Where to go in Cornwall when it's raining

There’s no need to let a downpour ruin your plans for a fun day out in Cornwall. Thanks to a variety of excellent indoor attractions you can still have a fantastic time out no matter what the weather. So if you’re wondering where to go in Cornwall when it’s raining, give these great attractions a try…

Enjoy a magnificent day of exploring museums

The brilliant Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle will enchant visitors at every turn as they discover the biggest collection of witchcraft artefacts in the world. This quirky museum is a favourite attraction with visitors of all ages to Cornwall, although bear in mind some of the exhibits are understandably controversial so the museum advises parental guidance for younger children with a sensitive disposition. However, this museum will definitely leave visitors of all ages spellbound and they are sure to come out having learned a great deal and thoroughly entertained.

Turning from magical marvels to the wonders of the physical world, people who are eager to see a wealth of artefacts from across the globe as well as Cornwall itself should definitely make their way to the wonderful Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro. The museum boasts diverse collections covering areas such as geology, fine arts, archaeology, biology and world cultures to name a few, ensuring there’s something for all tastes and interests.

Guaranteed to capture children’s imaginations

Pendennis Castle provides a brilliant family day out with so many things to see and do that you will be having far too much fun to worry about the wet weather. The castle was constructed on the orders of Henry VIII as an artillery fort and was utilised as a defensive and training site even up to WWI and WWII. Nowadays however the castle is open to the public and offers daily firings of the noon day gun during summer, interactive displays and exhibits that provide insight into the castle’s extensive history, fantastic views from the keep roof, a guardhouse and cells, as well as a collection of 37 guns amongst its attractions.

If the youngsters are getting a bit rowdy you can always stick them in Bodmin Jail, though this historic attraction is sure to entice you to join them. Discover the jail’s past as a civil and naval prison, explore the museum and enjoy a bite to eat as you spare a thought for all of the jail’s residents whose mouths would have watered at the delicious food on offer today! If you’re feeling particularly brave, it is possible to book an overnight ghost walk that will send more than a shiver of excitement down your spine.

Discover an industrial and natural heritage

Eager to step into Cornwall’s industrial past? A day at East Pool Mine offers the opportunity to do just that. On display is one of the world’s biggest surviving Cornish beam engines, as well as a working winding engine, an informative film and plenty of hands-on activities for adults and children to get involved with.

If seeing the world’s biggest indoor rainforest, learning about plants from across the globe and picking up some useful gardening tips for your own green patch sounds intriguing then step into the marvels of the Eden Project where you can discover the wonders of our natural environment. Striking architectural attractions, sculptures and other artwork, garden displays and a treetop walkway are just some of the enticements that visitors can look forward to during a day at the Eden Project.

Browse our Eden Project camping options.

Have a ball exploring historical houses

Cotehele is a very attractive Tudor house that is filled with excellent collections of tapestries, furniture, weapons and armour to name a few. The beautiful gardens and orchards as well as the sailing barge Shamrock which is situated on Cotehele Quay offer plenty to see as well if you don’t mind braving the rain for a bit, but there is no lack of interior enticements for visitors who want to stick to the house.

Lanhydrock is a grand late Victorian country house that provides the opportunity for visitors to gain insight into the lives of wealthy Victorian families as well as the people who served them. Explore the kitchens, servants’ quarters and nurseries and stroll through the family dining room, bedrooms, children’s play areas and other living spaces. The pretty gardens will entice visitors who have brought their umbrellas – and maybe even some that haven’t! But just like Cotehele, there is an abundance of delights within the house to fascinate visitors who would prefer to avoid rainy outdoor explorations.

The patter of rain signals a perfect day out

With such wonderful attractions on offer there’s no reason to miss out on a fun day out when it rains in Cornwall. A shower signals the ideal time to grab your coat and get exploring in these sheltered spots which promise superb entertainment, exciting educational opportunities and a rainy day to remember.