Rain won’t stop play - free indoor family days out across the UK

Rainy days don’t have to mean bored kids, blown budgets or endless screens. From museums and indoor trails to quirky cultural spots, there are plenty of free family activities across the UK to enjoy, whatever the weather.

Here’s a selection of free indoor days out across the UK that will keep the kids entertained without costing a penny.

South East

Guildford Museum, Surrey
Located in the historic Quarry Street entrance to Guildford Castle, this charming local museum offers fascinating exhibitions on archaeology, local history and art. It’s completely free to visit (open Monday-Saturday, 11am-4:45pm) and provides a great hands-on experience for curious minds of all ages.

Hove Museum of Creativity, Hove
Located in the elegant Brooker Hall, this delightful museum offers hands-on fun for the whole family. Highlights include the ‘Wizard’s Attic’ toy gallery - with dolls, teddy bears, mechanical toys, toy trains, dollhouses, rocking horses and tricycles, as well as contemporary crafts, local history exhibits and early cinema artefacts dating back to the 1890s.

South West

Jet Age Museum, Gloucestershire
Situated in Staverton, near Cheltenham, the Jet Age Museum is a hidden gem for aviation enthusiasts. This volunteer-run museum showcases Gloucestershire's rich aviation history, featuring a remarkable collection of aircraft, including jet fighters and civilian planes. Visitors can explore these exhibits up close and even sit in the cockpits of some aircraft. The museum is entirely free to enter, making it an excellent choice for a rainy day outing with the family.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Dinosaurs, Egyptian artefacts and a huge collection of natural history displays make this a must for rainy days. Donations are welcome, but admission is free.

Midlands

Lapworth Museum of Geology, Birmingham
Nestled within the University of Birmingham, the Lapworth Museum offers a fascinating journey through 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history, complete with real fossils, dinosaur skeletons, dazzling minerals, interactive globe displays and even UV-lit fluorescent rocks. It's ideal for all ages and completely free to visit

Nottingham Contemporary
One of the largest contemporary art galleries in the UK, this free venue runs family-friendly activities and creative drop-ins most weekends, whatever the weather.

Yorkshire

Goole Museum, Goole
Located in the heart of Goole, this charming museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the town's maritime and industrial history. Highlights include models of vessels built in Goole, the largest collection of paintings by renowned maritime artist Reuben Chappell and interactive exhibits about life in the town. Admission is free, making it an excellent choice for a rainy day outing with the family.

Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley
Housed in a splendid Victorian mansion, this free local heritage museum features geology galleries (sparkling rocks!), natural history exhibits and plenty of space to wander. Outside, there’s a beautiful adventure playground, too, you know, just in case it decides to stop raining.

North East

Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
From dinosaurs and mummies to live animal tanks, this museum is a hit with younger children and teens alike. Entry is free, and there are frequent family events.

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
This unique spot blends art, local history and a 21st-century botanical garden under glass. It’s free, warm and brilliant on a rainy day.

North West

The World Museum, Liverpool
With five floors of exhibits ranging from space to ancient civilisations - and even an aquarium and planetarium - it’s the perfect rainy-day outing for curious kids.

Manchester Central Library
More than just books! Check out the beautiful children’s library, storytelling sessions and interactive exhibits in this iconic circular building.

Scotland

Riverside Museum, Glasgow
Explore Glasgow’s award-winning transport museum, featuring vintage vehicles, interactive exhibits and even a recreated old street. And yes, it’s completely free.

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
A firm favourite with families, it offers hours of indoor fun. You’ll find everything from dinosaurs to fashion, space to natural history - ideal for whiling away a rainy afternoon.

Wales

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
A modern, interactive museum all about Welsh industry and innovation. It’s family-friendly, free to enter and packed with hands-on fun.

Cardiff Story Museum
Smaller but engaging, this museum shares the history of the Welsh capital through the eyes of its people. It’s free, accessible and perfect for a short visit when it’s pouring outside.

Northern Ireland

Ulster Museum, Belfast
Set in the beautiful Botanic Gardens (you can dash through with a brolly), this museum is bursting with art, history and science exhibitions.

Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, Lisburn (County Antrim)
Housed in a historic linen factory in Lisburn, this museum explores Ireland’s rich linen heritage. You'll find interactive displays, weaving demonstrations and engaging local history exhibits. It's free to enter and offers a fascinating, hands-on experience for all ages.

Bonus tip: check your local library

Many libraries across the UK now run free story times, craft clubs and family events, especially during the school holidays. They’re warm, dry and a great (often overlooked) resource for rainy-day fun.

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