The BEST Things to do on a Rainy Day in the Yorkshire Dales
Rain does not stop play!
Is it raining? Are you looking for something for the kids to do?
If the answer is yes, then this is the place for you! Here, I am sharing some of our favourite outdoorsy things to do on a rainy day in the Yorkshire Dales.
And yes, some of them you might not expect, because there’s no such thing as bad weather right?
Well yes actually, there is such a thing as bad weather. I call torrential rain and horrific wind pretty blummin’ terrible weather actually and to be honest, there are times when I really DON’T want to go outside and in some extreme weather type situations, we probably should NOT actually get outside AT ALL.
So let’s see what else we can do shall we?
One of the benefits of a LOT of rain…
Go and see Hull Pot on Pen y ghent
Ok. This is ULTRA outdoorsy for a wet day, but one of the huge benefits of there having been LOTS of rain, is that Hull Pot waterfall flows and to be honest, seeing an epically large waterfall flowing into an equally epically large collapsed cavern, well that’s worth getting wet for in my humble opinion.
You can find Hull Pot around half way up Pen y ghent, a little way off the Yorkshire Three Peaks path. Under usual circumstances, you’ll see a huge hole with a small waterfall to one side, but sometimes, it looks like the picture above!
How can you get a reasonable idea as to whether Hull Pot waterfall is flowing or not?
Well, you need either a huge amount of rain falling very quickly (and I mean huge, not a half an hour downpour) or sustained heavy rain falling onto saturated ground.
Winter is the more likely time to see that happen, particularly if there’s been a quick snow melt followed by rain, but we have caught it flowing in September after a Summer of drought, so you never know your luck!
Here are the conditions we experienced when we last saw the waterfall flowing…
In the 5 days before our visit, the River Ribble was high, and had peaked at near the top of the normal range, at 2.5m 4 days before. On the day we visited, the river levels had dropped, but it was raining heavily and they were quickly rising again. In short, it had been reyt wet in the run up!
On the day, there was a steep rise in the water levels and the River Ribble was nearing 2m. It was persistently raining still and the path on the way up from Horton in Ribblesdale looked like the picture at the top of the blog… Because that picture was taken on the day we saw Hull Pot flowing most recently!
If you’re VERY lucky, you could catch Hull Pot nearly full up (a bit like a massive bath tub!) but we haven’t managed to time it quite right yet!
How to get there…
From Horton in Ribblesdale, take the easy walled track up from the main road, signposted Foxup. At the top the path intersects the Yorkshire Three Peaks route (if you turn right, you’ll head up to the top of Pen y ghent but you need to head straight on until you see the massive hole in the ground.
And yes it may be rainy, but be sure of your ability to navigate in poor visibility, I don’t want anybody falling in! And never head out in dangerous wind conditions either, check out the MWIS for a mountain weather forecast.
Ingleborough Show Cave
Visit a Show Cave
In the Yorkshire Dales, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a great show cave, because there are three of them!
Ingleborough Cave (pictured), White Scar and Stump Cross Caverns.
Ingleborough Cave is a self guided wander through some stunning rock formations along an active stream. There are mirror pools and cascades, all deep below the second highest peak in the Yorkshire Dales. It also has a new shop and cafe and if you get a break in the rain, check out the Mimpish Squimbies trail through the Estate Nature Trail.
White Scar cave is on the other side of Ingleborough and holds the title of the longest show cave in the country, and you’ll be led through it by an expert tour guide. White Scar also has an active stream system too, waterfalls and incredible rock formations. In extreme rain, it can flood (although in that situation, they wouldn’t let you in!)
Stump Cross Caverns has loads going on as WELL as the show caves. There is a gem panning area, plenty of family friendly events and sessions running throughout the year and there is an excellent gem and rock shop and cafe (with AWESOME hot chocolates!)
If you want to find out more about the three caves, you can read our dedicated Show Cave blog!
Bolton Castle in Wensleydale
Head to the Castles (the ones with a roof!)
Fancy hiding in a castle to keep out of the rain? Yes, the Yorkshire Dales has LOADS of castles to explore, from Brough to Richmond, Middleham to Pendragon, there are plenty of ruins to satisfy the history enthusiasts! But the trouble with really old crumbling castles is…
They don’t have a roof. Except for these ones…
Bolton Castle, Wensleydale
Bolton Castle in Wensleydale is an EXCELLENT place to explore and the good news is? Most of it is also indoors! Happy days right?
This is the perfect adventure for a showery day, with plenty of places to hide from the rain. Even better, there is LOADS of outdoorsy stuff to do as well, with falconry displays, wild boar feeding, archery and it’s a great place to start a walk from too if the rain gives you a break!
Bolton Castle dates back to the 14th Century and was the temporary home of Mary Queen of Scots when she was imprisoned and en route to London.
Seasonal opening times apply and the castle closes for Winter. Check out the Bolton Castle website for more information.
Skipton Castle
And this one is ALL inside!
Skipton Castle is the once home of the locally renowned Lady Anne Clifford and is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country. It’s excellent to look around.
Particular highlight for the kids? The dungeon and the toilet that allows the poop to fly free… keep your eyes peeled for that one and if it stops raining? Why not take a quick wander around Skipton Castle Woods!
The dragon door at the Forbidden Corner
The Forbidden Corner
The perfect place for a rainy day. Or any day for that matter! The Forbidden Corner has to be seen to be believed!
A lot of the attraction is indoors, but whilst a lot is also outdoors, the aim here is to get wet anyway, with plenty of water-based mischief! So pack your spares, grab your waterproof and embrace the wet weather!
And get even wetter!
You can find out loads more about doing the Forbidden Corner with the kids by heading to our dedicated guide!
Seasonal opening times apply - roughly April to December.
The walls at Clip n Climb in Ilkley
Head to the Climbing Wall
If you need to let off some steam, try heading to the Climbing wall!
If you have zero experience and just want to climb for fun, Clip n’ Climb in Ilkley has a series of fun themed walls with a simple auto-belay system, which allows for the kids to clip themselves in and out as they go. It’s a great way to burn off some rainy day energy and you can watch from the cafe above (or have a go yourself, it’s not just for kids!) There is similar set up at Kendal Climbing wall to the west of the Yorkshire Dales National Park border, near the Lake District.
If you have a bit of climbing knowledge, or fancy doing something a little bit more focussed, you can book instructor led beginners sessions at Live for Today Climbing in Harrogate or Ingleton Climbing Wall.
Janet’s Foss is only improved by rain!
Take a short walk to a waterfall
Yes, you didn’t think I was going to get through a WHOLE blog without mentioning waterfalls after rain.
TWICE!
Because whilst Hull Pot only ever appears after rain, waterfalls in general are ALWAYS better after rain! So here are three short walks to try on a rainy day!
Cotter Force
This super short and accessible walk in Wensleydale is spectacular after rain, so check out the walk route instructions for Cotter Force by heading to that page!
Linton Falls
Are absolutely mega after a lot of rain! Check out the walk to Linton Falls right here.
Janet’s Foss
A classic Yorkshire Dales legendary waterfall! Find out how to walk to Janet’s Foss right here!
The Wensleydale Creamery
Head to the Wensleydale Creamery
This has got to be THE most iconic place in the Yorkshire Dales! Yup. There’s plenty of ‘Cheeeeeese Gromit’ in the visitor centre of the world famous cheese factory!
You can even sample some for your self AND watch how the geographically protected cheese is made.
Located in Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, this is a great way to spend a wet and wild afternoon, with plenty of interactive activities for the kids to get stuck into, as well as being able to see inside the factory itself from a viewing area.
As well as the visitor centre, there is an on-site restaurant and cafe, as well as gift shop AND of course, the cheese shop too!
Cracking.
Check out what else there is to do in Hawes with the kids by going to our visit with kids guide to Hawes.
The Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes
The Museums
There are some excellent museums dotted around the Dales, but the main contenders for a decent afternoon out is the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes, the Dent Heritage Centre and Skipton Museum.
Hawes and Skipton in particular have plenty of interactive elements for the kids to get stuck into, with the Dales Countryside Museum having the slightly larger layout, so there is plenty to explore. All have plenty of Yorkshire Dales related history, delving into the history of the mining industry, farming and the extensive caving networks and the historical finds that were discovered upon their excavation.
There is no charge for entry to the Skipton Museum, but there is a small charge for the Heritage Centre and Countryside Museum.
Coffee and Clay in Skipton
Go Pottery Painting!
Ah the classic rainy day activity!
OK. If you’re taking a holiday in the Yorkshire Dales, then you’re going to want to check that you are going to be able to collect your wonderful creations, but here are a few places in the Dales that offer the pottery painting fun!
Coffee and Clay in Skipton
Exactly as it says, paint pottery whilst eating cake and drinking coffee! They also have an excellent cafe downstairs which I one hundred percent recommend!
Clayful in Ilkley
A super spot to paint pottery and get crafty! Based in Ilkley, Clayful has a fully licensed bar and cafe where you can paint pottery to your heart’s content!
The Old Barn Cafe in Malham
Another top Dales cafe with excellent coffee, cake and light bites AND a place to paint pottery on a rainy day!
Painting Pots Knaresborough
This super three floored studio is family friendly and has a wide range of crafty things to do as well as painting pottery! Even better, these guys offer a second class home delivery for your finished creations, if you do visit for a holiday!
Only Willow in Kirkby Stephen
You can book a pottery painting session here for all ages!
Crazy golf at Studfold Adventure Farm in Nidderdale
Check out the Farms!
There are plenty of open farms to check out in and around the Yorkshire Dales, and these are the ones that have indoor and outdoor play areas. Perfect for dodging those downpours!
Studfold Adventure Trail and Crazy Golf
This is a brilliant shout for a day where the weather doesn’t quite know what it’s doing! The adventure trail is an outdoor trail, which leads you around the farm, hunting for fairies and pixies along the way. There are places to shelter at the go-karts and at the adventure playground, but it is the new for 2025 mini-golf that is brilliant for an undercover activity.
Seasonal opening applies this is roughly April - September.
Hesketh Farm
Hesketh has PLENTY going on undercover if you need to hide from the rain, with both indoor as well as outdoor play areas, and animal barns. There is also an undercover ride on area with pedal tractors to play on too.
Seasonal opening times apply.
Birchfield Ice Cream Farm
Thornton Hall Country Park
Thornton Hall is excellent on a rainy day, with its own dedicated indoor soft play area too as well as being able to see the animals and have all the fun on the farm!
Open almost all year, check the website for exceptions.
Birchfield Ice Cream Farm
Based over in Nidderdale, there are some undercover play areas and animal barns. They also do some excellent seasonal activities and pick your own!
Sliding down one of the big slides at Billy Bobs near Skipton
Head to Billy Bob’s Ice Cream Parlour
But it’s FAR more than just ice cream!
Billy Bobs has indoor play barns as well as an outdoor play area and American style diner serving tasty family friendly food and drinks! The play barns are divided into two, one suitable for the older children and one suitable for younger kids. There is an undercover ride on area, slides and play vehicles to sit in and climb on.
The outdoor area has more slides, swings and stuff to clamber on! Outside of peak times you can just pay to play, if you are eating at the diner, the play areas do come at a separate charge.
The Stockeld Park Playhive
Stockeld Park Playhive
A little outside of Nidderdale near Harrogate and Wetherby, Stockeld Park is still well worth a mention!
We do love a trip to Stockeld Park. Usually reserved for a Christmas treat when they put on their spectacular illuminations, Stockeld Park is open for most of the year (some seasonal closures apply), with plenty of outdoors adventure playgrounds to play in, in the woods.
But in the centre of the park, is the Playhive!
This is a HUGE indoor play area which is probably one of the best we’ve ever been to. With plenty to explore, you can spend some excellent time burning off some energy whilst it’s raining outside!
Ticket prices and options for play vary throughout the year based on what event is running at the time.