10 best wet weekend activities

Ways to spend a wet weekend:

Spend rainy days by the seaside exploring an indoor world of kooky museums, vintage pinball and modern art

For a gander at geese

Cley Marshes Nature Reserve, Norfolk

Cley\'s famous marshes can be a surprisingly comfortable place to spot birds nowadays, thanks largely to its specially constructed, moss-roofed hides, some of which feature central heating. The reed beds are considered to be one of the best spots in the UK to see migrating birds and the rain won\'t bother them one bit. The visitor centre is half a mile east of Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, on the A149 coast road

(01263 740008, www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturereserves).

For underwater life

Exploris, County Down

Billed as ‘an exploration of the Irish Sea\', Exploris aquarium in Portaferry is the ideal place to learn about the wildlife found in the waters off this part of the Northern Irish coast. You may need to brave the rain to see the seals, but the Irish Coast zone allows you to see crabs, cuttlefish and rays in the dry. Once the weather clears, a walk by Strangford Lough will show you the natural habitat of the fish and urchins you see in the aquarium.

The Rope Walk, Castle Street, Portaferry, County Down (028 42 728062, www.exploris.org.uk).

For pinball wizards

Pinball Parlour, Kent

Set up last year in Ramsgate by pinball enthusiasts Peter Heath and Geoff Harvey, the Pinball Parlour houses the pair\'s collection, which includes vintage machines such as the 1975 Bally Captain Fantastic, featuring a picture of Elton John in his outfit from Tommy. Play as much pinball as you like, then wander down to the marina for seafood.

2 Addington Street, Ramsgate, Kent (07966 217295, www.pinballparlour.co.uk). Open weekends only.

For inquisitive kids

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea

Celebrating the maritime and industrial history of Wales, this museum is the classic rainy day venue. Social history and transport are very much to the fore, with technology being used to explore the future in areas such as robotics and alternative energy. Steam trains and aeroplanes should keep dads happy, too. Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea.

(01792 638950, www.museumwales.ac.uk)

For cute creatures

Scottish Sea Sanctuary, Argyll

With rescued seals and otters abounding, this sea-life sanctuary is very much the place to go to coo over fluffy baby animals. Set on the shores of Loch Creran, it also has an aquarium housing sharks, stingrays and starfish. There\'s even a seahorse stud farm on site, to help ease the pressure on wild stocks. And, should you become over-attached, you can sign up for the seal pup adoption scheme.

Barcaldine, Oban, Argyll (01631 720386, www.sealsanctuary.co.uk).

For boys\' toys

The Helicopter Museum, Somerset

A short drive or bus ride from Weston-super-Mare\'s Grand Pier, this sizeable museum was built up from one man\'s collection in the 1950s and boasts more than 80 helicopters. The Grand Pier, seriously damaged by fire, is due to reopen this summer and should also provide some respite from a downpour.

Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset (01934 635227, www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk)

For trainspotters

Hayling Seaside Railway, Hampshire

This narrow gauge railway runs for just over a mile to and from the Beachlands area of Hayling Island. The small locomotives are mostly diesel engines rebuilt by enthusiasts, although special events do see steam engines on show. Duck into the amusement arcades while you wait for the train, which runs every 45 minutes. Beachlands Station.

Beachlands, Hayling Island, Hampshire (023 9237 2427, www.haylingseasiderailway.com)

For the arts

Towner Gallery, East Sussex

Eastbourne is making a name for itself as a destination for the arts - and architecture - with the new Towner Gallery, which opened in April 2009. The Modernist structure is a far cry from its old home and combines new commissions with collections by the likes of Bawden and Ravilious.

Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex (01323 434660, www.townereastbourne.org.uk)

For a long view

Spinnaker Tower, Hampshire

Portsmouth\'s millennium project opened five years after the main event, but the 170-metre-high Spinnaker Tower more than makes up for the wait with its views. Its sail-like structure has a crow\'s nest viewing platform at its apex, which allows you to see for up to 23 miles. This panorama may be more restricted in a downpour, but you can still get a great look in and around the harbour and coastline from its three viewing decks.

Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Hampshire (023 9285 7520, www.spinnakertower.co.uk)

For sheer eccentricity

Under the Pier Show, Southwold, Suffolk

Amid the well-to-do atmosphere of Southwold, it is a pleasant surprise to see this paean to British eccentricity surviving and thriving. Artist Tim Hunkin has re-imagined the typical amusement arcade machine and instead come up with ideas that intrigue, amuse and confound, such as the Microbreak holiday simulator or the Quickfit exercise machine. Very much a place to loosen the imagination, for children and adults alike.

Southwold Pier, North Parade, Southwold, Suffolk (01502 722 1055, www.underthepier.com)