A rainy local street scene with umbrellas, warm lights, and cosy indoor plans

Top Picks

Rainy Day Picks This Weekend

11–12 July Near Smithfield

Not every listing gets a golden ticket

We check the usual frankly silly number of local websites, then look for events that feel rainy-day friendly: cinemas, theatres, talks, workshops, galleries, concerts, cosy venues, and anything less likely to involve standing in a muddy field making brave weather noises.

Happening Saturday 11 July to Sunday 12 July.
Picked for Smithfield, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.

Our 10 picks near Smithfield

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Bowes Book Club6

Bowes Book Club

at Bowes Museum

Embrace curiosity and join the conversation as we explore stories that celebrate the arts, culture and creativity. Each session will showcase a hand-picked selection of objects from the collection and encourage lively discussion. Whether you’re a seasoned reader, a museum enthusiast, or looking for a new experience in an inspiring space, dive into a range of fiction, non-fiction, historical and modern explorations of change, style and empowerment through a range of perspectives. Please note: books will not be provided, so please ensure you can get one before the session. Suitable for ages 18+. £10. Booking recommended. Ticket price includes free tea or coffee. Sunday 12 July: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Please contact the learning team at if you have access requirements, so the session can be adapted to suit your needs. To reserve your place click ‘book tickets’ and select the ticket that suits you. We’ll confirm your membership when you arrive, or you can pay for a day ticket/ join as a member on the day. BOOK TICKETS

48.6 milesSun 12 Jul£10.
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Hillfort Under Attack: The Burnswark VR Experience7

Hillfort Under Attack: The Burnswark VR Experience

at Trimontium Museum

A HILLFORT AWAKENS TO THE MIGHT OF ROME Introducing a first -of-its-kind immersive experience- a cinematic recreation of a Roman assault on the native hill fort of Burnswark, where silence fell harder than swords. Through cutting-edge visuals, atmospheric sound and haunting storytelling, witness one of the most significant and sobering moments on Scotland’s ancient frontier. […]

43.1 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
community8

Little Gems

at The Bistro

Little Gems School of Dance invite you to join them and defy dance gravity with a show packed full of amazing routines! We have it all in one show – disco classics, pop legends, musical memories and reimagined classics, before finally we dance through life and prove how Wicked we really are!

49.9 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community

More Top Picks

Keep the good ideas rolling

If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.

Round-upFamilies This WeekendTen family-friendly picks with proper details, decent venues, and no mystery listings that leave you guessing.Round-upFree Things This WeekendA smarter list of local free picks for the weekend, chosen for quality, clarity, and the sort of detail that saves a wasted journey.All PicksBack to Top PicksSee all our curated round-ups in one place.