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London

London in the rain

Rain in London usually comes as showers rather than all-day downpours, so a wet day does not have to be a lost one. The British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and Tate Modern are free and indoors, and the Abbey and St Paul's take two hours each. Keep the river walk, Hyde Park and the Eye for a dry spell, because the views are poor under low cloud.

  • Stops under a roof: 7

Data checked on October 4, 2026

A rainy day, stop by stop

A day built only from stops that are under a roof, in an order that keeps the walks short.

Day 1

Westminster · Bloomsbury

3 stops · 6 h 40 of visits · 19 min on foot

Open this day's route in Google Maps
  1. 9:30 am11:10 am

    Westminster Abbey

    Booking advisedClosed Sun

    The coronation church of the monarchy, with royal tombs, Poets' Corner and the cloisters. A multimedia guide is included in the ticket.

    1 h 40 visitOpen 9:30 am–1:00 pmAdult ticket £32

    Arrive at opening time. The opening window is short, so a late start can cut your visit.

    Buy a ticket online for your date. Tickets are also sold at the door.

    Closed to sightseeing on Sundays. Monday to Friday 09:30 to 15:30, Saturday 09:00 to 13:00. Some days are shorter, for example Wednesday 7 October closes at noon, so check your date in the official calendar.

    See ticketsHours, price and how to get there

    Source: Westminster Abbey, checked October 4, 2026

  2. Too far to walk in comfort (about 36 min on foot). Take public transport.
  3. 11:30 am2:30 pm

    British Museum

    Booking advisedFree

    Two million years of human history, from the Rosetta Stone to the Egyptian mummies. Entry is free, and you have to choose what to see, because it is huge.

    3 h visitOpen 10:00 am–5:00 pm

    Pick three or four galleries before you go. On Fridays the evening hours are calmer.

    A free timed ticket is recommended. It gives priority entry in busy periods, and queues are likely without one.

    Open daily 10:00 to 17:00, and until 20:30 on Fridays. Closed 24 to 26 December.

    Hours, price and how to get there

    Source: The British Museum, checked October 4, 2026

  4. 19 min walk
  5. Lunch break
  • Running late? Drop National Gallery first. Nothing is booked there.

Every stop under a roof

  • Westminster Abbey

    Booking advisedClosed Sun

    The coronation church of the monarchy, with royal tombs, Poets' Corner and the cloisters. A multimedia guide is included in the ticket.

    Open 9:30 am–1:00 pm

    Source: Westminster Abbey, checked October 4, 2026

  • British Museum

    Booking advisedFree

    Two million years of human history, from the Rosetta Stone to the Egyptian mummies. Entry is free, and you have to choose what to see, because it is huge.

    Open 10:00 am–5:00 pm

    Source: The British Museum, checked October 4, 2026

  • St Paul's Cathedral

    Booking advisedClosed Sun

    Wren's cathedral on Ludgate Hill. The ticket covers the main floor, the crypt and a climb of 528 steps to the Golden Gallery, with a free multimedia guide.

    Open 8:30 am–4:30 pm · last entry 4:00 pm

    Source: St Paul's Cathedral, checked October 4, 2026

  • National Gallery

    Free

    Western European painting from the 13th to the early 20th century, on Trafalgar Square. Entry is free and you can see the highlights in two hours.

    Open 10:00 am–6:00 pm

    Source: The National Gallery, checked October 4, 2026

  • Tower Bridge

    Booking advised

    The bridge's high-level walkways have glass floors and a view of the Thames. The exhibition continues in the engine rooms. You can also cross the bridge for free on foot.

    Open 9:30 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:00 pm

    Source: Tower Bridge, checked October 4, 2026

  • Natural History Museum

    Booking advisedFree

    Dinosaur skeletons, the blue whale in Hintze Hall and the Earth galleries in a Victorian building. A good choice with children and on a rainy day.

    Open 10:00 am–5:50 pm · last entry 5:30 pm

    Source: Natural History Museum, checked October 4, 2026

  • Tate Modern

    Free

    Modern and contemporary art in a former power station on the South Bank. The collection is free, and the Turbine Hall is worth a look on its own.

    Open 10:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:30 pm

    Source: Tate, checked October 4, 2026

Rainy days by month

  • January10.5
  • February9.2
  • March7.9
  • April8.1
  • May7.9
  • June7.8
  • July7.1
  • August8.2
  • September7.9
  • October10.3
  • November10.6
  • December10.2

Climate averages: Met Office.

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