How To Spend A Rainy Day In London
This year has got off to a particularly dreary start, complete with its fair number of drizzly days and heavy downpours. But I am determined not be a victim of pathetic fallacy and refuse to let this weather dampen my spirits. Whether it be a persistent drizzle or a sudden shower, it is my belief that London’s charm doesn’t have to wash away with the weather.
London is a city well-equipped for wet weather, with a whole host of things to do when the heavens open, from historic cinematic landmarks to riverside wellness hubs. We have compiled an ultimate guide on how to spend a rainy day in the city, to help brighten up those grey skies:
Visit Fulham Pier
If you are looking to dodge the rain while simultaneously trying out something new, Fulham Pier makes for the perfect spot. Stretching along the Thames between Hammersmith and Putney Bridges, the pier serves as a multi-level hub for dining, wellness, and entertainment.
You can begin your visit by grabbing a bite to eat at its Riverside Market food hall, or opt for fine dining at Brasserie Constance. After that, catch some theatre or live music at its performing arts space, The Orange Box, or unwind in its luxury spa.
If the weather clears up, you can also take a stroll along the nearby Thames Path and discover an array of new art installations.
The pier is a hub for dining, wellness and entertainment.
Where: Fulham Pier, London SW6 6HH
Website: www.fulhampier.com
Visit a free gallery
The Serpentine Galleries are two world-renowned contemporary art spaces situated just a short walk away from each other in Kensington Gardens.
They are famed for their “free art for all” mission, making an impromptu visit a great and affordable way to spend a rainy day in the city. The galleries do not have a permanent collection, but rather, host a rotating program of cutting-edge exhibitions.
Among this year’s program highlights is David Hockney: A Year in Normandie, which opens March 12, and later, Cecily Brown: Picture Making.
Where: Kensington Gardens, London W2 3XA / West Carriage Drive,
London W2 2AR
Website: www.serpentinegalleries.com
Dodge the rain in one of the world’s oldest cinemas
Now, I am of the belief that a rainy day always calls for a cinema trip, and why not make the most of the occasion by paying a visit to one of the world’s oldest big screens? Situated in the heart of Notting Hill on Portobello Road, Electric boasts one of London’s most luxurious and iconic cinema experiences. Managed by the Soho House Group, it is designed to feel less like a standard multiplex and more like a private, Edwardian members’ club.
With award season upon a whole host of blockbusters soon to hit screens, now marks the perfect time to dodge the rain and pay a visit to this iconic cinema spot.
Electric boasts one of London’s most luxurious and iconic cinema experiences.
Where: 191 Portobello Rd, London W11 2ED
Website: www.electriccinema.com
Browse the shops at Leadenhall Market
If you are in the mood for a spot of shopping, but don’t like the sound of trawling around Oxford Street in the pouring rain, Leadenhall Market makes for a great alternative.
This London hidden gem is a covered marketplace, brimming with boutique shops, traditional pubs, and upscale restaurants. Several new high-end brasseries and wine bars have also recently opened for 2026, so now is a great time to plan your visit.
Visit on a Thursday evening to see the market at its most lively, filled with City professionals, or take a trip on the weekend to catch it Vintage Furniture & Flea Market, which often takes over the central atrium on Saturdays and Sundays.
Where: Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT
Website: www.leadenhallmarket.com
Try your hand at crazy golf
For a rain-safe competitive fix that feels more like a high-end garden party than a trip to the local park, look no further than Swingers. This reinvented indoor golf club features classic obstacles like windmills and loops, all while being shielded from the elements by vaulted ceilings and leafy, atmospheric décor.
For a rain-safe competitive fix that feels more like a high-end garden party than a trip to the local park, look no further than Swingers.
Where: 15 John Prince’s St, London W1G 0AB
Website: www.swingers.com
Get cosy at this 300-year-old cafe
Another hidden gem, this 18th-century cafe and gallery, makes for the perfect cosy spot to visit on a gloomy winter’s day. The building dates back to 1720 and retains nearly all of its original Georgian features, including sloping floorboards, dark wood and a grand wooden staircase. During your visit, you can expect to browse a curated selection of vintage ceramics and antiques in its shop, before enjoying a warming coffee and a slice of cake in its cafe tucked away on the basement floor.
The space is designed for slow conversation, reading, and soaking in the building’s rich history, providing the perfect coffee spot to spend a moody and drizzly London day.
Where: 5 Fournier St, London E1 6QE
Website: www.townhousespitalfields.com
Shop and dine at Petersham Nurseries
If you want to feel like you’re outdoors without actually getting wet, Petersham Nurseries in Richmond is a must-visit. It functions as a collection of glasshouses and timber buildings where the boundaries between the garden and the dining room are intentionally blurred.
Get lost in its Lifestyle Shop, which is sprawling with beeswax candles, garden antiques and an array of other trinkets and treasures. Then, after browsing, dine at one of their restaurants, where you can opt to indulge in an afternoon tea or dine at their flagship restaurant, The Glasshouse.
Where: Off Church Ln, Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10 7AB
Website: www.petershamnurseries.com
Check out an alternative cocktail experience
If you’re looking to trade the London drizzle for the dusty plains of the Wild West, head to the Moonshine Saloon in Aldgate. This immersive, BYOB cocktail experience transports you into a covert world of outlaws and bootleggers, where you must smuggle your own spirits past the watchful eye of the Sheriff.
Once inside the rustic saloon, expert barkeeps transform your ‘contraband’ liquor into four rounds of bespoke cocktails using a library of bitters, syrups, and fresh garnishes. Since the entire experience is indoors and fully air-conditioned, it’s the perfect alternative escape from a gloomy afternoon.
Where: 28-30 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB
Website: www.moonshinesaloon.com
Try this indoor activity
With venues across London, Sixes is a high-tech cricket simulator that brings the thrill of the game to the bar. Guests take turns in the batting nets, aiming for targets to rack up points while a digital leaderboard keeps the competitive spirit alive. Paired with a menu of hearty burgers and cocktails, it’s a high-energy spot that guarantees a fun time.
With venues across London, Sixes is a high-tech cricket simulator that brings the thrill of the game to the bar
Where: Venues across London
Website: www.sixescricket.com
Get lost in London’s world-famous department store
When the London sky turns grey, Liberty is the ultimate refuge. Unlike modern department stores that can feel cold and clinical, Liberty prides itself on its cosy interiors and English country home aesthetic. As it celebrates its 150th birthday this year, a visit to browse its six floors, which span clothing, beauty and homeware, is a must. Once you have finished with your shopping, you can hide from the rain at the second-floor restaurant, Seventy Five. The atmosphere is sophisticated but relaxed, tucked away from the noise of the nearby Oxford Street.
Where: Regent St., Carnaby, London W1B 5AH
Website: www.LibertyLondon.com
Practice your swing at Bounce
If you’re looking to inject some high-energy competition into your next outing, Bounce is the undisputed home of “social ping pong.” Featuring dozens of professional-grade tables, state-of-the-art Wonderball technology, and a soundtrack curated by top DJs this is the place to be when the weather turns.
There is nothing more hilarious than pairing up into doubles, with a few beers in hand, and getting your game on. I love the Battersea one in particular.
Robyn, Managing Director
Where: Venues across London
Website: www.bounce.com
