Short answer: When it rains in Boscastle, head for the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic (open daily to 31 October 2026, £8 adults), the National Trust cafe and shop at the harbour, or the Wellington's open fires. Pentargon waterfall flows better after rain, and the Valency Valley woods give some cover. In storm warnings, stay off the cliffs and quay.
Boscastle sits at the bottom of a steep wooded valley, so when it rains here the river is the first thing you notice. On 23 October 2026 the National Trust even opened its cafe and shop late because of an amber weather warning. If you are wondering what to do in Boscastle when it rains, the answer depends on how wet and how windy: this guide goes from drizzle to proper storm.
Light rain is the best time to see the village's wet side. The Trust describes the Valency Valley as one of the few wooded areas in North Cornwall, and the river path starts at a gate at the far end of the car park. Under the trees you stay drier than on the clifftops. Take a short stroll along the river rather than committing to the whole valley.
Waterfalls improve after rain. A reviewer of Pentargon Waterfall (4.3 from 126 Google reviews) noted it is "not a great waterfall in the summer" but imagined it would be strong in the wetter months. Reviewers describe lots of steps down, so look from the clifftop path rather than going down in the wet. For details see our Boscastle walks guide.
It is the best indoor attraction in the village, with a catch: the museum is only open until 31 October 2026, then closes for the winter. Entry is £8 for adults and £5 for children aged 6 to 17, and it is open daily from 10am with last entry at 4:30pm, according to its website. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic has 4.5 from 2,860 Google reviews. The museum says the historic stone building is not accessible, with narrow doorways, so phone 01840 250111 if mobility matters. Dogs are not allowed unless they are assistance dogs. Allow an hour or more. Details are in our museum times and prices guide.
The National Trust cafe (4.5 from 147 Google reviews) shares a building with the shop and, nearby, a second-hand bookshop. The cafe serves pasties, sausage rolls, sandwiches, cakes and cream teas, and dogs are welcome in the cafe and courtyard. It also has a small exhibition about the 2004 flood, according to a visitor guide. Our Boscastle flood 2004 guide explains what happened that August afternoon.
Toby Jug Cafe (4.7 from 420 Google reviews) is the place for a pot of tea and a bacon roll; one reviewer praised "the hottest and nicest pot of tea". Bridge House (4.8 from 177 Google reviews) has warm scones, and reviewers describe sandwiches on fresh bread. Boscastle Bakery is next door for a pasty to take away.
Boscastle Farm Shop and Cafe (4.7 from 2,036 Google reviews) has a deli counter and a long menu, and reviewers say you are shown to a table inside even when busy. Reviewers say dogs are outside only. You need a car or a long uphill walk to reach it.
The Wellington has three open fires, including the large one in the main bar, after a four-month refurbishment by St Austell Brewery, and CAMRA lists it as dog friendly and family friendly with food from noon to 3pm and 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The Cobweb Inn is a five-storey old building by the bridge, and one reviewer was shown to a table in the original bar rather than the newer family room. The Napoleon Inn is up the hill and serves gluten-free dishes. All three suit a lunch that stretches into the afternoon. For more detail, see our Boscastle pubs guide.
A few. The Trust shop sells gifts, books, maps and walking guides, and "pocket-money toys". Boscastle Pottery (4.4 from 84 Google reviews) is on The Bridge, and one reviewer enjoyed watching potters at work, though others report poor service, so judge for yourself. Cornish Stores sells local produce, and reviewers say children like the toys. A local visitor guide also lists shops selling fossils and gemstones, prints and gifts, so a wet afternoon can be spent drifting between doorways along The Bridge.
Tintagel is the obvious next village. Tintagel Old Post Office (National Trust, 4.5 from 1,629 Google reviews) is a small medieval manor house with a garden, and reviewers warn of stairs. King Arthur's Great Halls (4.7 from 341 Google reviews) has a sound-and-light story of Arthur. Our Tintagel rainy-day guide covers the options in more depth. Both have seasonal hours, so check before you set off.
In an amber or red warning, yes. The harbour is a narrow inlet fed by two rivers. The 2004 flash flood followed over 60mm of rain in two hours, according to Wikipedia, and washed around 100 cars out to sea, the National Trust says. A flood alleviation scheme is in place now, the Trust says, but the wise move is to check warnings and avoid the clifftops, the quay edge and the beaches in strong wind. Cattle and ponies graze the clifftop fields all year, so keep dogs close. Our winter guide covers the cold-season basics. With children, try our Boscastle with kids ideas for indoor-and-outdoor mixes, or head back to the Boscastle town page.
No. Its website says it is open until 31 October 2026, then closes for the season. Check the site for the spring opening date.
The museum (children 6 to 17 pay £5), the National Trust cafe and shop, and the bakery are the main options. Children under 5 are free at the museum, and visits are at the adult's discretion.
The Valency Valley woods give shelter and Pentargon waterfall flows better after rain. The steps and clifftop paths can be slippery, so wear proper shoes.
The Wellington has three open fires, including a large one in the main bar. The other pubs are the Cobweb Inn and the Napoleon Inn.
Check weather warnings first. The 2004 flood followed intense rain, and a flood alleviation scheme is now in place according to the National Trust.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
See the full Boscastle guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Boscastle →