You can plan all the elements for the perfect UK getaway – where to stay, things to do, places to eat - but you can’t plan for the weather! With the UK’s weather being somewhat changeable, it’s essential to plan your accommodation choices to cater for every eventuality.
Of course, there’s plenty to be enjoyed throughout England and Wales, even when the weather is less than ideal. From donning waterproofs and heading out on a wet-weather romp through the countryside to putting up a brolly and taking a drizzly stroll through the city streets, there’s no reason to let rain stop play.
With YHA’s year-round hostel accommodation, plus our multiple glamping and campsites, you can relax and enjoy exploring the UK at any time of year, come rain or shine…or wind, or hail, or snow!
Read on to find out more about some of the best all-weather accommodation in the UK and how to make the most of your break.
Best UK holidays for rainy and bad weather
It’s the old cliché – there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing – and as much as we hated it when our parents used to say it, there’s some truth is this statement. When packing for a UK holiday, make sure to pack layers, waterproofs, and sun cream – it pays to be prepared for any weather!
But don’t worry, you can still have a great time even when the weather isn’t playing ball. Some of the best places to visit in the UK when it’s raining are our many and varied cities. Rich in culture, heritage, and history, you can wander the city streets under the shelter of your umbrella or nip inside to a museum, art gallery, shop or café, if it gets too much.
For starters, why not try YHA Liverpool Albert Dock, YHA London Thameside, or YHA Bristol for accommodation close to all the attractions of these major cities?
If that sounds like too many people and you prefer to roam in the great outdoors, then you should add a trip to one of the UK’s 15 National Park to your list. Start with the Lakes, the Peak District, or Eryri (Snowdonia). Pack your walking boots and coats, and pick up one of the many nearby hiking paths, some of which start right from the hostel’s door.
And when you return, you can pop your wet gear in our drying room, so they’ll be ready for more activities tomorrow. Warm up with a hot drink in our café before snuggling up in your comfortable bedroom under a cosy duvet for a fantastic night’s sleep.
The best all-weather accommodation in the UK for families
Escaping from day-to-day life, whatever the weather, can be just the break that families need to build their bond and create long-lasting memories. YHA (England & Wales) offers family-friendly hostels, campsites, and glamping across the country, in rural locations, by the coast, and in the heart of our most-visited cities.
YHA’s accommodation in England and Wales is perfect for going away with the kids. Our hostels offer vast outdoor spaces where kids can enjoy free-range fun as well as indoor social spaces with board games to borrow when the weather turns.
Parents can relax and grab a drink from our licensed bar while still being able to keep an eye on the children. The kids can make friends with other children who are staying, while the adults can chat – or join in the fun!
When you stay with YHA, you’re not just setting yourself up for a fantastic time. You’re helping to support us as a charity. Our mission is to enrich the lives of all, but especially young people, and improve physical health, mental well-being, and life skills through the experiences we create.
The best all-weather accommodation in the UK for couples
People often wonder if they can stay together in a hostel as a couple. The answer is, of course, a massive yes! Everyone is welcome at YHA, and our hostels provide excellent accommodation for couples.
If you are travelling on a budget, you can each book a bed in one of our shared, single-sex dorm rooms. If you’d prefer a bit more privacy (and perhaps slightly more romance!), you can book a private room for just the two of you. Many of our hostels offer rooms with double beds and en-suite bathrooms.
There are endless opportunities for unforgettable adventures from our doorstep, or if you don’t fancy heading out, you can cosy up together in our lounges. Play cards, board games, or read books while you listen to the rain outside.
Grab a bottle of wine or a couple of hot chocolates from the bar to really make the most of date night.
Campsites open all year round
If you’re looking for campsites that are open all year round, then look no further than YHA. Camping outside during the summer months has so many benefits – it’s quieter and cheaper, and you can experience nature at its best.
YHA has over 30 campsites across England and Wales, offering you easy and affordable access to the great outdoors. Many of these sites are open all year round, so you can choose to go camping whenever you like.
One of the best reasons to camp with YHA is that camping guests can access the hostel’s facilities during their stay. This means that there’s no more trying to light a camping stove in the wind and rain – you can cook meals in our well-equipped self-catering kitchens.
You can hang your wet gear in our drying rooms. You can escape to our warm lounges if the weather gets too much.
Some of our campsites that are open all year round include YHA Borrowdale in the Lakes, YHA Treyarnon Bay in Cornwall, and YHA Hawes in Yorkshire.
Where to stay in the Lakes when it rains
It never rains, but it pours. The Lake District is one of the rainiest places in the entire country, with an average of 200 wet days and 20 snowy days per year. This means it’s pretty much inevitable that you’ll get a bit of drizzle at some point during your holiday.
But don’t let a bit of damp put you off! The Lake District is stunningly beautiful in any weather, and you can still enjoy some outdoor fun. However, some days you just don’t want to be out on the fells in the wet and cold. Don’t worry, there are plenty of indoor activities to do if you’d prefer to stay dry.
Here are our top picks for where to stay in the Lakes when it rains:
YHA Ambleside
For a Lake District break when it’s raining, head to YHA Ambleside. This stylish hostel has an unbeatable location in the centre of the Lake District National Park and within a short stroll of the charming village that it’s named after.
Ambleside is perfect for a potter on a rainy day. Browse for new gear in the outdoor shops here, or pop into one of the independent cafes for a brew to warm up. If you want something stronger, head to Ambleside Tap Yard, where you can get toasty in front of the log burner and order a tasty charcuterie board.
Wet weather things to do nearby include sampling the delicious gingerbread at the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, visiting Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House, and seeing the otters swimming underwater at the Lakes Aquarium.
YHA Coniston Holly How
If you really fancy getting away from it all, and hunkering down, then YHA Coniston Holly How provides the kind of accommodation you’ll love. Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, although you have easy access to Coniston Water and the village.
There are comfortable social areas inside with games to borrow and a shared TV. There’s also a licensed bar and restaurant where you can order meals. Classics such as pesto pasta, pie and mash, and scampi and chips will give you all the fuel you need for your outdoor adventures.
Indoor activities near YHA Coniston Holly How include learning more about the history of copper and slate mining at the Ruskin Museum and visiting Brantwood, the former home of artist and social reformer John Ruskin.
YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe
YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe provides the almost impossible – cheap accommodation in Grasmere, a very sought-after holiday location in the Lakes. As well as water sports, climbing, orienteering, and cycling on the doorstep, the beautiful village of Grasmere is just a short stroll away.
If the weather isn’t on your side, head to Dove Cottage, the former home of the famous Romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy. The Rheged Discovery Centre offers a cinema, play areas, regional shops, and pottery painting to keep you busy.
Rainy holidays in the UK
Don’t let the rain put you off travelling in the UK. There’s so much to see and do, from cosmopolitan cities with an abundance of museums, art galleries, and attractions to stunning stretches of coastline and rolling countryside.
A YHA hostel is an excellent choice for some all-weather accommodation, so don’t miss out on your UK holiday. Come and visit us whatever the weather!
