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.
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.
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.
Number of results: 133
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Museum
Maidstone
Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery is an exceptional regional museum housed in the gorgeous Chillington Manor, an Elizabethan manor house.
Castle / Fort
Windsor
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, the family home of 39 British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years, and is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen.
Open to visitors throughout the…
Museum
Birchington
Quex House and Gardens, home of the Powell‑Cotton Museum in Birchington, Kent, is a unique heritage attraction offering a combined experience of history, nature, and world‑class collections. Set within Quex Park on the Kent coast, visitors can…
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.
Leisure / Swimming Pool
Portsmouth
The Mountbatten Leisure Centre is set in an attractive park adjacent to Portsmouth's northern shore. The centre is the city's premier sports facility and has a long reputation for hosting a wide variety of national and international sporting events.
Museum
Maidenhead
Fly a Spitfire simulator at this local museum which covers local history from the Romans to Racing Cars!
Historic Site
Basing, Basingstoke
Discover the many stories of Basing House, a nationally important historical site. This magnificent attraction dates from the Norman period and was the site of the largest private house in Tudor England.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Oxford
For the first time in 1000 years, the secrets of Oxford Castle have been uncovered, revealing life behind bars, episodes of violence, executions, great escapes, betrayal and even romance. Visit Oxford Castle and uncover the secrets for yourself.
Leisure & Activity Centres
Southsea, Portsmouth
One of Portsmouth’s largest health and wellbeing centres, located just off Southsea Beach.
Trampolining
Camberley
Head to Airhop trampoline park in Camberley, Surrey for a day packed full of family fun, with wall-to-wall trampolines, giant airbags, battle beams, wipeout, tumble tracks, extreme slides, inflatables and more!
Leisure / Swimming Pool
DEAL
Visit the indoor tropical lagoon at Tides Leisure Centre, Deal for some family fun this summer.
Museum
Southsea, Portsmouth
See the flora and fauna of Portsmouth at Portsmouth Natural History Museum.
Gallery
Guildford
Watts Gallery - Artists' Village is a unique Arts & Crafts gem nestled in the Surrey Hills. Discover stunning Victorian paintings and sculpture in the historic Watts Gallery before treating yourself to lunch or a cream tea in the Tea Shop.
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…
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.
Museum
Stockbridge
The Museum of Army Flying is an award-winning British military aviation museum about the history of flying in the British Army.
Theatre
Portsmouth
The New Theatre Royal in the heart of Portsmouth is an iconic Victorian building and one of the remaining few Phipps / Matcham theatres in the world.
Brewery
Banbury
Hook Norton is one of only 32 family owned breweries and is the finest example of a Victorian Tower Brewery in the country.
Theatre
Eastbourne
The Congress Theatre is Grade II* listed purpose built theatre and conference venue with a seating capacity of 1689, making it is one of the largest theatres on the south coast.
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…
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