Short answer: On a wet day in Wadebridge: catch a film at the Regal on The Platt (a two-screen cinema that opened in 1931), swim or use the soft play at Wadebridge Sports & Leisure Centre, see Betjeman's belongings at the John Betjeman Centre (weekdays only), and let toddlers loose in Little Cocoa's play rooms. Then a long lunch in one of the pubs.
Wadebridge is better than most north Cornwall towns in the rain, because it has a cinema, a pool and soft play all within a few minutes.
A traditional cinema on The Platt that opened in January 1931 as the Cinedrome, with two screens since 1986. Run by WTW Cinemas. Reviewers love the old-school feel and fair prices.
A community-run leisure centre on Bodieve Road with a swimming pool, soft play, gym and café. Building hours are long on weekdays and 8:30am–4pm at weekends; check public swim times before you go. More pools: indoor pools in Cornwall.
In Wadebridge's old railway station beside the Camel Trail, run by the charity Concern Wadebridge. It has a memorial room to Sir John Betjeman with his belongings, academic honours and furniture, plus a community café. Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm; closed at weekends.
A café on Molesworth Street with play rooms for under-fives (small charge). Tuesday to Saturday.
Indoor tastings and tours on weekdays at Nanstallon, about 15 minutes away (no weekend opening). Camel Valley tours.
The Ship Inn with its low beams, or a Sunday roast if it's the weekend: Sunday roast in Wadebridge.
Padstow when it rains · Bodmin rainy day.
Everything else: the Wadebridge guide.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change — check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
See the full Wadebridge guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Wadebridge →