What to do on the Isle of Wight when it's raining

The prospect of having to spend a rainy day indoors on the Isle of Wight is likely to leave people feeling more than a little disheartened. However, the trick is to pick the right indoors to pass the time in, so if you’re wondering what to do on the Isle of Wight when it rains, these sheltered attractions will soon have you forgetting all about the weather.

Keep your head dry in a historic house

Taking a tour of Osborne House provides the opportunity to see inside the home of Queen Victoria, her husband Prince Albert and their children. In addition to viewing the interiors of Osborne House, you can discover the intriguing contents of the Swiss Cottage Museum and if they are willing to brave the rain they can walk down to the queen’s private beach where her bathing machine can be viewed.

For a completely different kind of historical building visit, head to the Brading Roman Villa. On the site of what used to be a Roman villa, you can see some of Northern Europe’s most well preserved Roman mosaics courtesy of the villa’s preserved mosaic floors, plus there is a great archaeological collection of diverse items on display here as well. The exploring continues outdoors as well thanks to the Roman garden and meadow trail but visitors who want to stay dry will have plenty to keep them entertained indoors.

Beat the rainy blues with an exciting trip to an unusual museum

The Isle of Wight is particularly well known for its fossils and a trip to the Dinosaur Isle Museum is sure to get children (and maybe even a particularly enthusiastic adult or two) roaring with delight. Keeping a dignified silence in this museum may be tricky as there is plenty to get excited about in the collections which consist of around 30 000 geological specimens, the majority of which are fossils. There are even partial and almost complete dinosaur skeletons to see.

Photography enthusiasts who are keen to capture some insight into the life and work of the Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron can do exactly that at Dimbola Lodge, which used to be the photographer’s home and which is now a museum as well as a gallery. In addition to a permanent exhibition dedicated to the photographer, visitors can also see displays of vintage cameras and view the range of temporary exhibitions highlighting the work of other photographers.

Frown-busters for kids

Downpours are pretty efficient at getting kids down in the dumps but luckily the Isle of Wight has great rainy day activities to keep kids smiling. The Chessell Pottery Barns provides excellent hands-on entertainment for kids and adults and the opportunity to get creative thanks to a range of pottery items that can be painted. It’s best to visit the Chessell Pottery Barns with a few days to spare before leaving the Isle of Wight as the painted pottery needs to be fired before it’s ready to take home. However, if this isn’t possible the pottery can be posted once it’s ready.

It’s not always easy to find something that the whole family will enjoy but JR Zone in Newport has a range of attractions that are suitable for kids under 1 to teens and adults. The baby soft play area and separate toddler soft play area will keep young and curious minds active, while the larger soft play area spread over three levels is a great place for kids up to 12 to tire themselves out. The indoor Laser Storm arena for teens and adults is a place to show off your military prowess, though at least 10 participants are required so for visitors who aren’t traveling in a large group this is a good incentive to make some friends during a holiday stay!

Other attractions to keep rainy-day sighs at bay

When it comes to laidback sightseeing in style, it’s hard to beat the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The Victorian and Edwardian carriages provide a comfortable place to enjoy the journey and the sights, sounds and smells associated with traveling along the steam railway enhance this fun experience.

Visitors who are seeking a rainy-day location to appeal to a range of interests, from the sea to the sky and manmade enticements, will find just what they are after at Fort Victoria. The attractions waiting to greet visitors are diverse but all intriguing and include an aquarium, an indoor model railway, an underwater archaeology centre, as well as a planetarium.

A rainy day doesn’t keep the fun away

If you think that rain means an end to the amusements on the Isle of Wight, think again. The fantastic range of attractions on offer that are perfect for rainy days means that even if the weather is dull, your day won’t be.