The Finest Devon Tourist Attractions for Wet Weather

The Best Devon Attractions When It's Raining

With regular rain, Devon naturally comes well equipped with wet weather attractions. From marvellous museums to natural wonders. Here are six wonderful ways to wander away a wet day.

Bygones

Constructed within an old Torquay cinema, Bygones is a unique Devon tourist attraction that allows you to step back to the Victorian era. A labour of love spanning three generations of the same family, Bygones lets you step back into history.

An immersive way to explore over 100 years of British history with authentic curiosities and quirky memorabilia that will give older generations a nostalgia trip. On the Victorian street, there’s a life-size sweet shop, blacksmith, lace shop, apothecary, bakery, pub, pawnbroker and more. There are also nine period rooms and a selection of vintage arcade games.

Kent’s Cavern Caves

Going a little further back in time than the Victorian era, Kent’s Cavern Caves is your chance to explore Britain’s prehistoric past. Step into the Stone Age and learn how our ancient ancestors lived among the stalagmites and stalactites.

You’ll need to enter the caves on a guided tour, where you’ll learn about how the caves were formed some 2.5 millions years ago and how Neanderthals would once have called it home. If you are bringing the family, there’s also a nearby woodland train and code breakers quest if the rain eases after your tour.

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Devon has its fair share of heritage railways and all are well worth a visit. If you love the smell of steam and a scenic window view, the Dartmouth Steam Railway is an excellent Devon tourist attraction. Linking the resort town of Paignton with the beautiful riverside town of Dartmouth, the trip takes in the stunning countryside and coastal views along Torbay - beautiful even in the rain.

You can get a return ticket or continue on your journey by river boat. The ‘Round Robin’ tour completes a circular route through Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes, travelling by steam train, river boat and bus.

Killerton

If you’re a National Trust fan, the friendly Georgian mansion of Killerton House is a must-visit. Set, in 2,600 hectares of working farmland, woodland and orchards, this is a beautiful Devon tourist attraction. Inside, you’ll find the fascinating history of the Acland family, owners until the 1940s, and a regularly changing period fashion exhibit. Up until November 2024, the theme is 'Playing by the rules: Childhood, dress and imagination'.

Once the rain stops, it’s time to head outside. The vast gardens and estate are what Killerton is truly known for. There is an exciting array of winding paths to wander with an Iron Age fort, vibrant year-round floral displays and other hidden gems to discover. A Grade I listed chapel, the Admiral’s Lawn and the Lady Cott (Bear’s hut) are just the highlights.

Exeter Cathedral

To soak up some English heritage and impressive Gothic architecture, head for the ornate Exeter Cathedral. The majestic Gothic towers rise up from the centre of the city, drawing you into an intricate medieval design. From its origins as an Anglo-Saxon monastery in 1050 to the damage from WW2 bombs, there is so much history to soak up.

Several unique characteristics of Exeter Cathedral make it well worth the time to see, rain or shine. It features England’s longest uninterrupted medieval ceiling in the nave, a 10m bishop’s throne carved from local rock and an astronomical clock that is still going some 600 years later.

Plymouth Gin Distillery tour
 

If a G&T is your tipple of choice, enjoy a tour of the Plymouth Gin Distillery. Making exceptional gin since 1793, this is the oldest working gin distillery in England - so they’ve had some time to perfect their craft.

There are a range of tours to choose from, depending on how interested you are in the art and sampling of Plymouth Gin. All tours take in the history of the Distillery and the production process (and some tasting samples, of course). However, if you want to get into the fine details, take your pick between the Gin Connoisseur’s Tour and the Master Distiller’s Tour. Whichever one you choose will lead to a great afternoon in from the rain.

Step in from the rain at the Hotel Riviera

If you’re out in wet weather visiting the best Devon tourist attractions, you’ll need somewhere cosy and warm to dry off at the end of the day. The Hotel Riviera in Sidmouth offers quintessential British hospitality at its finest. Retaining the elegance and allure of Regency times when the great and the good descended on this quaint coastal town.

With far-reaching sea views and an emphasis on relaxation and quieter pleasures, The Riviera charts its longstanding success to impeccable standards of accommodation and service. A genuine welcome from a service team with a well-deserved reputation for friendliness and excellence awaits.