Wales isn’t short of amazing days out but unfortunately the weather doesn’t always cooperate when it comes to exploring the amazing outdoor spaces, so here are 10 of the best indoor days out for when it is raining.
I love Wales, it is one of my favourite destinations and such an easy place to have a staycation or fun day out, and the famous beaches and coastline are a major attraction in and of themselves. Unfortunately like the rest of the UK, Wales does tend to get a lot of rain. This is why you need a list of top indoor attractions in Wales for when the heavens do open!
National Museum, Cardiff.
The National Museum in Cardiff is Wales’ premier showcase of natural history, art, archaeology and geology. The evolution of Wales exhibition is a highlight along with the humpback whale skeleton, and the museum is a perfect way to escape the bad weather for a day. Admission is free too so what are you waiting for? Bad weather? Go anyway!
Dan Yr Ogof Centre for Wales, Brecon Beacons.
As they say in the caves, this attraction has been Wales best kept secret for 315 million years! Head underground and explore some of the three main caves of Dan-yr-Ogof, all offering a unique underground experience, clambering through the passageways leads you to the awe inspiring Cathedral Cave with cascading waterfalls and vast caverns all leading to the magnificent Dome of St Pauls. The bone cave is an entirely different experience and I won’t spoil the reason why it is called what it is, but it is fascinating to take a step back in time. For one ticket here you also get admission to 10 other attractions including the life size dinosaur models, the shire horse centre, the iron age village and the interactive museum.
Anglesey Sea Zoo.
It’s easy to recommend an aquarium as an all weather attraction but this one has a unique twist that makes it special. Unlike most aquariums you won’t find sharks or tropical fish here, the Anglesey Sea Zoo is a unique showcase of British marine life and habitats with over 40 tanks displaying uniquely British octopus, lobsters, eels and fish. There is a heavy emphasis on the conservation work that is being done
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
Famous for being featured in episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood, as well as lesser known movies including one of my own favourites, Gavin and Stacey, Wales’ very own Millenium Centre is the country’s home for the performing arts. It’s obvious to say that you can head there to catch a famous West End musical, a show, an opera or even a ballet, but there are a wide variety of non permanent exhibitions and tours there too.
Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths, Newport.
Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths is a unique museum located in Caerlon, South Wales, near Newport. The fortress was once of the most important military sites in Britain during the Roman Empire, home to the 2nd Augustan Legion with a garrison of over 5000 soldiers and cavalry and what would now be considered a vast leisure centre with spas, baths, gyms and pools. Today the museum is an outstanding showcase of the myth and history of this part of the world, and you can take your time and enjoy the craft centres, art galleries and tea rooms too.
Bounce Below, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Bounce Below is a unique facility, the first of its kind in fact, that hides a big secret. This 176 year old disused cavern that is twice the size of St Pauls Cathedral is in fact a huge, subterranean trampoline playground! Trampoline like nets are hung at different levels throughout the vast caverns, with the highest being 180 feet from the bottom of the cavern. Even if letting your inner child out isn’t your thing you still have to take some time out to visit here just because of how unique it is!
National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.
Taking in over 300 years of Welsh industrial history and innovation, the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea is a really pleasant way to spend the day when the heavens aren’t cooperating with your day out. Located in the redeveloped Maritime Quarter, the museum concentrates largely on the industrial revolution and the maritime history of Swansea, and there are a constant rotation of exhibitions to keep things fresh and interesting.
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon.
You can’t travel to Wales without looking into at least a little bit of it’s mining history. Coal mining in particular is integral part of Wales’ story, and one way of getting up close and personal with that history is donning your very own miners helmet and heading down the shafts of this disused mine turned tourist attraction in south Wales. This claustrophobic but fascinating glimpse into a miners life will give you a renewed appreciation for your own, as well as an insight into this amazing country.
Go Below Extreme, Snowdonia.
Escape the rain by going underground for a series of epic adventures! Although you may end up getting a little wet anyway! Go Below Extreme is the longest underground adventure playground in the world. Based in Betwys-Y-Coed in Snowdonia, North Wales this is a day out like no other, with five kilometres of abandoned mine tunnels to climb through, via ferrata and zipline across (including the world’s longest and deepest underground ziplines) and freefall down. Led by experienced instructors, this is a truly unique adventure like no other!
King Arthurs Labyrinth, Snowdonia.
You may still get wet as you sail through the waterfall entrance, but this journey into the myth and legend of Wales’ own King Arthur draws you into a dark age world of dragons, honour and chivalry. A hooded boatman will guide you through a series of underground tunnels, easing your way through the Labyrinth with tales of myth and legend until you reach the Dragon River itself. This family friendly attraction may be slightly aimed more at kids but as a history buff who loves myth and legend as much as archaeology, and as someone who has a fascination with the legends of King Arthur and the knights of the round table, this was one of the most enjoyable days out I have had in Wales!
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Michael Huxley is a published author, professional adventurer and founder of the travel website, Bemused Backpacker. He has spent the last twenty years travelling to over 100 countries on almost every continent, slowly building Bemused Backpacker into a successful business after leaving a former career in emergency nursing and travel medicine, and continues to travel the world on numerous adventures every year.
Bemused Backpacker 
Isn’t it always raining in Wales?
It can seem that way sometimes! 😂