Anglesey is one of my favourite places to visit in North Wales. There are some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, and plenty to see and do during your time there. However, while you can think of plenty of ways to pass the time on a warm and sunny day, we are not always blessed with the weather. So what do you do when it rains? I wanted to share with you some of the best things to do in Anglesey in the rain. Find all my recommendations for things to do in Anglesey with kids here.
Best Things To Do In Anglesey In The Rain
These are our favourite rainy day activities on Anglesey:
- Visit Anglesey Sea Zoo
- Explore Pili Palas Nature World
- Discover Holyhead Maritime Museum
- Visit Plas Newydd
- Climb at Indy Climbing Wall
- Explore Oriel Môn
- Enjoy soft play at Empire Play Centre
- Visit Beaumaris Gaol
- Take a woodland walk in Newborough Forest
Indoor attractions Anglesey
Below you will find lots of ideas for indoor activities Anglesey. These are great options for when the wet weather is really bad and you can’t face an outdoor activity or walk. Further down the article, I have some suggestions for when the rain isn’t too bad and you are happy to put on your waterproofs and spend some time outdoors.
Anglesey Sea Zoo
This is a great indoor attraction that many families will enjoy. There are 40 tanks filled with different marine life making this a great indoor attraction. They focus on the sea life that you will find off the British Isles Coast which includes creatures such as Octopus, lobsters, seahorses, conger eels and jellyfish. It is located in the area of Brynsiencyn.
You can check out the website for more information here – Anglesey sea zoo
The Holyhead Empire Play Centre
If in doubt, and you want to let the kids occupy themselves on a rainy day then you can’t go wrong with a soft play centre. This one is filled with lots of fun activities for the children to enjoy. A couple of hours of fun and action to help them run off some energy when the day looks grim. Soft play is perfect for small children on a wet day. I’m sure they’ll love the soft play zone here.
You can check out the website for more information here – Holyhead Empire
Holyhead Empire Cinema
Of course, a great rainy day option is going to the cinema.
Find out what is showing here – Holyhead Empire Cinema
Pili Palas Nature world
This is one of the leading family attractions on the island and has an outdoor area where you can experience some of the cutest animals. However, when it rains, this is still a great place to consider. Inside you will get to experience the butterfly house, the bird house, lizards, the bug zone and the meerkat tunnel, to name a few. There is also a great cafe on site, an indoor soft play area and when the rain stops, you can enjoy the outdoor attractions as well.
Find out more here – Pili Palas
Holyhead Maritime Museum
This museum is right on the beach and gives the family a fascinating insight into shipwrecks, pirates, and all things maritime. During your visit, you will be able to find out what it was like to sail the Irish Sea 100 years ago, visit a WW2 air raid shelter, and look at some of the incredible memorabilia collect from WW1 and WW2. It is a great to spend some time on a rainy afternoon but it isn’t very big so you won’t be here ages.
£6 per adult, children free
You can check out the website for more information here – Maritime Museum
Ucheldre Centre
This is a community arts centre where you can escape the rain and enjoy marvelling at some of the beautiful masterpieces on display. It isn’t a large attraction, but it is a great way to pass a bit of time on a rainy afternoon. You will find the Ucheldre Centre in Holyhead.
There is also a theatre (which runs theatre shows, music and sometimes films) and cafe.
You can check out the website for more information – Ucheldre Centre
Plas Newydd National Trust
One of the best ways to spend some family time is by visiting a National Trust property, and Plas Newydd not only has spectacular gardens but a beautiful house that you can explore on a rainy day. Stately homes can be the best places to be on wet days. There’s also a lovely coffee shop, so this could be a great way to spend some time. You will find Plas Newydd in Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.
They often have family activities on during school holidays.
I’ve written a full post on this great day out here – Plas Newydd.
You can check out the website for more information.
Anglesey Transport Museum
Whether you have an interest in motoring or not, this can be a great way to spend a rainy day in Anglesey. There are vintage cars and bikes that you can spend time admiring, and there is also a great cafe on site as well. It is also a dog-friendly location so if you have got your dog with you then this could be a great option.
You can check out the website for more information – Anglesey Transport Museum
Anglesey Sea Salt – Halen Mon
Right next door to Anglesey sea zoo on the Menai Strait is this unique attraction which is the perfect place to spend a wet day. There offer 45 minute tours of the salt works that must be pre-booked and there is also a great gift shop too. Not recommended for children under 8 years.
You can check out their website for more information – Halen Mon
Oriel Mon (formerly ynys môn)
This is the largest gallery in North Wales and will make a great morning or afternoon stop when it is raining. Within its walls, visitors can experience what Anglesey has to offer through a wide range of exciting exhibitions. You can also enjoy different activities and events, all free of charge. If the weather isn’t too bad you could combine it with a short walk around the dingle.
We visit here often in the rain and love the changing exhibitions as well as the permanent museum which have plenty of activities for kids. There is also a gift shop, cafe and outdoor play area.
You can check out the website for more information – Oriel Mon
Stone Science Museum
This is a great wet weather attraction when looking for something to do when it is raining. The museum has a whole host of history showcased through fossils dating back hundreds of years. There are also lots of minerals and crystals that you can admire.
You can check out the website for more information – stone science museum
James Pringle Weavers
Sometimes you just need a place to shop and walk around, and Jame Pringle Weavers have a selection of different items for sale in a large shop that you can peruse. You can also enjoy the cafe, so if you want to pass a little bit of time while it is raining then this could be a great pitstop.
James Pringle Weavers is a popular shop in the town with the longest place name in Wales, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. As well as the shop, at the other side of the car park is the railway station displaying the town name. A great place to take a photo if the rain isn’t too bad or you find a break in the showers.
Beaumaris Gaol
If you like historical sites then don’t miss out on visiting Beamaris Gaol. Get an insight into what life was like for prisoners in the 1800s. You can also visit the courthouse too. Expect to spend 1-2 hours here.
Book here – Beaumaris Gaol
Indy climbing wall
Indoor rock climbing is a great wet weather day activity. It’s a great place to introduce your children to bouldering which is perfect for all ages. Indy often run taster sessions if you are not a competent climber.
Find full details on their website here – Indy Climbing Wall
Go to a leisure centre
There are 5 leisure centres in Anglesey. We have enjoyed swimming with our kids at the Holyhead one a few times when the weather has been bad.
You can find more details of the different sport facilities that they all have on their website here – Anglesey leisure centres.
Outdoor things to do on a rainy day
If the rain isn’t too bad, these are the best things to do in Anglesey outdoors in the rain.
Go for a walk in Newborough forest
If the rain isn’t too bad then a forest walk provides some protection from the rain. Newborough forest is one of our favourite walks in Anglesey. If the weather does brighten up you could extend the walk by walking to Llanddwyn island which is absolutely beautiful.
Parys Mountain
In the brown of Amlech, at the bottom of the mountain, you will find what was once one of the largest copper mines in the world. It was Anglesey’s very own copper rush. These days it is no longer a working mine but has been preserved to give people the chance to see what it was like in the mines, the history of copper mining, and what it has done for the island.
If the rain isn’t too bad, a walk around Parys mountain is one of our favourite family walks in Anglesey.
Visit the beach anyway!
We often visit the beach in the rain. Kids still have so much fun. Find all the Best beaches Anglesey to visit here.
Go shopping in Beaumaris or Menai Bridge
There are lots of cute little independent shops and cafes in both Menai Bridge and in Beaumaris. Some of my favourites are Janet Bell, Red Boat Gelato and Mock Turtle (that has an extensive selection of Taylor Swift memorabilia!).
Head to Greenwood family park
Greenwood family park is just off Anglesey in North Wales but well worth the drive. We have visited in the rain and only the bouncy pillow was closed, queues were shorter and there are two indoor soft play areas. Find out more in my full Greenwood family park review here.
It is worth checking they are open before you visit as they do close in extreme weather if the park is not safe.
I hope this has given you plenty of inspiration and ideas for things to do in Anglesey in the rain.
Where to next?
Fancy a short drive? Here are some local attractions and towns you might like to visit.
- Conwy is about an hour away and is a great town to visit. Find lots of things to do with kids in Conwy.
- There are loads of Things to do in Anglesey with toddlers. Find out more here.
- If you decide to stay indoors, here are some ideas – easy and fun indoor activities
- Here are some ideas for 100 Indoor activities for rainy days
- Get some ideas for entertaining energetic kids indoors in the rain here.
You can Bridge build at the Telford Centre (opposite Waitrose at Menai Bridge) on a Wednesday or a Thursday 10.0 to 5.0 during school holidays.
The Centre celebrates the two Bridges across the Menai Strait,
Thomas Telford’s bridge, opened in 1826 and Robert Stephensons bridge of 1850.