Rainy Days in Northumberland: Things to Do
Northumberland is rightly famed for its countryside and coastline, but sometimes the great British weather has other ideas. If you’ve planned some outdoor activities along Hadrian’s Wall or a day at the beach but the weather isn’t playing, it’s handy to have a few indoor alternatives in mind too.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your stay without spending the whole day outside. From a film and lunch in Hexham to pottery painting or an afternoon looking around a gallery, here are a few ideas for those rainy days in Northumberland when the weather calls for a change of plan.
Rainy day activities in Hexham
Hexham is a great starting point for a wet-weather day, with several indoor activities and options that are easy to combine with lunch or a little shopping.
The Forum Cinema, on the Market Place, is worth checking for films during your stay. Its programme includes family films, other cinema releases and screenings of theatre and live performances, so there may be something for a family afternoon or an evening out as a couple. Choosing a film first makes it easy to plan lunch or dinner around it.
For something a little more active, ten-pin bowling at Wentworth Leisure Centre is another option. There are bowling ramps available for anyone who needs a helping hand, along with a café and games including air hockey and table football. It’s a great, fun way to spend an afternoon and bowling can be booked online, making it easier to plan the rest of your day.
A creative afternoon at Inspired Pots
If you fancy spending a couple of hours doing something creative, Inspired Pots in Hexham offers pottery painting for children and adults. You choose a piece from the shelves – perhaps a mug, plate or ornament and decorate it in your own style, with staff on hand to offer advice. It could be a lovely activity to enjoy together, with a reminder of your holiday to keep afterwards.
The studio glazes and fires your finished pottery, so it won’t be ready to take away on the day. It’s worth checking collection arrangements before booking, particularly towards the end of your stay. Check opening days too; tables can be booked online.
A little history and a leisurely lunch
A visit to Hexham Abbey, followed by lunch, is another way to enjoy a few hours in town. The Abbey is a stunning building, and if the crypt is open, it’s well worth a visit. Inside, you can spot Roman inscriptions and carved stones brought from nearby Corbridge and reused when the original church was built.
The Big Story exhibition explores the Abbey’s history and the lives of the people connected with it, using models, displays and interactive touch screens.
The Refectory Café is on-site and is a great option to combine a visit with a café stop without another walk through the rain. As the Abbey is a working church, it’s worth checking visitor information and services before setting off.
If you fancy making lunch more of an occasion, Hexham has plenty of pubs, cafés and restaurants to choose from, whether you’re in the mood for a light bite or a leisurely meal. On a cold day, there’s something very appealing about having time for another cup of tea without needing to hurry on to the next stop.
Playtime and something tasty at Brocksbushes
For families with younger children, the Play Barn at Brocksbushes is another option for a rainy day in Northumberland. There’s a dedicated area for little ones aged 0–4, alongside larger soft play play areas with slides and climbing structures for children up to the age of 11. There’s also a café for refreshments during your visit.
Before heading back, you could pop into the farm shop to pick up something good for dinner and a few treats for later. It’s an easy way to combine a morning or afternoon of play with stocking up for a relaxed evening at the cottage.
Play sessions can fill up, particularly at weekends and during school holidays, so it’s best to book online ahead of your visit.
A closer look at The Sill
Close to Hadrian’s Wall at Once Brewed, The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre is a good option for a day of changeable weather. Its free exhibitions explore Northumberland’s landscape, history and people, with interactive displays that give visitors of all ages something to get involved in.
There are also temporary exhibitions and a programme of events, including craft activities and workshops, so it’s worth checking what’s on during your stay and whether booking is needed. With a café and a shop to browse, you can enjoy a visit without needing to plan a long walk.
If the weather brightens and the wind eases, you could head outside to explore the rooftop walk and take in the views. It’s a useful combination for those days when you’d like to spend some time in the countryside but aren’t sure what the forecast will allow.
An afternoon of art in Newcastle and Gateshead
For guests happy to travel a little further, a gallery visit and lunch could be the basis of a day in Newcastle or Gateshead.
The Laing Art Gallery, in Newcastle city centre, is a good starting point for British painting and decorative arts. Entry to the gallery is free, although some exhibitions carry a charge. You can look around at your own pace, with time for lunch or a little shopping afterwards.
Over on Gateshead’s Quayside, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art has several floors of art, along with a café and shop. Its changing exhibitions offer a different kind of gallery visit, so it’s worth looking at what’s on before choosing where to go.
On a particularly wet or windy day, choosing one gallery and somewhere nearby to eat may be more enjoyable than trying to fit in several stops. Opening days differ between venues, so a quick check before setting off will help avoid a wasted journey.
A good excuse to enjoy the cottage
Of course, a rainy day doesn’t have to mean finding somewhere else to go. Having time to read, cook together or settle down to a game can be part of the pleasure of a cottage holiday.
It’s worth checking your cottage’s individual listing too – you may find books, board games or a games room to make an afternoon indoors even more enjoyable. If you fancy a new game or activity, Mr Wolf on Market Street in Hexham is a lovely place to look for inspiration. This independent toy shop stocks games, puzzles and arts and crafts, giving children something to choose for an afternoon back at the cottage. A new game could become something the whole family gets involved in — and something to take home afterwards.
Hexham’s large Tesco also has a toy aisle, so it’s worth a look for a card game or board game while you’re picking up food for your stay. The selection will vary, but you may find something to add to the afternoon’s plans.
With something good for dinner, a few snacks and a game on the table, you might find you’re quite happy to leave the sightseeing until tomorrow.
Wooden Star Cottages offers the perfect base to experience the beautiful county of Northumberland. Book your stay at Wooden Star Cottages today and prepare for an unforgettable escape into the heart of one of England’s most beautiful regions.