Rainy Day Activities

Don’t let wet weather ruin your plans - South East England is packed full of rainy day ideas to keep your day fun, engaging and memorable. Whether you choose to visit one of the award-winning indoor attractions, spend some at one of the undercover shopping centres, or just choose to plan ahead and pack the waterproofs - rain doesn't stop play. Take a look below for some rainy-day inspiration, whether you're visiting for a holiday or planning a staycation - discover our guide to things to do on a rainy day across the region.

Why visit indoor attractions on rainy days?

Rainy days present the perfect opportunity to explore one of the many museums, galleries, historic houses, or churches and cathedrals across the region, these attractions enrich your experience while giving you shelter and a unique perspective on local heritage and culture.

Pick up a last minute seat for a theatre show or join an immersive tour and dive into a different world of stories and just forget the rain outside. Many of these experiences also offer the chance to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner or a drink or two before the show, allowing you to spend longer indoors and away from the weather. We recommend trying Chichester Theatre Festival when its next raining. 

Learn something new with a brewery tour or take a wander at one of the vibrant shopping centres that makes South East England stand out. Stay for a bite to eat or visit one of the many leisure entertainments venues within the centres, whether it's a visit to the cinema or ten-pin bowling, this makes it easy to forget what's going on outside. Try a visit to the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading with its Vue cinema as well as stunning riverside dining options.

Top Ideas for a rainy day in South East England

• Eden Shopping Centre, Buckinghamshire 
  Discover Eden Shopping Centre, the vibrant retail and leisure destination in the heart of High Wycombe.
• Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Hampshire
  Amazing family fun at this interactive, hands on science and technology centre just of the outskirts of Winchester.
• Beaulieu, Home of the National Motor Museum, Hampshire
  Multi-award winning family day out with something for everyone, with both indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy.
• Hampshire Cultural Trust, throughout Hampshire
  From museums to galleries to arts centres, the trust runs a huge variety of workshops, classes, events and projects for both young and old.
• Dickens House Museum, Broadstairs, Kent
  Celebrates Charles Dickens’ long connection with Broadstairs from 1837 to 1851, through personal items and letters. Guided tours available
• Bodleian Libraries, Oxford, Oxfordshire
  Exhibitions and tours of this culturally significant building.
• Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth, Hampshire
  The UK’s premier destination for exploring 500 years of naval history. 
• The Powell-Cotton Museum, Nr Margate, Kent 
  Bursting with natural history displays and fascinating exhibits from Aficia and Asia.
• Basingstoke Leisure Park, Basingstoke, Hampshire
  Home to Milestones Museum, Basingstoke Aquadrome, the Odeon cinema, Planet Ice, Hollywood Bowl Basingstoke and iFly.
• Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Winchester, Hampshire 
  Explore the distillery and understand the care, skill and artistry behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire - Plus look out for special film screenings during a Cinema Night.
• Norden Farn Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, Berkshire
  A theatre and entertainment venue with gigs, theatre, exhibitions, comedy, classical concerts and family shows.

Tips to prepare for a rainy day out

• Combine a visit to an indoor attraction with time in a city or town.  We recommend trying Southampton with its large uncover shopping centre and host of visitor attractions all within walking distance
• Consider somewhere that offers both indoor and outdoor space as part of your visit,  for example The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent includes both immersive exhibition galleries, three historic ships and the Commissioner's Garden in its attraction ticket.
• Rain doesn't have to stop play, layered clothing & waterproofs will enable you to get between venues.  Prepare in advance before you head out or pop a small rain mack in the bottom of your bag for those suprise showers.
• Transport planning - choose sites that are only a short walk away from the public transport hub, such as in Portsmouth.  You'll find Gunwharf Quays just a couple of minutes walk from Portsmouth Harbour train station that has covered walkways, shops, resturants and entertainment for you to enjoy.
• If you know rain is coming, pre-book tickets - popular indoor venues can get busy when the weather is inclement.

Indoor things to do near me

Looking for rainy day options locally? Find places to go when it's raining near you below by using the 'map view' to help plan your day out whatever the weather.