The 20 Best Indoor Activities In London For When It Rains

When London's weather turns gloomy, the city still offers a wide range of indoor activities to explore. From historic museums and thrilling attractions to unique cultural experiences, there's plenty to do without getting wet. 

Here’s a guide to the 20 best indoor activities in London for those rainy days.

The British Museum

The British Museum houses a treasure trove of history and culture from around the world, including iconic objects such as the Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles. With works that date from across the globe and millenniums, there is absolutely something here for every art lover. 

It is an indoor destination that offers free admission. There are guided tours, and special exhibitions delve into millions of years of the rich tapestry that is human history, making each visit an educational experience for both aficionados as well as casual explorers.

The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum boasts an unparalleled collection of specimens, ranging from the grand skeletonised remains of dinosaurs to opulent jewels like the Hope Diamond. For those interested in a curated experience, the Ray of Creation is ground zero for their interactive displays and education outreach – perfect for taking grumpy kids (or adults) who might need an afternoon to get their sagging brains back on track. 

Add to that the grand architecture of the museum itself and any seasonal exhibitions such as the Ice Rink in winter — all these factors really make for an interesting visit whether you are a lover of natural history or just looking for something fascinating indoors.

The Science Museum

Out on Exhibition Road, the opening of The Science Museum helps visitors to understand advancements made throughout science through an engaging experience. Attractions include exhibits on space exploration, technology and medical advancements that allow visitors to take part in learning experiences for all ages. 

High-flying recreations include the Flight Gallery (featuring interactive flight simulations and educational programs). With ever-changing exhibits in the museum and family activities that include something for everyone, even a fanatical amateur scientist, this is an excellent science destination that every kind of casual visitor is seriously interested in.

Tate Modern

The power station is now home to the world-renowned contemporary art museum, Tate Modern. The collection features pieces from greats like Picasso, Warhol and Hockney. Modern art in Istanbul gets an equally dramatic stage with the museum's unique industrial setting. 

From its rotating exhibitions to workshops and a cafe with views of the city panorama, Tate Modern offers an ever-evolving program catered for art insiders or even just day visitors looking for some cultural upskilling.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

Pay a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum which focuses on decorative arts from textiles to ceramics, as well as costumes and buildings. From Renaissance art to contemporary fashion, visitors can dig deeper into exhibitions from such design periods.

It is a must-see for fans of design or history, with an enormous range of educational programs and rotating displays that take deep dives into different cultures and styles.

Covent Garden Market

Built upon a heritage site, the Covent Garden Market combines shopping with vibrant entertainment. Enjoy the multitude of beautiful market buildings, wandering through its parade of quirky boutiques, craft stalls and gourmet food emporiums. With street performers, live music and overall lively vibes, Covent Garden is an exciting place to be, come rain or shine. 

Whether you're looking for antiques, artisanal foods, or catching a performance at the nearby Royal Opera House, Covent Garden offers a dynamic indoor experience full of energy and discovery.

Somerset House

Accompanied by a tradition of spending leisure time in gardens, Somerset House offers many indoor activities as well. In winter, this space is often transformed into a large skating rink; the rest of the year it serves as an adjunct to many other programs – art exhibits and film screenings alongside fashion shows. 

With its old-fashioned vistas, this venue becomes even more bewitching and now not only offers the prospect to see present-day artwork but also hosts seasonal activities that make it an excellent vacation spot for cultural enrichment.

The London Dungeon

London Dungeon is an exciting combination of horror and humour as it takes you on a dark tour through the darker side of London's history. Famous historical figures and events are brought to life by interactive shows, live actors and special effects. 

Some notable exhibits are the eerie Jack the Ripper crime scene and Drop Dead dropping ride. Somewhere between education and entertainment, it’s for those who enjoy a thrill while learning about London's dark history.

The Shard Viewing Platform

Located on the 72nd floor, this popular observation deck in The Shard boasts some of London's best panoramic views! No matter the weather, it comes with an enclosed viewing platform and great perspectives of all spots in London. 

Visitors can learn more about London's geography and history through interactive screens, as well as informational displays. With its rotating 360-degree panoramic views, this is an indoor activity to remember, gazing from high above the city with a stunning backdrop of London’s skyline.

The London Eye

The London Eye is a special touchpoint where you can look at the city right from the top. Even when it rains, its observation pods will give you a panoramic view of London protected from the endless drip. 

Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral are both present in every rotation, however, they appear to the eye only once per 360-degree turn. This indoor experience offers great views while providing an easy way to get a fresh look at the city.

The Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich is a journey through time and space. Visit displays about the history of astronomy, the Prime Meridian and stargazing. 

The Peter Harrison Planetarium runs full-dome shows on the cosmos, so it is an important attraction for anyone fascinated not just by asteroids but also the night sky and how ancient mariners knew where they were in history. It is a one-of-a-kind indoor adventure with a rich history and educational content

London Aquarium

Step into the underwater world of Sea Life London Aquarium and experience an immersive, ever-evolving display featuring over 500 species from every part of the ocean including pacific white tip sharks, moon jellyfish and clown fish! 

Stroll through its amazing underwater tunnels for an up-close look at aquatic animals. Along with these are interactive displays and feeding sessions, making the visit more interesting for families or animal lovers! Indoor attractions offer a great window to marine life, even when outdoor weather conditions are less inviting.

The Cartoon Museum

The Cartoon Museum is an exhibition that celebrates the art of cartoons and comic strips. It is a fun trip into British satire and animation because it features the creation of British legends. 

The museum provides something for everyone, whether you’re a comic fan, or just interested in new forms of art. Its exhibitions are fantastic and interactive which will ensure your day is well spent indoors.

The Old Operating Theatre Museum

The Old Operating Theatre Museum presents the reality of past surgery. People see the old practice houses of surgery, which still contain the old instruments used. Most rooms remain unchanged as it was centuries before when we weren’t even around yet. 

It is an indispensable learning environment for anyone interested in the evolution of surgery and human health. People need to come to this attraction and remind themselves of the old draconian ways that people treated diseases.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds has a life-size statue of almost every famous person around the world ever since their existence. 

Picture yourself in the room with your ideal star or prominent people from history today such as Churchill and Shakespeare. The room has a wide range of sections, all in a lively pose or action. It is the right place for people to kill time or have fun indoors away from the outside cold.

The Design Museum

The Design Museum elaborates much on the influence of design on the day-to-day life of people. All aspects of design from artefacts and future predictions are presented in statistics. 

It is the right place for people with an interest in design to understand more about the history of design and how it has brought about positive changes in people’s living standards.

The Chocolate Museum

Visit the cellars to learn about chocolate’s history, and production methods, and taste wonderful samples. The Chocolate Museum offers workshops and demonstrations for a more hands-on experience, so it is an ideal location to be visited by chocolate lovers as well as families. It's a sweet way to spend an afternoon rainy day, exploring the vast universe of chocolate!

The Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian Museum, in The Royal College of Surgeons, contains a vast collection of medical specimens as well as historical surgical instruments. 

It provides an exclusive vantage point of medical history through extensive displays of anatomy and pathology. The strange collections in the museum are educational and make you think back about how medicine has developed over time, as well as surgical procedures.

The London Film Museum

The London Film Museum features a unique collection of authentic film props, costumes and sets from British cinema history. 

Visitors may explore the realm of film production, learning about classic movies and how cinematic technology has changed over time. With interactive displays covering every imaginable aspect of cinema, film fans will need to schedule a few hours indoors at this museum.

The Gherkin’s Sky Garden

Offering an indoor oasis of lush palms, majestic foliage and spectacular views from the top floor (the only gardens in The Gherkin) it offers perfect opportunities for al fresco drinking overlooking Tower Bridge. 

Situated on the 35th floor, it gives residents peaceful surroundings with sights of the city skyline. Open to the public (for free), it houses a café and viewing points that combine lush botanical gardens with sparkling cityscapes —making this an easy one-stop answer for both sightseeing and solace if it's drizzling outside.

Summary

London is a city of wonders and there is so much to do, but sometimes it can appear as if the weather gets in the way. Luckily, it’s an area well-equipped for these sorts of things which is why there is so much to do when it is raining outside.

If you wish to book the perfect attraction and make your visit memorable, then Lovetovisit can help. Lovetovisit can assist you in finding and booking the best activities to do, rain or shine. Contact us today for help and make your next stay in London great.