Everyone hopes for sunshine. Then London does what London does, and it rains. This Big Ben photoshoot is the proof that a wet day is not a lost day: black coats, one umbrella, mist over the Houses of Parliament and pavements that shine like glass. Some of our favourite frames were taken in exactly this weather.
The red phone box in the rain
Rain makes red look redder. The phone box by Parliament Square was dripping, the traffic lights behind were blurred into soft circles, and Big Ben stood pale in the mist. Under one shared umbrella a couple has to stand close, which is half the posing done already.
Along the river
From the Embankment the London Eye looks almost white against a grey sky. On Westminster Bridge the wet pavement reflects everything, and other people’s red umbrellas turn into little points of colour in the background. Below the bridge, by the river wall, the tower disappears into the mist, a mood you simply don’t get on a sunny day.
Shelter under the arch
When the rain gets heavier, there’s a perfect place to wait it out: the stone arch at the south end of Westminster Bridge. You stay dry, and the arch frames Big Ben for you. The wet flagstones in front of it turn warm brown and reflect every step, which is why some of the best photos in this gallery were taken while hiding from the rain.
How to plan a Big Ben photoshoot in the rain
- Wear dark, long coats. Black wool looks elegant wet, hides raindrops and makes the pale stone of the tower stand out.
- Bring one umbrella, not two. Sharing it keeps you close together, and a single dark or clear umbrella always looks good in the frame.
- Use the shelter. The arch under Westminster Bridge keeps you dry and frames Big Ben at the same time.
- Look down as well as up. Wet paving doubles the light and gives you reflections for free.
- Let red do the work. The phone box, a passing bus, a stranger’s umbrella: on a grey day any red becomes the accent.
- You’re never stuck. If the forecast is really bad, we move your date for free. If it’s just drizzle, it’s often worth staying.
If rain is the one thing worrying you about your Big Ben photoshoot, now you know what it can look like.
