Things to do in Devon in the rain

Devon usually performs well when it comes to warm weather in the spring and summer seasons. However, there are occasional periods where the sun doesn’t feel like playing at all!

When this happens, it is good to prepare yourselves with some ideas that don’t involve going outside. We have put together a list of fun indoor activities which could well make up for the soggy weather outdoors. 

Here are some of our favourite rainy-day activities in Devon.

Plymouth Gin Distillery

Let’s start off with the good stuff. Whilst this won’t be suitable for families with young children, many couples and groups of friends will be delighted to know there are some adult places to go where you can educate yourself on the art of alcohol production! The Plymouth Gin Distillery is the oldest working distillery in England and has been making Plymouth Gin since 1793. The building itself is fascinating, dating back to the 1400s with the Refectory Room being set within a medieval hall. The distillery buildings were formerly a monastery inhabited by the Black Friars!

There are several tours on offer which all give a fascinating insight into the history and journey of the distillery and allow you to sample the Plymouth Gin.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) 

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is a wonderful indoor place to visit in Devon, with a whole host of displays, galleries and exhibitions to explore. Focusing on Devon and Exeter’s rich history, you will be able to find out all about the historic culture of the area whilst taking in visually interesting and interactive displays. The children will love the birds and insect section and the educational galleries displaying culture from across the globe. There is a shop and a café where you can stop off and get a light bite to eat and rest your legs too. This is one of the best museums in Devon and well worth a visit for a fun day out. 

Exeter's underground passages

The underground passages in Exeter have always intrigued local people with their stories of wars, sieges, plague and pestilence. Exeter is the only city in the UK to have passages of this type - they were designed to bring clean drinking water from natural springs outside the walled city. The pipes sometimes leaked and repairs to buried pipes could only be carried out by digging them up. To avoid this disruption, the passages were vaulted, and it is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided. The passages are constricted and low in places which can make it feel like a real adventure! This attraction would definitely make for an interesting indoor day out.

Kents Cavern

Kents Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe and one of Britain’s best showcaves. This Torquay cave used to be home to ancient humans who sheltered here from the extreme weather, making fires, shaping tools and hunting Ice Age animals! You can come here and walk through the extensive labyrinth of caverns and be completely surrounded by rocks that are around 400 million years old. As well as this, you will be able to admire the hundreds of stalagmites and stalactites that don the cave walls. This is one of Devon’s most interesting attractions.

The Milky Way Adventure Park

The Milky Way Adventure Park is a great place to be whatever the weather, with plenty of outdoor fun, as well as indoor options for all the family, making it one of the best rainy day activities in North Devon. With over 110,000 square foot of indoor activities, this is a superb place to take the kids on a rainy day in Devon. There are two roller coasters, soft play areas, indoor bumper cars, family-friendly rides, and there is even a mini train which shows off great views of the North Devon coast! As if that weren't enough, you will also find indoor archery, pottery painting and laser shooting (at an extra cost).

Powderham Castle 

Powderham Castle is a magical family castle in the heart of Devon which holds centuries of stories that are all on display at the castle. It is set within a beautiful deer park on the banks of the River Exe, around 8 miles outside the city centre. The castle first opened in 1959 and still to this day welcomes visitors year in, year out. There is lots to do here including picnics in the park, castle tours and scenic walks. Pack the raincoats for the woodland walks and then warm up in the courtyard cafe.

The Timehouse Museum

Image credit: The Timehouse

The Timehouse is an interactive and educational museum which offers wonderful indoor fun for everyone on a rainy day in Devon. An art installation in itself, it is set across four levels of an 18th-century character building in the heart of Totnes town centre. The exhibition includes 25 individually themed installations designed to stimulate all the senses and film presentation areas to stimulate the mind. Visitors love to come here and spend hours walking through the place, taking in all the interesting retro objects and installations on show.

Buckfast Abbey 

Buckfast Abbey is a beautiful abbey based in Buckfastleigh, on the southern edge of Dartmoor, where the grounds, gardens and facilities are open to visitors to come and enjoy. There are fascinating parts of the abbey to discover which include The Monastic Way Exhibition, the book shop, the gift shop, the Medieval Guesthall and the Southgate Retreat Centre. This is a place of peace and serenity, a lovely tourist attraction, and would be a nice educational day out in Devon. 

Stay in a self-catering cottage in Devon

Devon isn't just a county for sunny days; there's so much to do in Devon in the rain too, so we hope you have enjoyed this collection of Devon attractions and indoor things to do which offer great alternatives to days out on the beach. And so much the better when you've got a lovely, cosy cottage to return to, with features such as wood burners, hot tubs and luxurious baths which you can enjoy even when the weather doesn't play ball.

Make your stay with the family extra special and book a family-friendly cottage in Devon. View our full collection today. For more inspiration, read our guide on our most popular properties here!