Herne Farm Leisure Centre

There's a proper swimming pool tucked away at Herne Farm Leisure Centre just outside Petersfield, and it's the sort of place that gets families through a rainy afternoon without breaking the bank. You get indoor pools, the usual changing facilities, and enough space for actual lengths rather than bumping into other swimmers every two strokes. It's not fancy - this is a working leisure centre, not a theme park monstrosity - but that's rather the point.

Families with younger kids will find it reliable and straightforward. The instructors run lessons if you want them, and there's space for everyone from splashers to serious swimmers. Older kids and adults who actually want to do laps can get on with it without too much faffing about. On wet days when your yurt at Adhurst Yurts is feeling a bit damp, this sorts you out for a couple of hours.

It's worth combining with a stay at either Adhurst or Cedar Valley if you're planning a park holiday in the area - Adhurst's just 1.4 miles away, so you're looking at a quick drive or even a walk if you're feeling determined. Petersfield itself has shops and the South Downs nearby if the weather improves. You'll want to check their current opening hours and admission prices before heading over, but it's the sort of everyday facility that makes a real difference when you're staying somewhere rural and the heavens open.