British summer holiday ideas

Enjoy fresh air and nature with our guide on the best summer family-friendly holiday activities and days out across the UK.

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Published: May 15, 2023 at 7:28 am

From long days spent at the beach to wild swims and forest camping trips, the British summertime is the perfect season for outdoor adventures.

Here is our round-up of fun activities to enjoy this summer that children and adults of all ages will enjoy.

Looking for equipment to take with you? Browse our review section to find tents, camping chairs, water shoes and cool boxes. Don't forget a sturdy weekend bag or holdall to pack it all; we've tested some top brands to find the best options.

Spend the day on the beach

Porthkidney Sands in Cornwall with dune grasses in foreground
Porthkidney Sands Beach, Cornwall/ Credit: Getty Images

Fancy a day on the coast? The UK is spoilt for choice when it comes to stunning beaches – perfect for swimming, surfing, rockpooling and picnicking.

Take a look at our pick of the best beaches in the UK.

Cook dinner on the campfire

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Roasting marshmallows around a campfire is a great family activity./Credit: Getty

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 and fire safety. Even cooking on a campfire or barbecue from your garden can feel like a summer adventure.

For some fantastic recipes you can make with kids, see our five tasty campfire recipes to make with kids.

Summer foraging and fruit picking

Strawberry farm
Pick your own strawberries at one of the UK's farms/Credit: Getty images

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 fruit farms which children will love.

Go for a bike ride

Adult male and boy cyclists Getty
The countryside is home to many cycling paths with beautiful scenery/Credit: Getty images

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.

Enjoy a wild swim

Two children swimming in a river with one child jumping in
Wild swimming has grown in popularity in recent years/Credit: Getty images

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.

Sleep under the stars

Tent by a lake in the mountains
Grab your tent and sleeping back and embark on a wild-camping trip/Credit: Getty images

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.

Gaze at the night sky

Stargazing
There are few more captivating sights than a starry night-time sky/Credit: Getty images

Cast your eyes to the skies and see how many different constellations you can see. Gaze at the stars from your back garden, or, for a really memorable experience, head to one of Britain's national parks for stunning starry skies.

Fish for your supper

Man fishing at sunset in a lake
Grab your fishing rod and cast it out at your nearest stretch of water/Credit: Getty images

Cast your rod and reel in a catch in a lake or river. You may not always catch something, but the serene surroundings will certainly make up for it. Britain is home to many traditional, idyllic fishing villages.

Go for a family walk

Family walking in the countryside
Pack a picnic and head for a summer walk/Credit: Getty

Get back to nature with a beautiful countryside walk. Walking is a great way to spend time together as a family and explore your local landscape. With blooming flowers, warmer weather and buzzing wildlife, summer is the perfect season to take a long walk in the countryside.

For more walking inspiration, check out our walking section

Give geocaching a go

Mobile phone in city
Download the app and start hunting geocaches today/Credit: Getty images

Enjoy hiking, the countryside and treasure hunting? Geocaching might be the hobby for you. Download the free app and find one of many secret geocaches hidden in the countryside. Read our guide on how to go geocaching and start hunting.

Visit the literary countryside

Lakes and mountains in spring
Elterwater looking towards the Langdale Pikes, The Lake District, Cumbria, England/Credit: Getty

Tread in the footsteps of Britain's greatest writers and explore the countryside that inspired novels such as Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice. Put yourself in the shoes of your favourite characters and immerse yourself in their fictional world. Travel back in time with these historic days out, or walk in the footsteps of some of Britain's greatest poets.

We've assembled a list of our favourite non-fiction adventure books - take a look for reading inspiration.

Experience a sunrise and sunset

sunrise and mist over a countryside landscape
Marvel at the beauty of the countryside at sunrise and sunset/Credit: Getty images

Get up early and experience sunrise, then watch it set later that evening. Wherever you are, set your alarm clocks early and make the most of the natural daylight. Why not celebrate the longest day of the year and mark the Summer solstice?

Go rockpooling

Girl holding a hermit crab
Children love exploring rockpools along the shoreline/Credit: Getty images

Searching for a fun coastal adventure to keep the kids happy over the summer holidays? Rockpooling and hunting for crabs is an easy way to have fun with the family and introduce children to the wonders of marine ecology. Discover how to find and study crabs in rockpools in a few easy steps, plus learn more about rockpools and the equipment you need to get started.

Go on a wildlife safari

Oil beetle
Oil beetle/Credit: Getty images

Beetles are a fascinating group of insects found widely throughout the UK – become an amateur coleopterist with our guide to some of Britain's most beautiful beetles, from the striking rose chafer to the deceptive wasp beetle. Take a look under a rock or fallen tree branch in your garden or local park and see what species you can spot.

Go on a butterfly hunt

Blue butterfly on grass
An Adonis blue male butterfly. Credit: Getty

With their bright and varied colours and beautiful markings, butterfly spotting can become an addictive pastime for some. For children who are less enthusiastic about a walk in the outdoors, going on the hunt for butterflies can be just the motivation needed to get them on the move. Take a look at our Guide to British butterflies for the best places to spot them and how to identify.

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