Are you looking for wet weather ideas in Devon?
Well look no further, rain never stops play in Devon, it’s fun all day long whatever the weather at Devon’s all-weather attractions. Don’t let the rain ruin your day. Why not plan a rainy-day Devon day out or activity? You’ll be surprised what fun and memories lie ahead!
We all want blue skies and sunshine when we are planning a day out in Devon and good weather always makes for the perfect holiday or day out adventure. Sadly, we don’t always get the ideal weather that we wish for. But fear not, Devon is well equipped for offering some top wet weather indoor family fun or rainy-day ideas.
Indoor attractions
Devon is blessed with a huge range of top visitor attractions and many have plenty of indoor space to head for if the sky starts to darken. The Milky Way Adventure Park in North Devon boasts 110,000 sq ft. of indoor fun and boasts the biggest all-weather family day out in North Devon. Whilst over in South Devon at its 100 acre site, Woodlands Family Theme Park offers 11 play zones and lots of both indoor and outdoor fun with one of the largest indoor play centres in the South West.
Some of the attractions in the county offer a wet weather return so if it rains while you visit, they give you a FREE return ticket so you can re-visit within 7 days and enjoy again. Pennywell Farm is one such attraction that offers this.
Over at Quince Honey Farm, you can let the kids buzz around for hours in ‘The Play Hive’, their huge soft play area. Other activities include making candles and having a critter encounter, all dry and undercover.
Make tracks to steam trains or trams
Come rain or shine, taking a trip on the South Devon Railway along the beautiful valley of the River Dart is just the ticket. The multi award winning steam railway is one of the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the South West. It runs a number of steam trains and offers heated and comfy enclosed carriages with an on-train buffet carriage and all day tickets. For added interest you can visit their platform museum too.
Hop onto one of Seaton Tramway’s covered narrow-gauge all-weather heritage trams to enjoy the unspoilt countryside along the stunning Axe Valley. You can visit the Tramstop Café at Colyton to enjoy a bite to eat. Why not indulge in one of the best cream teas in Devon and then enjoy looking at the trams in Seaton’s new £3 million Station? It’s all under cover and a perfect solution to a rainy day out in Devon.
Take a boat trip
Whatever the weather, you can still have a super day out onboard one of Stuart Line Cruises. Head for the lower deck which is covered and heated to enjoy the view through the large glass windows whilst enjoying the well-stocked bar of snacks, drinks, and refreshments. Take a look through their free to use binoculars to make the most of the stunning scenery and wildlife of the River Exe. A great all-weather day out Devon attraction.
Visit a Devon museum
There are lots of rainy day activities in Devon, why not head for one of Devon’s top Museums? Try a visit to Torquay to Bygones Museum. You can while away more than a few hours of fun, when you explore and discover the British history and pure nostalgia spread across three huge floors. There are literally thousands of authentic curiosities and interactive displays. Starting towards the end of Queen Victoria’s reign you can wander through time, visiting the authentic life-size Victorian street, filled with all original items. See the blacksmith, smell the treats in the sweetshop and listen to the hustle and bustle of everyday Victorian life.
Visit a Devon theme park
There are lots of things to do on a rainy day in Devon and visiting one of Devon’s theme parks is a great choice. Most of the theme parks in Devon are on 100 acre sites and have dedicated lots of space to indoor fun offering huge indoor soft play themed areas. Crealy Theme Park and Resort boasts the biggest family theme park in Devon and is the South West’s number one family day out with over 60 rides, many of which are undercover so can be enjoyed in all weathers.
Animal antics
Whatever the weather there are plenty of animal encounters on offer at Devon’s farm parks and zoos. The county is fortunate to have a good number of animal-based attractions. Most of them offer a great deal of undercover fun and places to escape the odd shower or two. World of Country Life in Exmouth has plenty of wet weather indoor play with large undercover soft play areas exclusively for under 5’s, three exhibition halls, a hall of transport museum, a huge pirate ship undercover play area and even their deer safari adventure is in covered carriages.
There is more undercover animal antics at the Big Sheep in North Devon where you might even see the ‘live lambing’ in the Spring in their barn and help by bottle feeding a lamb. If wet weather prevails the massive Ewetopia indoor playground is a great way to tire out the kids for a few hours and let Mum and Dad enjoy coffee and refreshments.
History and heritage
Visiting a stately home is another good choice for a rainy day. Devon is steeped in history and is fortunate enough to have a large collection of stately homes and heritage attractions which are great places to head if wet weather threatens. Take a tour at one of the National Trust stately homes. Step back in time to learn all about the families who lived there, hear the stories and marvel at the grandeur of these homes and discover the history room by room. Once the tour is over, enjoy some homemade, locally sourced refreshments in their cafes and restaurants. Castle Drogo and Killerton are both good choices when the forecast is wet, both properties have much to see and do.
Destination Devon day out
Visit Plymouth and be bowled over with the amount of heritage and history the city holds with plenty of indoor things to do too. Put up your umbrella and pull on your raincoat to explore this vibrant city. Take the Harbour Heritage Trail to discover how rich in history Plymouth really is. Visit Smeaton’s Tower, enjoy the cosmopolitan vibe of the Barbican, take a tour at the Plymouth Gin Distillery or simply people-watch in one of the harbourside cafes. Visit the National Marine Aquarium which is Britain’s largest indoor aquarium, dine at one of the city’s amazing eateries and catch a top show at the Theatre Royal. Plymouth is truly an all-weather destination.
Read more on the Visit Plymouth website
Sightseeing and tours
Devon is blessed with an abundance of things to do on a rainy day. Why not go on a sightseeing expedition or take a tour? Go underground at Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves in Torquay to step back into the Stone Age. These show caves are one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe and one of Britain’s best. Go on the guided tour to discover this home to ancient humans and ice age animals. As you walk through the extensive labyrinth of caverns, you’ll be surrounded by spectacular ancient stalagmites and stalactites.
If the weather is bleak, head for Exeter, Devon’s other vibrant city. Do a spot of shopping or head for Exeter Cathedral where you can be guided around this spectacular building by one of their knowledgeable tour guides. Book on to one of their fascinating behind the scenes roof tours to climb into the roof void high about the Nave. Enjoy the view, some of the best over Exeter!
Experience days
There are lots of things to do in the Devon in the rain and taking part in a special experience day is one of them with most available in all weathers. Why not take part in a ‘Drive a Tram’ at Seaton Tramway or ‘Drive a Steam Train’ at South Devon Railway? Or, for something a little different, you can take part in a ‘Piggies and Prosecco’ experience at Pennywell Farm or become a ‘Zoo keeper for a day’ at Exmoor Zoo or Wildwood Escot. These special days are great ways to discover, listen, feel, taste, see, hear and learn!
Please note that with the Covid Pandemic some of the above experiences might not currently be available. exmoor zoo zoo k
