As beautiful as North Yorkshire is, the weather can be changeable at times. If grey skies arrive during your stay at Low Costa Mill, don’t worry. There are plenty of rainy day activities to enjoy around Pickering.
A little rain, or even a full-on British cloudburst, is all part of a UK staycation. Thankfully, it doesn’t mean your day has to be spent indoors at the cottage.
Just a few minutes from Low Costa Mill, Pickering is home to attractions that can be enjoyed whatever the weather.
So, if you’re looking for rainy day activities near Pickering or wondering what to do in the North York Moors when it rains, we’ve got plenty of ideas.
From museums and historic attractions to places where you can escape the weather completely, here are some of our favourite rainy day adventures.
1. Ride the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Pickering is home to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, one of the world’s great heritage railway experiences.
Climb aboard a heritage train and enjoy a relaxing journey through the beautiful North York Moors, from the comfort of a cosy carriage.
Along the way, explore historic stations, discover railway heritage and enjoy the changing views.
And don’t worry about bringing your four-legged friends. Dogs are welcome on most services.
2. Step Back in Time at Beck Isle Museum
Right in the heart of Pickering, Beck Isle Museum brings the Victorian period vividly to life.
Explore interactive exhibits designed to recreate traditional Victorian shops and businesses. Step into the chemist, discover the blacksmith’s workshop or take a look inside the old barber’s shop. You can also explore the cobbler, dairy and hardware store, each packed with fascinating details.
For a bit of fun, challenge your family to a game of skittles or shove ha’penny in the recreated pub.
It’s a great way to spend a few hours when the weather isn’t playing ball. Dogs are welcome on leads, too.
3. Experience History at Eden Camp
Just a short drive from Pickering, Eden Camp Modern History Museum offers a very different museum experience.
Set within a former World War II prisoner-of-war camp, there are more than 20 immersive themed huts to explore. Take your time discovering wartime street scenes, military vehicles and fascinating stories from the period.
The Blitz experience brings history particularly vividly to life, with atmospheric smoke, dramatic sound effects and burning rubble.
You can even try wartime-inspired rations in the café.
Eden Camp is always a favourite with our guests, and dogs are welcome throughout the museum.
4. Escape to Castle Howard
When the weather isn’t playing ball, head inside and explore the magnificent rooms of Castle Howard. Around 22 main rooms are open to visitors on the standard route, so there’s plenty to discover.
The Great Hall is particularly spectacular, with its dramatic 80-foot-high painted and gilded dome. The 1870s staircase is lined with antique sculptures, while Lady Georgiana’s Bedroom showcases beautiful furnishings.
Don’t miss the Long Gallery, with its rich interiors and world-class art collection.
Afterwards, treat yourself to cake in the Courtyard Café or browse the Farm Shop for local produce and Yorkshire treats to take back to your cottage.
Dogs are welcome in the grounds, although they cannot enter the house.
5. For the Grown-Ups: Cropton Brewery
If you’re looking for something a little different, why not spend a rainy afternoon discovering the art of brewing?
At Cropton Brewery, you can take a tour of the working brewery and see how their beers are made. Discover the time-honoured skills and processes behind their range of real ales. The brewery tour includes a pint of their real ale or a bottle to take home.
You could even make an afternoon of it with lunch in the pub before your tour.
It’s a great choice for couples or grown-up groups looking for something a little different.
Back at the Cottage
Of course, you don’t have to fill every minute of your holiday with days out.
Bring a few books, pack some games, or borrow one from our collection, and enjoy a simple meal together. A rainy afternoon can still feel like a proper holiday when you aren’t rushing from one place to the next.
Then, when you get back to Low Costa Mill, there’s always our heated indoor swimming pool waiting for you.
Sometimes, a swim followed by a cosy evening in your cottage is exactly what you need after a day exploring.
Or Get Wet and Enjoy It!
Of course, sometimes the best way to deal with rain is simply to embrace it!
Pull on your waterproofs, put your wellies on and head outdoors. The North York Moors can look wonderfully atmospheric beneath a grey sky.
A little rain can make woodland walks feel more adventurous. Streams become livelier, waterfalls flow more strongly, and muddy puddles suddenly become much more tempting! If you’re visiting with children, there’s nothing quite like giving them permission to get muddy and splash through puddles.
And if you have four-legged family members with you, they’ll probably be more than happy to join in.
Just remember to pack a towel for the journey home!
Make a Holiday of It
So, whether you choose to escape the rain, relax through it or embrace it, a wet day doesn’t have to mean a wasted day.
There is plenty to discover from Low Costa Mill, whatever the weather decides to do.
And sometimes the best holidays aren’t the ones with wall-to-wall sunshine. They’re the ones where you come back with muddy shoes, rosy cheeks and stories to tell.
Take a look at our holiday cottages and start planning your next North Yorkshire escape.