Rain or shine, in our humble opinion, Cornwall is one of the best places in the world. And lately we’ve had our fair share of rain – slash that – torrential downpours.
Luckily, rain has not stopped play. Quite the opposite. We’ve been busy making the most of Cornwall – indoors and out.
Wondering where to go and what to do? Here’s some inspo for rainy day activities in Cornwall.
The best place to be when it’s raining is in the sea. Raindrops stippling the ocean, being tumbled around in the whitewater, and grinning like a Cheshire cat when you glide down the face of a wave. With wetsuit technology ensuring you’re snug even in the depths of winter, there’s no reason for wet weather to deter you from the waves. If you’re a fair weather surfer, or not convinced yet, you can enjoy the luxury of heated changing rooms and hot showers the Surf Sanctuary on Fistral Beach. Or, if you’re a bit more hardy and looking for less crowded waves, tap up King Surf in Mawgan Porth – recently awarded Centre of Excellence status by Surfing England.
Do you know if anyone’s ever escaped from Cornwall’s Victorian jail? Get behind bars and find out on a heritage tour of Bodmin Jail, where arsonists and murderers were executed for their crimes. Discover what life was like for prisoners from the gallows to the grave, and delve deeper into the darkness on pre-booked tours and special events. If the rain eases and you’re all spooked out, head out onto Bodmin Moor and climb Cornwall’s highest peaks. If it doesn’t, seek shelter in the nearby Jamaica Inn.
Did you know that Cornwall is home to one of the most scenic railway journeys in the UK? Avoid the rain while getting close-up sea views of St Ives Bay, onboard the short, but spectacular St Ives Railway from St Erth to St Ives. Even on the wettest of days, you can’t fail to see how the emerald waters and dramatic light have lured artists to this pretty harbour town in West Cornwall since the early 19th century. On arrival, seek shelter in the sublime Porthminster Café, then dodge the showers as you hotfoot over to the Tate St Ives, where you can stay dry while immersing yourself in the scenery and art scene, try hands-on creative activities, and take in a gull’s eye view of the vistas from the rooftop café.
Of the many hazards Cornwall’s miners faced, getting wet in the bad weather wasn’t one of them. And when you burrow underground in the tunnels at Geevor Tin Mine, you’ll definitely stay dry while delving deep into the county’s astonishing mining history and landscape. Little has changed from the day the mine closed in 1990, and many of the guides are miners who can share personal insights and experiences of working underground. If the rain stops, take time to explore the surrounding World Heritage Mining coastline, including the landmark Botallack mine, perched at the very edge of the wild Atlantic ocean.
One of Cornwall’s most popular rainy day attractions, at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, you can experience oceanic adventures while keeping your feet on dry land: Get barrelled and ride through 100 years of British surfing in the Surf! exhibition, take the helm of a model sailing boat, and peer into the underwater gallery – all without worrying about the weather. With half-term activities and regular events, there’s no better place to experience Cornwall’s maritime heritage while sheltering from the rain.
Tunnel through ancient woodland on the edge of Bodmin Moor, and find shelter inside the awe-inspiring Carnglaze Caverns. History and adventure are firmly undercover here, as you tunnel 1500 metres into the hillside and 60 metres below ground level, to discover three huge caverns and a stunning subterranean lake. At the end of a self-guided underground tour through the former slate mine, don’t forget to get a selfie with the backdrop of the magical emerald waters.
Did you know that the remote hamlet of Porthcurno is where the seeds of modern communication were sewn? Follow quiz trails and interactive exhibits through the fascinating Museum of Global Communications to find out how this tiny valley in West Cornwall became host to the past, present and future of worldwide communications. Footsteps from Porthcurno beach, you can also dash out onto the pearly sands if the rain stops.
You don’t have to get wet – or even dip a toe in the ocean – to come face-to-face with Cornwall’s marine life at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay. Encounter sea cucumbers, spider crabs and sea turtles, watch the giant octopus at feeding time and learn all about sea creatures from the craggy Cornish shores to exotic coral reefs. The highlight is the underwater tunnel where you can eyeball stingrays, reef sharks and all sorts of colourful fish.
We can’t leave the world’s largest indoor rainforest – and Cornwall’s megastar attraction – out of rainy day attractions. While the Eden Project has plenty of outdoor spaces to get back to nature, it’s the giant geodesic domes bursting with Mediterranean and tropical foliage that are the real crowd puller, come rain or shine. Set in a disused china clay quarry outside St Austell, you can take the land train down to the biomes if you want to avoid the showers, and while away hours with hands-on crafty activities, genning up on the interconnectedness of life and the environment in The Core, and fuelling up on finger-licking seasonal treats in the café. There’s even a shuttle back to the car park for a dynamic, dry-hair day out, all round.
So, it’s rainy outside? Get out there and make the most of Cornwall. We’ve got loads of ideas on Cool Cornwall – just search by your area, interest or activity.
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