Rainy day indoor activities in Somerset
While I’m a hearty believer in getting kids out in the fresh air, it can be hard to muster the motivation when there is some serious downpour action outside. The prospect of cleaning up sopping wet children doused in mud isn’t always appealing – I get it! The amount of mud I have washed out of their clothes this past half term is staggering. Why do they insist on actually ROLLING in it? So quite often, I find myself looking for indoor activities in Somerset.
Frightful weather doesn’t have to put a dampener on a family day out in the Somerset. There are numerous fun, indoor activities in Somerset that tackle the perennial problem of entertaining restless kids during inclement weather. So, whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, or just refuge from the rain, I’ve put together a list of my favourite indoor rainy day things to do in Somerset.
Day at the museum
Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford
A haven for motoring enthusiasts and little ones that adore things that go ‘brmm’, Haynes Motor Museum’s awe-inspiring collection of cars will impress miniature vehicle fanatics. Under 5s can borrow a Little Tikes toy car (first come, first served) and shuffle themselves around the museum – a definite highlight of our recent trip! Older ones can take on the Explorer Trail, do brass rubbings and discover the inner workings of an engine.
Among the gleaming bodywork, you’ll find vintage cars from the dawn of driving, an eclectic selection of glamorous wheels from around the world, illustrious British marques, an entire room dedicated to red motors, impossibly hefty American wagons, Formula 1 racing cars and a motorbike display.
If there’s a break in the weather, outside is equally exciting, with its mini road system, petrol pumps, clamberable vehicles and coin-operated go-karts.
Tickets are valid for 12 months, so you can go back as many times as you like. Book online and save 10%.
The Museum of Somerset, Taunton
Housed in the 12th century Taunton Castle, The Museum of Somerset showcases 400 million years of the county’s fascinating story. Seek out a Plesiosaur, be wowed by the giant collection of 17th century cauldrons and if visiting in the school holidays, be sure to check out their family art activities and trails.
There’s also monthly, one-hour ‘Toddler Explorer’ sessions, which include themed arts and crafts, museum objects and story time.
Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury
Located just below Glastonbury Tor, Somerset Rural Life Museum examines the rich social and agricultural history of Somerset from the 1800s onwards. Delve into the county’s heritage to learn more about the landscape, food, farming, working life and rural crafts, then explore the cider orchard and magnificent 14th century Abbey Barn.
During school holidays there are often family arts and crafts activities, plus trails around the museum.
Somerset Brick and Tile Museum
Somerset Brick and Tile Museum tells the story of one of the many labour-intensive industries once found in Somerset. Inside the Museum is one of the only traditional brick kilns to survive in southern England. It was one of six at the former Barham Brothers’ Yard in East Quay, Bridgwater, and was last fired in 1965.
Bridgwater produced an impressive variety of bricks, tiles, terracotta plaques and other wares that created the look of many Somerset towns. The kiln is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and was saved from destruction in the 1990s.
Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton
One of the largest aviation museums in the world, Fleet Air Arm Museum is home to a whopping 90 flying machines. Inside its vast exhibition halls you’ll find buttons to press, dials to turn and Europe’s biggest collection of naval aircraft – many of which you can climb aboard, including that of Concorde 002.
One hall features an Aircraft Carrier Experience where visitors are ‘transported’ onto the flight deck of a working Aircraft Carrier to witness aircraft taking off and landing on a moving runway at sea, how crews overcome these challenges, and operate a ‘city’ at sea (which is skippable if too noisy/dimly-lit for little’uns).
An indoor viewing area looks out onto the Royal Navy’s busy Yeovilton airbase, and if you’re lucky, you can spot aircraft going through their training procedures. Should the rain ease off, a themed outdoor playground will top off a great family day out.
Weston Museum
Weston Museum examines the story of the town, from prehistoric times, through the Victorian era tourism boom, all the way up to the present day. Don’t miss Clara’s Cottage – a well-preserved 1940s home that gives a fascinating insight into life in Weston during the Second World War.
There’s been some brilliant recent exhibits, including Horrible Histories and Dr Who exhibition, which featured the largest collection of original and digital Doctor Who art ever shown in one location.
Active rainy day indoor activities Somerset
Clip ‘n Climb, Weston-super-Mare
If you’ve got a climbing ninja in your brood and they’re over four years old, Clip ‘n Climb is fantastic for fulfilling their monkey-like ways. Located a stone’s throw from the seafront in Weston-super-Mare (beside more indoor fun – bowling and a cinema) the climbing centre offers kids the chance to scale thrilling, vibrant walls of all shapes and surfaces.
The instructors will take climbers through the safety briefing, then it’s just a case of clipping into a harness and off you go! Weston’s Clip ‘n Climb is also home to a ‘Leap of Faith’ and the tallest vertical drop slide in the UK – tokens can be purchased as extra, should you or your mini adrenaline junkies want to brave either!
Flip Out Somerset, Wellington
Flip Out Somerset is a gigantic indoor adventure park, just off J26 of the M5. Inside is packed with exciting equipment such as battle-beams, a Tumble-Track, Ninja Obstacle course, Giant Inflatable, basketball lanes, a state of the art Interactive football court and huge foam pits, so youngsters can burn off some energy on a wet weather day.
There’s also a dedicated area for under 6s, a soft play and a Laser Quest (trainers must be closed toe).
Chard Leisure Centre
If you’re ever stuck for things to do on rainy with the kids in Somerset, have Chard Leisure Centre up your sleeve. Start your kids off in the soft play to race around like tiny maniacs while you neck coffee, then once that’s over, book into a swimming session (there is a baby pool and learner pool) to burn even more energy. It’s brilliant fun and then you’ll have the afternoon free to chill out with a movie at home.
Crewkerne swimming pool
There are two indoor swimming pools at Crewkerne Aqua Centre, a 25m-long main pool for leisurely swims, and a warm learner pool, which make ideal wet weather days out.
With a disabled access ramp, both pools are easily accessible to all visitors. Children aged eight years and above who are confident swimmers can swim unaccompanied by a parent or guardian.
Cubs Soft Play, Ilminster
Based on a trading estate in Ilminster, this pint-sized soft play is perfect for younger kids (the age cut off is 8 years old). The baby area is small, but nice to look at, and the soft play sits right next to the cafe, so you can sup coffee and keep a beady eye while your offspring tear around.
Brean Leisure Park
Brean Leisure Park is a seaside amusement park near Burnham-on-Sea. Open from Easter-November, the theme park has over 40 attractions, including indoor and outdoor Roller Coasters, a Wild Water Log Flume, Dodgems, Crazy Boats, a ghost train and more. There’s also an indoor splash pool, indoor swimming pool and baby pool.
Space Adventurers and Ocean Adventurers soft play
Some people shudder at the thought; others thank their lucky stars for them (do they know something I don’t – perhaps they’re privy to ones that serve G&T?) Either way, soft play is an unavoidable rite of passage for most caregivers of young children and a great way to tire out little ones on a wet weather day.
Sister soft plays Space Adventurers (based in Taunton), and Ocean Adventurers in Cheddar, welcome children up to the age of 12 and have three dedicated areas based on age.
In addition to climbing, crawling and careering around the play space, kids can fire their imaginations at the Role Play Village which features everything from a doctor’s surgery to a supermarket and building site, plus dress-up stations where your child can get into character.
Revo Glo Golf
Located inside Revo Kitchen restaurant on the seafront, Revo Glo Golf is a neon-tastic glow-in-the-dark crazy golf course. Putt a hole-in-one under the UV lights and graffiti artist ‘Ghost’-spray-painted walls – if you score enough points you’ll win another round!
Creative fun things to do on a rainy day in Somerset
The Kiln Pottery Painting Café
Based in the Old Bank building in Langport, The Kiln Pottery Painting Café only opened a year ago, and has quickly become a favourite for children’s parties and families looking for a creative indoor activity.
Join in the pottery painting with the kids, or sit back and watch while tucking into coffee and a slab of cake. Sessions last for 90 minutes and prices range between £10-£45 depending on your choice of ceramics – choose from mugs, plates, ornaments, trinkets, lamps, vases and seasonal pieces; the stock changes regularly.
To secure your spot, book ahead online, especially on weekends and holidays, when they tend to get busy.
Inspired Taunton
Family-run, Inspired Taunton encourages all ages to experiment with different crafts and materials and get imaginative through a wide range of activities and workshops. Have a go at everything from pin art, to lino printing, knitting, cushion making, felting, fabric painting, junk modelling and loads more.
Join weekday mornings (except Wednesdays) for ‘morning crafters‘ sessions, 10am- 11am for pre school or homeschooled children.
Somerset attractions rainy day activities indoors
Wookey Hole
On the edge of the Mendip hills near Wells, Wookey Hole is the largest cave system in the UK and one of the spookiest places to visit in Somerset thanks to its infamous resident, the Witch of Wookey, who – as legend has it – lived in the caves during the Dark Ages. She was blamed for a number of woes, before being turned to stone by the Abbott of Glastonbury.
While the caves are the main attraction, there’s lots to keep the kids entertained for a full day out above ground, and inside too; from animatronic dinosaurs to 4D cinema screenings, circus shows, a gigantic soft play, plus Victorian-style arcade.
The Brewhouse, Taunton
Matinees are the way forward with young kids, and rainy days are a great time to introduce little ones to the theatre. The Brewhouse is Taunton’s largest theatre and arts centre, presenting an excellent programme of performance year-round.
You can see all sorts – from live music to dance, comedy, family shows and exhibitions all year round.
The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare
One of Weston’s most famous landmarks, The Grand Pier, has been around since 1904. Under its covered roof you’ll find fairground rides, slot machines, rats to splat, a laser maze, hall of mirrors, a soft play area and even a Go Kart track. Not for the faint-hearted, it’s very much an assault on the senses – which means kids especially love it, adults might need a lie down afterwards.
Read more:
2 Comments