Rainy-day treats in Devon: Small comforts that don’t break the bank
Devon’s reputation for big skies and dramatic coastline is well-earned, but so is its reputation for sideways rain. When another grey front rolls in from the Atlantic, the choice is often stark. Either spend some money you don’t really have on a big day out, or stay at home and stare at the damp washing.
It doesn’t have to be either-or. With the cost of living still biting, more people are looking for small, affordable treats that brighten a rainy day without leaving them wincing at the bank statement. From free cultural events to low-cost indoor attractions, there are plenty of ways to lift the mood without losing control of your budget.
Start with what’s free
Devon’s libraries are one of the most underrated rainy-day refuges. They’re not just about borrowing books anymore. Across the county, libraries host everything from craft workshops and live music to film screenings, talks and family discos. Many of them free or very low cost.
Recent seasonal programmes have brought a run of free and affordable events to libraries in Devon and Torbay, with activities designed to get people creating, talking and feeling part of something again. It’s easy to overlook these spaces because they don’t shout for attention in the same way a theme park does, but on a wet Saturday they can be a godsend. Fancy some warm welcome and kindness to your wallet? Look no further.
Local museums and cultural institutions also offer good value. Plymouth’s The Box blends art, history and immersive displays and often runs free exhibitions. Exeter, Torquay and smaller towns around the county all have their own museums and galleries where a modest entry fee buys you a couple of dry, interesting hours.
Low-cost indoor attractions for when cabin fever hits
Sometimes the cats and dogs are so relentless that you just need to get out of the house. Fortunately, Devon is unusually well stocked with indoor attractions.
The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is a classic choice: huge tanks, sharks gliding past the glass and enough information panels to keep both kids and grown-ups occupied. In North Devon, The Milky Way Adventure Park offers a mix of indoor rides, soft play and shows under one roof - useful when the forecast is a solid block of blue on the map.
Tourism sites have begun compiling “rainy day” lists specifically for Devon, pulling together everything from underground caves and historic houses to creative workshops and indoor climbing walls. If you pick carefully, you can usually find options where children go free with paying adults, or where a family ticket spreads the cost.
The key is to treat these days out as exactly that. With occasional outings, not a default every weekend habit. A bit of planning, checking offers in advance and sharing transport with friends can dramatically reduce the overall spend.
The cosy night in: Films, board games and digital treats
Of course, not every evening needs to be “an outing”. There’s a lot to be said for embracing the classics: a good film, something in the slow cooker and a slightly competitive board game (that someone will inevitably take too seriously).
For adults, some of this cosy time has shifted online. Friends who might once have met in the pub now jump on a video call and play quizzes together. Others host virtual board-game nights or co-watch a series while chatting on their phones. And yes, for some, a small budget set aside for a flutter on a reputable online casino site like truststake casino can be part of that mix - as long as it’s exactly that.
If you do choose that route, the same rules as any other paid entertainment apply. A quick check if it’s properly regulated, decisions in advance regarding how much you’re “happy” to lose and that you’re willing to log off once it’s gone.
Making it feel less heavy
None of this removes the reality that many families in Devon are watching every pound at the moment. But that’s exactly why reframing rainy days can help. Instead of seeing bad weather as another reason to spend big, (or as a guaranteed write-off), it can be a prompt to look closer at what’s already around us.
A free event at the local library, a couple of hours wandering a museum, a reduced-price family ticket at an indoor attraction or a carefully budgeted night in with a film and a small treat. Put together, they’re the sort of modest, manageable pleasures that make a long, wet winter feel human again.
And in a county where the weather will always do its own thing, finding those small comforts might be one of the best investments you can make.
