Rainy Day Things to Do in Cramlington

When the rain sets in and the parks are a washout, Cramlington has more indoor options than you might expect, and most of them are within a few minutes' walk of each other. Concordia Leisure Centre, the library at the Hub, Vue cinema and the Manor Walks shopping centre all sit together at the heart of the town centre, so you can park once and move between them without getting too wet.

This guide covers the best indoor ideas in town, with one museum a short drive away for a longer day out. Times, prices and session details change, so check each venue's own website before you set off, especially in the school holidays.

Go swimming at Concordia

Concordia Leisure Centre on Forum Way is the town's public pool. Places Leisure describes it as a large tropical-themed pool for the whole family, and the centre's facilities include a splash pad as well as the main pool. Family sessions appear on the timetable alongside lane swimming and lessons, and are booked online through Places Leisure.

The centre is open from 6.15am to 8pm on weekdays, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 8.15am to 6pm on Sunday, but pool times move around lessons, clubs and school bookings. Our swimming in Cramlington guide has the detail, including supervision rules for younger children. If you are thinking about lessons for a baby or toddler, Little Swimming Co runs classes in its own small, warm pool on the Bassington Industrial Estate.

Best for: Book family sessions ahead, and bring a £1 coin for the lockers.

Try Clip 'n Climb

Concordia also has a Clip 'n Climb arena, with brightly coloured climbing walls for solo climbers or groups of families and friends. Its Places Leisure page lists sessions from 3.45pm to 7.15pm Wednesday to Friday and from 9.30am to 6.15pm at weekends. Weekday sessions last 45 minutes and weekend sessions 60 minutes.

Everyone has to complete a disclaimer form before they are allowed on the walls, so do it online before you arrive. Sessions are booked through the Places Leisure website, and party bookings go by email to the centre.

Best for: Fill in the disclaimer before you go to avoid a wait at reception.

Catch a film at Vue

Vue Cramlington is at Manor Walks and has nine screens, three of them with 3D. At the time of writing, Vue's site lists Super Saver tickets from £4.99 online.

For families, Vue's Mighty Mornings show films for children aged 4 to 11 every weekend from 10am and every day in the school holidays, from £2.49 per person when booked online. Big Shorts are shorter morning screenings of up to 60 minutes for children aged 1 to 4, from £3.99 online, where little ones can sing and move about. Under-twos go free on a parent's lap for films rated 12A or below.

Best for: Book Mighty Mornings online for the lowest price.

Spend an hour at the library

Cramlington Library is in the Hub at Cramlington on Forum Way, right next to Concordia. Northumberland County Council says borrowing and reserving books is free, so a rainy morning choosing a new pile of picture books costs nothing. There are also public computers and Wi-Fi.

Northumberland Libraries runs children's sessions here from time to time, such as storytimes and Lego club, which are listed on its Eventbrite page. The library is closed on Sundays and opens on Saturday mornings only.

Best for: A genuinely free option, and a calm one when the leisure centre is busy.

Wander round Manor Walks

Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure is Cramlington's covered town centre, open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 9.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, though individual shops set their own hours. The centre runs family events and seasonal activities through the year, so check its website before you go.

For a break, Bettini's serves homemade breakfasts, lunches and cakes inside the centre, and Muffin Break at Craster Court bakes its muffins on site every day.

Best for: Combine the shops with a film or a swim, as everything is next door.

Soft play

Concordia has a four-storey soft play and toddler area, with 90-minute sessions for children up to 12. For opening times, prices and other options, see our full guide to soft play in Cramlington.

Nearby: Woodhorn Museum, Ashington

If you fancy a longer outing, Woodhorn Museum in the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park at Ashington (NE63 9YF) is around a 20-minute drive north. The museum focuses on Northumberland's mining heritage, with the Coal Town Collection of photographs and the Ashington Group Gallery, which covers the world of the Pitmen Painters.

It opens Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and every day in the Northumberland school holidays. Adults pay for admission, under-18s go free and there is no need to book.

Best for: Free for under-18s, and mostly indoors.

Tips for a rainy day in Cramlington

• Park once: Concordia, the Hub, Vue and Manor Walks are all together, so you can park once and walk between them.
• Book ahead: family swims, Clip 'n Climb and soft play are all booked online, and wet weekends fill up quickly.
• Mix free and paid: pair a free library visit with a swim or a film to keep costs down.
• No car? Most bus routes call at the Dudley Lane stops near Manor Walks; see our guide to getting around Cramlington without a car.

For more ideas, browse the families hub or the full Cramlington directory.

Spotted a change? Get in touch and we'll update the guide.