Grey skies don’t have to spoil the fun: from art galleries, parks and indoor climbing to cosy museums, cinemas, theatres and escape rooms, Northamptonshire is full of weather-proof days out for all ages. Book ahead for busy weekends and check opening hours before you go.
Rainy day activities in Northampton (indoor play, museums and entertainment)
Northampton Museum & Art Gallery
Address: 4-6 Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP
Website: northamptonmuseums.com
Free-entry galleries with world-class shoes, art and design.
Bright, modern spaces make this an easy cultural fix between coffee stops and shopping. Family trails often run in school holidays and there’s a handy café for refuels.
Royal & Derngate
Address: Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP
Website: royalandderngate.co.uk
Big-name tours, children’s theatre and orchestral concerts under one roof.
From Julia-Donaldson shows to comedy and classical, the programme is stacked year-round. Book matinees for younger families and look for pre-show workshops in holidays.
The Old Savoy – The Deco Theatre
Address: Abington Square, Northampton NN1 4AE
Website: theoldsavoy.co.uk
Art-deco gem hosting films, tribute nights and family shows.
A lovely wet-weather pick with comfy seating and a steady run of weekend entertainment. Keep an eye out for half-term specials and festive events.
Vue Northampton (Sol Central)
Address: Sol Central, Marefair, Northampton NN1 1SR
Website: vue.com
Blockbusters, budget family deals and recliner comfort.
Pair a morning screening with lunch nearby to turn a grey day into a treat. Look for Mini Mornings and discounted off-peak showings.
Cineworld Sixfields
Address: Sixfields Leisure, Weedon Road, Northampton NN5 5QJ
Website: cineworld.co.uk
Multiplex convenience with easy parking and dining next door.
Great for last-minute plans – plenty of screens and regular family-friendly slots across the week.
Tenpin Northampton (Sixfields)
Address: Gambrel Road, Sixfields Leisure, Northampton NN5 5QJ
Website: tenpin.co.uk
Bowling, arcades and karaoke in one weatherproof package.
Book a family lane, add food and tack on a round in the arcade for an easy afternoon that works across ages.
Riverside Hub
Address: Carousel Way, Riverside Retail Park, Northampton NN3 9HG
Website: riversidehub.com
Huge indoor play with role-play village, go-karts and mini glow golf.
Perfect for mixed ages – zones range from soft-play for toddlers to sensory rooms and giant slides. Sessions sell out in school holidays.
Deadlocked Escape Rooms Northampton
Address: 2nd Floor, 10 Abington Street, Northampton NN1 2AJ
Website: deadlockedrooms.com
Inventive, story-led puzzles that get everyone talking.
Pick a theme that suits your crew and work against the clock. Great for teens and two-family teams looking for a shared challenge.
78 Derngate – Charles Rennie Mackintosh House
Address: 82 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1UH
Website: 78derngate.org.uk
Design lovers’ dream house with striking interiors and a café.
Compact, fascinating and ideal for older kids or grown-ups. Combine with the museum for a culture-rich rainy morning.
Rainy day activities around Kettering & Rushden (climbing, golf and culture)
Rock Up Rushden Lakes
Address: Rushden Lakes, Crown Park, Rushden NN10 6FH
Website: rock-up.co.uk
Bright indoor climbing arena for kids and adults – no experience needed.
Auto-belay walls mean everyone can have a go. Book a family session and celebrate with hot chocolate on the boardwalk afterwards.
Paradise Island Adventure Golf
Address: Rushden Lakes, Crown Park, Rushden NN10 6FH
Website: paradiseislandgolf.com
Two themed 18-hole indoor adventure courses.
Easy win for mixed ages – colourful sets, silly obstacles and bragging rights. Great value midweek and a reliable party option.
Kettering Museum & Art Gallery
Address: Sheep Street, Kettering NN16 0AN
Website: kettering.gov.uk/museums
Free local history museum and gallery in the town centre.
Dry, cultural and bite-sized – perfect between errands or as a starter before lunch. Look for family crafts during school holidays.
Thunderbowl Kettering
Address: 20 Silver Street, Kettering NN16 0BN
Website: thunderbowl.co.uk
Bowling, arcades and onsite escape rooms for teens.
Book a couple of games and rotate between lanes and arcades. For older kids, try the escape rooms on the same site.
Rushden Transport Museum & Railway
Address: The Old Station Building, Station Approach, Rushden NN10 9SL
Website: rhts.co.uk
Small, friendly museum with heritage rail open days.
Time your visit for running days or special events. Indoors you’ll find exhibits on local rail history and transport memorabilia.
Rushden Museum (seasonal)
Address: Hall Park, Rushden NN10 9NG
Website: rushdenmuseum.org
Compact local museum – great as a short, dry stop.
Browse social-history displays, then dash to the park café when showers ease. Check opening dates outside summer.
Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre
Address: Boardwalk, Rushden Lakes, Rushden NN10 6FH
Website: nenevalley.net
Nature hub with indoor discovery areas and covered boardwalk starts.
Grab trail maps and spotter sheets inside before nipping between hides during dry spells. Good for wildlife-mad kids.
Rainy day activities around Corby (skate, swim and shows)
Adrenaline Alley
Address: 6 Priors Haw Road, Corby NN17 5JG
Website: adrenalinealley.co.uk
World-class indoor skatepark for scooters, boards and BMX.
Huge ramps, friendly marshals and beginner sessions make this a standout. Book inductions for first-timers and take pads for peace of mind.
Corby East Midlands International Pool
Address: Parkland Gateway, George Street, Corby NN17 1QB
Website: leisurecorby.org
Slides, family swims and great spectator seating in a bright complex.
Ideal for mixed ages – look for fun sessions and inflatables on weekends. The café is handy for post-swim warm-ups.
The Core at Corby Cube
Address: Parkland Gateway, George Street, Corby NN17 1QG
Website: thecorecorby.com
Children’s theatre, comedy and live music in an intimate space.
A welcoming venue that’s brilliant for first theatre trips. Choose short matinees and combine with lunch in town.
Trapp’d Escape Rooms Corby
Address: 46 George Street, Corby NN17 1QD
Website: trappd.com
Immersive puzzle rooms for teams of friends or families.
Pick a theme to suit your group and race the clock. Great for teens who like a challenge and something different from screens.
Corby Library at The Cube
Address: Parkland Gateway, George Street, Corby NN17 1QG
Website: northnorthants.gov.uk
Warm space for story time, crafts and homework clubs.
When the rain sets in, libraries deliver – free activities, comfy corners and plenty to borrow for a cosy afternoon at home.
Rainy day activities around Wellingborough & the Nene Valley (swim, steam and shows)
The Castle Theatre, Wellingborough
Address: Castle Way, Wellingborough NN8 1XA
Website: castletheatre.co.uk
Family theatre, kids’ comedy and cinema screenings.
A reliable pick for CBeebies-style shows and panto. Central, with parking nearby and easy pre-show dining.
Waendel Leisure Centre
Address: Thomas Street, Wellingborough NN8 1DZ
Website: everyoneactive.com
Family pool sessions, learner lanes and inflatable fun on selected days.
Book ahead on rainy Saturdays and take £1 coins for lockers. The spectator area is handy for non-swimmers.
Wellingborough Museum
Address: 12 Castle Way, Wellingborough NN8 1XA
Website: wellingboroughmuseum.co.uk
Atmospheric local museum in a former Victorian swimming baths.
Discover town stories through objects, photos and recreated shopfronts. Friendly volunteers and hands-on displays make it great with kids.
Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum (select days)
Address: Irchester Country Park, Gipsy Lane, Irchester NN29 7DL
Website: ingrm.co.uk
Pocket-sized railway heritage museum – perfect bolt-on to a park visit.
Check opening days and dive into quarry-rail history under cover. Ideal for short attention spans or die-hard train fans.
Chester House Estate – Indoor Galleries & Café
Address: Claudius Way, Irchester NN29 7EZ
Website: chesterhouseestate.org
Archaeology displays, café and regular workshops out of the weather.
Even when the fields are soggy, the visitor buildings keep you dry. Check listings for craft sessions and talks.
Rainy day activities around Oundle & East Northants (theatre, museums and cafes)
Stahl Theatre, Oundle
Address: West Street, Oundle PE8 4EJ
Website: stahltheatre.co.uk
Community-facing theatre with touring drama, music and youth shows.
A characterful space linked to Oundle School that welcomes the public. Look for family matinees and local productions.
Oundle Museum (seasonal)
Address: The Courthouse, Mill Road, Oundle PE8 4BW
Website: oundlemuseum.org.uk
Compact museum telling the town’s story through time.
Friendly volunteers, bite-sized displays and dressing-up corners make this a neat wet-weather hour. Check seasonal opening dates.
St Peter’s Church, Oundle – Indoor Heritage Stop
Address: North Street, Oundle PE8 4AL
Website: oundleparishchurch.org.uk
Soaring interior, quiet corners and beautiful stained glass.
When it’s pouring, churches are perfect – peaceful, free and full of detail. Be respectful of services and events.
Lyveden – Café, Shop and Talks (National Trust)
Address: Near Oundle, PE8 5AT
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/lyveden
Warm up over cake, browse the shop and join indoor talks on open days.
If the trails are muddy, enjoy the indoor comforts and learn about the extraordinary Elizabethan landscape from the team.
Rainy day activities around Towcester, Daventry & South Northants (motorsport, pools and puzzles)
TBV Axe Masters, Weedon
Address: TBV AxeMasters, Unit11, The Stores, Weedon,NN7 4NJ
Website: https://tbvaxemasters.com/northants-venue
Hands-on axe throwing venue where precision, power, and friendly competition mix.
A high-energy, instructor-led experience that turns a visit to Weedon into something seriously memorable.
Silverstone Interactive Museum
Address: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester NN12 8TN
Website: silverstonemuseum.co.uk
Hands-on motorsport museum with simulators and pit-wall moments.
A slick, modern attraction that turns grey skies into a big-day-out. Even non-petrolheads get swept up in the roar of the grid.
The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
Address: Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE
Website: canalrivertrust.org.uk
Cosy waterways museum beside a classic lock flight.
Dive into canal stories, models and artefacts, then watch boats from the windows if the rain eases. Pair with hot chocolate in the village.
Towcester Centre for Leisure
Address: Milton Way, Towcester NN12 6UW
Website: towcesterleisurecentre.co.uk
Leisure pool with family sessions and flumes.
Book ahead on weekends – it’s a dependable, warm option for little legs that need movement when the weather turns.
Teamworks Karting Northampton (Daventry)
Address: 1 Alvis Way, Royal Oak Industrial Estate, Daventry NN11 8PG
Website: teamworkskarting.com
Indoor karting thrills for juniors and adults.
Adrenaline without the rain. Arrive early for briefings, suit up and compare lap times over burgers in the café.
The Arc Cinema Daventry
Address: Unit 5, Mulberry Place, Daventry NN11 4DR
Website: arc-cinema.co.uk
Modern screens, comfy seats and good value tickets.
A fuss-free alternative to larger multiplexes with friendly staff and easy parking in the new town centre development.
Daventry Museum
Address: 3 New Street, Daventry NN11 4BT
Website: daventrymuseum.org.uk
Volunteer-run gem with local stories and changing exhibitions.
Open selected days, it’s a lovely low-cost browse – especially good paired with coffee on the high street afterwards.
Horton’s Emporium Escape Rooms (Daventry)
Address: 24 Sheaf Street, Daventry NN11 4AB
Website: hortonsevents.co.uk
Atmospheric, story-led escape adventures in the town centre.
Pick a difficulty level and dive into puzzles that keep teens and grown-ups engaged for the full hour.
Wet-weather tip: Book peak weekend slots for trampolining, climbing, karting and pools. Off-peak mornings are calmer. Pack a spare layer and a dry bag for damp coats so you can linger for cake after the fun.
