What to do in Cornwall when it rains
- Guested
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
We know Cornwall is best loved for its beaches and coastline, but what happens when the weather has other plans? Don’t worry. Cornwall shines just as brightly indoors.
From secret quarries and epic art galleries to underground adventures and steaming cream teas, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of a rainy day. Here's how to turn a grey sky into a golden opportunity.
Dive into Cornwall’s creative side
National Maritime Museum, Falmouth
Stay dry and inspired in this award-winning waterfront museum. With hands-on exhibits, towering boats, storytelling spaces and views over the harbour, it’s a firm favourite for families, solo explorers and rainy-day adventurers.
📍 Discovery Quay, Falmouth
Falmouth Art Gallery
Free, welcoming and beautifully curated, this space holds everything from historic works to contemporary Cornish art. The rotating exhibitions often feature local talent alongside national names.
📍 The Moor, Falmouth
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
If you’re up for a cultural day trip, the Royal Cornwall Museum has artefacts from thousands of years of Cornish life. Great for adults and older kids alike.
📍 River Street, Truro
Discover something unexpected underground
Carnglaze Caverns
When it rains in Cornwall why not head inland and underground near Liskeard to explore this incredible former slate mine. With torchlit chambers, a crystal-clear underground lake and moody acoustics, it’s part geology lesson, part fantasy film set.
📍 St Neot, near Liskeard
Bodmin Jail
More gothic than gloomy, Bodmin Jail offers spine-tingling tours of this restored 18th-century prison. Explore the cells, get spooked on a history tour or just enjoy a very different type of rainy-day escape.
📍 Bodmin
Make a splash, rain or shine
Eden Project
If it’s raining outside, step into the rainforest. The Eden Project’s biomes are full of tropical plants, sustainable living exhibits, gardens, cafes and nature trails. Best of all, it feels like summer inside, whatever the weather.
📍 Bodelva, near St Austell
Kernow Adventure Park
Hidden in a flooded granite quarry just outside Falmouth, Kernow Adventure Park is a wild and beautiful spot for paddleboarding, wild swimming or inflatable obstacle courses. A sunny day is ideal, but wetsuits and excitement work in any weather.
📍 Halvasso, near Longdowns
Keep the little ones happy when it rains in Cornwall
Raze the Roof, Penryn
One of the best indoor play centres in Cornwall, Raze the Roof is perfect for kids of all ages. With soft play, laser tag, a climbing zone and toddler-friendly areas, it's a great way to burn off energy while staying dry. There's also a café for grown-ups to relax while the kids play.
📍 Kernick Road, Penryn
🔗 Raze the Roof
Camel Creek Adventure Park
With indoor soft play, friendly animals and rides, Camel Creek offers plenty of undercover fun. A great option for full-day family entertainment.
📍 Near Wadebridge
🔗 Camel Creek
Indoor play cafés
Cornwall also has a growing number of parent-friendly play cafés where little ones can stay active and adults can enjoy good coffee and snacks. Ideal for wet mornings when the beach is off the table.
Slow down and savour the moment
Cornish cream tea in a cosy café
Rainy days are made for jam-first scones, strong tea and warm company. Head to one of Falmouth’s snug tearooms, wrap your hands around a mug, and enjoy a moment of calm.
A spa session or sauna
Several hotels and retreats across Cornwall offer day spas, saunas and wellness treatments. If the weather won’t lift your mood, a massage just might.
Our rainy day picks in the Guested Local Guide
At Guested, we’ve curated a Local Guide full of ideas just like these, from moody cliff walks to rainy-day pubs and dog-friendly boltholes. We believe every part of your stay in Cornwall should feel special, no matter the weather.
Make the most of every forecast
A rainy day in Cornwall isn’t the end of the adventure, it’s a chance to try something different. Whether you’re diving underground, exploring galleries or sipping tea by candlelight, this county always delivers.
If you’d like help planning a stay where everything is taken care of, rain or shine, we’re here to help.
