Places to enjoy if it’s raining in London

The British weather is renowned for being a little unpredictable. We all know the scenario: blazing sunshine one minute, teeming down with rain the next.

If you’re planning a big day out in London, then read on, as this article looks at some of the amazing places to visit, even if the inevitable happens and it starts pouring with rain.

Try one of the many museums

It’s not quite the same as when we used to take trips when we were at school. Numerous museums in London are now more fun than how we remember them as kids. Regardless of what interests you, there should be something out there that’ll fit the bill. If science is your thing, then South Kensington’s Science Museum will definitely keep you entertained, with exhibitions, hands-on workshops and science demonstrations to spark your imagination.

If you’re more interested in things like the solar system and nature, then the National History Museum is well worth a look, with exhibits and collections that span the last 4.5 billion years. More of an art and design buff? Then give The Victoria and Albert Museum a visit. The exhibitions there span a variety of subjects all around the history of art and design, including clothing, furnishings and iconic costumes and characters. One of their new exhibits centres on children’s favourite, Beatrix Potter.

Go shopping

London has some pretty amazing department stores such as John Lewis, Liberty and Selfridges. But the one EVERYONE needs to visit at some point in their lives, come rain or shine, has to be Harrods.

Situated in Knightsbridge, this iconic, 160-year-old department store is surely the most famous in London and is renowned for its luxurious fashion brands, souvenirs and absolutely huge food hall.

Casino fun

It’s not just Las Vegas that has casinos; London is the entertainment capital of the UK, so if you’ve hedged your bets regarding the weather, why not try one of the cool, swanky casinos that the city has to offer?

There is the Hippodrome and the Empire in Leicester Square, or you can try the Victoria Casino in Edgware Road. There are a whole range of games that will keep you entertained, including slot machines, roulette and blackjack. If you have played online live dealer casino games before, which are available on all your devices, you will know what to expect.

But you don’t have to gamble, because all these venues have fine dining and bar options, too. The only downside is that under 18s won’t be allowed in, so move on if you have kids in tow.

Visit Covent Garden

Covent Garden has something for everyone, and if the weather is a little damp and dreary, then this is definitely the place for you.

Famous for its flea markets and undercover shopping, Covent Garden is also filled with lovely restaurants, bars and boutiques. As London’s premier tourist centre, Covent Garden offers fabulous shopping by day and is the “go-to” destination for thespians and theatre-goers by night, with an array of theatres and entertainment venues.

Escape the rain in an escape room

Getting locked in a room for an hour with no obvious means of escape may not sound like much fun to those who have never tried it. But the excitement, as well as the fear and the horror, that you can experience in an escape room is definitely something everyone should try.

There are numerous escape room venues around the city, and here are a few of the best of them:

• London’s new Sherlock Holmes escape room will have you feeling like a real-life detective as you solve mysteries inside sets from the hit British television show.
• Lady Chastity’s Reserve is an unusual 18+ rated escape room in the hidden back room of a pub and described as “The Crystal Maze on Crystal Meth”. But we’ll let you try it for yourself.
• For a cool London twist, check out Mission Breakout, a fully immersive escape room located in the ghost Tube station, South Kentish Town.

Or just take an umbrella

If you know anything about England, then you will appreciate that you can’t rely on the weather as it can change just like that. So, unless you take an umbrella with you, we hope this article gives you a few ideas for things to do if it rains during your visit.

London is a super place to explore and is steeped in history. From its ornate architecture, art and culture and major tourist attractions, such as the London Eye to the high-rolling casinos, there’s certainly something for everyone, whether it’s raining or not.

The editorial unit