Enjoy the South East of England what ever the weather has in store.  Discover a host of places to visit and things to do on a rainy day.

Rainy Day Activities

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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. 

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Number of results: 138

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  1. Osborne

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    East Cowes

    Step into Queen Victoria’s favourite country home and experience a world unchanged since the country's longest reigning monarch died here just over 100 years ago.

  2. GLOBALLS

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Course

    Brighton Marina Village, BRIGHTON

    Globalls has it’s very own 12-hole indoor golf course, this is a unique games experience. Based on an aquatic, carnival or tropicana theme you can play amongst life size neon sculptures and wall art.

  3. Forest Arts Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    New Milton

    Forest Arts Centre is the leading venue for live arts events in the New Forest. A former military drill hall in New Milton, it has a 146 capacity air-conditioned theatre, dance studio, workshop room and licensed café-bar with gallery space.

  4. Out of Bounds

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun & Activities

    Angmering , Littlehampton

    Welcome to Out Of Bounds! Have fun and experience exciting indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.

  5. Stansted Park

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Stansted Park is home to stunning weddings, forest walks, afternoon teas and some of the best events in the south! Visit the Mansion for a real sense of a bygone era.

  6. Blenheim Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Woodstock

    Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace, one of the finest baroque houses in England, is set in over 2,000 acres of landscaped gardens

  7. Gosport Discovery Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Gosport

    In Gosport town centre you will find The Discovery Centre, where there is a surprising range of things to see and do, including art exhibitions, events, special activities for children and families.

  8. Oxford Castle & Prison

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Oxford

    For the first time in 1000 years, the secrets of Oxford Castle have been ' unlocked', revealing episodes of violence, executions, great escapes, betrayal and even romance. Visit Oxford Castle and uncover the secrets for yourself.

  9. Mayflower Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Southampton

    The largest Theatre in the south, The Mayflower offers spectacular touring musicals - many direct from the West End - plus opera, ballet and comedy.

  10. Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Portsmouth

    Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery is the museum of and for the people of Portsmouth, featuring exciting and varied displays.

  11. The Mill at Sonning

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Reading

    With much of the original structure retained, this 18th Century Flour Mill has been converted into a renowned Dinner Theatre. Patrons enjoy a fresh home-cooked meal - with not a microwave in sight! -before watching the performance in our theatre.

  12. Tangmere Military Aviation Museum

    Type

    Type:

    History and Heritage

    CHICHESTER

    A chance to see and hear the stories of heroes, in the air and on the ground, from World War 1 to the Cold War. Record breaking aircraft and others that have starred in films.

  13. Jump In Camberley

    Type

    Type:

    Trampolining

    Camberley

    Experience ultimate bouncing fun for all ages at Jump In Adventure & Trampoline Park Esher. The perfect spot for an indoor fun family day out in Surrey with lots of activities on and off the trampolines!

    Our trampoline park in Camberley includes…

  14. Hastings Castle & 1066 Story

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Hastings

    Fragmentary remains of Norman Castle built on West Hill after William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings. 1066 Story interpretation centre in siege tent.

  15. Aldershot Military Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museums & Galleries

    Aldershot

    Housed in the only surviving brick-built barrack blocks left in Aldershot, Aldershot Military Museum tells the story of daily life for both soldier and civilian in the town since 1854. 

  16. Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Basingstoke

    Discover Basingstoke and Deane’s past, from the rich archaeological heritage beneath our feet right up to the modern day.

  17. Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium

    Type

    Type:

    Science Centre

    Morn Hill, Winchester

    Winchester Science Centre is more than a day out. It’s a chance to spark your children’s curiosity in science which could lead them on an exciting journey for life! Situated in the stunning South Downs National Park, this exciting family destination…

  18. Pavilion Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Worthing

    Part of Worthing Theatres, the Pavilion Theatre is situated on the promenade at the entrance to Worthing’s pier and hosts a variety of theatre, dance, music and comedy as well as events including craft fairs, children’s workshops and corporate events

  19. The Surrey Explorer

    Type

    Type:

    Road Cycling

    Guildford

    All inclusive guided bike tours of the Surrey Hills, only 35 minutes by train from central London. Bikes, helmets and tour guide are provided. You can see so much more by bike: hidden villages and woodlands; points of interest; incredible views; and…

  20. Guildford Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Cathedral / Minister

    Guildford

    Guildford Cathedral is a modern Cathedral with a beautiful interior and an amazing story.