When it rains, it pours! How to survive a drizzly London.

When it rains, it pours! How to survive a drizzly London.

• Visiting London, Places To Eat, Top Picks

The stereotype is true. We cannot deny it; British weather is as changeable as the Queen's hats, and although we have survived many a drizzly day, when Autumn rolls around or Winter rears its ugly head we are truly unprepared. Lucky for us, London has perfected being indoors, so you don't have to brave the driving rain. Read on for Ivy's top tips for a London city break when the weather is not behaving...

Tantalise your tastebuds

If it’s pouring outside, why not find shelter under the famous canopy of the historic Borough Market? Brimming with tourists, locals, and lunch-hunting businessmen alike, you will be in good company at this world-renowned market. From here you can eat your way around the world, from Nigeria to Madrid, Provence to Hong Kong and Bavaria to the Caribbean, although the baked goods are particularly noteworthy. And what’s the best part? It’s all under cover! So get a cup of mulled wine, shuffle your way through the crowds and fill your boots!

Explore the day away!

Lucky for you, most of London's top museums and galleries have free admission, so are the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon! While away the hours in the National Portrait Gallery on Trafalgar Square, currently holding exhibitions on Cézanne and Michael Jackson (naturally). If you’re history fanatic (or never stepped foot in a museum before) we definitely recommend adding the Natural History Museum to your to do list! We've sadly said goodbye to Dippy the Diplodocus, but come and say hello to the 4.5 tonne blue whale skeleton who greets all visitors through the NHM's iconic doors. 

While you're in the area, why not head to the Victoria & Albert Museum? Again, admission is free, and if you pop into their tremendous cafe you most certainly will not be disappointed. 

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Playtime for all the family

All of this culture is wonderful, of course everyone wants to visit such iconic British landmarks when in the capital, but sometimes having a bit of fun on an unexpected day of bad weather is just what the doctor ordered. 

Crazy about golf? Well why not get the family together and enjoy a game of crazy golf?!

Swingers is a popular venue for people looking to mix a little friendly competion with a fun night or day out! Visitors can play crazy golf, grab a tasty bite to eat from one of the three food trucks, or enjoy delicious cocktails at one of the five bars inside! There are two 9-hole mini golf courses; The Lighthouse and The Windmill, in which players will have face all kinds of challenges like jumping the ball over obstacles, shooting it through loop the loops, and balancing it along rails!

Swingers is located at the foot of London’s famous Gherkin building (near Liverpool Street station).

Happy putting!

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Draughts café and bar in Hackney has over 500 board games to choose from! If the rainy weather is stopping you from visiting the real life locations made famous by Monopoly, like Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, and Mayfair, why not just pay them a visit on the game board over a delicious food and drink menu!

If this isn't quite your bag, unwind at the Finnish Rooftop Sauna – located on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden this is the perfect place to relax in an authentic Finnish sauna overlooking the Thames. Finish off the experience with a winter warming drink and delicious canapés in the Scandi-inspired rooftop bar. 

Dry off in the dark

What’s the ultimate escape from a downpour? We like to hunker down in one of London’s traditional cinemas. Head on to the Prince Charles cinema just off Leicester Square for a truly memorable experience! Famous for their mammoth movie marathons, sing-a-long shows (where they project lyrics onto the screen – a firm favourite of the Ivy team) and cult classics; there’s something for everyone at this iconic London hot spot.

Electric Cinema on the Portobello Road is one of the best – if not THE best – cinemas in the nation’s capital. Offering screens with plush seating, complete with cashmere blankets and in-seat waiter service, it’s an ideal place to dry off. Once the film ends, you can find a cosy pub on Portobello Road and warm yourself with a pint.

Speaking of which, a snug evening in a London pub with an open fire is good for the soul. Visit the Princess Louise in Holborn for its traditional Victorian features, the Rose in Parsons Green for its twinkling shabby chic décor, or the Hereford Arms in South Kensington – they also do a spectacular Sunday roast, although it is recommended to reserve, so check out the 5-day forecast and tuck in!

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