covered, with plenty to eat under the railway arches.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/night
5.Covent Garden market hall
Covered shopping and cafés, and the London Transport Museum next door.
Stay nearby: Covent Garden · ~$360/night
6.Leadenhall Market
An ornate Victorian covered market in the City, used as a Harry Potter location.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/night
7.A matinee in the West End
Most shows have afternoon performances on Wednesday or Thursday and Saturday.
Stay nearby: Soho · ~$360/night
8.Sky GardenFree
Indoor gardens and views, even in the rain; book ahead.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/night
9.Barbican ConservatoryFree
A tropical greenhouse inside the brutalist Barbican, open on selected days; book free tickets.
Stay nearby: Shoreditch · ~$240/night
10.Afternoon tea
Every grand hotel serves it; book at weekends.
Stay nearby: Marylebone · ~$320/night
11.Harrods food halls
Edwardian tiled halls and a lot to taste.
Stay nearby: Kensington · ~$295/night
12.Liberty
A mock-Tudor department store full of fabrics and design.
Stay nearby: Soho · ~$360/night
13.British LibraryFree
The Treasures gallery and a busy café. Free.
Stay nearby: King's Cross · ~$270/night
14.Tate ModernFree
Big galleries, the Turbine Hall and the viewing level. Free.
Stay nearby: South Bank · ~$295/night
15.The Painted Hall
Britain's 'Sistine Chapel', in the Old Royal Naval College.
Stay nearby: Greenwich · ~$200/night

Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Oct 2026 · How we research our guides

Things to do in London when it rains

1.British MuseumFree

2.The three South Kensington museumsFree

3.Churchill War Rooms

4.Borough Market

5.Covent Garden market hall

6.Leadenhall Market

7.A matinee in the West End

8.Sky GardenFree

9.Barbican ConservatoryFree

10.Afternoon tea

11.Harrods food halls

12.Liberty

13.British LibraryFree

14.Tate ModernFree

15.The Painted Hall

Hotels we'd book in Bloomsbury

The Ambassadors Bloomsbury

The Bloomsbury

Kimpton Fitzroy London

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