Top Things to Do in South Wales When its Raining

Let’s face it, we get our fair share of rain in Wales. We’re renowned for it. But then all that rain is what guarantees all our stunning luscious green scenery, so I suppose we can’t really complain.  But for those rainy days, here are our pick of the top things to do in south Wales when its raining

We are also pretty well equipped for it too with a whole host of activities and places to visit when the weather is less than favourable.  Here are some of our favourite things to do in South Wales when it is raining, spanning across Cardiff, Swansea and the Vale.

THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH WALES WHEN ITS RAINING – CARDIFF

Become a Mad Scientist at Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Techniquest is the UK’s longest established science centre, with over 100 interactive exhibits over two floors making science fun for both children and adults. Every day they put on educational talks and shows covering subjects such as the power of flight and space travel. Once a month during
term time pre-school children have the place to themselves with special activities geared for little ones.  You can read our review HERE.

Address: Techniquest, Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW
Telephone: 029 20 47 5475
Website: www.techniquest.org

Get a Hole in One at Tree Top Adventure Golf, Cardiff

In the heart of the St. Davids shopping centre, hidden away above the shops you will find Tree Top Adventure Golf. It has two mini 18 hole golf courses with obstacles to tackle. You can opt for the Tropical Trail with frogs, toucans and towering trees or the Ancient Explorer with spirits and mystic
rivers. Play the nineteenth hole where a hole in one will earn you a free round.

Address: Adventure Golf, P3, St. Davids, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ
Telephone: 029 2022 6590
Website: www.adventuregolf.com

Go on a Journey Through Time at Cardiff Museum, Cardiff

Find out about the evolution of Wales from the beginning of time, right through from the big bang to the present day. You’ll get up close to huge dinosaur skeletons, come face to face with a woolly mammoth and learn about the challenges and perils in todays oceans. Experience some of the
unique environments that make Wales home to over 900 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.  You can read our full review of the museum HERE.

Address: National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP
Telephone: 0300 111 2 333
Website: www.museum.wales/cardiff

Find the Missing Sherlock Holmes at the Escape Rooms, Cardiff

Based in Sherlock Holmes Office, you will have an hour to decipher the clues and solve puzzles left by Dr. Watson in order to find the missing Holmes before the police come knocking.

Or, you could enter the lost tomb of Tutankhamen and search for the sacred 4 pyramids. Whatever you choose, the one hour escape games will have you using your wits and working together as a family. Will you all get out in time?

Address: Escape Rooms, 1st & 2nd Floors, 119 St. Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY
Telephone: 029 2167 9700
Website: www.escaperoomscardiff.co.uk

Get Behind the Scenes at the Iconic Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Get a behind the scenes tour at one of the most iconic landmarks in Wales – The Principality Stadium. Home to the Welsh Rugby Team, the stadium is one of the the world’s largest indoor arenas. During your tour you’ll be able to visit the Dragon’s Lair of the team dressing room, walk down the players tunnel to the pitch and finally lift the trophy in the presidents box.

Address: Principality Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1NS
Telephone: 0844 8847 1881
Website: www.principalitystadium.wales

Perfect Your flips and turns at Spit & Sawdust Skate Park, Cardiff

Spit and Sawdust is a not for profit social enterprise, centred around an indoor skate park with a shop and cafe. The skate park is full of lines with street inspired tracks. Its worth going there just for the freshly cooked burgers.

Address: Unit B, Rhymney River Bridge Road, Cardiff, CF23 9AF
Telephone: 029 2049 4741
Website: www.spitandsawdust.co.uk

Dance on Ice at the Ice Arena Wales, Cardiff Bay

Dance the night away on skates at Cardiff’s ice rink. They hold a family disco session on Thursday nights and a junior disco every Friday. If you’ve not tried ice-skating before why not try a taster session as part of their learn to skate programme. Or if you’d rather stay off the ice you could always watch the reigning Elite League Champions the Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey team in action instead.

Address: Ice Arena Wales, Olympian Drive, Cardiff, CF11 0JS
Telephone: 029 2078 9630
Website: www.icearenawales.co.uk

Climb like Spider Man at Boulders, Cardiff

Boulders in Cardiff has over 120 lines of indoor climbing covering over 2,000 square metres of climbing surface and reaching heights of 12 metres. They offer an 80 minute family climbing session ideal for those adventure seeking families looking to try out something new. With no experience necessary they will have you hooked up and ready to climb in no time.

Address: Boulders Climbing Centre, Pengam Road, Cardiff, CF24 2RZ
Telephone: 029 2048 4880
Website: www.Bouldersuk.com

See who is the fastest on wheels at Team Sport Karting, Cardiff

Team Sport Cardiff has a multi-level indoor karting track which is more than 500 m long and is sure to test your nerves. During family sessions, you can race it out for a chance to find out who’s the fastest in the family.

Address: TeamSport Cardiff, Unit 11, Dominion Way, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 1PT
Telephone: 0844 998 0000
Website: www.team-sport.co.uk/cardiff

Master your Balance at Cardiff International White Water Centre, Cardiff

For when the beach is out of reach or the waves are misbehaving, have a go at the indoor wave pool in Cardiff. With their expert tuition they’ll have you mastering bodyboarding in no time. You can take a friend or family member to ride with side by side to see who will be able to stay on the
longest.

Or as you’re going to get wet anyway, why not go rafting?  The centre runs family sessions where the water level is reduced making it a calmer (but still a full of fun) experience of riding the rapids for all the family.

Address: CIIW, Watkiss Way, Cardiff, CF11 0SY
Telephone: 029 2082 9970
Website: www.CIWW.com

Make a Splash at Cardiff International Pool, Cardiff Bay

Splash around for hours in the supervised fun pool. With a range of inflatables, toys and floats there is enough to keep your kiddies busy busy in the water. For the more adventurous there are some twisting water slides to try out too. Or if you want to practice your butterfly head into the 50 metre Olympic sized swimming pool to perfect your stroke.

Address: Cardiff International Pool, Olympian Drive, Cardiff, CF11 0JS
Telephone: 029 2072 9090
Website: www.leisurecetre.com/cardiff-international-pool

THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH WALES WHEN ITS RAINING – SWANSEA 

Get Rained on Indoors at Plantasia, Swansea

You can visit a tropical paradise with its indoor rainforest right in the heart of Swansea. Did you know that every second an area the size of a football field is destroyed, that’s over 80,000 football fields of rainforest being lost each and everyday. Which is crazy when you consider they contain
over half the world’s species of plants and animals.

At Plantasia kids will get the chance to learn about the importance of our rainforests and get up close to the plants and animals that live there.  Expect to see bearded dragons, pythons and even the endangered species of the Tamarind monkeys.

Address: Plantasia, Parc Tawe, Swansea, SA1 2AL
Telephone: 01792 474555
Website: www.swansea.gov.uk/plantasia

Sit in a Sinclair C5 at The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea

The National Waterfront Museum exhibits the history of industry and innovation in Wales spanning back over the last 300 years. You can have a go at the latest sensory technology that responds to hand gestures, learn about the power of the sea or sit in a replica Sinclair C5.

For any budding innovator it’s a great source of inspiration. The added bonus is that entry to the museum is free which means you can go back again and again.  You can read our full review of the museum HERE.

Address: National Waterfront Museum, Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea, SA1 3RD
Telephone: 0300 111 2333
Website: www.museum.wales/swansea

Find Your Inner Lewis Hamilton at your own Mini Grand Prix, Swansea 

Adrenaline junkies will love a go at indoor karting. Master those hairpin turns, hold your nerve on the straights and you may even set a new lap record.

Skidz is Swansea’s only indoor karting track has karts for all ages and abilities, with tracks to challenge all types of drivers. They also have a games room with driving simulators, a pool table and air hockey.

Address: Skidz Karting, Unit 1, Rear of Queensway, Swansea West Business Park, Swansea,
SA5 4DJ
Telephone: 01792 580927
Website: www.skidzkarting.co.uk

Make a Splash at The LC2 Centre, Swansea

The LC2 is home to the the biggest indoor water park in Wales. With its three daredevil waterslides, a waves pool, lazy river, whirlpool and a surf zone there’s plenty there to burn up some of the kids energy.

There are also two toddler splash areas with mini slides too so the little ones don’t miss out. For drier activities they have a large indoor soft play area and a climbing wall.

Address: LC2, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3ST
Telephone: 01792 466500
Website: www.thelcswansea.com

Discover a Labyrinth of Caves at the National Show Caves Centre, Brecon Beacons

There are three main caves to explore all dating back to around 350 million years ago; the Dan yr Ogof, the Cathedral Cave and the Bone Cave, so named because they found 42 human and animal bones there.

In between the showers, budding palaeontologists can test their dinosaur knowledge with one of the world’s largest collection of life sized dinosaur models on show. Look out for the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex, the docile Diplodocus and the spiky Stegosaurus.  You can read our full review of the caves HERE.

Address: Dan Yr Ogof, The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Brecon Beacons
Telephone: 01639 730284
Website: www.showcaves.co.uk

Climb the Walls at Dynamic Rock, Clydach

Dynamic Rock is a not for profit organisation aiming to make climbing available to all. They offer a one and a half hour taster session to provide you with the basics and to encourage you to scale as many walls as possible. They also have a Bouldering Room which is a low level climbing cave
with no ropes required.

They recognise that many people will want to try their skills outside too so they have developed their Inside Out course which teaches you everything you need to know to transfer your skills to the sea cliffs of the Gower Peninsular. As part of their programme they schedule outdoor meet ups and courses for outside adventure too

Address: Dynamic Roack, The Old Public Hall, Hebron Road, Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5EJ
Telephone: 01792 845655
Website: www.dynamicrock.co.uk

Perfect Your Freestyle at Exist, an Indoor Skate Park, Swansea 

Exist in Swansea is a not for profit indoor skate park which is committed to improving the level of extreme sporting talent in South Wales. They have a mix of sessions from toddler mornings, to open skate, to girls only. Beginners and experts are all catered for across skateboarding, scooting
and BMX stunts. You can grab a coffee there while you watch them practice their tricks.

Address: Exist Skatepark, 1 Mount Pleasant, Swansea, SA1 6EE
Telephone: 01792 474095
Website: www.existskatepark.com

Munch on Popcorn at the Smallest Cinema in Wales, Gower Heritage Centre

An old railway carriage has been converted into a 23 seat cinema making it the smallest cinema in Wales. You’ll be very popular with friends when you hire it out to all watch your favourite film there.  The Gower Heritage Centre also has a small rural life museum based around a working 12th
Century water-mill which is worth a visit.

Address: Gower Heritage Centre, Parkmill, Swansea, SA3 2EH
Telephone: 01792 371206
Website: www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

Pretend like you’re Bond, James Bond at Lazerzone, Swansea

Let them be mini super agents and zap each other at Lazerzone.  The guns fire infrared rays that cause no harm, so its a lot gentler than paint balling and a lot cleaner, meaning less washing too. There is also Lazer places at Barry and Cardiff.

Address: Lazerzone, Castle Buildings, Worcester Place, Swansea, SA1 1JQ
Telephone: 01792 653433
Website: www.lazerzone.org

THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH WALES WHEN ITS RAINING  – VALE OF GLAMORGAN

Stamp Your Own Coin at The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant

The Royal Mint in Llantrisant is a fascinating and educational experience for all ages. It showcases the production of coins and follows the journey of a coin right through to you having the chance to stamp your own one pound coin to take home. If nothing else, at least the kids will appreciate that money doesn’t grow on trees.  You can read our full review of the experience HERE.

Address: The Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Pontyclun, CF72 8YT
Telephone: 0333 241 2223
Website: www.royalmint.com

Jump Around at Jump Jam Trampoline Park, Bridgend

Where better to burn off some energy than at a trampoline park. At Jump Jam you’ll be spoilt for choice with angled walls to run up, a half pipe tumble track, an inflatable assault cause, a dodgeball area, basketball hoops, a Rodeo buckaroo and a climbing wall.

The bonus for parents is that there is a nice cafe area with an excellent viewpoint of the trampolines for you to relax in while they wear themselves out.  You can read our review HERE.

Address: Jump Jam Trampoline Park, Waterton Industrial Estate, Bridgend, CF31 3YN
Telephone: 01656 253161
Website: www.jumpjam.co.uk

Talk to the Animals at Wiggleys Fun Farm, Bridgend

Wiggleys has a large indoor wooden adventure play area equipped with a 4 lane wavy slide, tube slides, rope bridges and climbing towers. It also has a Didi car race track and an area for toddlers.

When the rain has stoped you can head outdoors to meet the animals, feed the ducks or have play in the outside park.

Address: Wiggleys, Aberbaiden Road, Ffordd y Gyfraith, Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend, CF32 0BT
Telephone: 01656 743246
Website: www.wiggleysfunfarm.co.uk

Become a Miner for the Day at Rhondda Heritage , Trehafod

Be lowered down the mineshaft and walk in the footsteps of the miners who once worked at the Lewis Merthyr Colliery. You will wear the same equipment used by miners, including the safety helmet, cap lamp and belt so that you get the full experience of what it was like to be a Welsh coal
miner.

Your guide will be a former coal miner who will be able to explain the different ways of coal production and share a story or two about working in the mine. New for 2018 is the Dram Experience where you will take a virtual ride on the last dram of coal to the surface.

Address: Rhondda Heritage Park, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod, CF37 2NP
Telephone: 01443 682036
Website: www.rctcbc.gov.uk

Zap Your Friends at Quaser, Barry

Let them be super agents and battle it out in teams with a game of laser quest. The guns fire infrared rays that cause no harm, so it is gentler than paint balling and a lot cleaner, meaning less washing too.  We had a go and joined in with them the last time as part of their birthday party and had a right laugh.

Each team scores points by zapping their opponents with points deducted every time they are zapped back. Which team will win?

Address: Barry Island Quasar, 5 Station Approach Road, CF62 5TH
Telephone: 01446 421611
Website: www.barryislandquasar.com

I hope you have found out top things to do in South Wales when its raining has been useful.  Let us know your favourite places to head to when it starts raining in the comments below.