Top 10 Things to Do on Rainy Days

The rain certainly never stops play when it comes to exploring the Great West Way. Below are 10 things to do when the weather is looking a little stormy to carry on exploring along the way.

Explore a Selection of England’s Castles 
Discover England’s Royal heritage at Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace and Berkeley Castle. Each designed in a specific style, no castle is the same. Wander around the Queen’s weekend home, Henry VIII’s infamous haunted gallery and Berkeley Castle’s 6,000 acres of ground. Fun fact, the Berkeley’s are the only English family still in existence in the country that can trace their ancestors from father to son back as far as Saxon times.

Dabble in a Spot of Shopping 
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Swindon is full of discounted designer stores where you’ll find the perfect keep-sake from your adventure along the Great West Way. Brands including Calvin Klein, Bose, Dune and Links of London are a couple of good places to start looking. In Bath, their undercover shopping areas like Milsom Place have a number of independent stores for something vintage and a little more unique. Parkway in Newbury is fantastic if you’re looking for somewhere easy to shop and eat all in one place. 

 
Cook up a Storm at a Cookery School
Learn new skills and how to use local produce, cook new cuisine’s and some firm household favourites during a cookery lesson along the way. Suitable for both adults and children, Vaughan’s Cookery School in Devizes in Wiltshire put on a number of different classes including Thai kitchen, basic bread making, knife skills, Lebanese and more! 

Step back in Time at a Museum
Under cover and informative, museums are one of the best ways to discover the history of areas along the Great West Way. There are motor museums like the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum in Calne, sporting museums such as the River & Rowing Museum at Henley on Thames and literary museums like the Jane Austen Centre in Bath. There are so many museums dotted along the way, you won’t find one too far from where you are staying to make the most of a rainy day.

Take a Relaxing Trip to the Spa 
A spa day is a good way to fit in some TLC on your journey. Whether you’re looking for a facial, a massage, a swim or a sauna session, there are plenty of spas to choose from. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath boasts an award-winning Spa & Bath House with a 12-metre relaxation pool. For a spa in the Cotswolds, opt for Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa with a Michelin starred restaurant to dine in afterwards. Towards the East of the route, The Langley has an extensive range of treatments including couples’ massages and body wraps. And for something extra special in the evenings, try a twilight package at Thermae Bath Spa.    

Embark on a Brewery Tour 
Discover the art of brewing on your adventure along the Great West Way. Wadworth Brewery in Devizes and the West Berkshire Brewery near Newbury both offer tours and tastings around their brewery. Discover the inhouse sign-making team at Wadworth, the only one in England, and their shire horses Sam, Max and Archie who help to deliver Wadworth Ales to suppliers in the town. At West Berkshire Brewery, try the hops and relax in the taproom afterwards with a pizza and a pint. 

Explore a World-Famous Gin Distillery
The world-famous Bombay Sapphire is distilled right here in easy reach of the Great West Way at Laverstoke Mill. Discover the production of gin, the distillation process, learn about the botanicals used in the glasshouses and uncover your personal taste profile in the Dry Room. Take your profile card to the Mill Bar at the end of your visit and order a complimentary cocktail designed to your personal taste to end your day.

Take a Trip to the Theatre 
Whether you’re into musicals, tragedies, comedies horrors or historic plays, there are plenty of theatres along the way that you can pick-up last-minute tickets to watch the latest performance. The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, The Pound Arts Centre in Corsham and The Watermill Theatre near Newbury have a jam-packed schedule of performances daily that are worth catching on a rainy day. 
On a sunny day, there are outdoor performances that you must try and get tickets to watch too! 

Discover National Trust 
Dotted along the route are a number of National Trust stately homes that when you step inside, transform you back to a grand quintessentially English style of home built for the upper-class citizens of the 17, 18, 19 and 20th centuries. On the outskirts of Bristol, visit Victorian Tyntesfield. In Bath, visit Dyrham Park and its ancient parkland. In Wiltshire visit, Lacock and the Fox-Talbot museum, the birthplace of photography.

Go for a Rainy Day Walk
Just because the weather is wet and wild, doesn't mean you have to hide away inside. Be brave! On a rainy day on the Great West Way, why not grab your wellies and head off to splash through the puddles and enjoy our beautiful countryside in splendid (if slightly soggy) isolation. 

For more ideas of things to do and places to visit on rainy days, take a look at our other See & Do pages, Top 10s and Recommendations.