Whether you’re going on holiday to Norfolk in the summer or for the October half-term, sunshine is unfortunately never promised. However, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities that you can enjoy in Norfolk when it’s raining.
From museums to indoor play areas, we’ve chatted with locals: Carl Warrent, the founder of Dog Friendly Norfolk; Pete Waters, Executive Director of Visit East of England; Steph Makins, co-founder of Enjoying Norfolk; and Ruth Knight, Director of Broads Tours, to discover the best things to do in Norfolk when it’s raining.
Norfolk museums & castles
Unsurprisingly, with its rich history, Norfolk has many museums and castles to explore. Ruth tells us about perfect indoor activities for when the weather isn’t on your side: “The Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth is amazing and very interactive. It's not huge, but it punches above its weight. It's a hidden gem; it’s really good.”
Steph also recommends this museum: “Time and Tide is brilliant. It's great for younger kids. They have touring exhibitions. They're always doing something innovative, so we love going there.”
The Time and Tide Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Norfolk's maritime history, focusing on the local fishing industry and its impact on the community. The museum typically operates daily during the tourist season, with reduced hours in the off-season. It's best to check their official website or contact them directly for current opening times and any special exhibitions.
Another must-visit on a rainy day is Norwich Castle, and Ruth tells us: “Norwich Castle is also a place that has just had quite a lot of investment. You can go down; it's like a crypt, and they do tours, but the exhibitions and recreation they've done now have given it a bit of a new lease of life.”
Rainy days at the beaches in Norfolk
You may associate a day at the seaside with the sunshine; however, they can still be enjoyed in the rain. Steph tells us, “We've got places like Cromer and Yarmouth that are more traditional seaside resorts, but they’re so much fun and on rainy days, you can just take solace in the slot machines.”
You can also still enjoy the sea views, Carl says: “It depends on the ferocity of the rain, but some venues have car parks or covered seating areas looking out to sea. The Ship Inn at Mundesley has some covered seating areas, and Bacton has many car parking spots close to the sea if you want to admire the views from the safety (and warmth) of your car.”
Indoor activities in Norfolk
There's plenty to enjoy as a family, particularly with young children. Steph tells us: “There are a few indoor play areas, which we used to the max when our kids were younger. They're always great for a rainy day activity. Let the kids let off a bit of steam. We've also got lots of cinemas and theatres - they're always good for a rainy day.”
“We also have some nice leisure centres. In Great Yarmouth [there’s] the Marina Centre, which has slides now, and a wave machine. You can book a bit of time there, and the kids love it. They can just go as many times as they like on these really good water slides. So there are actually loads of things to do if it rains. There's no reason to fear the weather or think that it's going to spoil the holiday.”
The Marina Leisure Centre is just 2 miles from Vauxhall Holiday Park and 4 miles from Cherry Tree Holiday Park.
Pete explains that most attractions in Norfolk are rain-friendly: “The great thing about the visitor attractions that we have here in Norfolk is that most of them are weatherproof now. ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure was the first weatherproof attraction in the east of England 10 years ago. Wroxham Barns are weatherproof, so you can enjoy them, and Banham Zoo is brilliant for families.”
From exploring Norfolk's history in a museum to taking the kids for a day out to the zoo, you’ll never run out of things to do in Norfolk - rain or shine!
*Please note, images are illustrative only.
Rainy day attractions in Norfolk near our parks
Local insiders
Ruth Knight
Director
Broads Tours
www.broadstours.co.uk
Ruth moved to Norfolk when she was seven and has lived there ever since.
The Broads Tours has double-decker passenger boats offering fantastic views of the Norfolk Broads.
Pete Waters
Executive Director
Visit East of England
www.visiteastofengland.com
Pete was born in Norfolk and has found himself returning throughout his life.
Visit Norfolk aims to encourage people to visit this “wonderful part of the world”.
Steph Makins
Co-founder
Enjoying Norfolk
enjoyingnorfolk.co.uk
Steph was born and raised in Norfolk. In 2007, she and her husband started Enjoying Norwich, which soon expanded into Enjoying Norfolk.
They aim to create a resource for locals and tourists and to encourage people to discover the local businesses around them with their Norfolk card scheme.
Carl Warrent
Owner
Dog Friendly Norfolk
dogfriendlynorfolk.com
Carl was born in Norwich and has lived in Norfolk all his life.
Launched in 2022, Dog Friendly Norfolk is a website that helps guide both locals and tourists to the region, on where to go with their dogs.