Things to Do in North Devon in the Rain

Watermouth Castle is one of North Devon's best rainy-day options, with ten indoor and underground attractions - including the Dungeon Labyrinths, the Fairy Museum, the Illusion Museum and our underground Water Show Extravaganza.

Pull on your wellies and there's plenty outdoors too: puddles to jump, gnomes to find and treetops to climb at Hobbledown Bay. A few outdoor rides pause in wet weather, but there's a full day's adventure here either way.

Bring waterproofs. Bring spare socks. Come anyway.

Is Watermouth Castle Good on a Rainy Day?

Yes - with one honest caveat.

Watermouth Castle isn't entirely indoors. We're a Castle set in North Devon grounds, so a handful of our outdoor attractions may pause during heavy rain.

But a big part of what makes Watermouth special happens inside. The Castle itself is packed with museums, mechanical curiosities and treasures, and some of our most memorable attractions are actually underground.

So if the forecast looks grim, you'll still find hours of adventure here. You just might spend more of it under a roof - which, honestly, is where the strangest and most magical bits are anyway.

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Indoor Attractions at Watermouth Castle

The Fairy Museum

Step into a world of fairies, pixies, mirrors and crystals. Glittering, enchanting and completely indoors - a favourite with younger visitors whatever the weather.

Fairy Museum
The Dungeon Labyrinths

Wind your way underground through the Castle's maze of passageways, past antique pier machines, the Hall of Mirrors and some wonderfully odd displays. Dark, atmospheric and brilliantly strange. Worth knowing: the darker sections can be a little spooky for very young or sensitive children.

Dungeon Labyrinths
The Illusion Museum

Step inside the Professor's private collection of impossible experiments, strange reflections and curious inventions - all powered by mysterious Crystalite Energy. Moving pictures. Hidden images. Rooms that play tricks on your eyes, your balance and your imagination. Look closely, because you can't always trust what you see. Indoors and open all day.

The Illusion Museum
The Water Show Extravaganza

Head underground for our show-stopper: a thousand water jets dancing to light and music, with the mighty Mortier organ leading the way. Nobody expects this to be under a Castle. That's rather the point.

Water Show Extravaganza
Vintage Arcade & Pier Machines

Our classic rainy-day favourite. Wonderfully wonky old pier machines and vintage arcade games, ready for a coin and a go. Bring 2p and 10p coins - there's a change machine on site if you run dry.

Vintage Arcade & Pier Machines
Castle Treasures

Curiosities, collections and unexpected finds tucked through the Castle rooms.

Castle Treasures
The Mechanical Robot Organ

A magnificent, slightly bonkers piece of mechanical theatre. Stand and watch it work.

Mechanical Robot Organ
The Model Railway Room

Tiny trains, tiny worlds, endless watching.

Model Railway Room
Vintage Displays

Step back in time through rooms set just as they once were. Nose around a Victorian kitchen packed with wonderful old relics, then head into the dairy to see how families kept and made their food long before fridges. Proper "how did they manage?" territory - and all under cover.

Vintage Displays
Shadow Barrels

Everyone has one, but nobody can lose one. What is it? Stand back, strike your silliest pose and leave your shadow behind. Daft, quick and brilliant for photos.

Shadow Barrels
Before You Go

Duck into the gift shop and pick up The Tides of Watermouth, our illustrated storybook of fairies, smugglers and forest spirits. Perfect for reading in the car while the rain drums on the roof.

Characters and Books

Wellies On - Exploring the Grounds in the Rain

Pull on your waterproofs and the grounds become a different sort of adventure. Puddles to jump. Wet leaves to kick. Fewer people, more space, and the kind of day children remember precisely because they came home soggy.

Climb through the treetops and tunnels at Hobbledown Bay, see what mischief the gnomes are up to at the Gnome Village, wander the Mystical Water Gardens (never lovelier than in the rain) and get gloriously lost in the Maze.

Some outdoor rides pause in wet weather, and the Toboggan Run and Tube Slide won't run at all - a safety thing, and we'd rather say so upfront.

Wear: waterproof coat, wellies, waterproof trousers if you have them. And a spare pair of socks - somebody always finds the deepest puddle.

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Tips for Visiting in Wet Weather

Dress for outside. Waterproof coat, wellies, waterproof trousers if you have them - and a spare pair of socks.
Bring 2p and 10p coins for the Vintage Arcade. There's a change machine if you run dry.
Save the indoor attractions for the heaviest showers and head out when it eases.
Pack a change of clothes for younger children. You'll thank yourself.
Check our opening times before you travel.

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A Rainy Day at Watermouth Castle

Morning - Start dry. Explore the Castle rooms, the Fairy Museum and the Illusion Museum, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Late morning - Head underground into the Dungeon Labyrinths. Mirrors, mazes and mischief.

Lunch - Refuel and let the worst of the weather blow through.

Early afternoon - Wellies on. Splash out to Hobbledown Bay, hunt for gnomes and get gloriously lost in the Maze.

Mid afternoon - Back inside to dry off. Coins at the ready for the Vintage Arcade.

Late afternoon - Finish with the Water Show Extravaganza. A thousand water jets, and not a drop of it rain.

Before you go - Pick up The Tides of Watermouth in the gift shop. Perfect for the car home.

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Rainy Day FAQs

Yes - we're open as normal. A few outdoor rides may pause, but everything indoors runs as usual.

Partly. We have lots of indoor and underground attractions inside the Castle, plus outdoor attractions in the grounds. On a wet day there's plenty to do under cover.

The Fairy Museum, the Illusion Museum, the Dungeon Labyrinths, the Water Show Extravaganza, the Vintage Arcade & Pier Machines, Vintage Displays, Shadow Barrels, Castle Treasures, the Mechanical Robot Organ and the Model Railway Room.

No - the Toboggan Run and the Tube Slide don't run in wet weather, for safety reasons.

Absolutely, and with waterproofs on it's half the fun. Hobbledown Bay, the Gnome Village, the Mystical Water Gardens and the Maze are all there to explore.

Plenty. The Fairy Museum and Model Railway Room are lovely for little ones, and the Castle rooms are easy to explore at toddler pace. The Dungeon Labyrinths are dark in places and can unsettle very young or sensitive children.

Easily. With ten indoor and underground attractions, you'll fill a day comfortably without setting foot outside.

Waterproofs, wellies, 2p and 10p coins for the arcade, and a spare set of clothes for younger children.

Yes - we're just outside Ilfracombe near Combe Martin, an easy drive from Woolacombe. Find us at EX34 9SL.