Best August Bank Holiday days out in the UK

Make the most of the late August Bank Holiday with our pick of some of the best days out across the UK.

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Published: August 22nd, 2019 at 11:36 am

From summer festivals to art exhibitions and guided wildlife walks, here is our pick of some of the best free days out across the UK this August Bank Holiday weekend.

Family and outdoor activities to enjoy this Bank Holiday

Go for a summer walk and have a picnic

From long coastal walks and mountain climbs to riverside rambles and wildflower strolls, there are hundreds of beautiful summer walks to enjoy in the countryside and coast. Pack a picnic to enjoy halfway and celebrate the end of summer.

Summer walk through the woodland of the Crab and Winkle Way

Cook dinner on the campfire

Food from the campfire always seems to taste better! From S’mores to kebabs, campfires are a great way to encourage children to learn essential outdoor skills. See our recipe section for inspiration.

Roasting marshmallows around a campfire is a great family activity. Getty

Explore Britain’s coastline or waterways by kayak, canoe or paddleboard

Head down to the sea or a river and try your hand at canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding. It’s a great way to exercise and can help you destress and reconnect with nature. You can do it on any stretch of water, but you can’t beat paddling along your local coastline.

Summer foraging and fruit picking

The late summer is a perfect time to forage for berries such as blackberries and wild strawberries. Alternatively, the UK has a number of ‘pick your own’ soft fruits which children will love.

Pick your own strawberries at one of the UK’s farms/ Getty images

Go for a bike ride

Pump up your tyres and peddle through the countryside. Cycling is a great way to reconnect with nature and get off the beaten track. Take a ride on a local cycle path, or if you’re a bit more ambitious, why not take a family bikepacking trip somewhere local.

The countryside is home to many cycling paths with beautiful scenery/Credit: Getty images

Enjoy a wild swim

On a warm summer’s day, it doesn’t get much better than taking a dip in the sea, lake or river. If you live in a big city, don’t be put off as there are many wild swimming spots near London.

Wild swimming has grown in popularity in recent years/Credit: Getty images

Sleep under the stars

Pitch a tent and spend an evening beneath a starry night-sky. Wild camping allows you to escape the constant buzz of modern life and get back to basics. While not legal in some parts of the country, there are a number of smaller campsites in secluded locations, where you simply pitch up and savour the tranquility. Alternatively, kids will love sleeping in the back garden for a mini adventure.