The best indoor activities in London for when it rains

From top-tier off-licences to under-the-radar vintage shops, specialised delis, plant havens and everything in between, we’ve shopped (and dropped) our way through the capital’s retail offering. You really can buy whatever you want in this city – you just need to know where to look. That’s why we’ve put together this definitive list of the capital’s 100 best shops for 2024. 

You won’t find massive famous ones like Liberty, Harrods and Hamleys here: everyone knows them. You won’t find obvious high street names or the big shopping centres either. But you will find a selection of excellent independent shops and some real quirky places you might have never known existed. Did someone say a butcher which turns into a listening bar? What about an expert collector of old-school tech? A bookshop which specialises in witchcraft? Or a boutique where you’ll find gorgeous retro furnishings for bargain prices? 

This is our ultimate guide to shopping in the capital. Just don’t blame us if you get a little carried away next payday. 

Staying indoors definitely isn’t boring in the bucolic surroundings of Hampstead’s famous neoclassical villa. Many an hour can be spent ogling its legendary art collection, which contains masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Gainsborough, among others, or marvelling at its interior, painted in baby blues and pastel pinks, making even the gloomiest of days a little brighter. Entry is free, but you need to book in advance.

Don’t get soaked in the rain, soak up knowledge in the Wellcome Collection’s beautiful reading room. This gallery-cum-library-cum-events space has more than a thousand books and a hundred objects to peruse, including contemporary sculptures, paintings, medical artefacts and manuscripts. Pick one of the many comfy sofas and hunker down with a book. You’ll instantly forget all about the dark clouds outside.

This city is absolutely rammed full of amazing art galleries and museums. Want to see a priceless Monet? A Rothko masterpiece? An installation of little crumpled bits of paper? A video piece about the evils of capitalism? London’s museums are all huge and amazing, and the city’s independents are tiny and fascinating, meaning there are always plenty of top exhibits to check out, and you won't get a drop of rain on you. 

Roam the city’s cobbled streets without getting wet by taking shelter under Leadenhall Market’s magnificent vaulted roof. Designed by Horace Jones in 1881, this covered market is a fine example of Victorian architecture and houses plenty of pubs, cafés and restaurants that you can try without the risk of a soaking. Be sure to pay a visit to the historic Lamb Tavern for a leisurely pint.

Stroll amid 1,500 species of tropical plants and trees at the Barbican’s conservatory oasis. It’s a taste of the tropics in the heart of London and rain-safe all year round. There are koi carp and terrapins that you can visit too. Booking essential.

Long before humans were eating chocolate, they were drinking it: the ancient Mayans were sipping on hot cocoa-based bevvies as early as 500BC (in between human sacrifices, that is). And you know what, they were on to something. Hot chocolate is rich, warming and entirely delicious, capable of lifting your spirits, getting those sweet endorphins flowing, and putting a smile back on your face after you've got caught in a downpour. 

While away the hours indoors by getting down to the ultimate rainy-day activity: a board game. At Draughts there are more than 1000 to choose from. The £7 entry fee allows you up to three hours play as well as the guidance of a ‘game guru’ who will tell you which game is best for your group and give you the lowdown on the rules. So cheaters, beware. There’s also a branch in Waterloo in the Leake Street Graffiti tunnel.

Get comfy in one of London’s oldest cinemas by watching a flick wrapped in a cashmere blanket in one of Electric Cinema’s luxurious leather armchairs. Nestle down on one of the front row’s six opulent, velvet-lined double beds for a sumptuously cosy few hours indoors.

Indulge in retail therapy while remaining dry at Camden’s famous collection of bohemian stalls and shops which spill out from a network of old horse tunnels. Stock up on retro and antique furniture as well as quirky crafts and clothes while waiting for the rain to clear.

London landmarks are iconic for a reason. You’ve got your London Eye, your Hyde Park, your Big Ben, and even if you’ve lived here for years and have steadfastly been avoiding ‘tourist traps’, you really ought to check these places out at least once. Whether you’re a day-tripper or a local, marvelling at the capital’s museums, galleries, monuments and parks is a London rite of passage – and they’re all really bloody great. Build a bucket list and start ticking it off the next time the heavens open.

This ivy-covered watering hole in Limehouse is the perfect spot to get cosy away from the wet. All wood panelling and warm burgundy walls, this is a traditional riverside pub serving hearty grub and classic ales. Cocoon yourself in The Dickens Snug, named after its famous former patron. With the open fire and riverside views, you can get toasty while watching the raindrops ripple on the Thames. Fun fact: The Grapes is co-owned by Ian McKellen.

When the weather takes a turn, thaw your hands – and your heart – with a life-affirming hot chocolate from Chin Chin Labs. The Willy Wonkas of Camden Market are best known for their ice cream, but their hot drinks are hard to beat, too. The menu is commendably short – order the signature hot choc, which comes with a handmade toasted marshmallow. Also in Soho.

The perfect antidote to grey skies: stare up at the stars in one of the planetarium’s regular shows while touring distant galaxies and learning about the universe with the help of an experienced astronomer.

Wet weekend? Rainy half-term? No need to hibernate inside on the sofa. London is brimming with options when it comes to indoor play centres. Full of climbing frames, slides and bouncy castles, this lot offer an ideal environment for using up excess energy and keeping little ones busy. Here’s our pick of the best indoor options to keep everyone, from babies and toddlers to older kids, entertained. 

Feel a million miles from drizzly London (or more like 5,870) with a trip to Japan – without the long-haul flight. Japan House is one of three cultural centres (the others are in LA and São Paulo) aiming to show you the ‘real’ Japan. Spread over three serene floors, everything at the London branch from the floor tiles (flown in from Awaji Island) to the food (by renowned chef Shimizu Akira) has its roots there. The best bit? No jet lag.

Don’t let the rain dampen your spirits, have some kidult fun at this classic bowling alley in Finsbury Park, filled with red neon, kitsch Americana and old-school arcade games. You can have pizza delivered straight to your lane or go for a song at the in-house karaoke booth, so there’s no need to face the elements.

London, obviously, has a great many cafés, but how to choose? We've got normal ones and really posh ones. Massive ones and tiny ones. Ones with loads of cake, and ones with loads of sandwiches. All of them, thankfully, with coffee and tea. Rainy days are the perfect excuse to find your own favourite spots across the city. 

Dodge a downpour by exploring one of London’s excellent museums. And what better choice for a drab afternoon than Bermondsey Street’s Fashion and Textile Museum. Its dazzling bright orange-and-pink frontage and eye-popping displays of colourful threads make for perfect relief from grey skies.

There are a lot of museums in London. Of course, there are world-famous names like the British Museum and Natural History Museum. There are local gems like the brilliant Horniman Museum in south London. But then… Then there are many, many tiny niche or sometimes downright plain peculiar museums in every corner of the city, with collections of everything from fans (the ‘Bridgerton’ kind not, like, desk fans) to anatomical specimens looming out of glass jars. What better way to beat the rain than by getting a little freaky? 

Surround yourself with water without getting wet at this educational London attraction. Walk over, under and through colourful aquatic wonderlands, from tropical to Arctic, and keep your eyes peeled for swift sharks, ephemeral jellyfish and jewel-coloured sea turtles.

London is perhaps the perfect pub city. There’s a boozer for almost every kind of person – even the non-drinkers among us – and they’re a vital part of the capital’s lifeblood. They provide community, entertainment and culture, and not only help us navigate our way around town but give us a place to stop, sit and enjoy the city. They're also a great way to get away from the rain for a few hours. Pull up a stool, order your desired tipple and make friends with the locals. 

It's never too early to introduce kids to the magic of theatre: there are literally shows for babies. But if your kids are a bit older than that, don’t worry: London kids theatre is bursting with shows that'll delight junior audiences of all sorts. There are gentle puppet shows for toddlers. Bright and shiny, song-stuffed adventures for young kids. Smart dramas that are sure to hold teenagers rapt. And spectacular musicals that are perfect for the whole family (or just adults looking for a great night out). They’ll all keep you dry and entertained.   

Visitors to Madame Tussauds will find some 150 lifelike figures that come from the worlds of music, movies, fashion, sports, royalty, politics, history and fiction. There's 7 zones to explore; rub shoulders with the Royals, recreate scenes from Star Wars, spot Taylor Swift and Beyonce in the festival area, attend an awards party with Harry Styles and even save the world with their 4D Marvel experience. The only limit is your imagination...

Taking shelter from a downpour gets infinitely more fun and relaxing when you do it in one of London’s best bars. The city’s drinking scene is packed with all kinds of buzzy booze dens to make your sanctuary, from classy cocktail joints to delightful dives, hotel bars, speakeasys, bottle shops, rooftops and wine bars. 

Don’t fancy braving the rain at all? Fire up Netflix and snuggle down in front of one of the platform’s best movies instead. If you can’t decide what to watch, try one of these solid gold winners – and take your pick from hilarious comedy movies, reach-for- the-tissues heartwarmers and Oscar-winning nail-biting dramas.

Get scared senseless with a trip to the city's most gruesome dwellings AKA the London Dungeon. Brace yourself for the fright of your life in the form of interactive storytelling, questionable characters and super realistic set designs. The whole experience is tinged with humour and stained with (fake) blood – the perfect combo in our eyes. Expect screams and laughter and you journey through a torture chamber, a haunted pub and high-pressure courtroom before braving the gut-churning drop ride to really show them you're not afraid of anything...