What to Do at the Yorkshire Coast When It Rains
Our top rainy-day attractions near the coast
The Deep
There are so many ways to explore the seas and oceans at the award-winning aquarium The Deep. Explore more than four billion years of ocean history, visit the tropical fish in the Lagoon of Light, head to the Living Reef to discover the species that live amongst the coral, and in the Endless Ocean’s 2.5 million litres of water and 87 tonnes of salt you’ll find some of the most fascinating animals in the sea. Give a wave to the Gentoo penguins, beware of the Whitetip reef shark and admire the Moon jellyfish. The Cool Seas gallery features an ambient jellyfish room, an interactive sandpit, and also highlights the conservation work of Wilder Humber, aiming to restore vital marine species and habitats back to the Humber estuary.
Tower Street, Hull HU1 4DP
01482 381000
thedeep.co.uk
RAF Holmpton: Visit the Bunker
A decommissioned and fully restored Cold War-era RAF bunker near Withernsea, RAF Holmpton promises a totally unique day out. The bunker was built in the 1950s as an early warning radar station for nuclear war. After taking the stairs down you’ll follow a 120-metre tunnel before exploring the various rooms, some of which have displays showing what life was like underground, and charting the history of the bunker. Plus, veterans give up their free time to meet visitors and share their experiences of serving in this once top-secret site.
Rysome Lane, Holmpton, Withernsea HU19 2RG
01964 775069
Wassand Hall
This fine Regency House is in tranquil surroundings between Seaton and Hornsea and the estate has been in the same family ownership since 1520. If rain keeps you out of the walled gardens, woodland walk and half-mile park walk, the hall will keep you fascinated with its collection of 18th and 19th century paintings, English and European silver, furniture and porcelain.
Seaton, Hull HU11 5JR
01964 537474
wassand.co.uk
Scarborough Art Gallery
Scarborough Art Gallery houses a permanent collection of fine art, which has grown through gifts, bequests and purchases since its beginnings in 1947 – reflecting the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of the local community. The gallery, originally called Crescent House, was built as a family home in the late 1840s by local solicitor John Uppleby and has had a fascinating history. This Grade II* Italianate villa is one of the finest buildings in Scarborough, set in the beautiful Crescent Gardens in the centre of town. As well as the permanent collection, the Art Gallery hosts regular temporary exhibitions, showcasing some of the fine collections they hold, and displaying work by local, national and internationally renowned artists, as well as interesting touring work from around the UK.
The Crescent, Scarborough YO11 2PW
01723 374753
scarboroughmuseumstrust.com
Terror Tower
Warning: this one is not for the faint-hearted. Yorkshire’s premier haunted house attraction is where live actors, animated scenes and special effects combine to bring you 11 different scenes (over three storeys in two buildings) featuring some of the most terrifying characters from your favourite horror movies inside one haunted house. But are you brave enough to step inside?
21–22 Foreshore Road, Scarborough YO11 1PB
01723 375975
terrortower.co.uk
The Rotunda Museum
Opened in 1829, the Rotunda Museum is one of the oldest purpose-built museums still in use and was built to a design suggested by William Smith. The interior, with its fascinating Georgian gallery, features a frieze showing the geology of the local coastline. The original cases tell the history of the museum and explore the stories of the 19th century Scarborough Philosophical Society which brought the collections together. Learn about dinosaur footprints, fossils, the remarkable 11,000-year-old artefacts from the Star Carr Collection, as well as coming face to face with the wonderful creatures which once called Yorkshire home.
Vernon Road, Scarborough YO11 2PS
01723 353665
scarboroughmuseumsandgalleries.org.uk
Hornsea Museum
Six buildings with 19 display areas, Hornsea Museum is much larger than you might have thought. Originally a single-storey building in the 16th century, and home of the Burn family for nearly 300 years, this farmhouse now has a country kitchen with an inglenook fireplace, a parlour, bedroom, dairy and washhouse (all with Victorian furnishings), and three additional rooms used for temporary exhibitions. The adjacent Whitedale building traces the history of the Hull to Hornsea Railway, there’s a Victorian schoolroom to explore in Swallow Cottage, and the large garden is flanked by traditional workshops.
11–17 Newbegin, Hornsea HU18 1AB
01964 533443
hornseamuseum.co.uk
Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Museum
Once an RNLI lifeboat station, the Whitby RNLI Lifeboat Museum is a Victorian double boathouse celebrating Whitby’s award-winning lifeboat history. The museum is a treasure trove of paintings, medals, photographs and mementoes from famous wrecks and rescues. Find an extensive collection of lifeboats, historic rescue equipment, and interactive exhibits that showcase the history and heritage of the RNLI and its life-saving work. Completely restored and refreshed, the highlight of the recent renovations is the complete restoration of ‘Robert and Ellen Robson’, a 104-year-old lifeboat, by volunteers who spent hundreds of hours restoring the woodwork and paintwork before returning the boat to the museum.
Pier Road, Whitby YO21 3PU
01947 602001
rnli.org
Hull’s Museums Quarter
From deep-sea trawlers to ancient treasures, modern art to maritime heritage – you’ll find a world of wonder at Hull Museums. Discover mammoths, mosaics and more in the historic Museums Quarter, all within walking distance of each other, and all free – it’s a great way to spend a wet day. So from the Streetlife Museum and Hands On History Museum, a tour around the Spurn Lightship and Museum of Archeology, to the famous Ferens Art Gallery there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Hull
hullmuseums.co.uk
Captain Cook Memorial Museum
This 17th century house in the heart of Whitby is where the young James Cook lodged as he served his seaman’s apprenticeship when not at sea. For 10 years Cook explored the unknown waters of the Pacific, South Atlantic and Arctic oceans, and this museum displays collections annotating his life, times and his greatest adventures. This summer, a special exhibition, Uncharted Dangers: Health at Sea and in Space explores the many challenges the Navy faced keeping men healthy at sea, whether conducting month-long blockades of the French coast or undertaking lengthy voyages, and gives historical insights into the medical challenges and the health considerations of space travel.
Grape Lane, Whitby YO22 4BA
01947 601900
cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk
Burton Agnes Hall
This Elizabethan hall is still a family home yet is fortunate in suffering little from alterations or additions in its history. Since the Norman manor house was built by Roger de Stuteville in 1173 the property has never changed hands by sale, though it has at times passed from family to family. The beautiful proportions of the hall and its adherence to the principles of Tudor Renaissance architecture confirm that the architect was in fact Robert Smythson; Master Mason to Queen Elizabeth I and builder of other glorious houses such as Longleat, Wollaton and Hardwick. When the sun shines, head out into the gorgeous gardens which surround the hall.
Driffield, East Yorkshire YO25 4NB
01262 490324
burtonagnes.com
Scarborough Fair Collection & Vintage Transport Museum
Discover a unique collection of vintage cars, steam engines, vintage fairground rides and mechanical organs at this unusual museum. Open Wednesday to Saturday, this is a must visit. From towering Showman’s Steam Engines to vintage tractors and motorbikes, and long-forgotten but fully-restored fairground rides, this is a world-class collection.
Lebberston Cliff, Scarborough YO11 3NU
01723 586698
scarboroughfaircollection.com
Sewerby Hall & Gardens
Rain may stop play in Sewerby’s magnificent gardens and famous zoo, but the house is still well worth a visit. The Georgian core of the house was built between 1714 and 1720 by John Greame, and with later additions throughout the 19th century, Sewerby is a tour through architectural history. The house is now an example of an Edwardian country house, circa 1910. The rooms are furnished with impressive pieces from the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as other important collections. Learn about a servant’s life at Sewerby Hall with the interactive display, take part and dress up as Edwardian servants or members of the Greame family, and make sure you visit the nursery, where children can play with the collection of Edwardian toys.
Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington YO15 1ED
01262 673769
sewerbyhall.co.uk
Burton Constable Hall & Parkland
This large Elizabethan country house is a Grade I-listed building, surrounded by Grade II-listed parkland designed by Capability Brown. Burton Constable is one of the most fascinating English country houses to survive complete with its historic collections and you’ll find more than 30 rooms crammed with fine art, furniture and plenty of surprises, with more than 500 years of family history to discover (you can book a behind the scenes tour for a greater insight into the house and its history). When the rain stops, there are plenty of walks and trails through the stunning parkland.
Skirlaugh, Hull HU11 4LN
01964 562400
burtonconstable.com
Whitby Museum
Whitby Museum is an independent Victorian museum run by Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society and it also contains the Society’s library and archive. Inside is a treasure trove of artefacts which offer an insight into the history of this popular coastal town, all the way from the Jurassic era to the present day – and everything from fossils to model ships and the Hand of Glory (the pickled hand of a hanged man, believed to have magical powers).
Pannett Park, Whitby YO21 1RE
01947 602908
whitbymuseum.org.uk
Eden Camp
Inland from Filey, but definitely worth the journey, Eden Camp is a must-visit – there’s nowhere else quite like it. In the grounds of an original World War Two prisoner of war camp, weave through the huts and experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the home front and the front line. It offers you a fascinating insight and visitors can learn all about its wartime history, from uniforms, military equipment, memorabilia and vehicles to fashion and rationing.
Malton YO17 6RT
01653 697777
edencamp.co.uk
Whitby Abbey Museum
Perched high on a cliff, it’s easy to see how the haunting remains of Whitby Abbey inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. Rain or shine, you’ll want to sink your teeth into years of history and the stunning sea views – once you’ve managed the 199 steps up from the harbour. Follow in the footsteps of artists, writers and religious leaders to explore the Gothic ruins, but when you need to dry off, duck into the museum in a 17th century mansion that tells the story of the abbey with the help of objects like Anglo-Saxon crosses, medieval manuscripts and even a rare signed copy of Dracula. Listening posts, peep-holes and animations tell the headland’s many tales: how St Hilda turned snakes to stone, how Anglo-Saxon Caedmon became a poet, how the lost abbey bells are still heard beneath the waves, and how a real shipwreck helped inspire Dracula, which in turn has made Whitby the ‘Goth capital’ of England.
Whitby YO22 4JT
01947 603568
english-heritage.org.uk
