Last Updated on 25/03/2026 by Ting Dalton
If there’s one thing you can count on in Devon, it’s the rain. We’ve visited the county countless times over the years – north, south, coast and moor – and we’ve yet to have a trip where the waterproofs didn’t come out at some point. But here’s the thing: some of our best days in Devon have been the wettest ones.
From prehistoric caves and world-class museums to cliff railways and wildlife parks with giant indoor play areas, Devon has more than enough to keep everyone entertained when the heavens open. So stick your wellies on, grab a hot chocolate and get out there. You won’t regret it.
Quick answer: Best things to do in Devon in the rain
- Kents Cavern, Torquay – explore prehistoric caves on a guided tour, open year round
- The Box, Plymouth – award-winning museum and gallery, completely free
- RAMM, Exeter – 16 galleries of world-class exhibits, also free
- Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park – animals, dinosaurs and a huge indoor soft play area
- Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway – the world’s steepest water-powered funicular
- Woodlands Family Theme Park, Dartmouth – one of the biggest indoor play centres in the South West
- Watermouth Castle – quirky family theme park with indoor Victorian curiosities
- Ilfracombe Aquarium – compact all-weather attraction right on the harbour
Things to do in South Devon in the rain
Go underground at Kents Cavern, Torquay
Rain is completely irrelevant when you’re deep inside a 400-million-year-old cave system. Kents Cavern in Torquay is one of Europe’s most important Stone Age sites and one of the best things to do in Devon in the rain – or any weather, for that matter.
Guided tours last just under an hour and take you through a labyrinth of chambers and passageways filled with stalactites, stalagmites and evidence of ancient human occupation. Evidence of three separate human species has been found here – Homo heidelbergensis, Neanderthals and Homo sapiens – making it the only publicly accessible cave in the world where that’s the case.
Outside the caves, there’s a woodland trail with life-sized Ice Age animal statues (woolly mammoth, cave bear, scimitar cat) and the Firestone Kitchen café overlooking the Ilsham Valley. From April to October 2026, a new Age of the Dinosaurs exhibition is included with general admission.
Kents Cavern, 91 Ilsham Road, Torquay, TQ1 2JF; adults £21.50, children (3–15) £17.50, under 3s free; access by guided tour only (book online); open daily from 10am year round
Spend a rainy day at Woodlands Family Theme Park
If you’re looking for a full day out in South Devon, whatever the weather, Woodlands near Dartmouth is hard to beat. It claims to have one of the biggest indoor play centres in the South West, and having seen the size of the place, that’s believable.
Inside, there are huge slides, towering net climbs, ball blasting arenas, a mirror maze and separate soft play areas for little ones. Outside (for braver moments between showers), there are water coasters, a toboggan run, adventure playgrounds and a zoo farm with over 300 animals. The falconry centre runs daily flying displays during the summer season.
It’s spread across 100 acres, so you could easily fill a whole day here. Prices vary by season – check the website for the latest.
Woodlands Family Theme Park, Blackawton, Totnes, TQ9 7DQ; check website for current prices (save up to 30% booking online); free parking
Things to do in Plymouth in the rain
Visit The Box
The Box is Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive – and it’s one of the best free days out in the whole of Devon. Since opening, it’s already welcomed over a million visitors and won a Special Commendation at the European Museum of the Year Awards.
The permanent galleries cover everything from Plymouth’s maritime history and natural history (there’s a life-sized woolly mammoth) to fine art, world cultures and photography. The entrance hall alone is worth the visit – 14 enormous restored ship’s figureheads are suspended from the ceiling. Kids love the interactive displays, and there’s a packed programme of family-friendly events throughout the year.
In spring 2026, the major exhibitions include Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy (the largest-ever show of her work) and Journeys with Mai, centred on Joshua Reynolds’ famous portrait. Both are free.
The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, PL4 8AX; free entry; open Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm (closed Mondays and bank holidays)
Things to do in Exeter in the rain
Explore RAMM
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM) in Exeter is one of those places you pop into for half an hour and end up spending an entire afternoon. It’s free, it’s brilliant, and it’s the perfect rainy day escape.
Spread across 16 galleries on three floors, the collections range from Devon archaeology and natural history to world cultures, fine art and decorative arts. Children love Gerald the giraffe in the natural history gallery and the hands-on activities dotted throughout. There’s also a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions – in 2026, highlights include a Grayson Perry retrospective.
It’s right in the city centre, a couple of minutes’ walk from Exeter Central station, so it’s easy to combine with a wander around the shops and the cathedral.
RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3RX; free entry; open Tuesday 10.30am–5pm, Wednesday–Sunday 10am–5pm (closed Mondays and bank holidays)
Things to do in North Devon in the rain
Explore the seaside
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but being by the sea in the rain is one of my favourite things to do in North Devon. There’s something about having your hair swept back by the wind and walking along an empty shoreline with the spray hitting your face that makes you feel completely alive.
There are beaches all along the coast, from the small cove at Combe Martin to the wide golden sands at Woolacombe and the dramatic cliffs around Mortehoe. Our kids have always loved it – digging in wet sand, hunting for pebbles and seeing if the waves can catch them. You’ll often have the beach to yourselves on a rainy day, which is half the joy.
In Ilfracombe, walk along the harbour front, grab fish and chips and take in Verity – Damien Hirst’s 20-metre bronze sculpture at the harbour entrance. When we first visited, Monkey was astounded and kept whispering: ‘She’s got a baby in her tummy, mummy!’
Woolacombe Beach has been voted the UK’s best beach on several occasions. It sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is a surfing hotspot – if you fancy getting in the water, Woolacombe Surf Centre offers lessons, wetsuits and equipment hire rain or shine.
See the marine life at Ilfracombe Aquarium
This award-winning aquarium sits inside the old lifeboat house right on Ilfracombe harbour and is one of the best all-weather family attractions in North Devon.
It’s not huge, but it’s beautifully done. The exhibits take you on a journey from an Exmoor stream all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, with everything from brown trout and perch to dogfish, rays and lobsters. The staff are really knowledgeable, and there are feeding demonstrations throughout the day.
Kids get complimentary quiz trails on entry, and there are viewing stools for toddlers. The pier café upstairs has harbour views and decent coffee – a lovely spot to warm up after a wet walk.
Ilfracombe Aquarium, The Old Lifeboat House, The Pier, Ilfracombe, EX34 9EQ; check website for current prices and opening hours; annual membership available from £11.95
Get nostalgic at Ilfracombe Museum
This wonderfully eccentric museum has been open since 1932. Spread across eight rooms, it’s packed with natural history specimens, maritime memorabilia, Victorian curiosities and artefacts from around the world.
Kids can send Morse code messages on the ship-to-shore radio, try brass rubbing (£3), follow quiz trails and hunt down the bat cave. There’s also a Curio app you can download to your phone that brings the displays to life. See if the kids can spot the pickled bat!
Ilfracombe Museum, Runnymede Gardens, Wilder Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 8AF; adults £5, under 16s free, concessions £4; open Tuesday–Saturday year round (Monday–Saturday April–October)
Go wild at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
This family-run wildlife park has been a North Devon favourite for decades. Set across 28 acres in the Combe Martin valley, there’s a brilliant mix of animals, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and one of the biggest indoor soft play areas in the region.
When we visited, we spent the morning watching the sea lion show (even in the drizzle) and exploring the animal enclosures – wolves, leopards, meerkats, penguins and primates among them. It was a Halloween special, so a pumpkin treasure hunt meant we really did explore every corner.
Monkey loved the roaring animatronic dinosaurs scattered through the grounds (a load of new ones arrived in 2025), and Peanut was happy splashing around in the ball pit in the Dinosaurus Playzone – the enormous indoor play area that’s a rainy day lifesaver.
The park has a new seal pool (they’ve been working with the RSPCA to care for rescued seals) and you can pre-book special experiences like a Carnivore Breakfast or Sea Lion Swim.
Top tip: Book tickets online – they’re cheaper than at the gate and the park limits capacity during peak times.
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, Higher Leigh Manor, Combe Martin, EX34 0NG; adults from £19.99 online (£20.99 gate), children (3–15) from £15.99 online (£16.99 gate), under 3s free; open weekends February–March, daily from late March; park opens 10am, closes 4pm (winter) / 5pm (from April).
Explore Watermouth Castle
Midway between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin, Watermouth Castle is a quirky family theme park set inside a 19th-century castle overlooking Watermouth Cove. It’s an eclectic mix of vintage Victorian curiosities, children’s rides and outdoor play – and there’s enough under cover to make it worthwhile on a rainy day.
Inside the castle, you’ll find rooms crammed with mechanical music machines, penny arcade games, antique displays and the Castle Dungeon. Outside (weather permitting), there’s a toboggan run, mini golf, a hedge maze and the new Hobbledown Play Village – an adventure playground with towers, bridges, slides and water pillows. It’s particularly good for younger children.
Watermouth Castle, Watermouth, Ilfracombe, EX34 9SL; check website for current ticket prices and opening times; free parking
Ride the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is the highest and steepest fully water-powered railway in the world – and it’s been running since 1890.
The 862 feet of track rises 500 feet between the twin towns of Lynton (up on the clifftop) and Lynmouth (down by the coast), with views across Lynmouth Bay that are especially dramatic in moody weather. There’s no engine and no electricity – it runs entirely on gravity and water from the West Lyn River. The heavier car at the top descends and pulls the lighter one up. It’s a brilliant bit of Victorian engineering.
The ride itself is short – just a couple of minutes – but it’s a lovely experience. There’s a café perched at the top station with what might be the best cream tea view in North Devon.
Top tip: The cliff railway only sells single tickets now, so buy one for each direction. It runs continuously with minimal waiting.
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway; Lynton Top Station: Lee Road, Lynton, EX35 6HW; Lynmouth Bottom Station: The Esplanade, Lynmouth, EX35 6EQ; adults £3.90 single, children (4–15) £2.40, dogs £1, under 4s free; open daily from early March to early November (hours vary seasonally)
Browse Barnstaple Pannier Market
If you’re looking for somewhere to duck out of the rain, Barnstaple Pannier Market is one of the best covered markets in Devon. Housed in a beautiful Victorian building, the market runs several days a week with stalls selling local produce, cheeses, baked goods, antiques, crafts and vintage finds. The surrounding Butchers Row has independent shops and cafés worth a wander too.
Barnstaple Pannier Market, Butchers Row, Barnstaple, EX31 1BW; market days vary (typically Tuesday–Saturday); free entry
Practical tips for rainy days in Devon
What to pack: Waterproofs and wellies are non-negotiable. Even if it looks like it might clear up, bring them. A change of clothes for the kids is always a good idea, too.
Getting around: Devon’s roads can be narrow and winding, especially between the coastal villages. Allow extra time in wet weather and watch out for flooding on lower roads after heavy rain.
Best indoor backups: For North Devon, Combe Martin’s Dinosaurus Playzone and Watermouth Castle’s indoor rooms can fill hours. In South Devon, Woodlands is hard to beat. For cities, The Box in Plymouth and RAMM in Exeter are both free and brilliant.
Coastal walks in the rain: Don’t rule out walking the South West Coast Path in drizzle – the views are often more dramatic, and the paths are quieter. Just stick to well-marked routes and wear decent footwear.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best indoor attractions in Devon?
For families, Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park and Woodlands near Dartmouth both have huge indoor play areas. The Box in Plymouth and RAMM in Exeter are excellent free museums. Kents Cavern in Torquay offers guided cave tours year round.
What are the best free things to do in Devon in the rain?
The Box in Plymouth and RAMM in Exeter are both free. Walking the coast – Woolacombe, Ilfracombe harbour, the South West Coast Path – costs nothing and is often at its most dramatic in wet weather. Barnstaple Pannier Market is also free to browse.
Is it worth visiting Devon beaches in the rain?
Absolutely. Some of the best beach days are the wet ones – you’ll often have the sand to yourselves, and the waves are usually more dramatic. Just bring waterproofs and embrace it.
Are Devon attractions open in winter?
Some are. Kents Cavern, Ilfracombe Museum, The Box and RAMM are open year round. The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway opens from early March to November. Combe Martin Wildlife Park opens weekends from February. Always check websites before visiting in the off-season.
What should I wear for a rainy day in Devon?
Waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers (especially for the kids), wellies or waterproof walking boots, and layers underneath. Devon rain can be persistent, so good waterproofs are worth the investment.
Is Woolacombe good in the rain?
Woolacombe Beach is fantastic in any weather. The surf is often better on grey days, and the beach is vast enough to walk for miles. There are cafés and pubs in the village for warming up afterwards.
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