How to finish the UK summer in style

Summer in the UK is the time everyone looks forward to. Unpredictable, full of fun, plenty to be excited about and reasons to complain. It’s got everything we need. It can, however, be all too short. So to make sure you get the most of the remaining weeks, here’s our tips for the UK summer.

Be prepared for all weather

Planning a summer day is like trying to guess what your cat is thinking. One minute you're basking in glorious sunshine, the next you're caught in a downpour. There is no magic way round this, so just embrace it and prepare for all seasons.

Pack your sun hat and an umbrella. You’ll need sandals and an extra jumper. If you’re planning a day where you’ll be mainly outdoors, have a back up option if the weather turns. Diving into a pub or a cafe for a pitstop is never a bad thing, right?

Get to a festival

Festivals are cornerstones of the UK summer. They offer a chance to get together and celebrate music, food, community and culture, set to the glow of those long summer evenings.

In August alone there are big music festivals like Creamfields or Reading & Leeds, the sprawling arts and comedy of Edinburgh fringe, Notting Hill Carnival and countless others. But festival season is about more than famous names on big stages. There are small community events in every town and village, where you can meet other locals and enjoy summer fun on your doorstep.

Enjoy parks, BBQs and beer gardens

In the UK, summer follows one rule. If the sun’s out, so are you. It doesn’t matter if it’s not actually that warm, getting as much sunlight as possible is all that matters.

The most popular options are:

• Spending all day in the park - Pack a blanket, a cool box, enough snacks to sink a ship, a frisbee and a football. You’ll find plenty of space to play and the feel good summer vibes of a community enjoying itself.
• Host a BBQ - If you’ve got a garden, it’s not complete without a BBQ. Get your friends round and fire up the coals.
• Beer gardens - Pubs with outside space, which looked so sad in wet winter, are now the place to be. Sharing some cold drinks round a picnic table as the light fades is one of summer’s best treats.

Visit the seaside

A trip to the seaside is another must have for your diary. The sound of the waves, salty air on a sea breeze, and the cry of seagulls are all essential parts of the UK summer.

Get some fish and chips and cover it in vinegar. Play some mini-golf or the arcade machines. Buy a four scoop ice-cream and try to eat it before it melts. Take a swim in the sea – it’s not cold, it’s invigorating.

The UK is surrounded by sea, so it’s never far away. And from glorious sands to rocky cliffs, you can find some gems that will suit your tastes.

Don’t forget your summer essentials

As we mentioned earlier, the UK summer is unpredictable, so you need to be prepared. If you’re a hay fever sufferer, have some antihistamines handy for whenever it strikes.

Keep sunscreen in your bag at all times. Yes it may be thunder and lightning right now, but it could be baking sunshine in a few hours time.

And finally keep a bottle of water with you. Staying hydrated will help keep you healthy and happy so you can enjoy your summer to the full.

Go for a country walk

If you live in a major town or city, there will be plenty of summer fun close by to keep you busy. But don’t miss the chance to get out into the UK’s glorious countryside. There are rolling fields, hills and forests to be enjoyed through hundreds of miles of dedicated footpaths. Plus country pubs provide the perfect place for a refreshment.

A short train ride will quickly get you to the great outdoors. So pick a day, plan your route, and enjoy the fresh air and green fields.