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: 135

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  1. 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.

  2. Waddesdon Manor

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Aylesbury

    This National Trust property houses the Rothschild Collection of art treasures and wine cellars. It also features spectacular grounds with an aviary, parterre and woodland playground, licensed restaurants, gift and wine shops.

  3. Basingstoke Leisure Park

    Type

    Type:

    Leisure & Activity Centres

    Basingstoke

    Whether you are looking to spend the day or a quick time out, Basingstoke Leisure Park is packed with activities to enjoy leisure time on your own or with family and friends. 

  4. The Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Birchington

    The Powell-Cotton Museum offers an exciting, fun and interactive day out for all. There are incredible natural history displays, featuring animals from the African and Asian continents in world-famous dioramas as well as fascinating displays of…

  5. SeaCity Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Southampton

    Based at the heart of Southampton, SeaCity Museum tells the story of the people of the city, their fascinating lives and historic connections with Titanic and the sea. Visit SeaCity Museum and Southampton to discover how they bring maritime history…

  6. Kelmscott Manor

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Lechlade

    The summer home of William Morris, Kelmscott Manor is a Grade I listed farmhouse, built around 1600 adjacent to the River Thames.

  7. 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. 

  8. Guildhall Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Rochester

    Discover the history of Medway from pre-historic times to the present day at the Guildhall Museum in Rochester.

  9. Parham House & Gardens

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    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Pulborough

    Set in the heart of an ancient deer park, Parham House and Gardens is situated below the South Downs. The house and gardens have been lovingly restored by the Pearson family who bought Parham in 1922.

  10. The D-Day Story

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Portsmouth

    The D-Day Story is the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Allied Invasion in June 1944. It tells the unique personal stories behind this epic event. Also, home to the new fully restored only surviving D-Day Landing Craft LCT 7074, which is…

  11. Museum of Farnham

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Farnham

    An award-winning museum with displays interpreting the history of the Farnham area. Willmer House is an C18th town house with a delightful walled garden.

  12. Connaught Theatre, Cinema & Studio

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Worthing

    The Art Deco Connaught Theatre, Cinema and Studio hosts a wide variety of plays ranging from musicals and thrillers to drama and children’s shows as well as 2D and 3D blockbuster films.

  13. Dover Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Dover

    Discover 2000 years of history at Dover Castle! Step inside the Great Tower and immerse yourself in the medieval world and royal court of King Henry ll. Travel deep inside the White Cliffs and tour the Underground Hospital.

  14. Isle of Wight Steam Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Steam Railway

    Ryde

    Inspiring, Surprising and Award-Winning … Equally appealing to adults and families, your visit to The Isle of Wight Steam Railway will charm, engage and captivate, leaving you with some lasting memories of a special day out.

  15. Southampton Stories

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Southampton

    Southampton Stories is an exhibition inside SeaCity Museum, that tells the stories of the city's rich maritime history, its local history, its people, archaeology, and the events and activities that have impacted the city through time. 

  16. Knockhatch Adventure Park

    Type

    Type:

    Adventure Park / Playground

    Hailsham

    Exciting family rides
    Amazing indoor & outdoor play
    Zoo, Daily Owl Displays & much more!

  17. 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…

  18. St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Museums & Galleries

    Lymington

    St. Barbe Museum explores the unique history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast. Take a journey and discover the people, places and events that have made the New Forest coast unique with our up-to-date interactive museum displays. Experience some…