What To Do On A Rainy Day In London, England - Updated 2024

Joyce
Joyce 
Updated
| 5 min read

London is a city in England best known for its unpredictable weather. Weather data in London shows that even in the height of summer there is a chance of a shower. Regardless of the unpredictable weather, London is a big tourist centre for there are several activities you can still enjoy even when it’s a bit wet outside. Such activities include browsing the books at the Southbank Centre book market, getting your board game on in Haggerston and visiting a traditional covered market. Accommodation in London quite varies, so first check out the top 10 activities that you can indulge in on a rainy day while you are in London, England.

1. Take a Sea Life London Aquarium tour (from USD 35.39)

what to do on a rainy day in london | take a sea life london aquarium tour

Sea Life London Aquarium opened in March 1997 as the London Aquarium and hosts about one million visitors each year. It is one of Europe’s largest displays of global aquatic life and features one of the world’s biggest collections of cownose rays. There is also a glass tunnel walkway encased in a gigantic whale skeleton, and a Shark Walk. Apart from the countless fish species, visitors also get the chance to see penguins, seahorses, octopuses, and crabs. The aquarium is divided into several zones, each zone represents a different type of biotopes such as oceans, pools and rivers. You will love the large water tank that imitates the biotope of the river Thames. Book your tickets to experience the most amazing underwater world.

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London: SEA LIFE Entry Ticket

2459 reviews

2. Explore a museum (from USD 115.0)

The British Museum opened in 1753 and has prided itself on remaining free to the public for all that time. The British Museum houses more than an incredible seven million objects and it would probably take a week to see everything. The collection of Egyptian and Greek antiquities are without a doubt amongst the largest and best known in the world. View important pieces such as Lewis Chessmen, the Mummy of Katebet and more, as you learn more about their history and significance. The Museum has four shops where you can buy books, souvenirs, family gifts, and luxury products. Don’t forget to buy your Rosetta stone souvenirs including paperweights, a rucksack, and chocolate. Entrance to the museum is free.

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The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

336 reviews

3. Explore the London Dungeon (from USD 37.0)

One of London’s most famous attraction site, The London Dungeon will take you on a theatrical and immersive journey back through 1000 years of London’s past. London Dungeon features 19 interactive shows with live actors and special effects as well as two thrilling rides. With the help of your guide, you will get the chance of exploring each sector of the London Dungeon as you move from one show to another. While you are here, you will also get up close and personal with some of London’s most famous historical figures such as Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd and Guy Fawkes. Exploring London Dungeon recreates various horrendous historical events in a gallows humour style. It uses a mixture of live actors, special effects and rides. Get your tickets online at a very affordable price.

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The London Dungeon Admission Ticket

Duration: 1 hour 50 minutes

1761 reviews

4. Take a Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio tour (from USD 163.03)

what to do on a rainy day in london | take a harry potter warner brothers studio tour

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London gives you an amazing opportunity of exploring the magic of the Harry Potter films which is one the most loved film series. This unique walking tour will take you behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter film and displays a huge array of costume, beautiful sets and props. While you are here, you will also learn some of the closely guarded secrets, such as facts about the animatronics and special effects that made the Harry Potter films famous in all corners of the world. The studio is on the outskirts of the capital, so the easiest way to visit is by a roundtrip transport. Upon arrival, you can sip on a butterbeer, fly a broomstick, and marvel over the animatronic creatures and special effects.

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From London: Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour

Duration: 7.0 hour

17695 reviews

London Tour Guide

Robert Woolf

Robert Woolf

I am a London tour guide and my tours include talking about people who have shaped the city plus the many connected places such as Hampton Court Palace, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the commercial centre of the city: the City of London, and London’s world class museums and galleries. I have been guiding for 12 years. I am a licenced London Blue Badge Tour Guide, a City of London Gu... Read more

Tours by Robert

5. Enjoy at an entertainment centre (from USD 19.0)

KidZania is UK’s first educational entertainment centre where children get the opportunity of learning real-life skills in a safe and fun environment. Inside this large life-like city, kids learn more than 60 exciting and unique professions. As a loving guardian, you will enjoy watching the excitement on their faces as they become a dentist, radio DJ, tour guide, policeman and many more. Having entertained over 45 million visitors worldwide, KidZania is a global phenomenon hence, it one of the world’s fastest growing educational entertainment brands – and now KidZania has landed in London. Designed for children aged 4-14, KidZania blends learning and reality with entertainment.

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KidZania London Entrance Ticket

Duration: 4 hours

379 reviews

6. Take a dance class (from USD 327.0)

take a dance class
Source: www.viator.com

Come and experience the most exciting and affordable dance lessons for you and your partner. You will learn so much that the next time you go to a dance event you will be the couple that everyone else admires and envies. You will also get private one-on-one dance lessons with your own instructor. If you are the unique energetic type, you will have the chance to create your own routine with the help of a professional choreographer. There is also an indoor London yoga experience to take in the gorgeous city in a peaceful way while practising indoor yoga in some of the best locations London has to offer.

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Couples Dance Experience with Choreographer

Duration: 1 hour

7. Go shopping (from USD 375.0)

go shopping
Source: www.viator.com

Shop till you drop at Bicester Village, browse over 160 leading brands or take a break and relax at one of the many restaurants, cafes or coffee shops. No need to worry about travel, the chic Shopping Express coach service will take you there direct and bring you back to central London for that added convenience factor. This is an outlet shopping centre on the outskirts of Bicester, a town in Oxfordshire, England. It is owned by Value Retail Plc. The centre opened in 1995. Most of its stores are in the luxury goods and designer clothing sector. The centre is the second most visited location in the United Kingdom by tourists, after Buckingham Palace.

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Bicester Village Shopping Tour

Duration: 8 hours

8. Enjoy lunch or dinner (from USD 21.0)

Come and eat and drink as you feel famous at Planet Hollywood, a themed and unique dining experience which is inspired by Hollywood, with movie posters on display throughout the restaurant. Ever since 1991, Planet Hollywood has entertained guests from all over the world who prefer its unique dining experience, delicious food and the atmosphere which is based on the most famous Hollywood blockbuster films. Book your table at Planet Hollywood and dine like a star! The unique restaurant includes more than 85 items of iconic movie memorabilia that are displayed throughout the restaurant and 18 screens feature up-to-the-minute film trailers and music videos, keeping it fresh and interesting for restaurant guests.

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2 Course Meal at Planet Hollywood

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

9. Take a chocolate-making class (from USD 39.0)

The Original Chocolate Making Workshop is the perfect introduction to the art of chocolate making. While you are here, you will be able to spot the perfect chocolate gift for a friend or even treat yourself. Develop your palate with a guided tasting, including samples of pure cocoa and secret ingredients. You will be decorating your way to tasteful creations using dark chocolate ganache, bowls of melted chocolate, milk chocolate fudge and decorations such as white chocolate flakes, strawberry curls and honeycomb. When you are done, you will have your very own chocolate creations (15 handmade chocolates) packaged up in beautiful ribbon-tied bags.

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Original Chocolate Making Class

Duration: 2 hours

10. Practice yoga (from USD 64.0)

practice yoga
Source: www.viator.com

Look out for the special yoga brunches on a weekend when you can follow your practice with a delicious and healthy brunch by well-being partners such as Hackney Pantry. Currently, some yoga clubs offer rooftop yoga picnics on a weekend and yoga supper clubs. London has lots to offer all the yogis out there and has put together your favourite unique experiences such as Ham Yard Hotel, Sky Garden, Secret Yoga Club, Pure Yoga Zone, Yotopia Frame, One Yoga London, Down To Earth, TriYoga, Yola In The Lane and many others. These classes will change the way you look at health, fitness and meditation but mostly yourself and your wellbeing.

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London Yoga Experience

Explore London, England

Is it raining? Are you bored? Don’t worry, there are dozens of things you can do on a rainy day in London, England. Check the list above and enjoy.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Joyce Gonzales has always had the case of wanderlust. She was a former financial analyst who took a leap of faith and started writing about her travels. She is intrigued by the existence of...Read more

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