Quick summary: Bournemouth has been identified as the most rainproof coastal destination in the UK due to its extensive indoor facilities and natural shelter, providing a practical solution for the 76% of residents who continue to prioritising domestic staycations despite inconsistent weather. Psychological research suggests that shifting expectations towards flexible experiences and viewing rain as an opportunity for nervous system down regulation can significantly protect mental well being and family dynamics during holidays. Choosing locations with high rainproof scores is a vital consideration for public policy and healthcare practice to ensure that recreational time effectively supports rest and recovery even when rainfall occurs on almost every other day.
Bournemouth beach has been named the UK’s most rainproof beach by Parkdean Resorts, as new research shows most Brits are planning staycations despite unpredictable weather.
April holidays are seen as appealing for lighter evenings, warmer temperatures, and blooming nature. However, UK weather remains inconsistent, with showers often affecting outdoor plans.
A study by Parkdean Resorts found that more than 2 Brits, 70%, would continue with their holiday plans even if heavy rain was forecast.
Met Office data shows it rains between 170 and 180 days per year on average in the UK, meaning rainfall is likely on almost every other day.
Despite this, 3 in 4 Brits, 76%, say they are planning a staycation this year regardless of weather conditions.
A separate recent survey also indicates that around 78% of UK adults intend to take a domestic overnight trip over the next 12 months, highlighting continued demand for staycations.
To help holidaymakers plan around changeable conditions, Parkdean Resorts created a Rainy Day Index. It uses multiple data sources, including Met Office figures, geographical information, and availability of shelter and indoor facilities, to identify the most rainproof beaches in the UK.
UK’s most rainproof beaches
The ranking is based on a rainproof score out of 100 and the number of nearby indoor facilities.
- Bournemouth Beach, Dorset, England – 12 indoor facilities, score 95
- Exmouth Beach, Devon, England – 6 indoor facilities, score 94
- Weymouth Beach, Dorset, England – 7 indoor facilities, score 93
- Woolacombe Beach, Devon, England – 3 indoor facilities, score 92
- Paignton Sands, Devon, England – 3 indoor facilities, score 90
- Sandbanks Beach, Dorset, England – 0 indoor facilities, score 88
- Llandudno North, Conwy, Wales – 10 indoor facilities, score 87
- Bridlington South, Yorkshire, England – 10 indoor facilities, score 87
- Rhyl Beach, Denbighshire, Wales – 9 indoor facilities, score 85
- Portobello Beach, Midlothian, Scotland – 3 indoor facilities, score 85
Bournemouth’s seven miles of coastline ranked highest due to its natural shelter and strong access to indoor attractions.
The south coast dominates the ranking, particularly Dorset and Devon, while North Wales also features twice in the top 10.
Parkdean Resorts partnered with practitioner psychologist Ravi Gill to explore how mindset affects holiday enjoyment in poor weather.
Ravi Gill said: “Unpredictable weather is often the biggest psychological hurdle of a UK holiday, but interestingly, it’s usually not the rain itself that disrupts the experience. It’s the expectation of sunshine. A holiday isn’t ruined by rain. It’s shaped by how we respond to it. Let go of perfection: shift your mindset from perfect weather to flexible fun. Disappointment often comes from a mismatch between expectation and reality. If we mentally attach the holiday to blue skies, anything else feels like a loss. Instead, frame the trip around experiences rather than weather, using phrases like we’re going to explore we’re going to slow, down and rest”.
He also noted that children often take emotional cues from adults: “Children, particularly under eight, respond more to adult emotional cues than to the weather itself. If adults signal frustration, children absorb it. If adults frame rain as adventure, it becomes one.”
Ravi added that rest should not be dependent on sunshine: “We forget rest doesn’t need sunshine. In fact, rain can help slower, indoor moments often allow deeper conversations, board game evenings or afternoon naps, genuine nervous system down-regulation.”
Anthony Reilly, Marketing Director at Parkdean Resorts, said: “The Great British weather loves to keep us on our toes, but rain shouldn’t dampen the spirits or limit the range of things you can do on holiday. We’ve made sure our parks are ready for anything, so if it rains, you can keep busy inside with the kids, whether that’s a swim, a round of indoor mini golf, an escape room challenge, exploring the arcades, or enjoying live entertainment. There’s a peace of mind that comes with knowing the fun doesn’t stop if the sun decides to take its own short break. Beyond our parks, the UK’s holiday destinations offer plenty to enjoy in any weather, whether it’s scenic coastal walks between showers, cosy cafés, or indoor attractions for all the family. Some of the best memories are made in unexpected moments; it’s all about embracing the experience and making the most of time spent with loved ones, come rain or shine.”
The Rainy Day Index highlights how preparation, location choice, and access to indoor activities can help holidaymakers enjoy UK coastal breaks even during wet weather. Bournemouth leads the rankings due to its sheltered coastline and strong range of nearby indoor options, reinforcing the appeal of flexible, weather-ready staycations.