Wet weather? Things To Do Near Bridleways On A Rainy Day ☔️

We all hope for sunshine when we’re planning a break, but let’s be honest – a little rain doesn’t have to put a dampener on your plans!

One of the great things about staying at Bridleways Guest House is that you’re perfectly placed to explore the surrounding area, with plenty of indoor attractions and interesting places to discover when the weather isn’t playing ball.

From fascinating historic houses and museums to art, shopping, antiques and family-friendly fun, here are some of our favourite things to do on a wet day.

Step Back in Time at Mr Straw’s House.

If you’re interested in history, Mr Straw’s House in Worksop is a fantastic place to escape the rain.

This National Trust property is unlike many of the grand houses you might associate with the Trust. Instead, it’s an ordinary semi-detached home that has been preserved almost exactly as it was when the Straw family lived there.

The house is a fascinating time capsule of 1920s family life, with thousands of everyday possessions still in place. From clothing and crockery to personal papers and ornaments.

It’s a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours discovering what life was like for a family living in Worksop almost 100 years ago.

Top tip: Visits are by pre-booked timed tour, so check availability before you travel.

Discover Mansfield Museum.

For an inexpensive rainy-day activity, head into Mansfield and spend some time exploring Mansfield Museum.

The museum brings together the history of Mansfield and the surrounding area. With exhibitions and collections covering everything from natural history and archaeology to local industry and everyday life.

There’s also the hands-on XplorActive gallery, making it a good option for families as well as adults interested in local history. Best of all, entry is free.

Mansfield Museum is currently open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–3pm. Although it’s always worth checking before setting off as opening times can change.

Movie time!

Sometimes the best thing to do on a rainy day is simply sit back, relax and watch a good film!

Head into Mansfield for a trip to ODEON Mansfield, where you can settle into a comfy cinema seat and enjoy the latest blockbuster.

It’s an especially easy option if you’re travelling with children and the weather has ruled out outdoor adventures. Or if you’ve simply spent the morning exploring and fancy a quieter afternoon.

Rainy-day fun for the kids.

If you’ve got little ones with you, a wet day can sometimes feel like a challenge. However there are plenty of ways to burn off some energy indoors.

Mansfield has several indoor play options, including i FUN Trampoline & Soft Play Mansfield, Jangos Indoor Play and Party Centre and Playmania Mansfield.

Whether they’re keen to climb, bounce, run or simply let off some steam, these are great options when the rain makes outdoor adventures less appealing.

Remember: opening times and sessions can vary, so check ahead before you visit.

Art, history, food and rum at Welbeck.

The Welbeck Estate is a wonderful destination whatever the weather. It’s particularly good for a rainy-day outing thanks to the range of things to see and do under cover.

At the heart of the estate you’ll find The Harley Foundation, home to both The Harley Gallery and Harley Museum.

The free-entry museum is home to The Portland Collection, an impressive collection built up by the Dukes of Portland and their families over more than 400 years. The gallery also hosts changing contemporary exhibitions, while the Harley Shop is a lovely place to browse for something a little different.

There’s also the Harley Café, making it easy to combine a little culture with coffee, lunch or cake!

Fancy something a little different? Try a rum tour!

For something a little different, why not book a DropWorks Rum Distillery Tour?

Located at Welbeck, DropWorks is home to modern British rum, and its guided tours offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how rum is made.

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. It includes a welcome cocktail, a full tour of the distillery, tastings and a walk-through of the production process. You’ll get to see the bespoke distilling equipment up close, including the double retort still and large column still, before having time to browse the gift shop.

Tours are available from £15 per person Sunday to Friday, with children aged 8–17 welcome to attend. Up to one child can attend free with each paying adult. Children under 8 aren’t permitted on the tours. Designated drivers can also take a sample home rather than tasting on site.

It’s a great option for a grown-up rainy-day activity, and as DropWorks is right on the Welbeck Estate, you can easily combine your tour with a visit to the Harley Gallery, Farm Shop or one of the estate’s cafés.

DropWorks was also named Experience of the Year at the 2025 Nottinghamshire Tourism Awards. Making it a particularly interesting addition to your Nottinghamshire itinerary.

Top tip: Tours need to be booked in advance, so check the available dates and times before setting off. And if you’re planning to enjoy the tastings, make sure you’ve got a designated driver!

Beyond the gallery and museum, Welbeck is also home to the Welbeck Farm Shop, artisan businesses, workshops and places to eat and drink. The estate even hosts events and experiences throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what’s on during your stay.

With so much to explore in one location, Welbeck could easily fill a good part of a rainy day – without needing to worry about the weather!

And if you’re visiting with children, look out for the family activities and creative sessions that take place throughout the year.

Go treasure hunting at Newark.

If you enjoy antiques, vintage finds and a bit of retail therapy, a rainy day is the perfect excuse to head to Newark.

Known for its antiques trade, and you can spend hours browsing antique centres, independent shops and markets. The best bit? You never quite know what you’ll find!

Discover Quirky Duck.

For something a little different, make sure Quirky Duck Antique & Interiors Centre is on your list.

Based at The Old Auction House in Newark, Quirky Duck is a vibrant antiques and interiors centre packed with ever-changing treasures, unusual finds and pieces full of character. With independent dealers and rows of individual bays to browse, it’s the sort of place where you can lose track of time. And perhaps even come home with something you didn’t know you needed!

From furniture and vintage pieces to quirky interiors, garden items and decorative finds, there’s plenty to catch your eye. It’s a particularly fun place to explore if you’re not necessarily an antique expert but simply enjoy finding something a little bit different.

📍The Old Auction House, Newark, NG24 1BS. Open seven days a week. Although opening times vary, so it’s worth checking before you visit.

Newark Antiques & Interiors.

Once you’ve explored Quirky Duck, continue your treasure hunt at Newark Antiques & Interiors on Kelham Road.

With a huge selection of antiques and collectibles from a variety of dealers, there’s plenty to browse. From furniture and paintings to jewellery, ceramics, glassware, vintage clothing and unusual decorative pieces.

If you’re a real antiques enthusiast, you could easily spend a good part of the day exploring Newark’s different antique centres.

Newark Antiques Centre.

Another stop worth adding to your itinerary is Newark Antiques Centre on Lombard Street.

Housed in a former Regency Congregational chapel dating from 1823. The centre has dozens of stalls and cabinets featuring everything from period furniture and antiquarian books to vintage textiles, ceramics, jewellery and collectables.

And if you’re visiting on a Monday or Thursday, Newark Market Place also hosts collectors’ and antique markets, giving you even more opportunities to hunt for a bargain or an unusual find.

Once you’ve had enough of shopping, head into Newark town centre for a coffee, lunch or a wander around the historic streets before heading back to Bridleways.

Our tip: Don’t set yourself a strict shopping list! Half the fun of Newark’s antiques scene is seeing what you stumble across.

Make the most of your stay at Bridleways.

One of the things we love about being based on the edge of Sherwood Forest is that there’s so much to see and do within easy reach.

So, if the forecast isn’t looking quite as you hoped, don’t worry!

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Bridleways, grab your coat and choose your rainy-day adventure. Whether that’s stepping back in time at Mr Straw’s House, discovering local history at Mansfield Museum, enjoying a film, letting the kids burn off some energy, exploring the art and history of Welbeck or spending an afternoon treasure hunting for antiques in Newark.

And after a busy day exploring, you can look forward to coming back to a warm and comfortable welcome at Bridleways Guest House.

Planning a stay in Sherwood Forest? We’d love to welcome you.

Browse our accommodation and start planning your next Nottinghamshire getaway.

More inspiration for your stay.

Don’t forget to take a look through our other blogs for more ideas on things to do, places to visit, walks, food, events and days out around Sherwood Forest.