Top things to do in London when the weather is crap

*updated from May 2018

More often than not, London has poor weather. Even when the weather is bad, you want to have a life and get out to explore. It can be uncomfortable, so I made a list of things to do if you visit London during horrible weather or plan to stay there anytime between October and March. If you want to do anything touristy or outdoors, I beg you to visit London between April and September (but not during a heat wave, because then you’ll be miserable too).

Most of this has to do with food and being inside because eating around new cities is my favorite thing to do no matter what the weather. London (and the UK as a whole) is hands-down the most vegan-friendly place I have ever been, with plenty of options all around town. By all means, do outdoor stuff when you visit; just come prepared with the right clothing and attitude! Otherwise, just bring your stretchy pants and gorge yourself on amazing vegan food.

Have afternoon tea

There are a number of places in London where you can have vegan afternoon tea. This tea-related ritual actually comes with a ton of food, so it’s not just about the tea. Traditionally taken between 4 and 7pm as a precursor to dinner, I recommend going at a proper mealtime like brunch or lunch.

I went to tea at La Suite West, which offers vegan tea 7 days a week. Their lovely and ample spread included five delightful tea sandwiches (my faves being the caramelized onion with vegan cheese and the falafel), scones with coconut whip and strawberries, and a selection of desserts. It was so much food, and I loved the free non-alcoholic fizzy drink that comes with it, along with your choice of tea. They have a lovely patio, so if you have a chance to visit when the weather is actually good, you’ll love it for afternoon tea. Their rooms look lovely too, though I didn’t get a chance to stay there.

Lele’s only does a tea once a month, and it’s booked out in advance. I’m bummed I wasn’t able to check theirs out because it’s one of my favorite little vegan cafes in town!

Have Sunday roast

Just like afternoon tea is the quintessential English thing, Sunday roast is one of my favourite things about Britain. It’s so comforting and cosy. And thankfully for you, there are TONS of places in town that do Sunday roast vegan style. If you take a look at this list, you’ll be overwhelmed with choices.

Eat fish and chips

While we are talking about uber English foodie things, having fish and chips is like going to New York and having pizza. So you can find a number of places that do vegan fish n’ chips. This is usually tofu covered in nori, then battered and deep-fried. One place uses banana flower instead of tofu, and all the vegans were raving about it. I went, and it was nasty. Do not go to Sutton and Sons for their fish and chips. Just gross. But by all means, try other places like Norman’s Coach & Horses, The Brook, Loving Hut, The Canvas Cafe, The Dove, Simpsons, and more.

Get donuts

London has plenty of great vegan donut options. Be careful or you might gain five pounds! Dough Society in Hackney is my favorite, with plenty of tables for working on your computer or chatting with friends. My favorite donuts are at Crosstown: sourdough donuts that are a bit healthier. They don’t soak up as much oil as traditional donuts but are still light and fluffy. Their flavors are all good! There’s also Doughnut Time (which I didn’t try but I heard isn’t great).

Hit up a plethera of musuems

If you like museums, you’ll be set in London. There are a ton to choose from, along with many smaller galleries. Most museums are free, which is awesome and so rare. You’ll have to pay extra to see the special exhibits, but the permanent collections are vast and will keep you entertained for at least a couple of hours. My favorite two are Tate Modern, which does a really cool event the last Friday of the month, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Have a proper English breakfast

If you are into breakfast food as much as I am, you’ll want to try a traditional English breakfast vegan-style. Every time I go to the UK, I seek out a vegan breakfast. I went to a number of places like the Gallery, Kin, and a few places I can’t remember. Basically, I’m making my way through the entire city of London. If you have a favourite, please leave it in the comments!

Go to a boozer for a beer

I had a lovely local explain to me what a proper boozer is and take me to one for a beer. It’s not just a pub, and it’s crucial that they have a wood fire going inside for you to snuggle up to. A boozer shouldn’t have real food, definitely not one of those fancy, expensive menus you see at so many pubs in London. In a real boozer, you’ll find lively locals and very few hipsters; you shouldn’t see any screens showing football. You might just find a cat chilling with the patrons, though.

Go to a musical

I had the pleasure of seeing 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, and it was phenomenal! We bought the cheapest balcony seats, but since we went on a slow day, they moved us down into way better seats. I’ve only been to a couple of musicals in my life, and this one blew me away with the dancing, singing, stage design, and costumes. It’s a bit weird because it takes place in the 1930’s and is sexist in many ways. Once you get over that, it’s pretty awesome. I’ve been back to London many times and saw House of Mormon, Back to the Future and more.

What are your favorite crap weather activities? Share with us in the comments!