If there's one thing there can never be enough of it's places to take the kids and, when the weather is as temperamental as ours, it's never a bad idea to have an indoor venue up your sleeve.
It was actually a sunny day when we headed to The Flower Bowl in Preston, but having recently taken the accolade of Lancashire's Visitor Attraction of the Year, we were eager to see what it had in store.
The building itself isn't that appealing, but the colourful signs fastened to the fencing give a glimpse of the excitement inside.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Step through the doors and it's a different story - you feel like you're entering some sort of magical fairyland, surrounded by trees twinkling with lights of every colour.
The attraction features the north of England’s only full-sized curling rink and that's where we headed for our first activity of the day.
Having only caught a glimpse of curlers in the Olympics, frenziedly sweeping the ice to help the stones go further, we were a tad anxious over what we'd let ourselves in for - especially when given headbands and non-slip shoes for protection on the ice.
Thankfully this was one of the Mini Curling sessions for beginners, which are held during the school holidays, and there's no sweeping involved, nor any of the complicated rules.
What there is, is a member of staff who does know what they're doing to talk you through it, explain the rules and then leave you to it. The curling stone that lands closest to the puck wins, it's that simple.
Anyone eight or over can play so it was the perfect activity for my group, with children ranging from 10 to 14. Although I can't say the 14-year-old was thrilled with the headband accessory.
It was great fun for all of us though - and good to try our hand at something new.
With so much to choose from at the venue - there's everything from bowling and a boutique cinema with luxury sofa seating, to a golf simulator and a new crazy pool room - we eventually decided on crazy golf for our next activity, which has a retractable roof for when the sun's shining, so even on a nice day you're not missing out.
The Secret Garden hosts an 18-hole course with surprises around every corner. From water features and tree people to a 'putting' shed, there are all kinds of obstacles to navigate.
Although the highlight for us had to be the junkyard. Featuring everything from a dinosaur and a windmill, to a totem pole, you never quite know which hole your ball is going to emerge from.
Of course no day out is complete without food and there are lots of options where that's concerned too.
For a sweet treat there's the new ice cream parlour Knickerbockers, which serves up delicious Italian ice creams and frothy milkshakes.
For something a bit more substantial, there's the Oasis Coffee Bar and Blooms restaurant, and just next door is The Ocean Fish and Chip Restaurant, which is where we headed.
They serve a mighty fine fish and chips - a regular 6oz haddock, chips and mushy peas costing £12.40 - so I can understand why it's standalone restaurant pulls in customers of its own.
But it sells much more than that too. The kids menu has a range of mains starting from £6.50 and includes the likes of sausage, chicken bites or mac and cheese bites, served with chips and beans.
Before heading off home we just about had time to try out the centre's new VR jungle ride - where you enjoy a rather bumpy virtual reality boat ride, collecting crystals along the way.
It's only a short experience, around five minutes, but it's an enjoyable one, if a little pricey at £6 per person.
But it's the fact you can pick and choose what to do here that make it so special, plus the fact there is so much on offer.
When even the toilets are a star attraction - with postcards of the brightly coloured loos available from the neighbouring garden centre - you know you're onto something. This place is certainly no flash in the pan.
To find out more about the place, or to book activities, visit the website.
READ NEXT:
The entertainment centre named Lancashire's visitor attraction of the year
I tried Alton Towers' new ride The Curse at Alton Manor and it left my stomach churning
We tried lemon drizzle cake from every supermarket and this one had us drooling
New beauty spot café slammed as overpriced and out of touch with toasties tasting 'like rubber'
