North Wales is full of exciting things to do, from exploring the rugged coastlines and dramatic hills to visiting castles and spotting wildlife. But if there's one thing you can't rely on, it's the weather.
Luckily, there are also plenty of indoor activities in North Wales that are perfect for a rainy day including museums, castles, mines, and manor houses. In this article, I'll share a list of fun things to do in North Wales when it's raining outside.
1. Beaumaris Gaol And Courtroom
The first place to visit in North Wales is Beaumaris Gaol (pronounced like 'jail') and Courtroom where you get to see the world of a prisoner during the 1800s. Walking around the cells you’ll witness what a place of punishment looked like back then as most of them are unaltered.
The final execution that took place here was that of Richard Rowlands, who put a curse on the clock in the church tower in 1862 and still fails to keep the right time to this day.
Head to Beaumaris, Anglesey to see the gaol and courtroom which was built in 1829 and closed in 1878. It has at least 30,000 visitors per year so why not join them, hide away from the rain and learn something new. Keep in mind that it’s closed during the winter but open from February onwards.
See my full guide with more things to do in Beaumaris to make a full day out.
2. Explore the National Slate Museum
The National Slate Museum, located in Caernarfon, opened to the public in 1972. The Dinorwig Quarry employed over 3,000 people and closed in 1969.
Today, it is open to the public where you can learn about the slate industry in the region and explore the quarry which has been set up to replicate how it would have been during it's active days.
Entry is free and self-guided, although there are occasionally museum-led tours and talks.
3. Zip World Llechwedd
One way to escape the rain is by heading below ground, that's exactly what you can do at Zipworld's Llechwedd site which is located inside former slate caverns. The mines here are over 200 years old and home to Europe’s steepest railway which goes 500 feet underground.
There are so many activities to choose from whether you’re a solo traveller or going as a family. As well as taking the Deep Mine Tour through the caverns, you can play a 28-hole underground crazy golf course, explore with underground rope bridges and tightropes, or visit Bounce Below, an enormous underground trampoline park that allows you to jump your way around the caves.
If the weather is to bad, unfortunately you won't be able to take on the highlight of Zipworld Llechwedd which is Titan 2, Europe’s first four-person zip line with a height of 1,400 feet and views of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
4. Chirk Castle
A 14th-century building overlooking the Ceiriog valley to the south, Chirk Castle is a must-see when you’re travelling around North Wales. Raining or not it’s a great day out, especially with the 5½ acres of castle gardens to wander around. The estate actually covers 480 acres of land altogether including Chirk Castle,
17th and 18th-century aspects of the castle include a gallery, saloon, tapestries and a library. Some areas and rooms are closed off to ensure items are protected but you still get a feel for what it was like to live during those times.
5. Conwy Valley Railway Museum
Go back to the 1970s by making a stop at the Conwy Valley Railway Museum. Founded by Alan Pratt the museum holds a 15-inch gauge Britannia locomotive which was added by Colin Cartwright who currently owns the railway museum.
There are five model railways, a shop where you can buy souvenirs, cars, planes and railways books, and you can also ride the miniature train to see epic views of Betws-y-Coed.
The Conwy Valley Railway Museum is open every day and is next to the train station and the A5 so it’s straightforward to get here by car or train.
6. Erddig
Erddig, built-in 1683 for Joshua Edisbury, is a 17th-century house and gardens with 1,200 acres of land filled with lakes, woodland and plants including fruit trees. In the parkland, there’s a unique piece designed by William Emes called the ‘Cup and Saucer waterfall’.
The house itself is full of neo-classical interiors and Chinese-inspired wallpapers. You can see servants' quarters, which are still exactly the same as they were when in use and there are over 30,000 items in the building including paintings, photos, and furniture.
When it’s raining, Erddig is still a beautiful place to visit whether you’re warming up in the cafe or putting on your wellies and getting lost in the gardens.
7. Sygun Copper Mine
With no need to book the Sygun Copper Mine shows how industrial heritage can keep going and is still a relevant piece of Welsh history and culture. The Victorian mines hold Stalactite and stalagmite, copper, gold and silver.
Take a self-guided tour around the tunnels and chambers which were abandoned in 1903 and maybe try your hand at metal detecting for old coins above ground. Less than a mile away from Beddgelert and known for being one of the most picture-perfect villages in north wales, it’s a hard place to miss.
8. Caernarfon Castle & The Royal Welch Museum
This castle took 47 years to complete and cost £25,000, with its 18 ft thick walls forming part of the Castles & Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site, Caernarfon Castle is worth the visit.
Located on the River Seiont, Caernarfon Castle is also home to the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum. Exhibits can be found on film, sound and models showcasing 300 years of Wales’ oldest infantry regiment. The museum is housed in the two towers of the castle.
9. Plas Mawr
The first surviving Elizabethan townhouse anywhere in Britain, Plas Mawr is conveniently located a five-minute walk away from Conwy Castle. A courthouse, a school, an art gallery, it’s been a home for everyone.
Robert Wynn bought the house for £200 and you can still see his initials all over Plas Mawr’s plasterwork. Take an audio tour of the house and admire the 13th-century walls whilst learning about everything from the restoration history to the life of the Tudor gentry.
10. Anglesey Transport Museum
The Anglesey Transport Museum, or “Tacla Taid” which literally translates into “grandad’s junk”, is a lovely small building filled with cars, motorbikes and farm vehicles. It’s also the largest of its kind in Wales. The cars and vehicles, 60 to be exact, are from the 1920s onwards and is a popular place to visit for a day out.
The museum is also well known for featuring on ITV’s “A Great Welsh Adventure” with Griff Rhys Jones and Julia Bradbury's “Best Walks With a View”. So when it’s raining, why not visit Tacla Taid and bring the whole family along, including your dog!
11. Ffestiniog Railway
Next is Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, 25 miles from Caernarfon and travelling next to coastlines, woodlands and all through the Snowdonia landscape. Running since 1832 by an act of parliament and the oldest independent railway company, Ffestiniog Railway is mostly operated by volunteers and they make a huge difference to the experience.
Come along and ride the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway with almost 200 years of history. The 13.5-mile journey runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, although there are plenty of different journeys you can take depending upon how much time you have (and how much you want to spend).
The carriages are all enclosed so it's perfectly suitable for a rainy day, you can watch the countryside pass by from the luxury of a heated carriage. Plus, there’s even the chance to travel in style by taking first class.
12. Go Below
Are you ready for the “Ultimate underground adventure”? Then my final rainy day activity in North Wales will be just for you. With abseiling, zip lining, climbing and more, Go Below Snowdonia is one of the most popular places to visit in Wales and it’s an experience you won’t forget!
If you’re feeling up to a challenge there’s the Ultimate Xtreme which lasts seven hours and has nine zip lines, giving you a completely unique perspective of the underground caves. There are also half and full-day trips through the mines and the guide will give you a history lesson on the way around so you can learn about the slate mining industry.
Definitely book beforehand, it's open all year round and all equipment and footwear are provided.
Other Notable Activities
- Pili Plas Nature World - Visit Pili Plas Nature World, Menai Bridge home to a butterfly house, a meerkat tunnel, a farmyard and barn and a nature trail perfect for any weather. You can even get up close and personal with the goats.
ㅤ - Anglesey Sea Zoo -Visit Wales’ largest marine aquarium at Anglesey Zoo with 40+ tanks and over 150 species there’s plenty to discover. There are even talks and feeds daily to find out more about British marine wildlife including, jellyfish, coral, lobster and seahorses.
Related Questions
Does It Rain A Lot In North Wales?
Yes, North Wales gets a high amount of rain. However, that doesn’t take away from the incredible landscape and activities you can see and do there. The Welsh weather is typically unpredictable, however, the best time to visit Wales for the weather is during the summer months of June to August, temperatures can reach up to 20℃ in the North Wales area.
Published: 12 February 2023