Things to do in Bude when its raining

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Rainy Day Things to Do in Bude on Your Cornwall Staycation

Whilst we’d all like to believe the weather in Cornwall matches its Mediterranean beaches, sadly, that’s not always the case.  A rainy day or two on your Great British staycation is expected.  It’s part of what makes it British.  But we never let a bit of rain dampen our spirits…

If the skies darken when you’re in North Cornwall, you’ll find there’s lots of family friendly, rainy day activities in Bude.

Things to Do in Bude When it’s Raining

  • Visit the Bude Castle Heritage Centre to delve into local history and see the latest art exhibition.
  • Explore the town’s art galleries and studios, where you can admire works by local artists and perhaps even pick up a unique souvenir to take home.
  • Why not check out our lovely local cinema?  The Rebel has been screening all the latest blockbusters since the 1980s.
  • How about a bit of retail therapy?  The Lower Wharf has some stunning workshops and craft stores selling glass, wood, fleeces, jewellery and ceramics and much more.  Our town centre offers many lovely independent shops and plenty of good spots to shelter from a shower or two whilst indulging in a little holiday spending.  If you want to stick to the holiday budget but grab yourself a bargain, why not hop in the car and visit the wonderful treasure trove of quality pre-loved clothes at 2ndLyfe, they also offer craft sessions for younger children.
  • An indoor craft workshop?  We have a lovely choice in the Bude area…  On the Lower Wharf book into a session at The Kitchen Front for ceremic and fabric printing and a wonderful 1940s tea room.  Or maybe glass-making is more you thing – try Beau Nidol and Teylu Glass.  For pottery-throwing and workshops, head over to Parson’s Pottery. Further afield, you will love the mosaic workshops at Moon Hare Studio and the varied courses at Welcombe Pottery.
  • Visiting a local historic house is a great way to avoid the rain. Perhaps the most famous in the area is Poundstock Gildhouse, open to the public on Wednesdays between Easter and October but have a wide programme of events at other times. St Swithin’s church at Lancells is also open on Wednesday afternoons and at other times for church services.  A short drive just over the border in Devon is the gorgeous Hartland Abbey.
  • Get out and explore one of Bude’s ancient churches.  You could spend the whole day exploring these historic buildings, and there’s often a village tea rooms, cafe or pub nearby.
  • Of course, on a rainy day in Bude, there’s a selection of pubs, inns, and cafés to squirrel away in too.  Why not indulge in a luxurious cream tea, or spend an afternoon sampling local ciders and ales?  You’ll soon forget about the rain!
  • Watch the storm in a cozy beach hut.  Take a blanket, chair and a thermos flask, wrap up warm and shelter from the storm whislt reading a book.
  • Visit a local Theme Park!  For starters there’s the Milky Way Adventure ParkThe Big Sheep and Trethorne Leisure Park.  They have a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and are top-rated attractions on TripAdvisor.  There’s all ages enjoyment, including rides and slides, indoor play areas, arts and crafts, and live shows. Everything you need to make a day of it.  Have a look at our rainyday attractions here.
  • Check out any live music performances, theater productions, or film screenings taking place in Bude’s entertainment venues, providing a perfect escape from the rain.
  • Wrap up warm and head to the Bude Canal bird hide, where you can observe a variety of bird species and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
  • Plan what to do when the rain stops!  Call into the Bude TIC and grab some of the many leaflets for attractions and things to do in the area.  Whilst your’re there, pick up some Bude postcards and the kids can write to family and friends.
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This summer holidays, families are invited to explore the spectacular Royal Horticultural Society gardens near Great Torrington (one of only five in the country) in an immersive wildlife trail featuring intricately hand-crafted brick creations and hands-on building activities, in collaboration with Iconic Bricks.

Visitors can follow a family trail to discover ten ‘wildlife superheroes’, learning about the unique abilities and behaviours that help different species survive and thrive. Using an activity booklet, there is the chance to collect superhero ‘superpowers’ and match the stickers whilst exploring the gardens, discovering how plants, fungi, and animals are connected within natural ecosystems.

Guests are encouraged to take close note of their surroundings as the displays appear in varied sizes and at different levels, from up above to nestled among flower beds and positioned within naturalistic settings. The ten sculptures include a wildflower wall, a life-size Greater Spotted Woodpecker, a giant bee and beetle, a big hedgehog and a large otter. The trail is suitable for all ages, although children must be accompanied by an adult, and will be available to follow daily throughout the summer holidays.

Families can also enjoy additional creative LEGO® workshops lead by Stemgineering with Nick where they can design and build nature themed creations, from bug hotels and bee friendly gardens to pollinator pathways, garden creatures and much more (selected days only).

Plus, you can get involved in the dedicated community brick building station and help transform a grey city into a greener, more wildlife-friendly space by adding your own nature-inspired brick inventions.

To celebrate the launch of the trail RHS Rosemoor is holding a special Big Brick Weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July when you can join a guided tour to learn how the spectacular brick wildlife sculptures were designed and built and build your own miniature wildlife model to take home.

Meet the expert from Iconic Bricks on a guided walk and talk along the Brick Explorer Trail to discover the inspiration, design process and fascinating details behind the incredible brick-built creations hidden throughout the gardens. Available during launch weekend only, these special sessions offer a unique opportunity to hear directly from the experts who brought the trail to life.

Visitors on the launch weekend can also take part in ‘Make and Take’ workshops where they can collect their building materials and follow step-by-step instructions to create their very own miniature wildlife model of a robin or a bluetit to take home.

(Well behaved dogs on short fixed leads are welcome every Monday Tuesday and Wednesday).

Full details are available online – garden admission applies but families can save thanks to Great British Summer Savings VAT reductions and advance booking discounts.