While we can all wish and hope for endless sunny days in Cornwall spent on sandy beaches and in clear waters, the south-west is also famed for its atmospheric storms and sub-tropical, rainy moments.

Being caught in a rain spell doesn’t mean that your dreams of an idyllic getaway in Falmouth and the Helford area are scuppered, there are plenty of wonderful ways to spend your days. Here are some ideas that will help you find your own magic, even when it’s pouring outside. 

Cosy Up in a Cornish Holiday Cottage 

Get cosy in a Cornish Holiday Cottage, listen to the rain gently patter against the sea-view windows and watch the wind fluff up the coastal trees and encourage the ocean’s white horses, as you curl up around the wood burner with a page-turning novel and a glass of local wine. These are the moments when your Cornish cottage becomes your sanctuary.  

Visit a Museum

Some people travel to Cornwall to visit our stunning coastline and secret beaches, others are motivated by the promise of a delicious dinner at one of our acclaimed eateries, but for the culture vultures, nothing gets us quite as excited as the promise of diving into the world of a new museum.

From the unique Museum of WitchCraft and Magic where visitors can explore British magical practice, to the exciting National Maritime Museum in Falmouth which takes visitors on a journey through the influence of the sea on history and culture, there’s a museum in Cornwall to cater to all interests. Running from 11th July – 23rd September the Royal Cornwall Museum will showcase Adrift, an exhibition of what was lost and learned when a rogue wave knocked 62 containers from a cargo ship in 1997.  Please note that most museums in Cornwall are not dog friendly.

Explore the Eden Project

With their vast biomes and indoor eateries on-site, the Eden Project is the perfect place to spend a rainy day in Cornwall. Originally a former clay mine, the Eden Project was transformed from a large crater into a beautiful global garden that sets the stage for an extraordinary day out.

Visitors can explore the huge covered biomes through the largest indoor rainforest in the world and the calm fragrance of the Mediterranean Biome, with its gnarled ancient olive trees and sweet-smelling fruits and herbs. Not only is it a place for plant lovers, but it is a major cultural venue, home to a spectacular series of music concerts, visual arts, performance events and regular storytelling. The Eden project is an hour’s car or train journey from Falmouth, and makes the perfect day trip for a rainy day in Cornwall. 

Safe storm watching

Wrap up warm and don the waterproofs as you brace the wet weather for some safe storm watching. Rainy days are the ideal time to experience Cornwall’s more rough and rugged side, and places such as The Lizard Point, Sennen Cove, Pendennis Point and Bedruthan Steps promise to provide an atmospheric and memorable experience. 

If the sound of storm watching fills you with excitement, it is important to make sure that you are at a safe distance from the ocean at all times and to also check the Met Office for any weather warnings before you set out on your adventure. Please also keep dogs on leads on rough days and near steep cliffs. 

Pub Lunch

If braving the elements sounds like the last thing you want to do on a rainy day, retreat instead into a cosy Cornish pub for a hearty lunch by a roaring fire. Some of our favourite local pubs to visit while the weather is gloomy include The Pandora Inn, Mylor, The Shipwrights Arms, Helford Village, The Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage and The Star & Garter, Falmouth. 

Discover Local Artists

It’s of little surprise that Cornwall is home to many artists, with its inspiring landscape and ethereal light. As a result, Cornwall has evolved into a hotspot of famous and amateur creatives and art lovers, and we are resultantly blessed with a number of beautiful art galleries, that house sizable collections of Cornwall-inspired art. Escape the rain and immerse yourself in Cornwall’s creative scene inside galleries such as Tate St Ives, The Leach Pottery, Newlyn Art Gallery and Morgan’s Gallery in Falmouth. 

Go to the Theatre

There’s nothing like a theatrical performance to lift the spirits on a grey day in Cornwall. 

After closing its doors in June 2018 for a £26m refurbishment, the 175-year-old Grade II listed former city hall building, Hall for Cornwall in Truro is back with a bigger auditorium, facilities and a large list of upcoming performances. 

Get lost in a live orchestra, laugh out loud at comedy shows, escape into the world of a well-written and performed play and be inspired by magical dances. 

The Poly in Falmouth also hosts a number of local and national theatrical performances in their historic 180-seat theatre, plus showcases art shows, world cinema/arthouse films, plus is also the home of Solskinn, a super relaxing cafe for snuggling down with a book and a latte. 

Play Board Games

There’s nothing like board games to unite/divide/entertain the family! Be it marvellous Monopoly for the aspiring capitalists, or Rummikub for the maths aficionados, or Scrabble for the wordsmiths. Connect with your clan and ditch the odious mobiles! Tensions might rise at points, but these are the times that we all remember for years to come. 

Expand Your Cooking Repertoire

We can’t think of a much better place to cook than here in wonderful Cornwall. With its blossoming foodie scene and multiple highly acclaimed eateries, here you can learn from some of the County’s finest chefs and local cooks. The courses here are varied and range from classes teaching you how to make a traditional Cornish pasty to workshops showing you how to cook with foraged ingredients. 

Get Crafty

With its inspirational, creative community that revolves around the art university and the town’s many wonderful art galleries, Falmouth is one of the best places to visit if you are a budding artist. Here is it easy to find artist-led workshops and covered creative spaces that offer a dry and eye-opening place to learn a new craft while sheltering from the rain. Paint your own ceramics at Star Glazers on the Old High Street, learn to make Jewellery at Inspire Makers and take up a knitting class to learn to make your own socks at Stitches and Cream.