Five fun days out, whatever the weather

Don’t let those pesky April showers put a dampener on your day off. Enjoy these five fun activities that can be experienced whatever the weather.

From ping pong to afternoon tea, and a wacky museum to an awesome amusement arcade, you’ll not want to spend a rainy day at home again. What’s more, you can take the stress out of travelling by taking the train and booking in advance to get the cheapest deals.

Discover dodos and dinosaurs at this weird museum

Grant Museum of Zoology, London
This awesome natural history museum is the only remaining university zoological museum in London. Founded in 1827 as a teaching collection to educate students about the animal kingdom, the museum is packed full of skeletons and jars of rare and extinct creatures, including over 68,000 zoological specimens. Discover the likes of the Quagga and the dodo and be amazed by the displays of brains and bones. The museum might not be for the fainthearted, but it is a totally fascinating experience for zoology and history buffs.

Take a GWR train to London Paddington station and then an onward bus or tube journey

Play ping pong all afternoon

Big Society, Oxford
For a laid-back afternoon with delicious pub grub, a pint and some ping pong, make Big Society your rainy-day hangout. Dig into juicy cheeseburgers and smoky hotdogs, salty fries and more from the American style menu. You can while away an afternoon here playing ping pong with pals for just £2 a go, and there’s also two beer gardens for when the rain lets up.

Take a GWR train to Oxford station

Have retro fun at an amusement arcade

Namco Funscape, London
Shoot some hoops, challenge a claw crane, win an air-hockey match – Namco Funscape has all the games you would expect to find at a British seaside amusement arcade. This blast-from-the-past afternoon out will remind you of the good old days when 2p coin machines were your best friend and dodgems provided the ultimate adrenalin rush.

Take a GWR train to London Paddington station and then an onward bus or tube journey

Indulge in an afternoon tea

Metro Deco, Brighton
This afternoon tea pit stop is a self-described storm in a teacup serving delicious loose teas and mouthwatering cakes in a 1930s Parisian-style tea salon. It doesn’t get more glamourous than that! With sweet and savoury treats including smoked salmon blinis, sage and honey mustard rolls, marshmallows, fruit tarts, baked scones with clotted cream and more, you can also upgrade your afternoon tea to include prosecco, wine or a cocktail. Ooh-la-la!

Take a GWR train to Brighton station

Find shelter and a good film at the flicks

Cube Microplex, Bristol
Cube Microplex is an arts venue in Bristol that hosts live music socials, comedy nights, and an eclectic mix of films, including locally-produced shorts and the occasional blockbuster. It’s a haven for grown-ups looking for an inviting and open indoor space to while away an afternoon with the added bonus that you’ll be supporting a quality independent gaff.

Take a GWR train to Bristol Temple Meads station