22 things to do in London when it rains

How we chose the best indoor activities for when it rains in London

Our selection is based on annual visitor data, feedback from visitors, first-hand visits and local knowledge from the network of experts within the Visit London editorial team.

The selection includes places of cultural significance and spans a range of interests, allowing visitors of all ages to find places to visit during their London stay. We've selected a mix of places as diverse as the people of London, offering local hangouts, crowd pleasers and famous sights that you should not miss.

Museums and galleries

Museums and galleries are a great place to visit during rainy days as they are indoors and offer a great mix of cultural experience and a feast for your eyes.

1. FRAMELESS – Best for multi-sensory digital art and a unique indoor experience

One of our favourite rainy‑day picks in central London, FRAMELESS is built for full‑scale immersion. Near Marble Arch, explore four digital galleries where iconic artworks on screen shift colour, sound and movement, offering a completely new way to experience art you thought you knew.

Stepping into each room feels like entering a different world. We find that standing or sitting in the middle of the room offers the best opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the experience, watching familiar paintings stretch, ripple and transform around you. The sheer scale makes an impact, but it’s the sense of being inside the artwork that stays with you.

Highlights include drifting through Monet’s dreamlike landscapes, standing beneath Van Gogh’s swirling skies and watching Klimt’s golden patterns sweep across the walls. Each space has its own mood, and the constantly changing projections mean no two moments feel the same. It’s an easy, weather‑proof choice for a relaxed afternoon, with cafés and shops close by if you want to make a day of it.

Best for: Multi-sensory digital art and a unique indoor experience 
Good to know: Booking ahead is recommended for peak times. The experience is fully indoors and suitable for all weather conditions. Comfortable footwear is recommended as you’ll be walking and standing throughout. 

2. Twist Museum  –  Best for curious minds

In the heart of Oxford Street’s shops and department stores, is the Twist Museum which is a space where nothing seems quite as you expect and where your senses are tricked and challenged from the moment you step in.

We would suggest to start with a few of the simpler illusions before moving into the more mind‑bending rooms. With more than 60 exhibits created alongside artists, psychologists, mathematicians and neuroscientists, the museum blends creativity and science in a way that keeps you curious at every turn.

Test your perception of colour, shape and sound, step into immersive spaces that distort your sense of direction and discover how easily your brain can be persuaded to see things that are not there. Some illusions work best with two people, so bringing a friend adds to the fun. Twist Museum is an easy indoor stop if you are already exploring Oxford Street.

Best for: Curious minds, playful indoor fun, rainy‑day activities 
Good to know: Bringing a phone with a good camera is a plus as the lighting in some areas can impact the colours you see live from the images after. 

3. Tate Modern  –  Best for art lovers

Sitting on the banks of the Thames, Tate Modern is one of London’s most inspiring places to escape a rainy day. Housed in a former power station, the gallery offers vast, atmospheric spaces to explore contemporary art.

There are a few different entries, but we like to enter through the ramped entry into the Turbine Hall which usually has some impressive free to view installation on display. The Tanks are striking space dedicated to performance and video art. With free entry to the main displays, it’s easy to dip in and out at your own pace.

Inside, you’ll encounter world‑class works that have shaped modern and contemporary art. Paintings, sculptures and large‑scale installations by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama and Henri Matisse sit alongside bold new commissions from around the world. Whether you’re drawn to colour, form or concept, there’s always something that will spark your interest. 

Theatre shows and entertainment

For a striking indoor pick on a wet day, London’s theatres and entertainment venues that offer an easy escape, with colourful musicals, family shows and one‑of‑a‑kind performances.

4. MAMMA MIA! – Best for ABBA fans and feel-good theatre

A West End favourite among fans, MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre has been delighting audiences for more than two decades. It is one of London’s longest‑running musicals and a joyful escape on any day.

The show delivers high energy throughout with ABBA’s iconic songs paired with a warm, funny story and atmosphere that feels instantly uplifting. Even if you're not an ABBA fan the show is mesmerising and fun and the tunes offer a feeling of nostalgia.

The plot follows bride‑to‑be Sophie Sheridan as she tries to uncover the identity of her father before her wedding, which leads to a series of heartfelt and hilarious moments on the Greek island she calls home. The soundtrack is packed with ABBA favourites, all performed with such enthusiasm that you can feel the audience wanting to join in.

5. The Mousetrap – Best for mystery fans

A true West End institution, The Mousetrap has been keeping audiences guessing since 1952. It is one of London’s most beloved shows and remains a favourite for anyone who enjoys a classic mystery.

The story begins in a remote country house hotel during a heavy snowstorm, where a group of guests find themselves unexpectedly trapped together. When Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives with news that a murderer may be among them, the tension builds quickly and suspicion falls on everyone. From our experience we can tell that it isn’t as obvious who the murderer is as you think.

It is a classic Agatha Christie setup, full of twists, misdirection and clever clues that keep the audience guessing until the final reveal. The play also has a remarkable history. Originally written as a radio drama for Queen Mary’s 80th birthday, it has since become the longest‑running play in the world.

6. Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus – Best for fans of acrobatics and musical theatre lovers

Step into the world of COME ALIVE! London: The Greatest Showman Circus at The Empress Museum in Earl’s Court. Inspired by the magic of The Greatest Showman, this immersive experience blends circus artistry, musical theatre and lively character moments to create a memorable day out.

It is best to arrive when the doors open as the acts begin an hour before the main performance, giving you time to wander through the Empress Museum, meet the characters and explore the Big Top before the crowds arrive.

Inside the 700‑seat Big Top, the atmosphere shifts into full circus mode. The main show brings together international acrobats and West End performers who sing favourites such as This Is Me, A Million Dreams and The Greatest Show. It is a vibrant mix of music, movement and theatrical flair that keeps the audience captivated throughout.

Interactive and immersive experiences

London’s interactive and immersive experiences offer an easy way to spend time indoors, with hands‑on adventures that keep you entertained.

7. Monopoly Lifesized – Best for fans of interactive games and competitive fun

Monopoly Lifesized turns the classic family game into a fast‑paced, walk‑through adventure. Set on a giant board with oversized pieces, it blends strategy with teamwork and playful competition.

Roll a giant dice, move around the board and take on challenges that test your logic, speed and problem‑solving skills. Each turn brings a new task and completing escape‑room-style puzzles earn you the money you need to build your London empire.

The play mirrors the Monopoly you know, but the scale and interactivity offer a new experience. You can buy and trade properties, collect rent and race to earn the most money before time runs out. Choose from four different boards throughout the 80 minutes of play.

8. Avora: A New World Cocktail Experience – Best for adventurous cocktail lovers

Avora is an immersive cocktail adventure that invites you into a newly discovered world. From the moment you put on your jumpsuit, you become part of the story, entering a glowing realm filled with mystery and imagination.

Your journey begins at the Roscorp Laboratory, where Dr C Shelly briefs you on your mission and guides you through mixing your first colour‑changing cocktail. It sets the tone for an experience that blends storytelling with hands‑on mixology in a playful and creative way.

Once you enter the lush woodland of Avora, you meet the Avorians, explore glowing forests and craft two more cocktails using ingredients you gather along the way. Each step reveals more of Avora’s delicate ecosystem and leads you toward an important choice about its future. With shifting projections, vibrant colours and a bioluminescent landscape, the environment itself becomes part of the magic.

9. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience – Best for team outings and competitive groups

The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience is one of London’s most exhilarating group adventures, inspired by the much‑loved 90s TV show. Discover a world of physical challenges, mental puzzles and fast team strategy.

Your Maze Master leads you through four themed time zones, each filled with tasks that test your logic, agility and quick thinking. Every challenge you complete earns your team a crystal, and each crystal gives you extra time for the final showdown.

Everything builds toward The Crystal Dome, where your collected time determines how long you’ve got to grab as many tokens as possible. Explore more puzzles and solve riddles with our escape rooms in London.

Cosy food and drink spots

When the rain starts to fall, London’s cosiest cafes, pubs and restaurants become the perfect places to settle in, warm up and enjoy some drinks and good food.

10. Panoramic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour – Best for afternoon tea fans and foodies

The Afternoon Tea bus tour combines the charm of a traditional afternoon tea with a relaxed sightseeing tour of London. It is an enjoyable way to take in the city’s landmarks while enjoying classic treats on a beautifully decorated double‑decker.

Enjoy a selection of sandwiches, pastries and sweet bites while the route passes many of London’s most famous sights, so you can sip your tea while spotting the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and more.

The views are great from all seats, but I find the upper deck offers the best views, with sweeping angles of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. The lower deck provides a cosy alternative with the same delicious menu. The experience blends sightseeing with a much‑loved British tradition and if that’s not enough there are plenty of other London afternoon tea experiences that you can choose from.

11. Cosy pubs – Best for relaxed evenings and pub lovers

Find the right drinking spot to suit your mood with our guide to London’s cosy pubs. Whether you want a relaxed riverside pub, a creative cocktail bar or a snug corner to unwind, the city has plenty of inviting options.

London’s bar scene ranges from intimate lounges to lively themed spots, with plenty of warm, welcoming places to settle in on a rainy day. The pub scene is just as comforting, with historic taverns, traditional locals and modern gastropubs serving everything from crisp pints to hearty roasts.

We like to check the pubs website in advance as many pubs offer a pub quiz night which is a great opportunity to meet some of the locals. From riverside hideaways to pubs tucked beside leafy parks, London is full of great spots to escape the weather.

12. Quirky cafes in London – Best for relaxed afternoons and unique date ideas

Discover some of the most quirky cafes in London, where an ordinary coffee break becomes something a little more memorable. Whether you fancy a quiet corner with a board game, a playful space filled with colour or a cosy cuddle with a resident cat, the city is full of unique spots that make something as simple as a hot beverage to a whole experience.

We find it best to choose a cafe that matches your mood for the day. If you like board games like we do, then one of the board game cafes might be your top pick and most of them also offer food.

Some places are perfect for settling in with a book or a friend, while others are designed for pure fun, offering everything from retro arcade machines to themed interiors that transport you somewhere entirely unexpected.

Shopping and markets

London’s covered markets and shopping departments and small shops offer an easy way to spend an afternoon indoors, discovering everything from handmade crafts to tempting treats. 

13. Harrods – Best for luxury shopping and elegant afternoons

Harrods is one of London’s most iconic shopping destinations, known for its luxury collections, elegant dining and exceptional service. Spanning eight levels, the store offers everything from high-end fashion and beauty to homeware, technology and rare fragrances.

Whenever we visit, we stop on the first floor to browse through the designer collections to get new ideas on what to wear for special occasions.

Don’t miss out on Harrods Food Hall which is one of my highlights for a small treat as it is filled with cakes, teas, hampers and gourmet treats. You can also browse the gift shop for souvenirs featuring the store’s famous branding or pause for a meal at one of the many restaurants, including pizza, sushi and contemporary pan Asian dishes.

14. Camden Market – Best for vintage finds, street food lovers, alternative fashion

Camden Market offers vintage finds, creative stalls and independent shops, making it an exciting place to explore on any day. Quirky stalls add to the fun, from mechanical puzzles and retro signage to colourful hats and vinyl records.

We always enjoy browsing through the stalls at the Stables Market which are filled with traders selling vintage clothing and jewellery as well as affordable fashion. Food is also a major part of the experience, and the choices are very varied. Try Indonesian dishes, Caribbean‑inspired chicken, Middle Eastern plates or tasty twists on British classics. For something sweet, Chin Chin Labs is known for its liquid nitro ice cream and indulgent hot chocolate topped with marshmallow fluff.

There are plenty of surprises too, from the futuristic fashion of Cyberdog to locally distilled Half Hitch gin. And when you need a quiet moment, The Camden Tea Bar offers a peaceful spot to unwind. Camden Market brings together creativity, culture and great food, making it one of London’s most memorable places to visit. 

15. Covent Garden – Best for shopping days out and pre‑theatre dining

Covent Garden is one of London’s most beloved neighbourhoods, known for its mix of high-end shopping, West End theatres, lively bars and fantastic restaurants. It is a place where culture, dining and entertainment come together from morning until late into the evening.

A wander through the historic streets and central piazza is the best way to begin. Covent Garden Market sits at the heart of the area, filled with artisan stalls, independent makers and street performers. We love visiting Covent Garden Market for its’s handcrafted and unique finds in the Apple Market section and for the small boutiques in the piazza like the perfume shop Jo Malone London.

Nearby attractions such as the London Transport Museum and the Royal Ballet and Opera add to its cultural appeal. Shopping and dining are major highlights. The area offers a blend of global brands and independent boutiques, along with renowned restaurants serving everything from relaxed brunches to elegant pre‑theatre meals. 

Free indoor activities

The capital offers plenty of indoor spaces to explore for free, from world‑class museums to peaceful galleries and historic libraries that make staying inside feel like a treat.

16. British Museum – Best for world history, culture enthusiasts, curious explorers

Discover two million years of human history at the British Museum tour in Bloomsbury, one of the world’s greatest cultural institutions. Founded in 1753, it was the first public museum of its kind and now attracts millions of visitors each year.

Explore the museum’s more than 60 free galleries, the Egyptian and ancient roman sculptures are one of our favourites. You can journey from ancient Egypt and Greece to Africa, China and medieval Europe, all under one roof. Highlights include the Parthenon Sculptures, beautifully preserved Egyptian mummies and the spectacular Sophilos Vase from ancient Greece.

One of the most famous artefacts in the collection is the Rosetta Stone, the key that unlocked the meaning of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Its inscription, carved in three scripts, allowed scholars to decode an entire civilisation. Other notable pieces include the Roman sculpture Crouching Venus, the brass head of an Ooni of Ife and the striking bust of Ramesses the Great.

Alongside the permanent displays, the museum hosts regular exhibitions exploring global cultures, historic moments and contemporary themes, often accompanied by talks and special events. 

17. Natural History Museum – Best for exploring the natural world, history lovers, discovery of the past

Delve into the story of our planet at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, home to more than 80 million objects spanning 4.5 billion years of history. Housed in a striking Victorian building, it is one of London’s most famous landmarks and a favourite destination for visitors of all ages.

Our top highlights include the world leading Dinosaurs gallery, meteorites from outer space and fossils that reveal the story of life on Earth. The museum also hosts major exhibitions such as the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year, showcasing breath-taking images of the natural world.

There is always something happening here. Look out for special events ranging from yoga sessions and silent discos to dinosaur‑themed sleepovers, behind‑the‑scenes tours and family activities during school holidays. Before you leave, wander through the museum gardens, where you can follow an evolutionary trail, encounter a full‑size bronze Diplodocus and enjoy peaceful green spaces inspired by the natural world. 

18. British Library – Best for famous literary works, culture seekers, history enthusiasts

Explore one of the world’s great centres of knowledge at the British Library, the UK’s national library and home to more than 170 million items spanning every age of written civilisation. From the Magna Carta to Jane Austen’s notebooks and handwritten Beatles lyrics, its collections offer a remarkable journey through human creativity and history.

The Treasures Gallery is marvellous, where iconic items such as Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks and letters by Ada Lovelace are displayed. Nearby is the Sound Gallery, where you can listen to selections from the library’s vast archive of seven million recordings.

The British Library also hosts a lively programme of exhibitions, talks, performances and festivals inspired by its collections. Whether you are interested in literature, science, music or global history, there is always something new to discover. Before you leave, browse the shop for unique gifts perfect for curious minds and book lovers. 

Unique and quirky experiences

London’s offbeat indoor attractions offer fun, surprising and wonderfully unusual ways to stay dry while discovering a different side of the city.

19. The London Dungeon – Best for thrill seekers, history lovers, fans of gruesome stories

Delve into the ancient capital’s most horrible history at The London Dungeon, where gripping storytelling and immersive theatrical performances bring some of the city’s darkest chapters to life. This 90‑minute walk‑through experience blends live actors, atmospheric sets and special effects to plunge you into London’s most chilling tales.

Along the way you will come face to face with notorious figures from the past. Have a close shave with Fleet Street barber Sweeney Todd, investigate the mysterious identity of Jack the Ripper and uncover the dreadful secrets of the torture chamber.

The London Dungeon also features a final ride that snaps you back into the present with a jolt, rounding off the experience with a burst of adrenaline. 

20. Madame Tussauds – Best for families, celebrity spotters, fun days out

Meet your favourite celebrities at Madame Tussauds London in Marylebone, where more than 190 lifelike wax figures bring famous faces within arm’s reach. You can pose for selfies with British icons such as Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, David Bowie and members of the Royal Family, along with global stars from film, sport and music.

The attraction features several immersive experiences. The Spirit of London Ride takes you on a gentle journey through the capital’s history, while the Chamber of Horrors delves into some of London’s darkest crime scenes from the past 150 years. This section includes original artefacts donated directly to Madame Tussauds, which adds a surprising level of authenticity and gruesome atmosphere.

For something more high-energy, the Hall of Heroes offers a 3D experience that feels like stepping into an action film. Do not forget to collect your glasses before entering. Expect mist sprays, strobe lighting and even seats that poke you in the back during key moments.

21. Warner Bros Studio Tour – Best for Harry Potter fans, families, magical days out

Step behind the scenes of one of the world’s most beloved film series at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. This mesmerising experience reveals the artistry, imagination and craftsmanship that brought the wizarding world to life on screen.

Don’t miss out on perfect photo opportunities all throughout. You can walk into the iconic Great Hall, wander the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley and board the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9¾ for that essential photo with the luggage trolley. Original costumes, real props and interactive sets make the magic feel surprisingly tangible.

Walking through Diagon Alley and Madame Sprout's greenhouse and the Gringotts Wizarding Bank are some of the highlights of the tour among many others. Make sure you pull on one of the mandrakes.

Located within the actual studios where all eight films were produced, the tour showcases the best of British talent and creativity. It is a chance to relive the magic through the eyes of the filmmakers who made the impossible possible. 

22. Westminster Abbey – Best for history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, royal heritage 

Marvel at the incredible architecture of Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Britain’s most historic landmarks. The abbey has been the nation’s coronation church since 1066 and remains the setting for major royal ceremonies, including the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

As you explore, you will encounter the tombs of 30 kings and queens, including Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots and Edward the Confessor. One of our highlights is the Poets’ Corner where more than 100 writers and poets are buried or commemorated, from Geoffrey Chaucer to Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

David Hockley fans might like to know that there is a part designed by him within Westminster Abbey which is the Queens Window within The Chapter House. At the West Door, the statues of ten Modern Martyrs, including Martin Luther King Jr, offer a powerful moment of reflection.