8 Great Things To Do In London When It Rains
It’s safe to say, if you’re living in a student accommodation in London, you’re probably going to experience a spot of rain here and there (like everywhere else in the UK!).
Don’t let the downpour stop you from having fun though, because London has so many fun activities on offer to keep you busy when the weather is miserable.
Whether you’re looking to explore some museums, or head to your local pub for a few pints, you really are spoilt for choice in this busy city.
We’ve made a list of 8 great things to do in London when it rains to give you a head start.
1. Visit London Aquarium
Everybody loves a trip to the aquarium! The Sea Life London Aquarium is on the ground floor of County Hall on the South Bank of the River Thames in the centre of the city.
Are you ready for a cuteness overload? London Aquarium has baby Gentoo penguins, and if that isn’t already a fabulous excuse to visit, they’ve got turtles, rainforest species, and many more too.
Flexi standard entry if booked online is around £24, saving you a whopping 20%, so we’d advise you to book in advance if you know you’re guaranteed rainy weather.
There are around 6000 colourful aquatic inhabitants in the aquarium, representing over 600 species in 65 seriously cool displays.
The best news is, there’s whole bunch of tasty restaurants nearby so you won’t have to get too wet when you’re feeling a bit peckish!
2. Natural History Museum
Located in South Kensington and very easily accessible via the London Underground is The Natural History Museum, filled with various aspects of natural history through the years (the name is a giveaway!)
Entry to the Natural History Museum is completely free, but you do have to pay for specific exhibits if you’d like to attend.
It has one of the most iconic, impressive buildings and a unique collection of more than 80 million specimens.
This is a fab place to explore on a rainy day and there’s plenty of food and drink to keep you refreshed throughout the day.
3. Shop Til’ You Drop At Westfield
Fancy a bit of shopping? Westfield in White City, West London is only a short stroll away from Shepherd’s Bush tube station and is absolutely humongous!
Westfield is filled with all your favourite high street shops including GAP, New Look, Office and Pandora to name a few.
There’s also plenty of restaurants to visit including Five Guys if you fancy a burger, and Zizzi if you feel like some moreish Italian food.
The best thing about Westfield is the fact that it’s five floors are all indoors, so you don’t need to worry about getting rained on when you’re splashing your cash.
4. See Some Art At Tate Modern
Whether you’re an art lover or not, a visit to Tate Modern when studying in London is a must!
Tate Modern is Britain’s national gallery of international modern art and forms part of the Tate group (with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, Tate St Ives and Tate Online).
It holds the national collection of British from 1900 to the present day as well as international modern and contemporary art.
You don’t have to pay anything to get in either, which is a great bonus!
5. Visit Borough Market
One of the largest and oldest food markets in London is Borough Market, located in the heart of the capital at 8 Southwark Street, London Bridge.
The atmosphere at this market is buzzing, filled with delicious food and drink!
If you’re thinking of cooking your flatmates a delicious meal, we’d recommend heading to the Borough Market for your ingredients.
You needn’t worry about getting wet, because Borough Market is all indoors, ideal for a mooch when the weather isn’t great.
Fancy some choccy? Head down to Artisan du Chocolat for your sweet fix. Other notable stands worth visiting include Heritage Cheese for any cheese lovers and Pieminister for a tasty pie.
There’s also a great selection of recipes on their website, so if you want to impress your flatmates with your culinary school, take a look!
6. Go Bowling
A bit of competition between you and your uni pals is always a good idea for some entertainment, so why not challenge them to a game of bowling?
There are a vast array of bowling alleys for you to pick from when studying in London, but we’ve found a few that stand out!
All Star Lanes have branches in Brick Lane, Holborn, Stratford and White City, all possessing a ‘50s Americana vibe.
If you’re peckish there’s a nice choice of nibbles too, because lets be honest, you’ll need the fuel to show off your skills!
Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes is another popular option, with eight snazzy bowling lanes, five karaoke rooms, a bar, a diner, a ping pong table and a stage.
7. Cruise Along The River Thames
Watch some of the city’s most iconic landmarks float by, as you glide along the River Thames in a cosy boat cruise.
Thames cruises range in price, but if you look online, you can find some bargains!
A cruise along the River Thames not only gives you the chance to check out the sites in the city you’re studying in, but also have a tipple in the sheltered indoor area.
You can choose from lunch or evening cruises and there’s even an afternoon tea option if you feel like splashing out for a special occasion!
So grab your mates, have a drink, and be prepared to take plenty of Instagram worthy selfies on your cruise, all whilst staying dry!
8. Go To The Pub
Don’t worry, you definitely won’t be short of pubs when living in a buzzing city like London!
This may seem like an obvious one, but checking out your local pub is always a great option when the weather isn’t so great.
Visiting your local pub also gives you a opportunity to meet new people and can also be a great way of making new friends when studying in a new city.
Pubs worth mentioning are The Mayflower, perfect to visit when you’re on a walk along the Thames and The Wenlock Arms in Hoxton, a much treasured asset to the locals!
The best news is, our student accommodation in London is never too far away from local amenities such as bars, pubs, restaurants, so you’re guaranteed a tipple wherever you’re based.