Indoor Activities & Rainy-Day Attractions in Devon

If you’re looking for sublime beaches, charming market towns and beautiful rolling countryside, Devon has to be top of the list, but we don’t claim to be a rain free zone. You may have the odd shower or two during your stay but don’t despair, be prepared! There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing so pack the wellies and waterproofs and embrace the British weather. But if walking in the rain doesn’t float your boat there are some amazing indoor activities in Devon which definitely will! From historical castles, underground corridors and indoor adventure parks to museums and galleries, wine tasting and spa days. 

So read our ultimate guide to indoor activities and rainy-day attractions in Devon and have a rainy day activity in your back pocket should you get a downpour.

The Box, photo credit: Visit Plymouth

Top Indoor Activities in Devon

 For family fun on a rainy day plan a trip to one of the amazing adventure parks scattered around the area. They all offer fabulous indoor play areas for children of all ages and a godsend in the inclement weather and they’re all within easy reach during your luxury family holidays in devon

Our pick of adventure parks for rainy day adventures are:

• Woodlands Adventure Park near Dartmouth
• Crealy Theme Park, Exeter
• Milky Way Adventure Park, North Devon
• Drake’s Den, Plymouth

Visit National Trust Castles and vast country houses.  Explore the underground tunnels below Exeter’s pavements followed by a visit to the The Royal Albert Memorial Museum or the amazing Kent’s Cavern in Torquay. Head to Plymouth for the National Marine Aquarium and The Box Museum. Devon has some excellent museums, galleries and cultural experiences and escape rooms. All excellent indoor activities in Devon.

Family-Friendly Indoor Days Out in Devon

Some of our top spots for rainy day inspiration in Devon include interesting and interactive learning for kids and adults too!

• The National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
• The Box, Plymouth
• The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter
• Bygones, Torquay
• Dinosaur World, Torquay
• Paignton Zoo even has indoor play for those wet days in Devon with Jungle Fun indoor play area plus many indoor exhibits including Tropical Trails, Bugs at Home, Amphibian Ark and the Ape Centre. 

National Marine Aquarium, photo credit: Visit Plymouth

Craft Activities in South Devon

Get crafty with pottery painting and art, one of our favourite things to do indoors in Devon

• Pottery painting at China Blue, Totnes
• Clay Art pottery painting in Plymouth
• Poppins Pottery, Torquay
• Paper Bird Island,  Kingsbridge

Rainy Day Activities in South Devon

Many of you will be staying in one of our Salcombe holiday lets, enjoying  a luxury self catering holiday home in Dartmouth or recharging the batteries in one of our finest holiday cottages in rural South Devon. If that’s the case, here are some of our top indoor activities in south Devon. 

Dartmouth

If you’re choosing  a luxury self catering holiday home in Dartmouth you’ll be close to Woodlands Adventure Park. With 5 floors of indoor play for all ages, it’s the go to indoor adventure park in Devon. The Empire of the Sea Dragon Indoor Zone is the biggest indoor play area in the UK! So it’s the perfect activity for a rainy day in Devon, and when the clouds pass you can explore the outdoor theme park too.  

Galleries – Visit the many art galleries dotted about the town, Dartmouth has been popular for centuries with both contemporary and traditional artists, the River Dart has been an inspiration to all who visited and stayed.

Discover our National Trust properties – Greenway House is the former holiday home of the ‘Queen of Crime’ Agatha Christie. A tour of the house exposes a fascinating insight into her life and her passion for archaeological expeditions. The gardens are pretty impressive too, so if the weather allows, take a stroll down through the woods to the boat house on the banks of the River Dart. You can feel the presence of Poirot!

Coleton Fishacre is a delightful Art Deco style property with minimalist interiors which dates back to 1926 and is the former home of the D’Oyly Carte family. 

Both National Trust properties are well worth a visit and easily accessed via the Dartmouth car ferries. 

Buckfast Abbey lies on the southern edge of Dartmoor, near Buckfastleigh. Explore the abbey and the Monastic Way Exhibition, the Medieval Guesthall and the Southgate Retreat Centre.  This is a place of peace and serenity, a lovely tourist attraction for an educational day out in Devon. Opening times and further information here.

Plan a family lunch with the kids. Dartmouth is a great place to while away a couple of hours on a rainy day. For family and dog friendly brunches and lunches try Alf Resco for rustic, quirky dining. Expect to queue for a few minutes but it’s well worth the wait.  Just for the head’s up, they close at 2pm. Another firm family favourite is Rockfish for upmarket fish and chips (we recommend the salt and pepper squid with Jalapeño mayo!). 

Dartmouth also holds a regular Food Festival  at the end of October which takes place whatever the weather so be sure to book for the half term and check it out! 

Greenway, photo credit: Visit Devon/National Trust

Salcombe

Salcombe Gin – Join Salcombe Gin at their waterside gallery and learn how to handcraft and distil your very own bottle of gin. Join them on their distillery tour and tasting for a truly unique experience. Further details about the Salcombe Gin Experience here.

Pamper sessions in Salcombe – Relax and rejuvenate with ‘In house’ pampering from the comfort of your Salcombe holiday home. My Personal Sanctuary offers luxurious treatments using Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic products in their treatments: replenishing facials, deep tissue massage, full body journeys and treats for hands and feet. Get in touch with one of our team to arrange pampering at your Salcombe holiday home. 

Kingsbridge

One of our favourite indoor things to do in Devon has to be the Yoga and Pilates classes. We have some excellent personal trainers in Kingsbridge so why not book yourself into a class or two during your stay. Take a look at our top picks for wellness in Kingsbridge for more information.

Great dining for friends at Wild Artichokes, run by Sam Miller and Jane Baxter who create creative, award winning set dishes for the ‘feasting tables’ so get together with your holiday gang and book your seats at the table. “Jane Baxter’s food is memorable, real and always, always delicious. I’d have her cook all my meals if I could.” –  Yotam Ottolenghi.

Hope Cove

If you’re staying in one of our Hope Cove holiday cottages, book a table at the Hope & Anchor for a romantic dinner. A charming cosy bolt-hole when the wind is whipping the waves into white horses in the bay. Hope and Anchor in Hope Cove has built a reputation as a food and drink destination in a village that is fast turning into one of the coolest spots on the South Devon coast. 

Fancy a sweet treat? Head to the  Cottage Hotel for a Traditional afternoon tea with fabulous views of the beaches and harbour. 

Photo: Inner Hope House, Hope Cove with masses of space for indoor play.

Plymouth

Plymouth  National Marine Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the UK with over 5,000 Ocean animals and exhibits. Embark on a journey of the world’s Ocean, from the local waters of Plymouth Sound to the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef and everywhere in between! A great day out for all ages! 

Smeaton’s Tower stands proud on Plymouth Hoe and is one of the most iconic attractions in Plymouth. Step inside and appreciate the painstaking restoration work carried out in the tower as you ascend the steps to the Lantern Room for the most awe inspiring views from the dizzy heights of 72 feet!   

Saltram House with its beautiful decor of Chinese wallpapers and Sir Joshua Reynolds paintings ticks all the boxes for things to do indoors in Devon. This stunning house comes complete with an 18th century orangery and a chapel gallery tea room. 

Mayflower Museum – Learn all about the 1620 voyage of the Pilgrim Fathers from the Mayflower Steps to America at this brilliant museum. 

The Box, Plymouth is an inspirational educational culture hub, home to thousands of fascinating artefacts, kids will love the giant ships’ figureheads displayed in the cafe! Delve into the city’s history and book a time slot for your visit . What’s more, admission is FREE! This has to be one of the best indoor activities in Devon!

Plymouth Gin tours offer a fascinating insight into gin production. There are several tour options on offer and you can even select your own botanicals and distil a bottle to take away with you. If you really don’t fancy a wet trip into Plymouth they also offer an At Home Experience, which offers guests the opportunity to enjoy England’s oldest working gin distillery from their home. More information about the tours available here.

Torquay

Bygones – Immerse yourself in the sights and smells of Victorian life at Bygones where you’ll find a Post Office, ironmongers, apothecary and sweet shop among 15 shops that have been recreated on a period street. For families there’s a quiz, dressing up and toys for the kids to handle. If you’re looking for things to do in Torquay with dogs your four-legged friends are welcome at Bygones too.

Kents Cavern – What a place! Step back in time to the Stone Age and explore an amazing system of limestone caves, extraordinary natural rock formations and artefacts. It’s hard to believe that our prehistoric ancestors and Ice Age animals lived here in Britain’s oldest home! But the exploration and discovery doesn’t stop underground, (weather permitting) there’s an excellent woodland trail, perfect for children from 2 years + with the prehistoric animal hunt. For children aged 7+ there’s a Paleo trail and finally Tribal code breakers for 10 years+. Learn all about Stone Age animals and how to build shelters. A fun and educational experience for all the family!

Kents Cavern, photo credit: English Riviera

Romantic Indoor Spots for Couples

Don’t let the rain dampen your mood, we have selected some inspiring options for couples looking to escape the showers. From wine tastings and fine dining, galleries and historical tours to cosy cafes and rather special champagne afternoon teas perfect for rainy day dates. 

Romantic Champagne afternoon teas in Devon

For the ultimate treat on a rainy day, relax and indulge in South Devon’s top Instagram-worthy afternoon tea experiences.

• Indulge in the stunning Art Deco interiors at the Burgh Island Hotel Bigbury on Sea and relax with Afternoon tea.
• Calancombe Estate afternoon tea, near Modbury
• Afternoon tea at the Thurlestone Hotel  complete with fabulous coastal views!
• Book afternoon tea at Ocean View at The Dome, Plymouth and get free Champagne on a weekday!
• Traditional afternoon teas at Hope Cove come with a fabulous view of the beaches and harbour from the lounge of the Cottage Hotel

Romantic rainy day dining

For a special occasion, romantic lunch or dinner, Andria serves up a mouth watering small plate tapas style menu which is amazing. The Seahorse is perfect for seafood lovers serving the freshest fish which arrives daily from small boats landing just a few miles from the door. And finally The Angel of Dartmouth has Executive Chef, Elly Wentworth, a former ‘MasterChef the Professionals’ Finalist at the helm and creating delicious dishes using the finest locally sourced, fresh ingredients. For those of you enjoying one of our luxury self catering holiday lets in Dartmouth, these restaurants will be on the doorstep (or a short drive away if you’re at the top of the town).

Book a cosy dinner at the intimate Twenty Seven in Kingsbridge. Tucked away in the town centre, Twenty Seven is an independent restaurant owned and run by award winning chef Jamie Rogers who has created a sought-after dining experience in the town. Just take a look at the mouth watering menus and book a table for an amazing dining experience.  

Wine tasting

While away a few hours at the award winning Calancombe Wine Estate. Indulge in a little wine tasting and round off your visit with delicious tapas and a glass of Calancombe wine. Book your visit to Calancombe Vineyard here

Explore castles and country estates with the National Trust properties dotted around the countryside including Killerton House, Castle Drogo, Buckland Abbey, Greenway and Saltram House.   

Visit Exeter and The Royal Albert Memorial Museum. This popular museum focuses on Devon and Exeter’s rich history and culture through displays and galleries and visually interesting and interactive displays.

Tips for Planning Indoor Days Out in Devon

• Check the weather forecast for your holiday
• Create a ‘just in case’ list and forward plan those which you’d like to visit. Devon has so many indoor activities, many of which suit all ages so choose those which offer an exciting experience for everyone. 
• Check the attraction’s opening hours, make reservations where appropriate and check your route distances and times. We have supplied links to our recommended attractions to help you on your way. 
• Many of the indoor activities in Devon have their own restaurant or cafe for a coffee or lunch. Failing that, we have listed places to eat on our Finest Stays website so you can search the town you’re visiting and click on the ‘places to eat’ box. 

And finally … 

A walk on the beach in the rain is exhilarating, you’ll find the wind and kite surfers flying across the waves on the south coast beaches of South Milton and Bantham. There’s nothing better than a warming hot chocolate at a beach cafe after an invigorating hike. If you’re holidaying with your four legged friend check out our dog friendly cottages in Salcombe for easy access to the coast path, beaches and some excellent dog friendly pubs. They’ll need a walk whatever the weather.

Book your luxury holiday in Devon today and enjoy the many attractions that this stunning area has to offer, whatever the great British climate throws at you. Whether you choose to spend a week in one of our luxury sea view cottages in Devon or just fancy a short break in Devon,  we have the perfect luxury cottage to suit your needs. Need a little guidance? Simply get in touch with our local team based in Kingsbridge and we’ll help you pick your perfect place.