So you’ve come down to Somerset for a relaxing holiday, but the British weather decides to take a turn for the worse… and you have to quickly change your plans. Where do you go in Somerset on a rainy day? Where are the best indoor attractions in Somerset?
Luckily, you can still have a fantastic day out, even if the weather isn’t cooperating. Here are 7 of the best things to do indoors on a rainy day in Somerset!
One: museums
If you ask us, museums are the ultimate rainy day activity. Happily, Somerset has a huge number of incredible museums to choose from!
Somerset Rural Life Museum and The Museum of Somerset both help you understand what life was like in Somerset throughout history. Haynes Motor Museum and Fleet Air Arm Museum are both great options for anyone who loves their planes and automobiles (don’t worry, trains are further down the list!)
And if you’re someone who loves a historic home, there are lots of choices for you, too! The Holburne Museum and Hestercombe House and Gardens are two of our personal favourites.
Two: caves
Don’t want to get rained on? Head underground to Wookey Hole Caves…
A safe route takes visitors through a number of chambers, with added tunnels and walkways connecting the journey through the awesome wonders of Wookey Hole Caves. The adventurous can even go deeper with the Wild Wookey experience.
You can even walk through an underground chamber where the classic Somerset cheddar is being cave-aged. (And of course, you can treat yourself to a chunk of this remarkable cheese at the gift shop!)
Three: Have afternoon tea
Looking for a scrumptious outing? There’s no better way to spend a rainy afternoon in Somerset than indulging in a delicious afternoon tea!
Sweet Little Things in Bath has everything you could want from an afternoon tea. A choice of sandwiches (including vegan and gluten free options), scones, sausage rolls, and a selection of petit fours.
And if you’re looking for a slightly alternative afternoon tea, Sally Lunns is our go-to choice. Snack on a sweet and savoury Bath bun with a cup of tea or glass of prosecco – the only problem will be deciding on which flavour to go for!
Four: Trains
We told you that we’d mention trains eventually!
The East Somerset and West Somerset Railways are two of our go-to recommendations when it comes to rainy days in Somerset. Whether you are looking for a nostalgic ride back in time through lovely countryside or to study the railway and industrial heritage, these historic railways have something for you!
They also sometimes have themed events such as afternoon tea trains and murder mystery events, which are always a fun time!
Five: Strange experiences
This is a lot less ominious than it sounds, we promise!
Wake the Tiger in Bristol offers a self-guided, walk-through labyrinth that begins in an abandoned paint factory and leads you through the enchanting Dream Factory, showcasing over 40 interactive spaces filled with incredible art.
Or if you’re in a spookier frame of mind, Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein in Bath blurs the line between museum and interactive visitor experience. Learn about the life of Mary Shelley and take on two themed escape rooms, too!
Six: Bristol Aquarium
Located in the heart of the city, Bristol Aquarium is the perfect activity for anyone looking to escape the rain.
Their exhibits are always changing, but some of their current displays include a sunken shipwreck full of native species, a recreation of the fresh waters of the Amazon, and the coral seas exhibit where fish and sharks swim all around you! It’s always an amazing sight.
Seven: taste the spirits of Somerset
Independent Spirits of Bath is your one-shop-shop if you want to try some of the best artisanal spirits from Somerset and around the world! Explore their range, which includes classics like cider, wine, and whiskey, but also mead, sake, and mezcal. We could certainly spend hours just looking at all their different offerings.
They also have different tasting events throughout the week, so do look out for those, too.
Of course, these were just 7 of our favourite things to do in Somerset on a rainy day – there are many other suggestions that we could make! If you’d like more recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask us before or during your visit!
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