Things to do in London if it's Snowing

There are plenty of things to do in London if it’s snowing. If you’re looking to stay indoors and keep warm, then head to one of London’s main ‘indoor’ attractions – mainly the museums or indoor shopping centres. And for those who like to embrace the snow, go for a walk in one of London’s royal parks. Don’t forget there’s always afternoon tea or an evening at the theatre, great things to do in London regardless of if its snowing.

What to do in London if it Snows. Picture by Neil MacWilliams

indoor shopping:

If you want to stay warm and avoid spending too much time outdoors, then head to a shopping centre or one of the big department stores. The two main indoor shopping malls are Westfield in West London and Brent Cross in North West London. If you’re staying in Central London, then head to one of the famous department stores on Oxford Street like Selfridges, John Lewis or Uniqlo. And if you are based around the Knightsbridge area, then spend a morning or afternoon in Harrods.

a walk in the park

Snow day: Walking in the park. Picture by Kyle Taylor

True Brits embrace the snow, heading out to one of the London’s royal parks for a lovely walk. See the kids (and adults) in snowball fights, tobogganing and building snowmen…and these parks really are a spectacular sight when covered with snow… head to one of the royal parks like Regents Park, Hyde Park or St James’s Park for a fun afternoon.

visit a museum:

London is full of world class museums that are a perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon if its snowing…

There are three major museums located right next to each other in Kensington: The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum, all of which are a perfect way to stay warm during the snow in London. The British Museum is located in Bloomsbury and it’s so big, you could hide away in here for days and still not see it all! And if you’re staying south of the River Thames, then the Tate Modern is always a safe bet.

afternoon tea:

Stay warm and have an Afternoon Tea

The perfect way to wrap up warm and indulge in a quintessentially British affair is to spend an afternoon sipping tea and eating scones and English cakes. You’ll find the best afternoon tea’s in London in places like Cafe Royal, Claridges, Fortnum & Mason, or for something a little more adventurous check out The Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea Party or Mr Fogg’s Afternoon G & Tea!

theatre, cinema, concerts:

Covent Garden is the place to go to watch a play and there are also lots of performances going on.There are cinemas dotted all over the capital, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a movie theatre close to where you’re staying. Classical music is big in London, with the Wigmore Hall in Marylebone and Cadogan Hall in Chelsea popular for chamber music. For orchestra, try the Royal Festival Hall (in Southbank) or Barbican Centre (City of London). There are also lots of free lunchtime concerts in St Martins-in-the-Field.

tower of London:

If you’re a tourist visiting London for the first time, or just looking for a fun day out, don’t let the snow get the better of you! Lots of London major attractions are worth visiting, even when its snowing, amongst them the Tower of London, one of the all-time best things to do on a visit to the capital. It’s where the crown jewels are kept, and once upon atime was where London kept (and executed!) its most famous prisoners.

Top Tips in London if it Snows:

It should be stated clearly that London isn’t really built for the snow…public transport can get delayed and if its snows a lot, the transportation system grinds to a halt. For this reason, if you’re looking for things to do in London when it’s snowing, make sure you check the weather forecast carefully. If in doubt, stay close to your accommodation…
Remember to be especially careful when walking in the streets as the snow turns to ice very quickly and pavements can get very slippy.