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

Top Picks

Rainy Day Picks This Weekend

11–12 July Near Whitchester

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 Whitchester, 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 Whitchester

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Bowes Book Club3

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

35.7 milesSun 12 Jul£10.
Local gemSee the details
Community
community4

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!

32.2 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Community
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold5

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

at The Theatre Royal

Evenings: 7.30pm Matinees: Wed & Thu 2pm, Sat 2.30pm Running Time: 2hrs 10mins (including interval) Need to know: 12+, contains strong language, derogatory language prevalent to the period, and depictions of violence including gunshots. Audio Described and Captioned perf with pre-show Touch Tour : Sat 11 Jul, 2.30pm

32.6 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Community
Woolly Mammoths6

Woolly Mammoths

at Star And Shadow Cinema

Sun 12 July // 12:00 Sun 26 July // 12:00 Sun 6 September // 12:00 Sun 20 September // 12:00 Sun 4 October // 12:00 Sun 18 October // 12:00 Sun 1 November // 12:00 Sun 15 November // 12:00 Sun 29 November // 12:00 Sun 13 December // 12:00 A free, drop-in, knitting and crochet club for any age, ability or gender. Children under 16 … [ more ]

33.2 milesSun 12 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Community
St Martin's Centre - 20th Anniversary Event7

St Martin's Centre - 20th Anniversary Event

at St. Martin's Church

Plans are well underway for celebrating this milestone for St Martin’s Centre. Suzanne is working on a timetable of events culminating in a special day on July 11th. The Church, of course will be part of and involved in the celebrations. Many familiar faces will be invited to come along and our fabulous choir been asked to perform on the day.

34.6 milesSat 11 Jul13:00
Local gemSee the details
Community
Learn to Knit in 50 Squares: 11. The convergent one8

Learn to Knit in 50 Squares: 11. The convergent one

at A Wing and a Bear

Join Jennifer for part one of a long-term series of short knitalongs based on the book Learn to Knit in 50 Squares by Anna Pantelous. For this series we require that you have a copy of the book, whether purchased from us (we will offer a 10% discount on the book to those registered for the class) or elsewhere. If you

36.5 milesSat 11 Jul15:00
Local gemSee the details
Community
FEAST9

FEAST

at Sunderland Minster

This informal service runs throughout most of the year, but takes a break in August. We begin, together, for singing and to hear the Bible (often presented in dramatic form) before choosing from a range of activities - quiet reflection, craft, Bible study in English or in Farsi. We then come back together, to share what we have done and learned, and some weeks we end with eating a simple lunch together.

41.7 milesSun 12 Jul12:30
Local gemSee the details
Community
Hillfort Under Attack: The Burnswark VR Experience10

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. […]

45.1 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Community

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