Harlequinns Leisure Centre in Bude is a wonderful all-weather attraction for families staying in the area. Screamers is a huge playzone for children spread over six floors. It also has a 10-lane bowling alley with glow bowling after dark. Come to think of it, why wait for a rainy day to enjoy this amusement? Also in Bude is the Splash Leisure Pool, a popular leisure centre with a wave machine and a flume. There are various swimming sessions to suit different ages including toddlers, over 50s and Aquafit sessions.
Those looking for a touch of history and culture will enjoy a visit to one of the National Trust houses in Cornwall on a rainy day. Cotehele has a whole complex of buildings and attractions including the chapel and the old manorial hall decorated with weaponry. See the oldest domestic clock still in its original position and the exhibition of “Life in the Past Laneâ€. If the showers stop, head out to the 1899 sailing barge on the quay, the Shamrock, stroll through the gardens or take a walk in the surrounding woodland.
Prideaux Place in Padstow is an Elizabethan mansion in a stunning setting with a fine collection of porcelain, paintings, furniture and teddy bears to keep visitors happily occupied for a couple of hours. Guided tours are available every afternoon and there is a fully licensed Terrace Tea Room for Cornish cream teas.
Dairyland Farmworld has been entertaining families to a day on the farm for years. It has a Farm Museum and Cornish Heritage display of old farm implements and a massive indoor “Bullpen†play area. At milking time, visitors can view the automated milking process from the viewing platform, staying safely warm and dry.
Visitors that are more creative may enjoy an opportunity to visit Going Potty in Trevigro, Callington. It has a range of workshops set up to allow visitors to make pottery gifts such as mugs, dishes, a teapot, vase or make a pottery impression of baby hands and feet for doting grandparents. Once your pot has been made and hand-painted, Going Pottery glazes and fires it ready for collection, or it can be posted to your home. This is an ideal activity for all ages and skill levels.
Down on the coast at Falmouth is the National Maritime Museum, a splendid attraction whatever the weather. Follow the galleries around to learn more about maritime history, search and rescue, the tidal zone beneath the waves, lighthouses and navigation. Finish your visit in the Lookout Tower at the top with amazing views of the surrounding coastline.
Kidzworld is an indoor play area near St Austell that has no height restriction, so parents and grandparents can join in the fun too. With 54,000 square feet of all-weather fun, it includes smugglers' coves, chutes, towers, scramble nets and more. It will certainly make you yearn for a rainy day!
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.