London often receives a bad rap about its weather. Many visitors expect that rain might ruin their London vacation. The reality is very different. Climate data from the UK’s national weather service (the MET Office) shows that over the last 30 year period, there were 106 days of rain on average each year (with a “rain day” being any day on which at least three-tenths of an inch of rain fell). So the reality is that there was rainfall on 29% of days in London, and it didn’t rain on 71% of days.
However, now let’s compare London’s number of annual rain days (106 days) to some cities here in the USA. Surprisingly, you’ll find there are more rainy days in many USA cities than in London. For example, in Atlanta there are 113 rain days each year, Boston (126 rain days), Chicago (124), New York (122) and Orlando (117). Guess how many rain days there are each year in Las Vegas? Just 27!
If you are stuck in London on a rainy day, here’s 5 places to hide until the sun shines again.
We’ve listed the address and nearest tube station below each venue, so be sure to check out our blog post about navigating the London public transport system, and in particular make sure to install the free Citymapper app on your phone (it really is the only app you’ll need to get around London)! To use the app when you’re out and about, and don’t want to have to go searching for free Wi-Fi, make sure to get a UK SIM Card for your phone so you have high speed 4G LTE data wherever you go.
Kenwood House
Hampstead Ln, Highgate, London NW3 7JR
Nearest tube: Hampstead
Kenwood House is a 17th century country house within the Hampstead Heath parklands. It was remodelled by Robert Adam between 1764 and 1779. It was once the home for the aristocratic Murray and Guinness families, and today houses a great art collection, includes masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Gainsborough and Turner. The interior painted in blues and pastel pinks makes even the wettest and soggiest London day a little brighter.
Choccywoccydoodah
30-32 Foubert’s Pl, Carnaby, London W1F 7PS
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Choccywoccydoodah is a legendary chocolate shop with an upstairs cafe serving the most delicious hot chocolate you’ll ever taste. With whipped cream and large pink marshmallows, you can gaze out the windows as the rain falls below, and watch people scurrying along the street whilst you sip your warm and happy inducing hot chocolate.
Wellcome Collection Reading Room
183 Euston Rd, Bloomsbury, London NW1 2BE
Nearest tube: Euston
The Wellcome Collection describes itself as a place for the “incurably curious”. It’s free and you’ll find some unique exhibits and events.
If it’s a wet day you’ll want to bunker down in the reading room where you’ll find an innovative combination of gallery, library and an events space. The Reading Room will encourage you to indulge your curiosity and explore. Containing more than a thousand books and 100 objects (contemporary sculptures, paintings, medical artefacts and manuscripts) you’ll be able to grab a book from the shelf and kick back on a comfy sofa or strike up a conversation with a stranger. There’s a cafe in the Wellcome Collection where you can enjoy a coffee or some delicious afternoon snacks.
Barbican Conservatory
Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
Nearest tube: Barbican
At the Barbican Conservatory you’ll be visiting the second biggest conservatory in London where you can explore a hidden tropical oasis in the heart of London.
The conservatory is home home to exotic fish and over 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees. If you’ve a green thumb, there’s even guided tours by the gardeners who will tell you more about the diversity of plants inside the conservatory.
Draughts Board Game Cafe
337 Acton Mews, Hackney, London E8 4EA
Nearest tube: Liverpool St
Perfect for spending a few hours away from the rain, the Draughts Board Game Cafe started as a Kickstarter campaign back in 2014. Today it has a library of more than 600 board games and a host of staff who will help you choose the best game for you and your group. They serve high quality food and snacks (and beer!).
Entry is just £5 per person which gives you unlimited use of any of the board games. Reservations can be made for weekdays only, as its first come first served on the weekends.
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