Hampshire and The Isle of Wight are such great places to visit and there is loads of things to do! Occasionally however, there is no hiding from the fact that it’s still in the UK and prone to the odd flurry of rain! So what should you do on a rainy day, well check out these indoor activities in Hampshire.
They do say there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! So we fully encourage you to get out there and have fun at some of the greatest attractions in hampshire whatever the weather…but on those days you really would prefer to stay indoors on a rainy day here are some fantastic attractions that can offer shelter!
Indoor activities at BeaulieuHampshire indoor attractions that are lots of fun
Fill the day with fun and adventure; Beaulieu, home of the National Motor Museum is a great place to spend the day enjoying Palace House, the Secret Army Exhibition and the World of Top Gear.
And enjoy everything from exciting live science shows to hands-on interactive exhibits to unforgettable shows in the UK’s largest digital planetarium at Winchester Science Centre.
It’s particularly hard to provide the kids with a way to burn off some energy when they can’t go outside, but these fabulously fun attractions provide the answer; A unique experience awaits them at Mid Hants Railway “Watercress Line”.
And, for those brave enough the glass floor platform at Spinnaker Tower is sure to get them excited! It’s one of the most unique indoor activities in Hampshire, that’s for sure.
Riverside Bowl is an entertainment venue in Andover and the surrounding area, it’s not just a Bowling venue, it also offers Glo-Golf, Snooker and Pool, together with an American Diner. You won’t be thinking about the rain at all at this attraction.
Clarence Pier’s three large indoor entertainment centres ensure there’s something to do no matter the weather and kids will also enjoy Pirates and Princesses indoor adventure playground.
Get the adrenalin pumping with a trip to Calshot Activities Centre with a climbing wall, Aero Trek, indoor ski slope and ringos!
Enjoy a day of culture
Visit Chawton House Library, a romantic 400-year-old manor house once owned by Jane Austen’s brother and known to her as the ‘Great House’. It’s full of historical treasures and fascinating stories, and boasts beautiful gardens and grounds.
You can make your day out interesting and cultural; Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in England and well worth a visit. You could catch one of the fantastic performances on at The Mayflower Theatre or MAST Studios in Southampton at the Theatre Royal Winchester or the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth.
Visit Bombay Sapphire Distillery for a fully guided Discovery Experience. The Dakin Still House allows guests a peek into the fascinating processes running behind the scenes at the mill such as the Vapour Infusion distillation.
Discover a deep history
It’s always worth hearing a bit more of the history of the area you’re living in or visiting. Tudor House and Sea City Museum provide a window into the past and history surrounding Southampton.
Whitchurch Silk Mill proves to us you don’t need modern technology to create beautiful things. Milestones Living History Museum will transport you back so you can walk the streets and visit the lives of the past. The only remaining steam driven brickworks left in the country – a unique survivor from our Victorian industrial past, a visit to The Brickworks Museum is a must!
Discover the lives of the Russell family at Mottisfont, and see if you can spot hints of the house’s medieval past. Don’t miss the Rex Whistler’s extraordinary drawing room, full of illusions, and head up to the art gallery to experience different exhibitions all year round.
Another fascinating part of our history is that of our military. You can see over 40 historic aircraft at the Army Flying Museum. Experience 1000 years of Royal Navy history at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. A Discover the stories of those who were awarded the Victoria Cross, find out more about the horse soldiers and see the magnificent model of the battle of Waterloo at Winchester Military Museums.
Visit The D-Day Story, the only UK museum dedicated to D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, with fantastic interactive displays for all the family. Or, view our guide on historic Hampshire days out for lots more great historical sites.
Step into the world of Jane Austen at Jane Austen’s House Museum. This uniquely special house is the place where Jane Austen lived and wrote. Explore the rooms that she knew and see the table at which she penned her much loved novels including the timeless Pride and Prejudice.
The Dinosaur Isle Museum is so much more than dinosaurs with displays of fossils from across the Isle of Wight including ammonites and Ice Age mammals. There are interactives and you can pick up and touch real fossils dating to up to 130 million years old!
Get there safe & dry!
Getting to and from your day out can be just as exciting as the day out itself! Hovertravel offers you the fastest foot passenger service to the Isle of Wight, from Southsea to Ryde. Take your car across from Portsmouth or Lymington with Wightlink. Or, choose between the passenger Red Jet and car ferry service at Red Funnel leaving from Southampton.
As you can see there is plenty to keep you entertained rain or shine! Whether you want indoor attractions in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Southampton, Portsmouth or more, there’s plenty to do when it’s raining.