What to do in Devon when it's raining

Devon is famous for its mild temperatures and numerous microclimates which make the weather very variable as you travel from one place to another. It can be bright summer sunshine at 10am, pouring with rain at 11am and back to dazzling sunshine by midday. But this is all part of Devon’s charm! The rain needn’t stop play on your holiday, read on to discover a ton of fun and interesting suggestions for what to do in Devon in the rain…

Caves and Caverns

What better place to shelter from the rain than under the ground! Kent's Cavern is a protected national site with a rich prehistoric heritage. Archaeologists believe that people have been visiting the caves for hundreds of thousands of years. Kids can add their painted handprint to the wall of hands, or even draw a woolly mammoth like their Stone Age ancestors! Tour tickets cost £9.25 for adults and £8.50 for children.

For a more unusual option, pay a visit to Exeter's Underground Passages.This fascinating medieval system of tunnels has a fascinating history and even take you directly under Exeter high street. The tour eventually leads you to an exhibition and film presentation. Tickets cost £5.60 for adults, £4.10 for children or £17.40 for a family.

The amazing Beer Quarry Caves form a vast complex of man-made caverns, created by stonemasons quarrying the famous Beer stone. The caverns attract over 20,000 visitors a year, and there are convenient hourly tours. Adult admission costs £7, children 5 - 16 cost £5.20 and under 5s get in free.

Museums

There are some excellent museums in Devon that offer both a fun and informative way to spend an afternoon. Ilfracombe Museum has a host of curious items and memorabilia, from shrunken heads and skulls to butterfly collections and military costumes from around the world. This is a great value rainy-day attraction for families as adults pay £3.50, and all those under 16 get in completely free.

For a unique museum experience, try the Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre in Lifton. This indoor attraction houses ten large heritage fairground rides, including 1930s Dodgems, a 1940s Ghost Train and a Victorian Rodeo Switchback. There is also a large array of Fairground memorabilia and art to see. Open Wednesdays – Monday, or every day during school holidays. Tickets cost £8 for adults, £6 for children, with children under 3 entering free of charge.

Historic Buildings

A rainy day is the perfect excuse to get under cover and appreciate some history and architecture. There are lots of beautiful castles, houses and historic buildings to explore in Devon. You can begin with Buckfastleigh Abbey. This impressive building is part of an active Benedictine monastery and has a fascinating history dating back to 1080. The abbey is partly a museum and is full of interesting artefacts - a painting donated to the Abbey in 2010 was last year confirmed to be a Rembrandt.

Also interesting is Arlington Court which was built on the edge of Exmoor in the 19th century. The house contains a huge trove of treasures which have been collected over generations. There is also a Carriage Museum here. This is a good choice for a day of downpours as it’s easy to spend a few hours simply looking around. Tickets cost £9 for adults, £4.50 for children, with a family ticket costing £23.50.

Family Attractions

Watermouth Castle is a fantastic family choice for a rainy day. Both a theme park and a castle, there is something here to keep everyone occupied. The castle itself contains all sorts of treasures and curiosities! The theme park and play areas are loved by kids of all ages. Adults and children cost £12.50, with children under 92cm entering free.

On a day of short showers, you can take a trip on the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway which originally opened in 1898. The one mile trip from Woody Bay Station to Killington Lane Halt allows you to see a lovely part of Devon in comfort and style. The standard ticket allows you to travel between the stations for as long as you like for one day - so if the weather clears you can hop off and explore. Tickets cost £7.50 per adult and £3 per child aged between 5 and 14.

Another popular family attraction is the World of Country Life near Exmouth. There is a lot to do here inside and out. If rain showers start you can pop in the petting farm, the pet nursery or the aviary to meet the animals, you can learn in the farm museum or see the cars in the Hall of Transport, or even let the kids run about in the indoor play areas. Adult tickets cost £10.85, children 3 - 17 pay £8.85, under 3s are free, and there are family tickets available.

So you see, there really are so many things to keep you occupied in Devon when the rain clouds (inevitably) appear. Some of Devon’s best attractions are undercover!