Don't let the rain ruin your London plans!

Even if rain is practically a given in London, your plans do not have to be dull indoors. The city offers many options to make a gloomy, rainy day unforgettable, from world-class museums and cozy cafés to arcade bars, pottery workshops, and indoor markets. Here are some of the top things to do in London when it rains, whether you are searching for a lively activity with friends or a laid-back solitary adventure.

1.    FUN INDOOR ACTIVITIES

• Puttshack: tech-enabled minigolf with cocktails
• Flight Club: social darts experience

• Bounce: ping pong bar
• NQ64: neon arcade bar with classic consoles
• F1 Arcade: cocktail bar with fun racing simulators

2.    INDOOR MARKETS & FOOD HALLS

• Seven Dials: indoor street food hall in Covent Garden
• Borough Market: London’s most famous food market
• Old Spitalfields Market: fashion, crafts, & food
• Leadenhall Market: Victorian & historical indoor marketplace in Bank

• Mercato Mayfair: food market inside a stunning converted church

3.    MUSEUMS & GALLERIES (most major museums are free)

• The British Museum: world history, Rosetta stone, Egyptian mummies

• Natural History Museum: dinosaurs, blue whale skeleton, stunning architecture
• Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A): fashion, design, & art
• The National Gallery: iconic paintings in Trafalgar Square

4.    BOOKSHOPS & LIBRARIES

• Daunt Books (Marylebone): beautiful bookshop with travel books

• Waterstones (Piccadilly): Europe’s largest bookshop with over 8 miles of shelves
• Foyles (Charring Cross Road): huge multi-floor bookstore
• British Library: spend a day studying at their on-site cafes & reading rooms

Want more things to do in London? Check out our guide to game nights in London!