Summer is here and the weather is… still not looking great. With an estimated 50 days of rain heading our way in Britain’s wettest summer in a century (whelp) we are, sadly, all looking for ideas for things to do on a rainy day.
Our plans for a sun-drenched summer of patios and parks may be foiled by the weather, but we refuse to let the rain dampen our spirits. After all, there are plenty of fun activities to do inside or even outside — under some shelter, of course. From taking in some culture in the form of a play or a museum, to exploring one of Britain’s indoor greenhouses, to getting cosy and comfy in your own home, here’s how we’ll be spending all of the rainy days ahead (while still holding out hope for sunshine, of course).
Plan a theatre date
Get away from the rain by slipping into the darkened auditorium of a local theatre. At the National Theatre on London’s Southbank, for instance, you can grab dinner at their newly opened Forza restaurant upstairs before grabbing a drink at the bar. You can even book a guided tour of the fascinating building, where you can witness costume designers, set builders and maybe even a few actors at work. This summer, they’re also offering plenty of entertainment after the curtains come down with the River Stage festival — catch a play during the day and then, if the weather improves head outside to enjoy everything from drag to dance to circus acts.
A little further down the river, the Bridge Theatre offers another fun day in — that feels more like an outdoor party. Their endlessly fun immersive production of Guys & Dolls, which runs until January, drops you right in the middle of 1930s New York City. Of course, there are plenty of amazing theatres all over the UK – from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon to the Bristol Old Vic and the Crucible, Sheffield. Check out their ‘What’s on’ pages, stat.
Head to a museum
Many museums in the UK have general collections that are completely free to view — so take advantage of it, and spend a rainy day browsing through your local art gallery or museum. You can spend an entire day getting lost in London’s V&A, which is also home to one of the prettiest museum tea rooms in the city.