With wet weekends and gloomy days ahead, unpredictable British weather can make planning a family day out feel like a risky move. To help families avoid cancelling plans at the first sign of grey skies, travel experts at AttractionTickets.com analysed more than 100 popular destinations across the UK and just beyond to identify the best places to visit when it rains.
Each destination was assessed using four key factors: how weatherproof its attractions and activities were, the number of family-friendly attractions available for all ages, the number of indoor attractions, and average visitor rating. Each factor was scored out of 10, with the results averaged to produce a final Rainy Day Rescue Score.
Unsurprisingly, London ranks as the best destination for a rainy day, achieving a Rainy Day Rescue Score of 9.38 out of 10. With an estimated 2,122 weatherproof attractions and activities, the capital offers plenty to do when the weather is bad.
Northern locations across the UK performed strongly, with eight making the top 20
- Edinburgh ranked fourth overall. Families visiting the city can escape the rain at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.
- Liverpool ranked sixth. The city’s Quirky Quarter offers an immersive indoor alternative.
- Newcastle upon Tyne placed eighth. It achieved an average visitor rating of 4.5 out of 5.
- Manchester secured ninth position. It has nearly three times as many weatherproof attractions as Birmingham, although Birmingham has 30% more family-friendly options, giving it an advantage for a rainy day out with children.
- Glasgow, Blackpool, Leeds, and Sheffield took 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th spots. These cities reinforced the strong showing for northern destinations.
In contrast, Wales shows the reverse, with no destination making the top 20 despite averaging 158 rainy days a year. Much of its family appeal is centred on the great outdoors and National Trust land.
Paris, in second place, is the highest-ranking destination outside the UK, with more than double Dublin’s 541 weatherproof attractions and activities. Families can escape the rain by hopping on the Eurostar and visiting places such as Disneyland Paris.
With almost all their weatherproof attractions suitable for families, Windsor and Stratford upon Avon also make the top 20 despite each having fewer than 50 options.
Full leaderboard rankings
| Rank | Destination | Weather-Proof Attractions & Activities | Family-Friendly Attractions & Activities | Average Visitor Rating (/5) | Rainy Day Rescue Score (/10) |
| 1 | London | 2,122 | 774 | 4.60 | 9.38 |
| 2 | Paris | 1,181 | 581 | 4.60 | 8.27 |
| 3 | Dublin | 541 | 251 | 4.50 | 5.64 |
| 4 | Edinburgh | 512 | 244 | 4.60 | 5.64 |
| 5 | Amsterdam | 574 | 245 | 4.50 | 5.41 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 323 | 121 | 4.50 | 5.34 |
| 7 | Birmingham | 244 | 108 | 4.40 | 5.28 |
| 8 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 182 | 66 | 4.50 | 5.00 |
| 9 | Manchester | 662 | 83 | 4.50 | 4.74 |
| 10 | Belfast | 213 | 89 | 4.50 | 4.73 |
| 11 | Brussels | 299 | 135 | 4.30 | 4.63 |
| 12 | Glasgow | 323 | 125 | 4.60 | 4.53 |
| 13 | Blackpool | 125 | 63 | 4.40 | 4.49 |
| 14 | Windsor | 39 | 37 | 4.50 | 4.49 |
| 15 | Leeds | 243 | 88 | 4.40 | 4.46 |
| 16 | Sheffield | 172 | 85 | 4.40 | 4.37 |
| 17 | Plymouth | 154 | 73 | 4.40 | 4.31 |
| 18 | Brighton | 165 | 56 | 4.40 | 4.27 |
| 19 | Stratford-upon-Avon | 50 | 48 | 4.50 | 4.16 |
| 20 | Bath | 133 | 71 | 4.60 | 4.14 |
Expert industry commentary
Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.com, commented on the findings: “Brits know September is one of those months where you never quite know what weather you’re going to get. One week can still feel like summer and the next you’re dealing with thunderstorms. Even if you’ve been keeping an eye on the forecast, you can wake up and suddenly your plans are out the window. That’s why our team looked at over 100 destinations to find the best family day trips where everyone stays dry and happy.”
“A rainy day in London offers many family days out, such as the Twist Museum, Madame Tussauds, and SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Over in Paris, Disneyland is just as well equipped for a downpour, with loads of indoor rides including Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure and Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s easy to see why these cities came out on top.”
“Overall, there’s a real mix of tourist hotspots across the UK and destinations a short Eurostar trip or brief plane ride away, so families have plenty of day trip ideas to choose from on a gloomy weekend.”