What to do in Somerset when it's raining

Whether you love it or hate it, rain can put a real dampener on a camping holiday. However, there’s no reason to let rain ruin a holiday in Somerset. If you’re wondering what to do in Somerset in the rain, we’ve got some fun suggestions that will brighten your day no matter how many clouds are in the sky.

The West Somerset Railway won’t let sightseeing get derailed

If you can’t explore the countryside by foot, hop on board the West Somerset Railway and see it in style via the comfort of a cosy train ride. The West Somerset Railway is around 20 miles long and runs between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, stopping at a total of 10 stations and travelling past diverse landscapes including farmland, the coast and rolling hills. You can travel the whole route or stop at the stations of your choice to explore the surrounding area. Plus pooches are welcome too, so your furry companion can make the trip with you.

Step back in time and roam magnificent castles

The stunning Dunster Castle has had a diverse history, from serving as a Saxon stronghold to a Victorian family home. An exploration of the castle crypt, the castle rooms and the collection of artwork provides a fascinating way to while away a rainy day. If there’s a break in the rain you can also venture out into the pretty subtropical gardens and visit the nearby historic village of Dunster.

Another castle that will conjure images of ancient times is Farleigh Hungerford Castle. Though the castle is no longer intact, a visit to the remains of this 14th century castle is well worth it for its collection of intriguing objects, such as the chapel’s rare wall paintings and the lead coffins in the castle crypt that are shaped to resemble humans. A free audio tour provides informative and interesting insight into the history of the castle.

Exploring Somerset’s caves ensures the weather won’t leave a hole in your holiday fun

One of the best ways to escape the rain is to head on an underground adventure into some of the fantastic caves that Somerset has to offer. The Cheddar Caves located within Cheddar Gorge are both educational and awe-inspiring. The oldest skeleton in Britain, known as Cheddar Man, was discovered within Gough’s Cave and there are also a number of beautiful geological formations to be seen in the first of the Cheddar Caves. The second of the Cheddar Caves, known as Cox’s Cave, offers an exciting Crystal Quest adventure which will entertain adults just as much as children.

Another wondrous underground adventure waits with the Wookey Hole Caves. These caves were home to prehistoric people and animals for the past 50,000 years and several archaeological discoveries can be seen in the museum. In addition to the archaeological significance of the caves, they are also associated with the legend of the Wookey Hole Witch who was supposedly turned to stone by a monk. There’s also a host of other attractions including a mirror maze, a Victorian Penny Arcade and an indoor play area to name a few.

A car museum that gets a honk of approval for sheltered Somerset entertainment

Car enthusiasts should floor it to the Haynes International Motor Museum near Yeovil where more than 400 cars and motorbikes are on display. There are several different car collections that range from the earliest cars to modern supercars, so anyone who loves automobiles will find something drool-worthy in this marvellous motor museum which is one of the top car museums in the UK.

A charming cinema that easily reels visitors in with its welcoming atmosphere

There’s nothing quite like snuggling down to enjoy a film when it’s raining. The Little Theatre Cinema in Bath is the ideal place to do this. It may be small in size but this cinema is big on charm, with cosy chairs, a range of refreshments and snacks, and an enticingly intimate setting that encourages you to forget about the outside world and immerse yourself in whichever film you choose to see. This lovely cinema started life as a community arts centre in 1913 but began playing feature films in 1939 and today visitors can enjoy a selection of films, many of which aren’t shown at mainstream cinemas.

Downpours are delightful, not a drag

Rather than sigh when it rains during a Somerset holiday, instead use the weather as the perfect opportunity to discover these fantastic rainy-day attractions. Whether you’re keen to explore man’s engineering ingenuity with a superb steam train ride or a visit to a brilliant car museum, eager to wander in natural wonders and captivating castles or up for some laidback cinema viewing, with such great things to do you’ll soon forget about the rain!