The first thing to know about London is that it will rain. Every day. Despite knowing this, I still made a few rookie mistakes during my extended stay. I learned right away that hanging out in London for a week with the convenience of a centrally located hotel is quite different from a three week stay in the suburbs. The first major clue to this epiphany was coming home with wet shoes, socks, and pants after every outing into the city. Without a dryer or sunny, warm weather it took three days for a pair of shoes and socks to dry out and two days for jeans. I was starting to run out of dry clothes!
When I was down to my last pair of dry socks and shoes, I decided to be a little more observant. Tired of cold legs from damp jeans, I asked myself, “What do Londoners do when it rains?” Wherever I went I noticed they had dry pants and shoes, so I knew there had to be a trick. After a few days, I had some answers and learned how to stay dry!
1. Always carry an umbrella.
It doesn’t have to be big, but it does have to be sturdy. The wind along the Thames can kill a weak umbrella in under two minutes. Londoners always seem to have one stashed in their pockets, purses, or tote bags. Even if the newspaper said it would be sunny, I learned to carry an umbrella anyway. It was worth every bit of the room it took up in my purse.
2. Wear shorter pants.
Both Londoners and Europeans in general wear shorter pants than Americans. I never understood why until I realized the bottom hem of my jeans soaked up rainwater faster than a chamois. Even after the shortest walk on The Strand my jeans were wet up to my knees! There wasn’t much I could do other than fold the hem under a couple of inches, but it did the trick. A discreetly placed safety pin attached the hem to my sock. I never came home with wet jeans, again!
3. Hang out inside.
Even when out in the city, there is always a place to duck in and escape the rain. Stores, tube stations, and coffee shops are all excellent places to wait out the kind of rain that demolishes even the best umbrella. At the entrances/ exits of Tube stations there’s usually a group of people reading the newspaper while it pours outside. Museums are also an excellent way to Β dodge the rain as most of them are free and very warm inside.
My favorite way, however, to wait out the rain is to hang out in a coffee shop.Β One rainy day, I was walking along the Embankment when it suddenly started to pour. I decided that moment was the perfect time to sit down for a warm cup of coffee and a brownie. I joined many other Londoners in what I assume is a tradition.Β Sit by a window with your cup of tea or coffee and simply watch it rain. Be thankful for a moment where everything just stops, except for the rain.
4. Stand under a tree.
This sounds stupid, but it works. Throughout London, there are huge and heavily foliated trees. In particular, trees along the Embankment near the Globe Theater are proven rain blockers. One day it started raining and I watched as seasoned Londoners began to gather beneath the trees. I followed them and realized it was perfectly dry under those trees! Barely a drop had touched the sidewalk even though it was pouring. The key to this strategy is to stand at the base of the trunk. It rained for almost an hour, but hardly any moisture hit the ground where I was standing. To pass the time, I did what other Londoners did, I read a book.
5. Stand under a bridge.
Again, this sounds silly, but it works. There are tunnels, benches, and spaces beneath almost every bridge in London. In many cases, there are buskers in these areas, so while you’re waiting out the rain you can enjoy some great entertainment. However, I wouldn’t recommend standing in these areas alone, but rather with a group. Especially, if you are one of those super obvious tourists.
6. Wear your wellies.
Those big rubber boots aren’t just for gardeners. They are sold all over London and I watched as people carried them in tote bags or by the back loop. If I didn’t have such a small suitcase, I would have invested in a pair. Made out of plastic or rubber, these boots protect your feet and legs from puddles, splashes, and wet grass. I swear London is the only place on earth where people don’t look ridiculous wearing wellies while on a walk through the park or rushing through the financial district.
The last lesson learned? When the weatherman or newspaper forecast says it’ll be sunny, don’t believe it. The idea of sunshine all day long is more wishful thinking than it is reality. The rain is always there, ready to sneak up from behind and catch you by surprise!
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Other Articles in the New Familiars Series:
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c.b.w. 2014
You think it rains in London? Try Scotland.
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Ironically, I got a sunburn in Scotland!
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π
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Now that really is ironic π I was colder and wetter in Scotland in the middle of summer π lol
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Ha! π
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Great post. Very interesting. I’m curious though, why do you only want to stand in a group when under a bridge.
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Pickpockets and muggers. It’s never wise to go into a dark space all alone when in a big city.
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Loving the picture of Starbucks! I suspect those in Vancouver Canada could commiserate with the constant cloud cover and rain π
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That was one of the prettiest Starbucks I’d seen in London! I had to take the shot! π Vancouver is on my bucket list and the rain is a big reason why!
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I want a pair of the Wellies!!!!
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Me, too! π
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Great tips! It sounds like home. During the summer, it rains here almost every afternoon, and it’s usually a pretty good downpour. Is it mostly in the afternoons in England or just at random?
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In England its very random and throughout the day. I remember being excited to see the sun, which is weird because I feel the exact opposite at home!
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Wellies π
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I know – they are too much fun. π
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Wow!! I love your practical solutions…I’d be under the tree with a book or in a coffee shop…that kind of moisture sounds like a recipe for cold bones!! What an enjoyable informative post! π Thank you!
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Ooo, you’re comment made think of drinking a hot cup of coffee while under a tree. Now that sounds like a great way to wait out the rain! π
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This is so charming! While that much rain would drive me nuts in a matter of days(I’m a California girl) I think all those ideas are so cool. It makes me want to visit London just to try them out. I can do coffee shop. And I think standing under a tree is nice. π
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I live in the desert, so rain is out my realm as well! Aside from watching the world go by in a coffee shop, I loved hanging out under a tree. The rain already smells good, but under a tree it’s even better. π
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spent a week in London about ten year’s ago now, and yep, it rained every day. You would think such dull weather would make Londoners gloomy but they are a rather cheerful lot. Must be the wellies and brollies!
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They really are a delightful bunch. Don’t let that stiff upper lip fool you! π
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Great tips for me….I travel to London next month. I have my waterproof Clark shoes, but the shorter pants idea is pure genius.
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Ooo, I’m so jealous! I hope you have a wonderful times. Don’t forget your umbrella. π
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I’ve got my ‘brelly for sure!
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