Navigating Rainy Season in London
There’s an unfortunate myth that it rains all the time in London, but in reality, on average it only rains 29% of days while not at all on the other 71%. The wettest days are most concentrated in Fall and Winter, but snow is pretty rare. Rather than the pounding thunderstorms of the Midwest, you’ll find rainy days are more often grey and drizzly, especially at the end of the year. But a little bit of rain doesn’t stop Londoners from getting out and about, so don’t let it stop you from exploring!
Here are our best tips for navigating the rainy season in London:
1. ARRIVE PREPARED. It can be windy on rainy days, so while an umbrella is definitely essential, you’ll often see Londoners giving preference to raincoats. While wellies (Wellington boots) are great for countryside excursions, they’re impractical for the city; best to pack waterproof shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
2. MAKE IT A MUSEUM / GALLERY DAY. Many of London’s museums and art galleries are free to enter. What better opportunity than a rainy day to take advantage of that? We love the South Kensington cluster of the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Not far away is the Saatchi Gallery. Or head down the river to Tate Modern, taking the boat across to Tate Britain when you finish. Depending on the boundaries you use, there’s anywhere from 130-200 museums and galleries in the city, so plenty to choose from!
3. SEE A SHOW. Whether you splurge on a West End production with all of the bells and whistles, catch a free or cheap student performance, head to a live music gig at one of London’s many venues big and small, or cozy up in a cinema instead, there’s a world of indoor entertainment out there waiting to be enjoyed.
4. GET ACTIVE. Show off your flips at the trampoline park, play an indoor tennis or ping pong game, find an American style pool table, go bowling, sign up for a yoga class, or dance the night away in Ballie Ballerson’s adult-sized ball pit.
5. EXPLORE A COVERED MARKET. Hungry? Packed with delicious treats, Borough Market in London Bridge is the one for you! Head east down the river to Greenwich Market which is another of London’s oldest. In Central London, Covent Garden Market is a must. The trendy covered markets branching off of Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market nearby will keep you dry and busy for a long time. For a super diverse choice in foods and a rummage through clothes, jewelry and more, head to Brixton Village Market and Market Row. For all things eclectic, Camden Market is also partially covered. If you’re into antiques, check out Alfies Antique Market in Marylebone.
6. BROWSE A BOOKSTORE. If you love to travel (which we’re assuming you do if you’re here!) and read, our best recommendation is Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street where there are sections dedicated to each area of the world and books are organized by location setting. It’s also a beautiful Edwardian building and staff are knowledgeable. We also love Book Mongers in Brixton, the quaint John Sandoe Books on King’s Road in Chelsea, Liberia in Spitalfields (where phones are banned!), the London Review Bookshop in Bloomsbury, Stanfords in Covent Garden (another one with a travel theme), or Waterstones for a chain experience.
7. INDULGE IN AN AFTERNOON TEA. Sketch, famous for its pretty pink interiors and Instagramable bathrooms, is a favorite among students. We also love Ampersand in South Kensington (which has a gluten-free option), the Fan Museum for a much cheaper alternative, the B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus, a very, very special occasion splurge at The Ritz. We also recommend a cream tea which is a paired down version with just scones smothered in clotted cream and jam with tea.
8. HAVE A HOMEWORK DAY. If you can’t bare the rain, batten down the hatches and catch up or get ahead on coursework so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine when it returns.