The capital of the United Kingdom, London, has a reputation of rainy, foggy weather. Perhaps because of precipitation, there are a wealth of places to visit when the weather is frightful. To start with, many of the museums in London are free. While The British Museum, The Tate Modern, The Victoria and Albert, and the National Gallery are among the better known museums, there are quite a few smaller or lesser-known offerings, delving into much more than art. The Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum shows visitors what it was like to live through the bombings in World War II while trying to govern Great Britain. The Natural History Museum is an informative way to spend a few hours on a rainy afternoon, while Madame Tussauds, the famous wax museum, is an entertaining way to spend a few hours.
For many visitors, The Changing of the Guards ceremony at Buckingham Palace is on their lists of things to see while in London. If the rain very light, and getting a bit damp doesn't deter you, the ceremony may still occur. Meanwhile, if you are travelling to London in August or early September, you can tour parts of Buckingham Palace. Otherwise, the palace is not available for tours. The Royal Mews and The Queens Gallery, adjacent to Buckingham Palace, are both open to the public. In The Royal Mews, visitors can view the ornate carriages and coaches that have been in service to the British Royal Family since the 18th-century through modern times. Meanwhile, The Queen's Gallery features artwork from the Queen Elizabeth II's collection. Kensington Palace is open throughout the year, and gives a glimpse into the rarified life of the monarchy. Fans of the late Princess Diana may be interested in the display of gowns from her personal wardrobe.
The Tower of London, is definitely worth a visit, no matter the weather. If you go, make sure and take the Yeoman Warder tour, which is included in the entrance fee. After the tour, stop and see one of the highlights of the Tower, the heavily-guarded crown jewels.
A tour of the Parliament must by arranged in advance, and has some limitations. For example, citizens of the United Kingdom may arrange a tour through their Member of Parliament throughout the year, while overseas visitors are limited to touring the building during the government's Summer Opening. When Parliament is in session, however, both the House of Lords and the House of Commons allow viewers. Just line up outside on the day of the session and wait your turn to enter. This is a great way to spend a few hours on a rainy day.
A trip to London would not be complete without a visit to Harrod's Department Store. Even if you are not a big fan of shopping, there is so much more to Harrod's then a traditional department store. There are goods from all over the world for sale here, and the Food Hall is definitely not to be missed. In addition, there are a few restaurants to choose from, including a creperie and a chocolate bar, if you get hungry.
If you are not completely palaced out, but want to get away from the city for a few hours, a visit to Windsor Castle, located about an hour from London by train, is one way to escape the city. Parts of the interior are open to the public, for a rather steep price. The grounds themselves are also quite lovely; if the weather is manageable, you may want to wander around the outside. Once you have finished touring Windsor Castle, try to pay a visit to The Crooked House of Windsor for afternoon tea. A trip to Greenwich, approximately 15 minutes from London, can be a fun side trip.
When planning your trip to London, keep in mind that the month with the highest average precipitation is November with 2.5 inches.
