London has plenty of rain, and plenty of places to wait it out. These eight indoor places are all in central London, and several cost nothing to enter.
London has plenty of rain, and plenty of places to wait it out. These eight are all indoors and all in central London, and several of them cost nothing to enter, so a wet day does not have to be an expensive one. Each place links to its full page with ages, prices and practical details.
When does it rain in London?
Rain falls in every month. In the long-term monthly averages, October is the wettest month, with about 13 wet days and 88 mm of rain, and March and May follow with around 12 wet days each. August, with about 7 wet days, and April, with about 8, are the driest months. If you are travelling in autumn, it is worth having two or three of the places below up your sleeve.
Weather data: monthly averages from Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), based on ERA5 from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
1. Natural History Museum
General admission is free, so the museum can fill a rainy morning without taking over the whole day. Families who bring their own lunch have a dedicated Picnic Area to eat it in. Natural History Museum with kids
2. Science Museum
Five floors of science galleries are free to enter, packed lunches are welcome in the picnic areas, and there is a family show at weekends. The only extra cost is any paid experience you decide to add. Science Museum with kids
3. British Museum
At weekends the Families Desk lends activity backpacks and explorer trails, and a Smurfs and Bastet trail links several galleries into one adventure. During school holidays there are workshops built on stories from the collection. British Museum with kids
4. Young V&A
A museum where children are meant to get their hands busy: they can build, roll marbles, spin sand and dress up. Breastfeeding is welcome in every part of the museum. Young V&A with kids
5. Victoria and Albert Museum
Entry is free and needs no booking, so a short visit costs nothing. For children who find busy places hard, child-sized ear defenders can be borrowed at the Learning Centre desk, and there is a Quiet Space for a break. V&A with kids
6. SEA LIFE London Aquarium
The penguins are the draw for most children, with a ranger talk built around the Gentoo colony. A second ranger talk at the shark display is aimed at children who arrive expecting sharks to be frightening, and the touch pools let small hands join in. SEA LIFE London with kids
7. Madame Tussauds London
Children get to stand next to the stars and characters they know. The visit is entirely indoors and takes about two hours, and under-2s go free. Madame Tussauds London with kids
8. Tate Modern
General entry is free, so you can drop in for an hour, and Tate Draw gives children a way to make something rather than only look. Tate Modern with kids
Tickets & tours for these places
Bookable tours via GetYourGuide. Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Final thoughts
Start with a free museum in the morning, eat your packed lunch in its picnic area, and save a paid visit such as SEA LIFE or Madame Tussauds for the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these are free?
General admission is free at the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the V&A and Tate Modern. Paid exhibitions and experiences inside them are extra.
Where can we eat our own packed lunch?
The Natural History Museum has a dedicated Picnic Area, and the Science Museum welcomes packed lunches in its picnic areas.
What is the wettest month in London?
In the long-term averages, October has the most wet days (about 13) and the most rain (about 88 mm).
