6 indoor things to do in Nottingham in bad weather

The weather forecast looks set to take a turn in the coming weeks with colder weather and rain even a hint of snow due just days after a ‘mini heatwave’ arrived in some parts of the nation. The Met Office predicts ‘wintry showers’ will arrive at the end of April and the beginning of May.

The Met Office predicts that Friday will see cloudy and rather wet weather during the morning hours. There will be rain tending to ease apart from the far north by the afternoon with brighter spells and a few showers developing with a maximum temperature of 10 °C.

Saturday and Sunday will remain rather unsettled and cloudy over the weekend, with showers or perhaps some longer spells of rain at times but it will be fairly mild. It will be drier by Monday, but noticeably cooler.

If you are stuck for things to do, especially if you have small children, then here are six ways to enjoy the weekend without getting wet.

1 - Indoor mini golf

There are lots of different mini-golf options across the city but there are two very different experiences we would recommend. The first is the more ‘adult’ themed mini golf on George’s Street, Glory Holes which is not family-friendly. Prices start at £12.00 and you can have a group of up to 6 players. We will refrain from describing the raunchy setting but if you are looking for something a little quirky and a lot of fun, then this is a great bet.

If you need something suitable for little ones then maybe head towards Cornerhouse where you can find The Lost City Adventure Golf which is safe for small children. The venue has several different family packages depending on how many are joining in.

2 - Wine or beer sampling

There are plenty of places to get a nice glass of Pinot Grigio on the go but very few where you can get involved in the actual pouring. Another? on Trinity Square is a hidden gem for multiple reasons and the large beer garden is only one of them. Part of the balcony is under cover so you could sit outside but there are plenty of seats in this cosy bar.

The idea is simple: choose the wine you like the sound of in the fridge, insert the wine card they give you and pour your own glass. The measures and prices are all different depending on what you choose with some unusual options on offer. If wine isn’t your scene then there is a beer version of this to be found on Byard Lane called Tap House. Again, the beer garden is covered and down an alleyway so you can have fun watching the world walk past.

3 - Throw an axe

Axe throwing is a surprisingly relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Hidden hosts a neon axe throwing area which makes a fabulous space to challenge your mates in. If you work up a sweat, then head upstairs to the street food hall on the floor above which has a bar and the Hip Hop Food Shop. It’s a crime to leave without sampling the loaded fries on the menu.

4 - Underground shooting

Thurland Street may not look like it but it has a secret shooting gallery underneath the city street. The Alley is next door to Wonderpho but you need to know the right door which leads to an underground layer of different sets. Before anyone gets too worried, it’s actually paintballing but instead of hitting each other - you hit elaborately created sets using items that have been salvaged from gyms, offices and hairdressers.

The idea is to get stuck in, bring a group of friends and try to get the top score. Participants must be over 14 years old so it’s one for slightly older teenagers and adults.

5 - Bounce away the blues

Planet Bounce is an absolute godsend if you need something to do with the kids where it’s indoors, active and out of the way. Located on Huntingdon Street, it is exactly what it sounds like, an inflatable park you can bounce on. There is a younger kids section at Planet Bounce so it’s suitable for older and younger children or there are adult evenings occasionally where you can grab a drink and bounce.

You do need to book in advance with prices starting at £ 8.00. For younger children, you will need to book one supervising adult to go along too but should the kids have all the fun?

6 - Cook up a storm

It can be really fun to challenge yourself to learn how to cook something new especially a cuisine like Vietnamese food. Nottingham is definitely experiencing a boom in amazing Vietnamese food places in recent months and it’s easy to see why as it’s incredibly tasty. Vietcentric in the Sneinton Avenues is a great shout if you fancy learning a little so you can make the dishes at home.

It’s a full experience from start to finish as you learn about Vietnamese culture while you cook. Each class, which needs to be pre-booked is 3 hours long and £55 per person. After you finish your dishes, there is a traditional tea ceremony to round out the day and a complimentary dessert at the end.

If you are more of a sweet-tooth person then chocolate-making classes are also on offer in the city centre. Deli-Cious Chocolate at National Justice Museum classes start at £23.95 and you get to make your own chocolate for three hours with a professional chocolatier.