Central London’s 14 Best Free Things to Do When It Rains

A local’s guide to free things to do in Central London when it rains, from covered markets to beautiful churches, shopping arcades and more!

Whoever says it doesn’t rain that much in London must have not have visited, or lived there very long – after five years on and off living in London, one thing I can confirm is how much it rains there.

Even in the midst of the spring, and if you’ve been there during the summer break, you may know that summer in London doesn’t always look – or feel – like summer in other European cities.

So I thought I’d share a bit about what I used to do a lot when living in London on a very tight budget, with a full guide to free things to do in Central London when it rains.

Central London’s 14 Best Free Things to Do When It Rains

More than just free museums and other covered shopping arcades, I’ll also share here some of the large, big, unique shops you can spend some time at browsing while protecting yourself from the rain.

I guess this guide is made for whoever is living in London on a budget and looking for exciting things to do without having to sit down at one of the cafes in Covent Garden or Soho, and without having to spend a fiver on a drink just to step away from the rain for a while.

Of course, anything related to free rooftops I’ve mentioned in the past is not going to be on this guide.

I have however focused on the central Central London, with areas like Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Covent Garden and Leicester Square for the purposes of this guide.

Hopefully, it will come in handy, and maybe even help you discover a couple of secret places you didn’t know of before!

Free Things to Do in Central London: Apple Market, Covent Garden

First stop on this guide I’ve imagined a bit like a Central London itinerary; the Apple Market in Covent Garden.

Located just two/three minutes away from Covent Garden station, the Apple Market is not only covered, but its collection of stalls selling anything from costume jewelry to antiques makes it one of the must-visit markets in London.

Then, if the huge makeup shop Glossier on the Covent Garden Piazza is open, and if you’re into trendy makeup, I’d recommend you pop by this store too, since you can discovered some gorgeous products while being protected from the rain.

Read: The Best Shops in Camden Town

Free Things to Do in Central London: Stanfords Bookshop, Mercer Walk

The only travel and map bookshop in London, Stanfords on Mercer Walk is also a beautiful bookshop to wander around, what with the maps on the floor and the rows upon rows of colorful globes.

If you happen to have some cash, there’s also a cute little coffee shop inside Stanfords for a quick coffee, and if you don’t, then discovering your next reads is also a really cool thing to do.

Close by, St Martin’s Courtyard, with its colorful lights and covered passageway, is another beautiful place to protect yourself from the rain.

And, for more artistic sights, the nearby London Graphic Centre is also big enough to wander inside for a bit.

Read: The Best Secondhand Bookshops in London

Free Things to Do in Central London: St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden

St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, also known as the Actor’s Church, is not only free, but also a really beautiful church to visit pretty much anytime, and located right off the Covent Garden Piazza.

There have worshipped and been buried many significant figures of the theatre and acting world, and the secret garden makes for a really peaceful place, although better to laze around during the spring and summer.

Read: The Prettiest Villages in London

Free Things to Do in Central London: Lego Store for Harry Potter Constructions

There are a few shops in Central London I don’t mind wandering around when it rains without feeling like I’m bothering – you know how it feels when you know you’re not going to buy anything.

The Lego Store in Leicester Square is one said shop, which, with its constructions representing the Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley and Flourish & Blotts, makes for a great Harry Potter shop to pop by when it rains.

Read: The Prettiest Mews in London

Free Things to Do in Central London: M&Ms Store, Leicester Square

Opposite the Lego Store, the M&Ms store is also located on the end of Leicester Square closer to Piccadilly Circus, and while you can definitely enter and spend some time on all four floors to check out the merch, I do not hold myself responsible if you end up getting something.

Indeed, as soon as you enter the M&Ms store, a delicious chocolate scent welcomes you, and it’s hard to resist.

However, what I think is most interesting about this huge store is that it feels a bit like a shopping center and a museum all rolled into one, with immersive displays, really soft clothes, and huge M&Ms character statues that make for a great photo spot for kids.

Read: The Best Things to Do on London’s Piccadilly Line

Free Things to Do in Central London: National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square

Close to Leicester Square, Covent Garden and The Strand, Trafalgar Square is a place I love spending time at to see gorgeous Christmas lights. During the festive season, the square comes alive with a magical atmosphere that’s hard to resist. It’s also a perfect starting point to explore some of the best Christmas markets in London, offering everything from handmade gifts to delicious seasonal treats. Whether it’s admiring the towering Christmas tree or enjoying the cozy vibes of nearby market stalls, Trafalgar Square never fails to capture the holiday spirit.

Yet, when it rains, inside the National Portrait Gallery I go.

Inside, the collections of royal portraits and other significant historical figures are housed inside some of the prettiest rooms ever, very much remindful of the Roman palaces I love so much.

If you’re not into painting, you will also find a few sculptures, stunning ceilings and maximalist decor very much worth a glance or two, especially when it’s raining and you’re tight on budget.

When you’re done, a quick visit to Waterstones in Trafalgar Square is also something else you can do to keep dry from the rain, to see some of the newest releases or your favorite classics.

Read: The Most Beautiful Medieval Sites in London

Free Things to Do in Central London: Foyles Bookshop and Cafe, Charing Cross Road

After the National Portrait Gallery, when I don’t feel like spending time at the Waterstones bookshop, I’ll go to my favorite bookshop in town, Foyles on Charing Cross Road.

Depending on whether it’s raining hard or not, I’ll walk from Trafalgar Square to Foyles, which means I’ll pass by some secret alleys like Cecil Court or Goodwin’s Court on my way.

Foyles Bookshop is one of the biggest bookshops in London, and over four floors, you’ll find anything from your next fiction reads to French literature, psychology, arts, and language learning books.

Then, like for Stanfords on Mercer Walk, if you have a few pounds to spare, make your way to the 5th floor to the Foyles Cafe – it’s spacious, there are power outlets and free WiFi, and it makes for one of the best cafes to work in London if you’d like to stay for a while.

If however you really don’t have any cash with you, my next visit would be the big TK Maxx shop on Charing Cross Road, just a couple of minutes away, to smell all the DW Home candles, Sand and Fog and other cheap Yankee Candles currently on sale.

Read: Where to See Autumn Colors in London?

Free Things to Do in Central London When it Rains: Shopping Arcades around Piccadilly

If you’re more into beautiful architecture rather than mere shopping, another one of my favorite free things to do in Central London when it rains is spending time in the shopping arcades dotted around the area.

Piccadilly and Regent Street are best to see some beautiful shopping arcades, like the Royal Arcade or Burlington Arcade.

They’re not only filled with luxury perfume brands, jewelers and clothing shops, but also make for striking historical sites.

Read: The Best Full English Breakfast Spots in London

Free Things to Do in Central London: Outernet at the Now Building, Tottenham Court Road

Right outside of the Tottenham Court Road station (namely on the Northern Line and Central Line), Outernet at the Now Building is an immersive space that only requires you to step in and look up.

Dazzling, the immersive exhibitions showcasing anything from butterflies to Christmas landscapes are displayed all year round, for free, and are a great way to break away from rainy Central London for a bit.

Let’s not forget we’re close to Charing Cross Road’s Foyles Bookshop and TK Maxx here, so you can do all of these activities in one go if you have some time to spare.

There are always three to five immersive installations going on at the Outernet, and it’s so mind blowing that I definitely recommend you do that at least once.

Read: Amazing Things to Do in Crystal Palace, South East London

Free Things to Do in Central London: Sir John Soane’s Museum, Holborn

While reaching the Sir John Soane’s Museum will require a bit of walk, we’re actually close to the end of Long Acre, one of my favorite streets in Covent Garden.

And even if it’s pouring rain, this free museum located on the shores of the Holborn area is an unmissable sight.

Former home of architect Sir John Soane, who namely worked on the Tivoli Corner in the City of London, the museum is indeed filled with Soane’s huge, personal collection.

A breathtaking collection at that, ranging from Roman to Egyptian artifacts, fine sculptures and paintings, and period rooms so beautiful you won’t want to leave.

Read: The Most Secret Neighborhoods in London

Free Things to Do in Central London: Selfridges and John Lewis, Oxford Street

Now, if you’ve been here before and have read various articles about London’s shopping streets and shopping neighborhoods, you know I love sharing info about this particular side of London.

And when, it might seem counterintuitive, but one of my favorite free things to do in Central London when it rains is to spend some time in one of the huge department stores.

Now, you have much choice – Selfridges is my favorite as I can browse many high-end makeup and perfume brands and take note for later, but John Lewis on Oxford Street and Fenwicks in Mayfair are also great places to visit.

PS. If you do end up at Fenwicks, make sure to visit Mercato Mayfair – even if you don’t get anything from this food court hidden inside a church, you’ll have discovered one of Mayfair’s best hidden gems!

Read: A Local’s Fashion in London Itinerary from Museums to Shops

Free Things to Do in Central London: Wallace Collection, Marylebone

Located in an 18th century mansion in the beautiful Marylebone neighborhood, just off Oxford Street, the Wallace Collection is one of the most beautiful, free museums in London.

From sculptures to striking stairs, armor rooms, fine paintings and furniture so beautiful you won’t believe your eyes, the Wallace Collection makes for a hidden gem that, well, should not stay hidden.

Especially not when it’s raining cats and dogs, and especially not when you can stumble upon works by Rembrandt or Velázquez when walking from one extravagant room to the next.

Read: Where to Find Shakespeare Sculptures in London

Free Things to Do in Central London: Wellcome Collection, Euston Road

The Wellcome Collection is another free museum that I feel isn’t talked about enough.

We’re on Euston Road here, at the end of Tottenham Court Road, and close to Warren Street station with its huge Caffè Nero, a must-visit for delicious fall drinks as far as I’m concerned.

An anatomy, medicine and health museum, the Wellcome Collection is a very picturesque place that offers free exhibitions all year round, with a secret, completely free library you can spend some time at with a good book while staying dry.

Read: 15 Themed London Itinerary Ideas Off the Beaten Path

Central London’s 14 Best Free Things to Do When It Rains

These are but a few of the free places you can visit when it’s raining in London – which is often.

Living in the city on a budget can be quite tough at times, and it just so happens that for people sensitive to bad weather, which I’m part of, it’s even tougher.

Hopefully, this guide will have shown you a few of the shops, museums and other places you can pop by as soon as it starts raining so your trip/day out in London isn’t wasted!

Until next time!

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