It’s been wet this year so far.

It’s been very wet.

We are used to it here in Cornwall, being a peninsula in the Atlantic, but …really?!  Let’s cross our fingers that we see a little more of the spring sunshine that’s been showing up occasionally!

If you aren’t into blustery beach walks, surfing, sea swimming, or mud sliding up and down the coast path, you’re not alone – visitors often ask us what you can do when it rains.

The good news is, there are plenty of excellent ‘Plan Bs’ to choose from, for those wet days waiting for the dry days!

Some of the high profile places to visit include:

• The Eden Project
• National Maritime Museum
• Camel Creek Family Adventure Park
• Falmouth Art Gallery
• Royal Cornwall Museum
• National Trust – Tintagel Post Office, Lanhydrock, Cotehele, Trelissick, Trerice, Antony
• Jamaica Inn
• National Lobster Hatchery

However, we thought we’d draw attention to some of the alternatives that don’t hog the limelight as much and charge far less to enter.

Unique Cornish goods, arts & crafts

Cornwall is a magnet for creatives and free spirits looking to escape the rat race. Generations of farmers have also diversified and turned their hands to making something creative or original.

Duck the showers and lose yourself for hours in any of the unique, characterful boutique shops found in North Cornwall (Boscastle, Port Isaac, Tintagel, Bude, Padstow). Because so many small businesses have set themselves up in remote locations, you’ll discover limited batches of artisan clothes, pottery, leather, gifts, crafts, chutneys, jams, spices, gins and ciders, to name but a few.  Perfect for souvenirs, gifts and treats! We certainly enjoy sourcing Cornish produce for our own Cornish Stores here in Boscastle.

Local artists capture the timeless and yet changeable scenery on canvas for you to take home with you and remind you of your experience. The Picture Parlour in Boscastle sources local coastal artists or Camelford Gallery shows moorland art. Bude, Padstow and Wadebridge have multiple galleries. You could also go off-piste and explore the Open Studies 25th May – 2nd June 2024

Local Museums, heritage and history

Surprisingly enough, we have some really good collections in North Cornwall, that are definitely worth a visit.

The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is a national collection of historical artefacts, originally collated in the Isle of Man but brought to Boscastle in 1960. With over 4,000 objects and 8,000 books, its reputation has grown over the years, gaining international acclaim. The Museum continues to inspire and intrigue people from around the world. We often meet researchers from far flung places, who delve deep into their archives to further their studies.

The Dingles Fairground Museum holds another impressive collection which has gained a national reputation – and it is literally one big undercover fairground! This huge heritage centre is a 50,000 square foot indoor attraction ‘designed to capture the magic of a bygone age through exhibits, vintage engineering and stunning artwork displays’. Please do visit Dingles as this will be its last season in Cornwall before the collection is disbanded or relocated.

The Cornwall at War Museum claims to be 95% undercover and brings the first and second world war human experience to life. Through a network of hangers, re-presenting different lifestyle settings; from underground tube to officers’ mess, this collection is thorough, real and insightful. Even more impressively, it has been brought together by one man and a handful of volunteers. It is located on part of the old WW2 airfield RAF Davidstow Moor, near Camelford.

The Castle Heritage Centre in Bude is free admission. ‘Our award winning Heritage Centre houses artefacts and exhibitions bringing the rich varied local history to life. Discover Bude’s inventive genius, Sir Goldsworthy Gurney, its unique geology, alongside a wonderful collection of Bude railway nostalgia, interactive models plus local military and maritime history.’ We particularly enjoy the view from the cafe, watching the changing tides from the comfort of indoors!

A new award-winning upcycling, arts and science space, Discover 42 has popped up in Bodmin. It’s on our list of places to explore, but we’ve heard great reports about this inclusive and interactive experience for younger ones. 

We’d love to hear if you have any other favourite places to add to our list of things to do when it rains!