Wondering what to do on a rainy day in Anglesey? Well, you will find that you are spoilt for choice with the island offering a huge selection of great indoor attractions and all weather activities that are sure to entertain all members of the family.

We’ve put our heads together and come up with a definitive list of what we think are the best things to do on Anglesey in the rain so that you can arrive on the island with a clear idea of what you will be doing even if the weather isn’t as you had hoped. 

1. Visit Anglesey Sea Zoo

Home to over 150 different species of marine life, Anglesey Sea Zoo is the largest aquarium in Wales and provides a fascinating insight for families who are keen to learn more about the wildlife which inhabits our waters.

In total there are roughly 40 different tanks to explore under the roof of this magnificent zoo and a regular array of talks from zoo keepers which provide fascinating insights that you won’t find anywhere else. Here you will be able to see everything from the fairly routine wrasse, sea bass and plaice, to the really bizarre looking moon jellyfish and sea urchin. 

Without question, the Anglesey Sea Zoo is one of the best all weather attractions on Anglesey for families looking for something fun and educational to do on a rainy day on the island.

2. Tour Plas Newydd House & Gardens

Located on the north bank of the Menai Strait, Plas Newydd is a country house which is owned and operated by the National Trust. The building can trace its origins all the way back to 1470, but the current iteration of the building was largely formed in the 18th century under the direction of acclaimed architect James Wyatt.

While the current building has historically been home to the Marquesses of Anglesey, the house and its beautiful surrounding gardens & woodlands are now open to the general public. The house provides an insight into the history of the families who have lived in the property in addition to being home to a military museum which is in part inspired by the military accolades of Henry William Paget, the 2nd Earl of Uxbridge who lived in this property in the early 19th century and played a vital role in military conflicts such as the Battle of Waterloo.

There is also a fabulous collection of art here which includes the longest mural ever produced by Rex Whistler in the dining room which showcases an Italian seaport. 

3. Head to the Holyhead Maritime Museum

Holyhead is one of the busiest ports in the country and you can learn all about it when you pay a visit to the Holyhead Maritime Museum. The building in which the museum is based is the oldest lifeboat station in Wales having been built in 1858. 

There are a number of different collections to explore in a museum which uncovers the fascinating maritime history of Holyhead and Anglesey in general. This story is brought to life via historical artifacts, breathtakingly detailed models and other interactive elements. There are also part-time volunteers who regularly appear on-site who are happy to answer questions based on their extensive knowledge of the maritime history of the island.

Located next to the lifeboat station is an air raid shelter which is also worth paying a visit as it focuses on highlighting what life was like in Holyhead during the World Wars and the role the island played in the outcome of the war. 

4. Go to Beaumaris Gaol & Court

Located in the centre of Beaumaris, Beaumaris Gaol is a former jail which was built in 1829 and further expanded in 1867 so that it could accommodate up to 30 inmates at a time. Retired from service in 1878, it later went on to serve as a police station and then a children’s medical clinic before being transformed into the museum you see today in 1974. 

It is the Victorian era that is very much in focus here, with the lives of inmates during this period being highlighted to tourists via displays, boards and pictures as you follow a set trail around the jail. 

There are plenty of different rooms covered in the tour, helping to build a picture of what the jail would have been like in its heyday. The tour takes in the jail cells, school room, chapel, workhouse and sick room. You’ll also be provided with details covering the darker side of Victorian punishment when you visit the punishment cell and learn about the two executions which happened here. 

5. Do Some Shopping in Beaumaris

While you are in Beaumaris, you may wish to partake in a little retail therapy in the town’s vibrant high street. Here you’ll find all manner of unique local traders that you won’t find anywhere else in the country, providing a truly unique shopping experience.  

Here you will find shops selling everything from clothing and jewellery stores, to art galleries and  quirky home interior shops. There is also a lovely artisan market here which takes place every Sunday across the moat from the castle near the Beaumaris community centre. You find plenty of stalls here selling produce which has been created locally. This includes various craft items, food, drinks and much more.

Another retail highlight in Beaumaris is the Market Square Shopping Centre where you will find the acclaimed ‘Naked Penguin’ ladies clothing store,  ‘Pretty Little Things’ home interiors, the Echo Beach gift shop and the ‘Little Beauty’ beauty salon.