Rainy Days

Don’t let the rain put a damper on your plans - there’s plenty to see and do in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, no matter the weather. Whether you’d prefer to stay warm and dry indoors or embrace the elements with an outdoor adventure, there are lots of ways to make the most of a rainy day.

Indoor Activities and Things To Do

If you're looking to keep dry and stay away from the rain, there's plenty that can be done indoors! Firstly, how about the brilliantly atmospheric Clearwell Caves, or the fascinating Hopewell Colliery? Being underground is a great way to escape the rain! Or, if you'd prefer to stay above ground, the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is home to several museums and art galleries, including Dean Heritage Centre and Nature in Art, as well as The Palace Cinema in Cinderford for a more relaxed indoor activity. Or, to take the relaxation up a notch, why not try out Float in the Forest, or head to the swimming pool and spa at Whitemead Forest Park? If you still want to explore the Forest, Dean Forest Railway and Perrygrove Railway enable you to take in the sights while remaining nice and dry inside a cosy train!

There are also plenty of shopping options, including Taurus Crafts, which has a wide range of independent traders, a garden centre, and a cafe, as well as towns and villages to mooch around, dipping in and out of the rain. If you're up for more of an organised activity, there are lots of indoor activities to choose from, although many will need booking in advance; from cookery classes to pottery and basket weaving, and from gin making to mosaics and painting, there's sure to be something that takes your fancy! It's also worth checking out our What's On page as well, so you can make sure you're not missing anything! Finally, once you've worked up an appetite sheltering from the rain, you can take a seat at one of our many cafes, pubs and restaurants, enjoy some tasty grub, and talk about how horrible the weather is!

Outdoors Activities and Things To Do

Of course, if you don't mind getting a bit wet, you can get the waterproofs on and get out into the woods to explore! After all, the trees provide some shelter, and the rain creates a magical atmosphere. It is likely that the seasoned Dean Wye mountain bikers will be out getting muddy no matter what, with a bit of added slipping and sliding to spice up a ride in the Forest, and that hot chocolate in the cafe at the end will be even more well deserved! Or, if you're after a bit of adrenaline, why not have a look at our adventure and extreme activities, many of which will still take place in the rain? In some cases, the mud even adds to the adventure - quad bikes or off-road driving perhaps?

However you choose to spend your rainy day, we hope you have a lovely visit to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, regardless of the weather!