Rainy day in London? Free museums, covered markets, the Sky Garden and the best exhibitions, all indoors.
Things to do in London when it rains: free museums, markets and views
London gets plenty of grey, wet days in winter, and the good news is that some of the best things to do in the city are indoors and free. Here’s where to go when it’s raining.
Free museums
The big national museums are free to visit, and they’re all within easy reach of each other:
- British Museum, Bloomsbury: the Great Court alone is worth the trip on a grey day
- Natural History Museum, South Kensington
- Science Museum, next door
- V&A, across the road, for fashion and design
- National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
- Tate Modern, on the South Bank
South Kensington is the best rainy-day base: three museums within a few minutes’ walk, and the station has an underground tunnel to them.
Covered markets
Leadenhall Market in the City has a Victorian glass roof, and Covent Garden’s Market Building is under cover too. Borough Market is partly covered and good for a warm lunch.
Views without the weather
The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street is free, but you need to book a slot online in advance. It’s a glass-roofed garden at the top of the building, so you get the view without getting wet.
Shows and cinema
A matinee is a good use of a wet afternoon. See our Christmas shows and panto guides for this season.
Exhibitions
This winter has some big shows on, including Van Eyck at the National Gallery and Frida Kahlo at Tate Modern. See our guide to art exhibitions in London this winter.
Frequently asked questions
What can you do in London when it rains?
Visit the free museums in South Kensington or Bloomsbury, the covered markets at Leadenhall and Covent Garden, or book the Sky Garden.
Are London museums free?
The big national museums, including the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, National Gallery and Tate Modern, are free. Special exhibitions are usually paid.
More ideas
For dry days, see our list of free things to do in London.
Last checked: 27 October 2026. Some museums ask you to book a free timed ticket at busy times. Image: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
