Top 10 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in North Cornwall
Because the mizzle is part of the magic.
The Atlantic weather rolls in, the windows mist over, and for a glorious moment the world
outside Cumbrae House feels wild and cinematic. Don't reach for the remote just yet. North
Cornwall on a rainy day is not a problem to solve — it's a different kind of adventure
entirely. Here are our favourite ways to fill a grey day with something memorable.
1. Surrender to the Storm from the Sundeck Before you go anywhere, take five minutes
on the Cumbrae House sundeck with a hot coffee and watch the Atlantic do its thing.
Trebarwith Strand in stormy weather is one of the most dramatic sights on the Cornish coast
— waves crashing, gulls wheeling, the cove turning a deep jade green. Sometimes the best
rainy day activity is simply standing still and letting it all in.
2. Bodmin Jail — Atmospheric and Utterly Gripping One of Cornwall's most talked-about
attractions, Bodmin Jail was established in 1779 and witnessed over 50 public executions
before closing in 1927. A major redevelopment transformed it into an immersive visitor
attraction, where the "Dark Walk" uses theatrical effects and cutting-edge technology to
transport guests back to the 18th and 19th centuries. St Ives By The Sea Guided tours,
heritage walks and even paranormal experiences are on offer. Perfect for curious minds of all
ages — and genuinely spine-tingling on a dark afternoon.
3. King Arthur's Great Halls, Tintagel Just minutes from Cumbrae House, the village of
Tintagel holds this remarkable indoor attraction dedicated entirely to Arthurian legend. King
Arthur's Great Halls are open from March to October and have been drawing visitors since
1933. Cornish-breaks With stained glass, carved stonework and the legends of Camelot
brought vividly to life, it's a wonderful hour of myth and storytelling — especially for
children who have been eyeing the castle ruins longingly through the rain.
4. Boscastle Witchcraft Museum Just four miles up the coast road, the Museum of
Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle is one of the most fascinating and unusual museums in
Britain. A great museum full of artefacts concerning witchcraft over the centuries, with
pieces mostly from the UK as well as from other countries, all well explained in the
descriptions. Tripadvisor Small, beautifully curated and genuinely unlike anything else —
allow a good couple of hours to do it justice.
5. Trethorne Leisure Park For families with younger children who need to burn some
serious energy, Trethorne offers indoor play barns, ten-pin bowling, dodgems, and an
amusements area. The park has a flat, level layout with excellent accessibility for wheelchair
users, and the restaurant and all indoor attractions are on a single level. VisitBude A full
afternoon sorted, with a bowl of chips as reward at the end.
6. Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay About 45 minutes down the coast, the Blue Reef
Aquarium in Newquay offers a dazzling undersea safari through the oceans of the world, with
over 40 naturally themed displays. A 250,000-litre ocean tank, an underwater tunnel, and
regular feeding talks make it an unforgettable outing for the whole family. Visit Newquay
Look out for the resident loggerhead turtle, reef sharks, seahorses and — a genuine crowd
pleaser — the giant octopus.
7. A Long Lunch at The Port William Barely metres from the front door, the Port William
Inn sits right above the beach and serves hearty, warming food with a pint of Cornish ale and
a view of the rain-lashed Atlantic. This is one of those perfect pub lunches where nobody is
in a hurry to leave. Settle in, order pudding, and let the afternoon drift pleasantly by.
8. Pottery, Crafts and Artisan Makers Cornwall's indoor artisan scene includes hands-on
workshops in jewellery making, pottery painting, and gourmet cooking. Explore Cornwall
Parsons Pottery at Widemouth Bay near Bude is a beautiful option — a husband-and-wife
ceramics studio with a real sense of creative warmth. Lovely for adults who want something
more contemplative and creative with their rainy afternoon.
9. The Milky Way Adventure Park For days when the children need maximum stimulation,
The Milky Way on the A39 between Bideford and Bude offers over 110,000 sq ft of indoor
activities — slides, dodgems, ball pools, soft play, pottery painting, laser shooting and a Sci-
Fi exhibit — all included in the entry price. Themilkyway Possibly the largest all-weather
family day out in the South West, it's a genuine full-day affair.
10. Stay In and Cook Something Magnificent Cumbrae House has a beautifully equipped
kitchen for a reason. Some of the best rainy days at the house have ended with a long
afternoon of cooking — fresh crab from the fishmonger in Port Isaac, Cornish butter, local
herbs, everyone crowded around the big kitchen table. A trip to St. Kew farmshop or the
Boscastle farm shop for local ingredients, a glass of wine, and a kitchen that seats twelve —
that's a rainy day worth remembering.
Staying at Cumbrae House this season? We'd love to help you plan your perfect week —
rainy days and all.