The English have a reputation for talking about the weather, so we don’t want to go on about it too much, but there’s no denying that it’s not always reliable. When you’re staying at a lovely Devon holiday cottage and it rains, it can leave you wondering what to do to keep everyone amused, so we’re taking a look at rainy day activities that will put smiles on faces and ensure happy memories.
If you’re spending your UK family holiday in a well-equipped cottage like Julesbrook here at Stonehayes Farm, you don’t really need to worry about the weather – with a games room and a movie room you can while away a rainy day quite easily, but there’s so much else to do and if you want to go out, you still can. Join us on a round up of things to do on a rainy day in Devon, focussing on our particular neck of the woods so you don’t have to drive too far.
Watch a Movie
Let’s kick off with indoor activities at your holiday cottage. All have TVs, some have a movie room with a more specialised set up. There’s something really good about snuggling up on the sofas, getting lovely and comfy to watch a film together. With the streaming sites these days there’s so much choice, so you’re bound to find something you all agree on.
You could pull the curtains and keep the lights out to make it more of a cinema experience, and of course, make sure you’ve got plenty of snacks – big bowls of crisps, popcorn and sweets to share, just like the real thing.
If you’d prefer a full on cinema, see what’s on at Scott Cinemas in Sidmouth, The Odeon or Vue Cinemas in Exeter, or at our local arts venue, The Beehive in Honiton.
Head to the Games Room
If your family friendly holiday cottage has a games room, you’re sorted – at Julesbrook there’s a pool table and table tennis. We also have an onsite games room for all guests to use, with a pool table, table tennis and table football, and a good selection of games and toys for younger children.
Strike up a challenge, see who comes out tops at ping-pong and other games; take snacks and drinks with you, sit at the bar and play pubs!
Get Baking!
Baking is a great rainy day activity and provided you’re organised it’s easy. Decide what you want to make, make your holiday cottage has the necessary equipment, then make a list and head to the nearest farm shop or supermarket to buy what you need. You could make it a bake off style competition, see who trumps at cake decorating or who comes up with the best pizzas – the bonus is you get to eat what you’ve made!
Visit a Museum
A visit to a museum is a brilliant thing to do on rainy days; you never know what you might learn and, in our opinion, if you don’t learn something everyday it’s a day wasted! Our recommendations are:
Allhallows Museum of Lace and Local Antiquities, Honiton
Find out all about the history of the town and its famous Honiton lace – used for Queen Victoria’s wedding dress in 1840 and her eldest daughter’s christening robe in 1841.
Dunkeswell Airfield Heritage Centre, Dunkeswell
This volunteer run museum was set up to commemorate the history of the US Navy Air Force and the RAF stationed at Dunkeswell during World War II. See the interesting displays, then go to the Liberator Coffee Bar & Grill for a late breakfast, panini or loaded fries.
Museum of Somerset, Taunton
Housed in the historic castle in the centre of Taunton, this fascinating museum has collections relating to the natural history and geology of Somerset, the Pitchfork Rebellion and the Battle of Sedgemoor and Taunton through the ages. Highlights are a 4th century Roman Mosaic uncovered in a field near Langport, articles belonging to John Hanning Speke, who discovered the source of the River Nile, and the Somerset Military Museum with uniforms, medals and weaponry.
Among the unusual artefacts are a giant’s boots, an 80,000 year old bear skull, a 1,000 year old Saxon brooch, and a huge hoard of over 52,500 Roman coins.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Exeter
There’s plenty to keep you occupied at the RAMM, with 16 galleries covering the ancient worlds, the natural world, a fine art collection, birds from across the globe, and the extensive history of Exeter and Devon. Go say hello to Gerald the Giraffe who stands 5.2m tall, and a 1.5 ton African Bull elephant. See a real Egyptian mummy, the intriguing Exeter Puzzle Jug, a fascinating Victorian Curiosity Wall, and finds from the Exeter Roman Bath House.
Go Tenpin Bowling
Tenpin bowling is great fun for all ages and all abilities, so it’s a brilliant rainy day activity for families. The atmosphere is always lively, there are cafes and bars onsite, and it doesn’t cost the earth. In our area, in or close to East Devon, we have a choice!
Tenpin Exeter
For starters. there are 22 bowling lanes with fantastic lighting effects at Tenpin Exeter, but you can also book for laser tag or escape rooms, sing your heart out in a Karaoke Room, play interactive darts, pool, or arcade games. Also good to know is that there’s soft play for the tinies, and a licensed bar serving burgers, dogs, nachos and sharers.
Ocean Exmouth
This is Exmouth’s No 1 entertainment venue, right on the seafront, with plenty to do. Aswell as a 12 lane bowling alley there are live sports, amusements, soft play and 2 restaurants. If the rain clears up, go for a stroll along the beach.
Hollywood Bowl, Taunton
On the outskirts of town, Hollywood Bowl has 22 lanes and an exclusive VIP area. There’s a relaxed bar and amusements, and you can grab eats from the American inspired diner, or go to one of the restaurants nearby.
Go Climbing
Take on a challenge at Clip ‘n Climb down on the Quay in Exeter, home of the largest indoor climbing centre in the South West of England. There are over 25 different climbs so you’ll find something to suit your ability no matter how young or old you are. Test your balance on the Stairway to Heaven or the Astro Ball, make like a mountaineer on Dry Ice, or try the electric-themed Circuit Breaker. Daredevils should take the Leap of Faith, you should all go to the Workshop Café for well deserved treats.
Go Out to Eat
Going out to lunch on a rainy day is guaranteed to bring you cheer. You don’t have to cook, you don’t have to clear away, and you don’t have to load the dishwasher. And you get to try home cooked food made using top quality local ingredients. Here’s where we’d recommend:
Otter Valley Ice Cream & Field Kitchen, Honiton
Of course you can still have ice cream even if it’s raining! If you don’t, you’d be missing out because these are not just any old ice creams. These are made onsite using milk from their own cows who feed in the fields just a stone’s throw away. Choose from traditional flavours like Rum & Raisin, Strawberry, and Raspberry Sorbet, or try something different - Strawberry & Balsamic Vinegar, Sea Buckthorn, Rice Pudding & Jam, or Lemon Curd.
Go early for breakfast, or at lunchtime for wood fired pizzas, sandwiches, toasties, homemade pancakes and salad.
The Drewe Arms, Broadhembury
The Drewe Arms is a lovely, family run pub, set in a picturesque Devon village. They serve very good homemade food from a menu that steps alongside the seasons, with produce that’s raised and grazed, sown and grown in the fields nearby. The Sunday roast is excellent!
The welcome is friendly, the service attentive, and out the back there’s a pretty garden with a view of the church, so if the sun should pop its head out from behind the clouds, go sit out there.
The Pig at Combe, Gittisham
This is such a lovely place – a beautiful Elizabethan Manor House with three walled gardens set in lush countryside. Interiors are divine, a glorious mix of country house, shabby chic and vintage.
If you want to eat in the restaurant, you’ll have to book in advance, but out in the garden there’s a rustic folly which welcomes drop ins on a first come first served basis. They serve freshly baked pizzas, home made treats, cake and coffee. Dogs are welcome and you can even sit outside whether it’s raining or not, under canvas cover.
Hare & Hounds, Sidbury
If you like a carvery, this is the place to go –it’s what the Hare & Hounds is known for. The menu has a lot on it, so whatever your preferred cuisine, you should find something to suit you. Families and dogs are welcome. If it’s not too cloudy you’ll see how glorious the views are – rolling all the way down the Sid Valley to the sea.
Have A Ride on a Tram
Seaton Tramway still operates when it’s raining, using enclosed saloon trams instead of the open topped double-deckers they run when the weather’s good. The 3 mile route takes you through the wetlands of the Axe estuary to the little town of Colyton where you can alight for a cream tea in the Tramstop Café. The wetlands support a diversity of wildlife so even if it’s a bit murky dismal out, still take your binoculars because you never know what you might see.
Go Pottery Painting
At Honiton Pottery Workshop they have pre-fired bisque wear ready for you to paint, and they offer 2-3 hour workshops where you can have a go at throwing clay in a relaxed environment. They aim to accommodate most requests, but you’ll need to book in advance, so keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Visit an Attraction
Our local area has several family attractions that are a good option for when it’s raining, with most of the fun centered indoors. Our favourites are:
Jurassic Discovery, Seaton
This is great for kids and budding palaeontologists, with the main highlight indoors – an immersive animatronic dinosaur exhibition. You can combine it with a ride on the Seaton Tramway which has covered carriages for rainy days, doubling the fun with a ride through the Seaton marshes. There’s also a large prehistoric themed soft play area for younger children, and a café.
Killerton, Broadclyst (National Trust)
Take a tour of the Georgian mansion house at Killerton, just as it looked in the 1920s and 30s. There’s appeal to all ages, with stacks of history to discover and things for the younger folk to spot; those with a passion for the sartorial will like the fashion exhibition that spans 300 years of wardrobe wonders.
If the rain’s not too bad, take a wander round the gardens and see the little chapel, the Bear Hut and ornamental dairy. In true National Trust style there’s a second-hand bookshop, cafés and a play area.
World of Country Life, Exmouth
Undercover attractions at World of Country Life include a recreated Victorian street scene, a Hall of Transport & Museum, an Animal Nursery, and daily entertainment like ferret racing and bottle feeding. Go to Farmer Lees Food barn for hot food and snacks.
Knightshayes, Bolham, Tiverton
Another gem from the National Trust. At the heart of this vast estate is a beautiful Gothic Revival house with unique architecture and eclectic interiors. Kids can do the spotters trail, looking out for gargoyles, tortoiseshell cats and carved wooden mice. As always, there’s a café and second-hand bookshop, great for a browse on a rainy day.
So there we have it. If it rains on your holiday in Devon, there’s no need to be bored because there’s still plenty to do. It’s all about making the most of the opportunities available, filling your days with joy and making the kind of memories you’ll want to hold onto.
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