Whilst sunshine and clear skies tend to be the preferred weather for a big British holiday, there are some days when it’s just too wet, cold or windy for an outdoor adventure.
Fortunately, the UK is well prepared with an abundance of indoor attractions for when hopes of a day on the beach or a scenic stroll in the countryside are dashed. So, if you’re in search of a few indoor group activities that will entertain the whole crowd when the clouds roll in, read on to discover some of the best.
And if you’ve already decided on a destination for your next big adventure, click the button below to browse our portfolio of large houses in the UK.
Skip to…
Indoor activities for groups of adults
Indoor activities for groups of kids
Best indoor activities for groups of adults
Break out of an escape room
With an hour on the clock quickly slipping by, you and your friends must work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles, and use your powers of deduction to escape a locked room before time runs out.
From Sherlock-themed spaces to Harry Potter, and even horror, escape rooms have fast become one of the most popular corporate team building activities in the UK, as well as a heap of fun for families. Logic, intuition, problem-solving and communication skills are all essential for this fast-paced indoor activity and it’s sure to get your heart racing!
Find further inspiration for corporate days out with our guide to exciting team building ideas that won’t make you cringe.
Try these escape rooms in the UK:
Take to the slopes
Fancy hitting the slopes for a day of skiing or snowboarding, without the expense and hassle of travelling abroad? The UK boasts several indoor ski slopes, also known as snowdomes, where you and your mates can don your winter woollies and zip down the powdery runs together.
One of the top indoor activities for groups of adults, the biggest indoor snow centres resemble Alpine villages, where alongside the slopes are shops, restaurants, bars, ice rinks, swimming pools, cinemas, gyms, indoor golf and even spas. And better still, you don’t need to have all the kit to join in the fun – skis, boots, snowboards, helmets, jackets and salopettes can all be rented too.
If you’d rather get outside on some real snowy peaks, check out our guide to Top activities in Scotland for big groups, which lists some of the best ski resorts to go to.
Try these snowdomes in the UK:
Try a tour and tasting
If you’re looking for indoor group activities with a tipsy twist, then why not consider a tour and tasting at one of the UK’s many vineyards, breweries or distilleries? Discover artisan microbreweries on an ale trail in Cumbria, sample refreshing ciders in Herefordshire, take a sipping journey through the history of whisky in Scotland or learn the secrets behind your favourite botanical spirit in the Cotswolds.
Whether you like a vintage vino or a perfectly poured pint, there are a wide variety of drinks experiences across the country for lovers of every delicious beverage. Following a tutored tasting, some distilleries even offer the chance for groups to get creative, making their own bespoke blend of fruity, floral or bitter flavours to take home as a memento.
We’ve found some great breweries and distilleries in Yorkshire to wet your whistle in our guide to top activities in Yorkshire for big groups.
Try these vineyards, breweries and distilleries in the UK:
Get competitive on a karting track
Buckle in, go full throttle and see who is victorious on an indoor go-karting track. One of the most heart-pumping group activities on our list, you and your friends can experience the drive of your life as you conquer high-speed straights, fast bends and technical chicanes, sometimes up to speeds of 45mph.
Why not split into teams and enjoy the thrill of the chase, seeing who can complete a lap first? Earn bragging rights by being the team to win the most races – losers can buy lunch!
Try these indoor karting tracks in the UK:
Put your feet up at a day spa
A guaranteed mood booster, there’s nothing like slipping into a soft, white robe, switching your phone to ‘out of office’ and whiling away a day being preened and pampered. If you’re looking for relaxing group activities, then a spa day in the UK is the ultimate treat.
Flip flop between indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, catch up with your friends over a manicure and a glass of fizz, and feel your stresses melt away as your back is being massaged and your head is in the clouds. This is exactly the sort of escapism we could all do with once in a while.
Try these day spas in the UK:
Best indoor group activities for kids
Scale the heights of a climbing centre
Perfect for little ones to show off their Spiderman skills, an indoor climbing centre is ideal for some healthy, action-packed fun. Clip yourselves into a harness and scale new heights together, testing yourselves mentally and physically to see who can reach the top first.
Enjoy a quick scramble or a bit of bouldering – some climbing centres even offer exhilarating attractions like leaps of faith and vertical drop slides for real adrenaline junkies.
Try these indoor climbing centres in the UK:
Get bouncing at a trampoline park
Not only is trampolining one of the best indoor group activities for kids, but it’s also a lot of fun for adults too! If the weather’s not on your side, bounce off those rainy-day blues and see how high you can jump at an indoor trampolining park in the UK.
Whether you bounce, boing, or bound around, there is plenty of fun to be had – some parks even boast inflatable obstacles, basketball, dodgeball, bungee runs and ninja warrior courses too, so there are plenty of ways to burn off any excess energy!
Try these indoor trampoline parks in the UK:
Explore an indoor jungle
No matter what the weather is doing outside, it’s always tropical inside the impressive biomes of the Eden Project in Cornwall. This oasis of tropical beauty is the largest indoor rainforest in the world and one of our favourite family-friendly group activities in the UK.
Wander through the treetop canopy on the aerial walkway and experience the sights, smells and scale of the Rainforest Biome, or travel to the other side of the world to amble amongst the olive groves, orange and lemon trees, and gnarled vines of the Mediterranean Biome. Curious kids can find out where tea, sugar and rubber come from, and connect with nature in new and surprising ways.
More action-packed days out in this part of the South West can be found in our guide, 9 of the top Cornwall activities for group holidays.
Try these indoor tropical paradises in the UK:
Play a round of crazy golf
If there’s one thing families will go crazy for… it’s crazy golf! Unleash your competitive side with a round of indoor mini golf, taking it in turns to get that elusive hole-in-one. There are few activities likely to test the skills of parents and kids in equal measure, but crazy golf is definitely one of them.
Grab a club and put you and your family to the ultimate golfing test, manoeuvring around rotating windmills, treacherous jungles and insane water features!
Try these indoor crazy golf courses in the UK:
Make a splash in an indoor water park
Dig out the swim shorts and cossies, pump up the armbands and forego the gulls and rain for fun-filled splash pools, inflatable obstacle courses and surf simulators at an indoor water park in the UK.
Whether you prefer jumping over waves, sliding down white-knuckle flume rides or floating along a lazy river, tots (and adults) are guaranteed to be entertained. So, if you’re still looking for indoor activities for families, then take the plunge with this thrilling day out.
Discover more fun ways to get on the water in our guide to 10 of the top Devon activities to entertain a big group.
Try these indoor water parks in the UK:
Group holidays in the UK
With so many exciting indoor group activities to choose from across the UK, there’s never been a better time to book a staycation with your nearest and dearest. Whether you’re looking for group accommodation for your friends, family, a stag party or a hen do, our collection of large holiday cottages in the UK offers the perfect settings for a big break. Click the button below to browse our full portfolio of large houses and book your group holiday in the UK.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.