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Irish Independent

Raining in Wicklow? Here are the best indoor activities for a rainy day

From multi-activity entertainment centres to plush spas, historic estate homes and unique museums, here's our list of nine free, budget and indulgent things to do in Wicklow on a rainy day, whether you're flying solo, in a group or with the kids. Things to do for free Solo: For the art lovers out there, there are lots of local galleries that can be perused at your lesiure, including The Corner Studio in Enniskerry, The Boat Yard Gallery at Greystones Harbour, The Sheds Gallery in Arklow and Kilmantin Art Gallery in the heart of Wicklow town. The Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely hosts regular exhibitions that are free for the public to peruse. Equally, the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray holds an array of free exhibitions, talks, and workshops. Visit or for a full list of free events. With friends or family: The birthplace of Avoca, the Avoca Village store is home to a weaving mill, a retail store and Avoca cafe, with visitors able to enjoy guided mill tours, learn about its rich history and heritage, and see skilled weavers at work. There is usually a cost for tours, but limited complimentary tours can be found at tourist offices. With the kids: Renowned for having some of the best facilities and services in the country, Wicklow libraries facilitate a range of free activities and events for children of all ages. Hosting everything from story times and arts and crafts workshops to chess clubs, bingo, movie afternoons, camps and toddler play sessions, libraries dotted across the Garden County always have a jam-packed schedule of events. Check out the Wicklow County Library Service Facebook page for upcoming events. What to do on a budget With friends or family Assemble your loved ones and escape the downpour by catching up on the latest flicks at the Omniplex Cinema Arklow – the Garden County's only dedicated cinema. Showing brand new movies and classic re-releases, the nine-screen multiplex has a cutting-edge 'Maxx' screen and features 3D performances, assigned seating and wheelchair accessibility. If you're looking to broaden your cinematic horizons, the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray hosts regular screenings of documentaries and independent and international films that cater to young children and seasoned cinephiles alike. With the kids: Let the kids bowl away the rainy day blues at two Wicklow entertainment centres teeming with activities for all ages. There's ten-pin bowling across 12 bowling lanes at the Bray Bowl, which also boasts indoor amusements, snooker and pool tables, VR simulators and 30-gun Quasar, with the Lane 13 Café & Pizzeria serving pizzas, toasties, barista coffee, ice cream and lots of options for birthday parties. Equally stacked with entertainment, Diamond Bowl and Kidzone between Wicklow town and Rathnew has eight ten-pin bowling lanes, a 20 gun laser tag arena, a soft play centre, two axe throwing lanes a five lane airsoft shooting range and a 'make a bear' experience at Bear Cottage, with sweet treats to full meals available at the diamond room Alternatively, you can go for a dip at one of Wicklow's four indoor swimming pools, at Shoreline Leisure in Bray and Greystones, and the Coral Leisure Centres in Wicklow town and Arklow. Solo: There is a plethora of historic estates and museums dotted around the Garden that have a minimal entry fee for tours or admittance. Killruddery House near Bray, the Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Avondale House and Russborough House in Blessington offer guided tours with cafés and dining options on site. Wicklow Gaol offers visitors a journey through the original prison building, while telling the stories of the men, women and children imprisoned there under British rule over two centuries of turbulent history, while the Arklow Heritage Museum features a massive collection of artefacts from the Biking towns's rich history. For something truly unique, check out the Coolakay Agricultural Museum, which features farming implements and machinery that highlight the evolution of farming from the early 1700s to the present day. Where to splurge With family and friends: Step back in time and immerse yourself in the ultimate Victorian afternoon tea experience at Victorian Tea Times in Arklow, where guests don flouncing Victorian ensembles and enjoy fabulous food surrounded by rich embossed wallpapered walls, plush velvet couches, ornate candelabras and other wonderful assembled reminders of times past. The beautifully appointed room boasts tables dressed in immaculate crisp linen tablecloths. glistening silver tea pots, three tiered luncheon servers, fine hand painted china and bone handled butter knives. Dainty sandwiches with mouth-watering fillings, freshly baked buttermilk scones with rich cream and jam and pretty little pastries and delicacies made in-house with lashings of tea combine to serve up an evocative and captivating experience. Two-hour bookings cost €40 per person, and guest must be over the age of 13. With the kids: If you want to give your teenager a day out to remember, Special Ops Adventures, just outside Roundwood is one of Wicklow's top attractions and the ultimate place for an action packed airsoft adventure. Located in a forested area, operators say that you can rarely tell if it is even raining when playing, while their base camp area is fully covered, meaning no matter the weather, you can be assured of a fun-filled experience. You can grab a slice or two afterwards at nearby pizza restaurants, including Platform Pizza Bar Bray and Enso Pizza and Base Wood Fired Pizza in Greystones. Solo: If you want to look and feel your best, and price isn't an issue, Rainforest Spa is a multi-award-winning, cliff-side self-care space in Enniskerry on the grounds of The Summerhill Country House Hotel Winner of Ireland's Best Day Spa 2025, 2024 and 2021, as well as 'Wellness Centre of the Year Ireland 2023', the spa offers a ' The Treat for You' package for €115/135 that includes a glass of bubbly, a 'Cocoon' body treatment and your choice of foot massage, Gua Sha, and eye brightening. Go all-in for €185 with the 'Bliss' package, which comprises a 90-minute full body massage and a classic facial or a premium facial with a back massage, and one of three mini treatments - a foot massage, Indian head massage or collagen eye treatment.