Indoors
Things to do in London on a rainy day
It's going to rain. These are the plans that make you glad it did: make something with your hands, solve a room together, sink into a warm pool by candlelight or lose an afternoon in a museum you've never heard of.
Every quest here is indoors, from free museums to a full afternoon out.
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Venues can pay to be Featured; it's always labelled.
Pottery wheel taster – Turning EarthTurning Earth: open-access ceramics studios at Hoxton, Leyton & Highgate (Highgate is North London, 5 min from the Tube). Beginner courses, 2-hr private tasters, and gym-style monthly membership once you've done a course. Book online. Hoxton E2 is the original open-access studio; other sites at Leyton E10 (the largest) and Highgate N6.
Swingers crazy golfTwo indoor courses (West End & City), cocktails + street food; 1920s seaside/countryside theming. ~£13.50pp. 18+. Book ahead, esp. evenings. Only one London course now: John Prince's Street W1. The City site EC3 closed in 2025.
Move between hot and cold pools by candlelight under the StrandA Georgian townhouse basement turned into candlelit thermal baths — a circuit of pools at different temperatures, with optional massages.
Sir John Soane's MuseumFree; the architect's house left as in 1837. Open Wed-Sun 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). 90-person cap, no advance booking for general entry - arrive at 10:00 to avoid queues. Narrow, no lifts. Free Private Apartment tours Wed/Fri/Sun 2pm (first-come). Paid Highlights Tour ~£25.
Draughts board-game cafe100s of games + game gurus; small cover. Original site is Acton Mews E8; second branch at Waterloo SE1.
Barbican Conservatory (free)Free tropical glasshouse on select days
Perfume-making workshopBlend your own fragrance to take home; Experimental Perfume Club & others run sessions. ~2-3 hrs, book ahead. The lab-boutique moved to 9 Gee's Court, Marylebone W1U — all blending workshops run there.
Sink into a velvet sofa with burgers brought to your seat in Belsize ParkA refurbished single-screen Everyman fitted with sofas, where cocktails, sharing plates and burgers are delivered to your seat. Also shows National Theatre Live and Royal Ballet & Opera screenings.
Play vintage arcade cabinets and book a console booth by the canal in Hackney WickA canalside arcade bar at Here East with restored vintage arcade cabinets on US quarters, bookable console booths for Mario Kart and Smash Bros, craft beer, cocktails and pizza.
Bread / sourdough classBread Ahead (Borough Market) runs famous doughnut & bread classes; also Borough Kitchen & E5 Bakehouse. Day/evening workshops, book ahead.
Learn to boulder together in a coached beginners' class in BermondseyBook places on a 60-minute introductory bouldering class in a former biscuit-factory hall, where an instructor covers warm-up, falling safely and first moves; shoes and chalk are included and you can keep climbing for the rest of the day.
Wellcome CollectionFree; medicine, art & being human + free reading room. Closed Mondays. Free events.
Immersive theatre (Punchdrunk etc.)Walk-through theatrical experiencesBounce ping-pong / Flight Club dartsSocial darts with automatic scoring + food & drink, multiple London venues. Book an oche ahead; 18+ evenings.
Alcotraz prison cocktail experienceImmersive prison-themed cocktail experience - smuggle in your own spirit, they mix the rest in character. ~£50pp for ~2 hrs. 18+. Book well ahead. Alcotraz London is on Brick Lane E1; other branches in Manchester and Brighton.
Whiskers & Cream cat cafe'Luxury' cat cafe on Holloway Road with afternoon tea (veggie/vegan options) & licensed bar. ~£11pp for 90 min incl. a drink; extend +30 min for ~£3.50; prosecco afternoon tea ~£46. Open Thu-Tue (closed Wed). Book ahead.Saturday supplementary school / youth clubCommunity Saturday schools & youth clubs supporting Black children's learning & heritage; ask your local council.
FoodCycle community mealsCook & share surplus-food mealsBlack-owned brunch / day partyAfrobeats/Bashment bottomless brunches & day parties; search DesignMyNight/Eventbrite for current events.
Cyanotype / alt photography workshopMake sun-print images; magical
Natural History MuseumFree; dinosaurs, blue whale, gems. Book a free timed ticket online to skip queues. Paid special exhibitions; winter ice rink (paid).
STEM Women careers eventCareers fairs connecting women & non-binary people in STEM with employers. Free for attendees; register online.The Comedy StoreUK's most iconic club; book ahead
Eat smoked meat and loaded friesBurgers, grilled chicken, smoked meats and loaded fries, halal throughout. Fast-casual, generous, not subtle.
Relaxed / accessible theatre performanceRelaxed & captioned performances widely available
Parkour / freerunning classLearn to move; all levels. Fixed academy at the Import Building, Clove Crescent E14; outdoor classes run at various sites and an affiliate operates in Kingston KT.Millinery (hat) workshop – Morley / UAL / studiosFelt-blocking & fascinator courses; private studios too
Book swap social / clubSwap books & talk reads over coffee
Try soundball tennisTennis played with an adapted ball you can hear, on a smaller court with more bounces allowed depending on sight classification. Metro run sessions and can point you to a club.
Animation / claymation workshopMake a short animation
The British Academy talksFree humanities & social-science lectures
Fencing tasterBritish Fencing Club Zone — find a local club running beginner sessions.
TeamSport indoor go-kartingArrive-and-drive indoor karting; Edmonton track is closest to north London + Docklands & others. From ~£25-50 depending on session length. Min age 8 (cadet) / adult karts 16+. Book ahead. The track branded 'Docklands' is actually on Herringham Road, Charlton SE7. Other London tracks: Edmonton N18, Mitcham CR4, Acton W3, Brent Cross NW4.
Improv classes – Free Association / HooplaLevel 1 courses; great for confidence. Theatre and school share one building on Union Street SE1 (moved there in 2025).
Order a Turkish breakfast in CockfostersA bistro at 19 Heddon Court Parade, Cockfosters Road EN4 0DB with an unusually large Turkish-style breakfast, plus pancakes, French toast, burgers and steaks if someone in the group won't play along.The Royal Society public lecturesLeading scientists; many free; summer science exhibition. Held at Carlton House Terrace SW1.
Weaving / macrame workshopMake a wall hanging or weaving in a beginner workshop; options via ClassBento. Take it home; book ahead.
Laser tag / Bunker 51Apocalypse-themed laser + airsoft
Neasden Temple (BAPS Mandir)Free; breathtaking hand-carved templeQuestions people ask
- What is there to do in London when it's raining?
- Make something (pottery, candle or perfume workshops), play something (escape rooms, crazy golf, board game cafés, arcades), or slow right down in a museum, a cinema sofa or a thermal bath. All of them are indoors.
- What are free things to do in London on a rainy day?
- The national museums are free, as are smaller ones like Sir John Soane's Museum and the Wellcome Collection. The Barbican Conservatory is a free tropical glasshouse on the days it opens.
- What can you do indoors in London with a group?
- Escape rooms, crazy golf, karaoke rooms, bowling and board game cafés all take groups and work whatever the weather.
Coming soon
Get the weekly side quests
We're starting a weekly email: five things worth doing in London that you'd never think to search for. Sign up and you'll get the first one. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Keep exploring
Date ideas in LondonGroup activities in LondonChristmas group activities in LondonExperience gifts in LondonUnusual things to do in LondonThings to do with kids in LondonAccessible things to do in LondonWhere to eat in LondonThings to do in London this autumnFree things to do in LondonThings to do in London at nightThings to do alone in LondonHow to meet new people in LondonCheap things to do in LondonBirthday ideas in LondonDay trips from LondonAll guides