Home and Away News

Category: Lifestyle

  • RHS Chelsea Flower Show Inspired: How to Give Your British Garden a Summer Glow-Up on a Budget

    RHS Chelsea Flower Show Inspired: How to Give Your British Garden a Summer Glow-Up on a Budget

    Every June, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show rolls around and I find myself glued to the coverage, completely convinced I can recreate those sweeping herbaceous borders and artfully rusted steel sculptures in my own back garden. Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival does the same thing to me in July. The reality, of course, is a bit more modest, but honestly? That gap between show garden grandeur and achievable back-garden beauty is much smaller than you’d think. These British garden summer makeover ideas won’t require a landscaping team or a lottery win. Just a bit of planning, some savvy plant buying, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

    Colourful summer garden border with cosmos and salvia — British garden summer makeover ideas in action
    Photo by King Ho on Pexels

    Start with colour, the Chelsea way

    The show gardens at Chelsea and Hampton Court are masterclasses in colour theory, even when they look effortlessly wild. Designers like Luciano Giubbilei and Andy Sturgeon don’t just chuck plants in and hope for the best. They work in palettes. And you can do exactly the same thing on a fraction of the budget.

    Pick two or three colours maximum and stick to them. Soft blues, purples, and whites give that cool, sophisticated feel that dominates many RHS Gold Medal gardens. Warm oranges, deep reds, and burnt yellows give a late-summer festival energy that carries right through to September. I’d start with something like Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (around £4.50 from most garden centres), a few stems of Allium ‘Purple Sensation’, and some white Cosmos bipinnatus grown from seed for next to nothing. Together they look genuinely expensive. They’re absolutely not.

    Repeating the same plant throughout a border rather than dotting in one of everything is the single biggest trick Chelsea designers use. It creates rhythm. Three or five of the same plant (odd numbers always work better visually) instantly makes a border look intentional rather than accidental.

    Budget planting ideas that punch above their weight

    The RHS itself encourages home gardeners to grow from seed, and rightly so. A packet of Cosmos, Nigella, or Ammi majus costs under £3 and will fill an entire border with airy, elegant flowers from July onwards. These are staples in florist-style gardens because they look delicate without being fussy to grow.

    For structure, which show gardens always have, even the naturalistic ones, you want a few statement plants that do the heavy lifting. Hardy geraniums are almost indestructible, spread well, and cost very little. Verbena bonariensis is a classic for good reason: tall, wispy purple flowers that bees adore and that weave beautifully between other plants. You’ll find it at most garden centres or online from around £2.50 a plug plant.

    If you have a shaded corner that feels like a dead zone, don’t despair. Ferns, hostas, and astilbes are the Chelsea designer’s toolkit for tricky spots, and all three can be found cheaply at car boot sales or plant swaps. The RHS Award of Garden Merit scheme is genuinely useful here, any plant carrying an AGM label has been trialled for reliable performance in UK gardens, so it’s a good filter when you’re buying on a budget and can’t afford to waste money on plants that sulk.

    Styling your outdoor space like a show garden

    Beyond the planting, it’s the styling that separates a lovely garden from a spectacular one. Show gardens use clever visual tricks, and most of them cost very little to replicate.

    Containers are your best friend. A cluster of three pots in different heights, planted with a thriller (something tall and dramatic), a filler (something bushy), and a spiller (something trailing over the edge) looks polished and considered. Terracotta pots from B&Q or Wilko start at around £3. Age them quickly by painting them with natural yoghurt and leaving them outside for a fortnight, they’ll develop that mossed-up, aged patina that show designers pay a fortune for.

    Vertical interest is another show garden staple that costs almost nothing to add. A simple wooden obelisk in a border (you can make one from bamboo canes and garden wire for under £5) gives sweet peas or climbing nasturtiums something to scramble up, adding height and drama. Sweet peas in particular are quintessentially British summer, they smell extraordinary, and a packet of seeds from Dobies or Suttons is about £2.50. I’ve grown them up a wigwam of sticks in a pot on the patio before now and it looked genuinely lovely.

    Don’t overlook lighting either. Solar lanterns strung through borders or along fences transform a garden on a warm evening in a way that no daytime photo ever quite captures. String lights from any garden centre or supermarket, solar-powered so there’s no running cost, can make even the most modest plot feel like somewhere you’d genuinely want to linger.

    Lawn and edge care: the detail that makes the difference

    Chelsea show gardens have immaculate edges and there’s a reason they look so crisp, a clean edge between lawn and border does more for the overall impression than almost anything else. A half-moon edging iron costs about £15 and is a one-off purchase that lasts years. Run it along your borders once at the start of summer and the whole garden suddenly looks three times more intentional.

    If your lawn is patchy after a dry spring (which, let’s be honest, is pretty common across most of England), an autumn overseeding plan will sort it for next year, but in the short term a good feed and a consistent cut height makes a huge difference. The RHS recommends cutting grass to around 2.5–4cm in summer, shorter than that stresses the grass and turns it yellow in dry spells.

    Bring the indoors out for a summer feel

    One of the most joyful trends coming out of recent Hampton Court shows is the blurring of indoors and outdoors. Outdoor rugs, proper comfortable seating, and even an outdoor mirror (placed to reflect light and make a small garden feel bigger) all contribute to that sense of the garden as a proper room rather than just a patch of grass behind the house.

    I’ve been experimenting with a simple bistro table and two chairs in a sunny corner, surrounded by pots of lavender and trailing pelargoniums, and it’s become my favourite spot all summer. It cost me under £60 all in. And if you’re planning a picnic or outdoor gathering out there, it’s worth thinking about what you’re actually eating and drinking, I always find it’s the little details, like good food and a proper spread, that make an outdoor space feel genuinely celebratory. For inspiration on what to put on the table, our guide to the best local artisan food for an outdoor feast is well worth a read.

    Make it wildlife-friendly too

    The show gardens of recent years have leaned hard into biodiversity, and it’s genuinely easy to follow suit. A small pond (even a washing-up bowl sunk into the ground) attracts frogs, insects, and birds within weeks. Leaving a patch of lawn unmown for a fortnight allows wildflowers to emerge that you didn’t even know were there. These aren’t just good for nature; they look beautiful too, in that soft, naturalistic way that dominates contemporary garden design.

    If you’re already thinking about getting outdoors and enjoying British summer to its fullest, you might enjoy reading about the most beautiful parks and meadows to visit across the UK, brilliant for picking up planting inspiration from nature itself. And if wildlife gardening leads you toward the coast and conservation, our piece on eco-friendly beach clean events this summer has some wonderful ideas for taking that green spirit further.

    British garden summer makeover ideas don’t have to mean ripping everything up and starting again. A few well-chosen plants, some clever styling, clean edges, and a handful of containers can genuinely transform the feel of any outdoor space. The Chelsea and Hampton Court gardens prove every year that beauty comes from intention, not from budget. Your garden can have both.

  • Sun, Sand, and Sustainability: The UK’s Best Eco-Friendly Beach Cleans and Conservation Days to Join This Summer

    Sun, Sand, and Sustainability: The UK’s Best Eco-Friendly Beach Cleans and Conservation Days to Join This Summer

    There is something genuinely joyful about spending a sunny morning on the coast with a pair of gloves, a hessian bag, and a sense of purpose. I’ve done a couple of beach cleans now, and I can tell you honestly: they’re more fun than they sound. You chat with strangers, you feel the sea breeze, the kids love it, and you walk away knowing the stretch of sand behind you is cleaner than when you arrived. If you’ve been looking for a reason to get outside and do something meaningful this summer, UK beach clean volunteer events 2026 are a brilliant place to start.

    Volunteers taking part in UK beach clean volunteer events 2026 on a sunny British coastline
    Photo by Marta Ortigosa on Pexels

    Britain has roughly 11,000 miles of coastline, and much of it is breathtaking. It’s also, in places, under real pressure from litter. According to the Marine Conservation Society, volunteers removed over 350,000 pieces of litter during their Great British Beach Clean in 2025 alone. That number is both alarming and inspiring. Alarming because the problem is huge. Inspiring because look how many people showed up to tackle it.

    Who organises beach clean events in the UK?

    Two names dominate this space, and they’re both worth knowing.

    Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is probably the loudest voice in UK coastal conservation. Based in Cornwall, they’ve been campaigning since 1990, and their annual Million Mile Clean is one of the most recognisable community action campaigns in the country. In 2026, SAS events are running from April right through to October, and you can search by postcode on their website to find something local. What I love about SAS is the energy: these events attract families, students, surf clubs, and dog walkers alike. It genuinely feels like a community party with a purpose.

    The Marine Conservation Society runs its Great British Beach Clean every September, typically over a long weekend. Volunteers at designated sites collect and log every piece of litter they find, which feeds into national data used to push for policy change. It’s citizen science with wellies on. If you want your afternoon’s efforts to count beyond the beach itself, this is the one to sign up for.

    Beyond those two, there are smaller but equally passionate groups doing brilliant work: Beachcare in Cornwall, Clean Coasts, the RNLI‘s conservation partnerships, and dozens of local councils and wildlife trusts running their own regular clean-up mornings. A quick search on the UK Government’s marine environment pages will also point you toward funded coastal projects you can plug into near your home.

    Where are the best spots to volunteer around the UK coastline?

    Honestly, almost every stretch of coast has events running in summer, but a few locations consistently attract the most activity.

    Cornwall and Devon are home to some of the most active communities in the country. St Ives, Newquay, and Croyde all have regular SAS-affiliated events, and the surf culture there means there’s always someone organised and enthusiastic at the helm. If you’re already planning a trip to the South West, tagging a beach clean onto a surf lesson or a coastal walk is a very natural fit. (Speaking of surf lessons, we’ve put together a guide to the best beginner surf spots and lessons around the UK if you fancy combining both.)

    The Welsh coast is equally active. Pembrokeshire and the Gower Peninsula in particular have regular volunteer days run through local wildlife trusts. If you haven’t yet explored the quieter coves down there, you’re in for a treat.

    Scotland’s coastline often gets overlooked, but Scottish coastal communities are fiercely protective of their beaches. The John Muir Trust and local beach guardian groups run regular events from the Outer Hebrides to the Fife coast. Cold? Sometimes. Worth it? Absolutely.

    Further north in Yorkshire and Northumberland, places like Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby, and Bamburgh all have active volunteer networks. The north-east coast is wild and dramatic, and you’ll find far fewer tourists at these events, which makes them feel even more like a local secret.

    What to expect when you turn up to a beach clean

    First timers sometimes aren’t sure what they’re walking into, so let me paint a picture. Most events are free to attend. Organisers usually provide gloves and collection bags, though bringing your own reusable bag is always appreciated. You’ll typically get a quick briefing, some guidance on what to collect and what to leave (don’t disturb wildlife or pick up anything hazardous without help), and then you’re off.

    Events usually run for two to three hours, which is the sweet spot: long enough to make a real difference, short enough to feel manageable with children in tow. Many organisers provide a simple log sheet so you can tally up what you find, which is enormously satisfying and feeds into national data sets. Crisp packets, cigarette ends, plastic bottles, and fishing line tend to top the lists, which tells you something about where we still need to do better as a society.

    If you’re thinking about making a weekend of it along the coast, our round-up of dramatic coastal hideaways to book for summer has some lovely options for staying close to the action. You could volunteer on the Saturday morning and spend the rest of the weekend enjoying the clean beach you helped create. That feels like a pretty perfect plan to me.

    Getting the family involved

    Beach cleans are one of the genuinely brilliant family activities that don’t cost a thing and leave everyone feeling good. Children are natural collectors, and the gamification of spotting and logging different types of litter keeps them engaged far longer than you’d expect. SAS in particular has resources for schools and youth groups, and some events even offer small rewards for the most unusual item collected (I’ve heard tales of everything from traffic cones to wedding rings).

    Combine it with a picnic, and you’ve got a full day out. Our guide to the most beautiful parks and meadows to visit this summer is mostly inland, but the principle stands: fresh air, good food, and good company beats any theme park.

    How to sign up for UK beach clean volunteer events in 2026

    The easiest route is through the SAS website (surfersagainstsewage.com), where their event finder is genuinely excellent. Pop in your postcode and it’ll show you every community clean nearby, whether that’s a local beach guardian session or a major national day of action. The Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean registration opens each summer, usually in July for September events, so keep an eye on mcsuk.org.

    If you want something more regular, consider becoming a Beach Guardian through SAS. Guardians commit to organising or attending a set number of cleans per year and get support and kit to do so. It’s low-pressure, high-reward, and genuinely makes you feel like you own a little piece of the coastline (in the best possible sense).

    The UK’s beaches are extraordinary. Golden sands in the Outer Hebrides, dramatic cliffs in Dorset, turquoise coves in Cornwall. They deserve a bit of love. And honestly, so do you: getting outside, doing something with your hands, and connecting with people who care about the same things is one of the most quietly uplifting ways to spend a summer morning. See you on the beach.

  • Village Fetes, Fun Runs, and Fundraising Nights: How Britain’s Rural Communities Are Bringing People Together This Summer

    Village Fetes, Fun Runs, and Fundraising Nights: How Britain’s Rural Communities Are Bringing People Together This Summer

    There is something genuinely lovely about a hand-painted banner strung between two oak trees, a raffle table groaning with bottles of wine and boxes of Roses, and a brass band doing their cheerful best in a field somewhere in Shropshire. Rural community events have this extraordinary knack for making people feel like they belong somewhere. And this summer, all across Britain, they are back in force, bigger, more creative, and arguably more important than ever.

    Families enjoying a traditional village fete, a classic rural community event on a sunny British summer day
    Photo by Alejandro Henriquez on Pexels

    I grew up not far from a village that took its annual summer fete extremely seriously. The vicar judged the Victoria sponge competition with the gravity of a high court judge. Someone’s dad drove a vintage tractor in slow circles around the field for no reason anyone could quite explain. It was chaotic and warm and completely brilliant. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since, and I don’t think I’m alone.

    Why rural community events matter more than ever

    Rural Britain has faced real headwinds over the past decade. Post offices have closed. Pubs have shut. Bus routes have been cut. The ONS estimates that around 9.7 million people in England alone live in rural areas, and for many of them, informal local gatherings are the primary social infrastructure holding things together. A summer fete is not just a fete. It is a moment when the farmer who never leaves his land, the retired teacher, the young family who moved out from Leeds, and the teenager who thinks the village is boring all end up in the same field eating terrible hot dogs together. That is quietly remarkable.

    Village halls are packed out for charity quiz nights. Sponsored swims are filling local lidos and river swimming spots. Fun runs are threading through country lanes with handmade kilometre markers taped to fence posts. These are not small things. They are the glue.

    The summer events bringing rural Britain to life

    The variety of rural community events happening this summer is genuinely cheering. A few worth knowing about as inspiration, wherever you are in the country:

    Traditional village fetes remain the heartbeat of the summer calendar. Many have been running for over a century. The Great Tew Village Fete in Oxfordshire, Reeth Show in the Yorkshire Dales, and hundreds of smaller, unnamed-but-beloved equivalents up and down the country all follow roughly the same delightful template: bouncy castles, plant stalls, tombola, and an overambitious bake-off category that causes genuine local controversy.

    Charity fun runs and sponsored walks have had a real renaissance. Parkrun’s rural expansion has played a part, but it goes further than that. Community-organised 5K runs through farmland, midnight walks raising money for local hospices, and sponsored cycle rides between village pubs are all pulling in numbers that would have seemed optimistic five years ago. People want to move, they want a reason to do it together, and they want to raise money for something local and real.

    Summer fairs and open gardens are particularly good for people who moved to the countryside recently and are still finding their feet. There is no easier way to meet your neighbours than wandering around someone’s allotment on a sunny afternoon while they tell you why their courgettes have done better this year than last. The National Garden Scheme runs open garden days throughout the summer months, and the smaller community versions, where a local family just opens the gate and puts out a donation tin, are just as good.

    Participants in a rural community event charity fun run through English countryside lanes
    Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU on Pexels

    Fundraising quiz nights and barn dances fill village halls from June through to September. The quiz nights in particular have evolved. Themed rounds, local knowledge sections, charity auctions halfway through, they have become proper events rather than afterthoughts. And a barn dance, if you have never been to one, is the most fun you will have on a weeknight without feeling guilty about it the next morning.

    The bigger picture behind the bunting

    These gatherings are joyful on the surface, and I would never want to take that away. But underneath the bunting, there is a serious story about rural resilience. Volunteer-run organisations of all kinds are under pressure in the countryside, from village hall committees to local first responders. If you want to understand the full picture of what rural communities are up against, I’d point you to a related article, the quiet crisis in britain’s volunteer fire services: how rural communities are being left to burn, it sets out in clear terms how thinly stretched the voluntary infrastructure actually is. Reading that alongside the cheerful reality of a village fete is a useful reminder that the two things are connected. Communities that come together socially are communities that can mobilise when it counts.

    That sense of mutual support is exactly why organisers of rural community events deserve so much credit. They are not just putting on a nice afternoon. They are building the networks that mean someone checks on the elderly neighbour, that the fundraiser for the village defibrillator actually gets to its target, that people know each other’s names.

    How to get involved, or start your own event

    If you want to join in, the simplest route is to look at what already exists. Most parish councils keep a list of local groups and upcoming events. Your local community Facebook group (and yes, nearly every village in Britain has one, usually with a name like “Helpful Hands in Little Whinging”) is often the fastest way to find out what is happening.

    Starting something from scratch sounds daunting, but it genuinely is not. A charity quiz night needs a village hall booking, a question-setter, and someone willing to shout loudly enough to be heard over the noise. A sponsored swim needs a local outdoor swimming spot and some printed sponsor forms, and if you want inspiration for where to find beautiful open-water spots, the rise of wild swimming across the UK has opened up some gorgeous options that lend themselves perfectly to fundraising events.

    For something with a summer picnic element, and this is a combination I strongly recommend, pairing a fun run with an outdoor feast afterwards is a great way to get families involved. There are some brilliant ideas for making the food side of things special in our guide to the best local artisan food for an outdoor feast. Supporting a local producer while raising money for a village cause is a very satisfying double act.

    The key with any new event is to keep the first one small. One successful small event creates momentum. Over-ambition in year one creates burnout, and the person who burns out is usually the one person holding the whole thing together. Ask for help early, share the tasks, and make sure there is fun in it for the organisers too, not just the attendees.

    Get out there this summer

    Britain’s rural communities are doing something quietly extraordinary this summer. They are choosing connection. They are putting up the bunting, printing the raffle tickets, and asking someone to lend a folding table. If you are within reach of a village fete or a charity fun run in the coming months, go. Volunteer for something. Buy the overpriced lemonade. Badly attempt the egg-and-spoon race. These small gatherings add up to something worth protecting, and the best way to protect them is simply to show up.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I find rural community events near me this summer?

    Your local parish council website is a good starting point, as many maintain community event calendars. Local Facebook groups and community noticeboards in village shops or post offices are also reliable sources for upcoming fetes, fun runs, and fundraising nights.

    Do I need a licence to hold a village fete or community fundraiser?

    It depends on the scale of your event. Small community fetes held on private land often fall under permitted development, but if you plan to sell alcohol, have live music, or hold a lottery or raffle, you will need to check with your local council about the relevant licences. The gov.uk website has clear guidance on small society lotteries and temporary event notices.

    How much does it cost to organise a charity quiz night in a village hall?

    Village hall hire typically costs between £30 and £80 for an evening, depending on the hall and location. Keep entry fees simple, £3 to £5 per person works well, and use a raffle or auction to top up funds. Most first-time quiz nights run at a very healthy profit even with modest attendance.

    Are sponsored fun runs good for small rural communities?

    They work particularly well in rural settings because the routes through farmland or along public footpaths are naturally scenic and require minimal infrastructure. They attract participants of all fitness levels and can double as a social occasion with a picnic or barbecue at the finish line, which helps build lasting community connections.

  • Lighthouse Stays and Cliff-Top Cottages: The UK’s Most Dramatic Coastal Hideaways to Book for Summer

    Lighthouse Stays and Cliff-Top Cottages: The UK’s Most Dramatic Coastal Hideaways to Book for Summer

    Some holidays are nice. Some are genuinely unforgettable. There is a very clear line between the two, and in my experience, that line is usually drawn by the view from your bedroom window. Waking up to the Atlantic crashing against rocks fifty feet below you, or watching a lighthouse beam sweep the North Sea from the very tower that once guided ships to safety, that is the kind of thing that stays with you. If you are looking for unique coastal accommodation UK summer can actually deliver, the good news is this country has some extraordinarily dramatic options, and most people have never heard of them.

    Converted lighthouse keeper's cottage on a sea cliff — unique coastal accommodation UK summer
    Photo by Matthis Volquardsen on Pexels

    Why converted lighthouses are having a serious moment

    There are around 200 lighthouses dotted around the UK coastline, and Trinity House, the authority that manages them in England, Wales, and the Channel Islands, has been quietly converting decommissioned keepers’ cottages and towers into holiday lets for years now. The results are spectacular. Think thick stone walls, spiral staircases, lantern rooms with 360-degree views, and the kind of silence (interrupted only by seabirds and surf) that genuinely resets your nervous system after a busy few months.

    Flamborough Head Lighthouse on the East Yorkshire coast is a brilliant starting point. The Grade II listed complex has keepers’ cottages that sleep up to six, sitting right on a chalk headland above some of the most theatrical sea-stack scenery in England. Further north, the Isle of May off the Fife coast in Scotland is strictly for those who want to go properly remote, a day trip boat is the only way in, and the old lighthouse buildings are managed as a nature reserve. For something bookable as a full stay, Kinnaird Head in Fraserburgh, now part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, has accommodation experiences that genuinely feel unlike anything else in the country.

    Scotland’s most jaw-dropping coastal sleeps

    Scotland is unfair competition for the rest of the UK, really. The combination of wild Atlantic weather, empty sea lochs, and isles you genuinely have to work to reach means the dramatic coastal accommodation options up here are on another level entirely.

    Rubha Mòr on the Applecross Peninsula in Wester Ross is the kind of place that makes you reconsider everything. A converted croft just metres from the shoreline with the Cuillin of Skye filling the horizon, I’d argue it is one of the most purely beautiful places to sleep in the British Isles. Then there is the Mull of Galloway lighthouse cottage complex in Dumfries and Galloway, sitting at Scotland’s most southerly point on a narrow peninsula battered by the Irish Sea on three sides. The wind here is something else. You will earn that cup of tea.

    For families, the Corran lighthouse on Loch Linnhe combines accessibility (it is a short ferry hop from Ardgour) with genuine drama, the views up the loch towards Ben Nevis on a clear morning are extraordinary.

    The Jurassic Coast and beyond: cliff-top boltholes in southern England

    Dorset has been quietly sitting on some of the best unique coastal accommodation UK summer produces, and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is the obvious anchor. Cliff-top properties around Durdle Door, Lulworth, and the Isle of Portland are in constant demand, and for good reason. The 185 million years of geology on display along this stretch of coastline is honestly humbling, you can spend a morning fossil hunting on the beach and an afternoon watching the light change across chalk stacks from a terrace that feels like it is floating above the sea.

    The Old Higher Lighthouse on the Isle of Portland is one of the most photographed holiday lets in the country, and it absolutely deserves the attention. Built in 1789 and now a beautifully converted cottage, it sits at the highest point of the island with views stretching to Chesil Beach and beyond. Portland Bill below it is worth a visit on its own, the tidal race visible from the cliffs is genuinely awe-inspiring on a running tide. Further west along the Dorset coast, around Golden Cap (the highest cliff on the south coast of England at 191 metres), National Trust properties offer some extraordinary walking-distance-to-cliff-edge stays.

    Cornwall gets most of the headlines, but the north Devon coast, particularly around Hartland Quay and Morte Point, has cliff-top cottages that regularly leave guests speechless. The Natural England managed sections of the South West Coast Path run directly past some of these properties, which means you can step out of the front door and onto one of the finest walking routes in Europe.

    Wales and the hidden gems of the west coast

    Pembrokeshire is the card Wales plays in this game, and it plays it well. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has over 186 miles of designated coast path and a cluster of islands, Skomer, Skokholm, Caldey, that add a genuine sense of the exotic. St Ann’s Head, at the mouth of Milford Haven, has a lighthouse complex with holiday cottages managed by Trinity House, and the sunsets here regularly stop guests mid-sentence. If you have not explored this stretch of Wales yet, our guide to the prettiest hidden coastal villages in Wales is a perfect companion to planning a longer trip.

    Bardsey Island, off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula, has just one farmhouse letting available and a waiting list that stretches into years for some weeks. That is how good it is. Across the Menai Strait, Anglesey offers more accessible but no less dramatic cliff-top options, particularly around South Stack where the RSPB reserve sits directly below a lighthouse you can actually tour.

    Practical things worth knowing before you book

    A few things I have learnt from researching (and visiting) properties like these. First, many of the most dramatic cliff-top and lighthouse locations have limited or no road access, so if you are bringing young children or anyone with mobility concerns, check the access notes carefully before booking. Second, the remoteness that makes these places magical also means mobile signal can be patchy to nonexistent, treat that as a feature rather than a problem. Third, book early. Seriously. The best lighthouse cottages on Trinity House’s letting programme for August and September are typically gone before February.

    On the food front, these locations often sit miles from the nearest shop, so self-catering requires planning. Packing a proper hamper is genuinely part of the fun, and if you want inspiration for what to fill it with, our piece on the best local artisan food for an outdoor feast has some brilliant ideas. Wild swimming spots are often right on the doorstep of these coastal properties too; if you fancy combining a dramatic stay with a proper open-water dip, check out our round-up of the safest and most scenic wild swimming spots across the UK before you pack your towel.

    The UK coastline is 11,073 miles long according to the Ordnance Survey. That is an extraordinary amount of shoreline, and tucked along it are some of the most remarkable places to sleep in Europe. You just have to know where to look, and book before everyone else does.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I book a lighthouse cottage for a UK summer holiday?

    Trinity House manages many converted lighthouse properties in England and Wales through their holiday letting programme, bookable directly via the Trinity House website. Independent agents such as Landmark Trust and Unique Cottages also list lighthouse and cliff-top stays in Scotland and Wales.

    What is the best time of year to stay in a cliff-top coastal property in the UK?

    Late June through to early September gives you the longest daylight hours and warmest temperatures, but shoulder season weeks in May or October are often cheaper and quieter. Many cliff-top properties book up months in advance for the peak summer weeks, so aim to reserve by February at the latest.

    Are UK lighthouse holiday lets suitable for families with young children?

    Some are, but many have steep spiral staircases, unfenced cliff edges nearby, or difficult access tracks, so always read the property details carefully. Properties like those at Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire are more family-friendly, while remote Scottish island lighthouses are better suited to adults or older children.

  • The Great British Picnic Upgrade: Where to Buy the Best Local Artisan Food for an Outdoor Feast

    The Great British Picnic Upgrade: Where to Buy the Best Local Artisan Food for an Outdoor Feast

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with a packet of crisps and a supermarket sandwich. I’ve eaten that combination on a hillside and loved every bite. But if you’ve ever spread out a blanket on a warm July afternoon and unpacked a wedge of proper aged Cheddar, a half-loaf of still-warm sourdough, and a bottle of something cold and locally brewed, you’ll know that a picnic can be a genuinely spectacular thing. Finding the best artisan picnic food UK producers have to offer is easier than most people realise, and the results are a serious upgrade on anything shrink-wrapped.

    A beautiful outdoor picnic spread featuring artisan cheese and sourdough bread, the best artisan picnic food UK has to offer
    Photo by Coral Estudio on Pexels

    Why local artisan food makes a picnic so much better

    Mass-produced food is designed to travel far and last long. That’s fine on a Tuesday at your desk. On a sunny Saturday in the park, though, you want food that was made by someone who cares what it tastes like. A wheel of unpasteurised Ogleshield from Neal’s Yard Dairy, or a jar of pickled heritage carrots from a farmers’ market stall in Bristol, carries a story and a flavour that a supermarket own-brand simply cannot match. I’d argue the sourcing is half the fun, wandering a market before you even get to the park is its own little adventure.

    If you’re already planning a beautiful outdoor afternoon, our guide to the most beautiful parks and meadows to visit across the UK this summer has brilliant ideas for where to actually lay your blanket. Pair that with the food advice below and you’re sorted.

    British cheeses worth hunting down

    The UK has an extraordinary cheese scene that still surprises people who assume France has it all sewn up. There are around 700 named British cheeses in production, according to The Guild of Fine Food, ranging from sharp crumbly Lancashire to creamy washed-rind varieties from Somerset and Wales. For a picnic, I’d always build around at least three: something hard and aged (a good Montgomery’s Cheddar or a Lincolnshire Poacher), something soft (a Baron Bigod Brie from Suffolk travels surprisingly well in a cool bag), and something crumbly (Yorkshire Wensleydale with a bit of dried fruit on the side is practically a national treasure).

    Where to buy them? Seek out a dedicated cheesemonger rather than a supermarket counter. Paxton and Whitfield in London and Bath, I.J. Mellis in Edinburgh and Glasgow, or the countless independent delis that have sprung up in market towns across England all stock farmhouse cheeses that you simply will not find elsewhere. Ask the person behind the counter what’s ripe right now. They will tell you, enthusiastically.

    Sourdough, charcuterie, and the bread question

    Bread matters enormously at a picnic. A flabby supermarket loaf collapses under the weight of decent cheese. A proper sourdough, one with a blistered crust and an open, chewy crumb, holds its shape, tastes of something, and turns a decent slice of cheese into an actual moment. The Real Bread Campaign (realbread.org.uk) lists member bakeries across the UK, and most decent-sized towns now have at least one micro-bakery baking overnight and selling by 9am on Saturday mornings. Go early. These loaves sell out.

    Charcuterie is the other revelation. British producers have caught up remarkably quickly with the continental tradition. Look for cured meats from producers like Cobble Lane Cured in London, Cannon and Cannon who supply farmers’ markets across England, or your local farm shop’s own dry-cured bacon and air-dried ham. A few slices of properly made bresaola or fennel salami alongside that cheese changes the whole character of the spread.

    Farm shops and markets: where to shop near you

    Farm shops are genuinely one of the great pleasures of British summer weekends. Places like Daylesford Organic in the Cotswolds, Chatsworth Farm Shop in Derbyshire, and Cobbs Farm Shop in Berkshire have become destinations in their own right. But you don’t need a famous name. Almost every county has smaller independent farm shops selling their own produce alongside local suppliers. The FARMA (National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association) website lists accredited farm shops and farmers’ markets by postcode, which makes finding your nearest one genuinely easy.

    Farmers’ markets deserve a special mention. The atmosphere alone is worth turning up for. Borough Market in London is the famous one, but Winchester, Stroud, Leeds Kirkgate Market, and the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market are equally brilliant. You will taste things before you buy them. You will chat to the person who actually made what you’re about to eat. That rarely happens in a supermarket aisle.

    Artisan drinks to pack alongside your food

    The drink element of a great picnic gets overlooked. A warm can of whatever was on offer deserves better. The UK’s craft drinks scene is extraordinary right now. English sparkling wine from producers in Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire has won international awards in recent years; a bottle of Nyetimber or Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs in a cool bag feels genuinely celebratory without the price tag of Champagne. For those not drinking, the UK’s small-batch soft drink producers are making elderflower cordials, ginger beers, and botanical tonics that are actually interesting on their own. Belvoir Fruit Farms in Lincolnshire, for example, makes cordials that transform sparkling water into something worth sipping slowly.

    If you’re planning a longer summer escape around your outdoor eating, it’s worth knowing that the UK’s food festival calendar is rammed with brilliant events this year. Our round-up of the UK’s best summer food festivals celebrating local produce in 2026 is full of ideas for combining great food with a proper day out.

    Putting the hamper together: a few practical tips

    Keep cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes before eating; it releases flavour properly that way. A good insulated bag is worth every penny for keeping drinks cold and stopping soft cheeses from turning into soup. Pack a proper knife, a wooden board, and real plates if you can manage it. Paper plates flex and collapse, which is annoying when you’re trying to balance a biscuit loaded with Stilton. Decent oatcakes (Nairn’s are widely available, but an independent Scottish producer’s version from a deli is better) beat standard crackers every time.

    And if your picnic is happening somewhere genuinely scenic, like the spots in our guide to staycationing in Northern England, take the time to source food from the local region. Lancashire cheese in Lancashire, Northumberland honey in Northumberland. It’s a small thing that makes the whole day feel more connected to where you actually are.

    The best artisan picnic food UK producers make is out there, waiting to be found at a market stall, a farm shop, or a cheesemonger you haven’t discovered yet. Go and find it. It’s a very good reason to get outside.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I find the best artisan picnic food in the UK?

    Farmers’ markets, independent delis, and farm shops are your best starting points. The FARMA website lets you search for accredited markets and farm shops by postcode, and most larger towns have a Saturday market worth visiting.

    Which British cheeses are best for a picnic?

    A mix of textures works well outdoors. Montgomery’s Cheddar or Lincolnshire Poacher for something aged and firm, Baron Bigod Brie from Suffolk for something soft, and crumbly Wensleydale or Lancashire for variety. Ask your cheesemonger what’s ripe on the day.

    How do I keep artisan food fresh during a picnic?

    A good insulated cool bag keeps drinks cold and protects soft cheeses. Take cheese out of the bag about 30 minutes before eating so it reaches room temperature and the flavour opens up. Keep bread separate so it doesn’t absorb moisture.

  • How to Plan the Perfect UK Canal Boat Holiday for Absolute Beginners

    How to Plan the Perfect UK Canal Boat Holiday for Absolute Beginners

    There is something genuinely magical about trading your front door for a narrowboat and watching the world slow right down to about 4 miles per hour. A UK canal boat holiday might just be the most underrated summer adventure this country offers. No airport queues, no check-in stress, and absolutely no reason to rush anywhere. I booked my first narrowboat hire on a whim a few summers back and came home three days late because I simply could not bring myself to leave the water. Spoiler: no one seemed to mind.

    Britain’s inland waterway network stretches across roughly 2,000 miles of navigable canals and rivers, maintained by the Canal and River Trust. That is a serious amount of towpath, countryside, and canalside pubs to explore. Whether you are a complete first-timer or just curious about what life on the cut actually looks like, here is everything you need to know before you cast off.

    A colourful narrowboat on a peaceful English canal on a sunny day - perfect for a UK canal boat holiday
    Photo by Bill Eccles on Pexels

    Do you need a licence or experience to hire a narrowboat?

    Good news: you do not need any prior experience or a special licence to hire a narrowboat in the UK. Hire companies spend around an hour briefing you before you leave the marina, covering the basics of steering, mooring, operating locks, and what to do if something goes wrong. Most people feel reasonably confident after 20 minutes of actually being on the water. The boats travel so slowly that minor mistakes are easy to recover from, and the canal community is famously patient and helpful.

    You do need to be over 18 to take the helm, and most hire companies ask that at least one adult in your group is over 21. Children are very welcome on board, and most hire boats are set up with safety rails and enough sleeping space for families. If you are planning a family trip, you might also enjoy reading about the best UK glamping sites for families as an alternative if the boat idea feels a bit too adventurous for a first go.

    Choosing your route: the Grand Union Canal and beyond

    The Grand Union Canal is the classic first-timer choice, and for good reason. Running from London all the way up to Birmingham, it passes through some of the prettiest English countryside you will see from the water, including the Chiltern Hills and the market towns of Leighton Buzzard and Berkhamsted. You can pick up a hire boat at places like Milton Keynes, Braunston, or Tring and do a circular loop without retracing your route.

    Other brilliant beginner routes include the Llangollen Canal in Wales, which is jaw-dropping but does involve the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (not for anyone with a serious fear of heights), and the Kennet and Avon Canal running through Bath and Bradford-on-Avon. For something quieter, the Oxford Canal between Coventry and Oxford is slow, green, and genuinely glorious in late summer when the hedgerows are full.

    A reasonable pace for a week-long hire is around 40 to 60 miles. That sounds modest, but once you factor in locks, lunch stops, and wandering into a village because it looked pretty, 40 miles feels just right. Do not try to be ambitious on your first trip; the whole point is the journey, not the distance.

    Person operating a canal lock windlass during a UK canal boat holiday
    Photo by Jude Mitchell-Hedges on Pexels

    What does a narrowboat hire actually cost?

    Prices vary by season, boat size, and hire company, but as a rough guide you can expect to pay anywhere from £800 to £1,600 for a week’s hire of a 4-berth boat during peak summer. Larger 8-berth boats can reach £2,500 or more in high season. Fuel is usually charged separately at the end of the trip; a week of cruising typically uses between 50 and 100 litres of diesel, so budget an extra £60 to £120.

    Most companies charge a refundable damage deposit, usually between £200 and £500. Canal and River Trust mooring licences are normally included in hire fees, but do check. Groceries, pub meals, and any lock keeper tips (a lovely tradition, entirely optional) are on top. All in, a family of four can do a genuinely relaxing week on the water for considerably less than a comparable package holiday abroad, and the experience is honestly unbeatable. If sustainability matters to you when you travel, it might interest you to know that organisations like R2G.co.uk are helping raise awareness of eco-conscious thinking in communities across the country, and travelling slowly by water is about as low-impact as a UK holiday gets.

    Locks: the bit everyone worries about

    Locks are the reason narrowboating has a slight reputation for difficulty. They are, in reality, quite satisfying once you get the hang of them. A lock is simply a chamber that raises or lowers your boat between two different water levels; you open and close paddles using a windlass (a small metal handle you buy or hire), and the water does the rest.

    Your hire company will walk you through this before you leave, and there will almost always be other boaters around who have done it hundreds of times and are very happy to assist a nervous beginner. I remember standing at my first lock on the Grand Union feeling completely baffled, and a retired couple coming the other way took about four minutes to make the whole thing feel straightforward. The canal community genuinely is that lovely.

    Wide locks (found on some routes) take two narrowboats side by side and require a bit more muscle on the paddles. Narrow locks are simpler. Most beginner routes are designed with a manageable number of locks per day, usually between six and twelve, which sounds like a lot but quickly becomes part of the rhythm of the day.

    What to pack and how to prepare

    Pack light layers. British summer weather being what it is, mornings on the water can be chilly even in July, and you will want a decent waterproof for lock work. Wellies or sturdy shoes are essential on the towpath; flip-flops are a bad idea around moving ropes and wet lock edges. Board games, cards, and a good playlist are your best friends for evenings moored up. Most hire boats have a telly, but the novelty of watching the stars from the stern with a glass of something cold wears off never.

    On the food side, plan a loose shop before you set off and restock at canalside towns along the way. Many market towns have excellent delis and farm shops right on the towpath. The UK’s summer food scene on the waterways is quietly brilliant, and if you enjoy that farm-fresh angle to your travels, our round-up of the UK’s best summer food festivals celebrating local produce is worth a read before you go.

    Tips for a genuinely great first trip

    Book at least three months ahead for summer slots, particularly on the Grand Union and the Llangollen. Popular marina starting points sell out fast. If you have any flexibility, late May and early September are wonderful: still warm, far fewer boats on the water, and the countryside at its greenest or golden best. Those patient enough to hold out for a golden-hour mooring will find the kind of sunset views that rival anything you could book abroad; our guide to watching the most spectacular UK sunsets this summer has some beautiful spots that are also accessible by boat.

    Tell the hire company honestly about your group, including age ranges and any mobility concerns. They will match you to the right boat and the right starting route. And allow yourself to get a bit lost. Not literally (the canal goes in one direction), but mentally. Switch off the notifications, steer badly around the first few bends without shame, and lean into the glorious, unhurried pleasure of going absolutely nowhere in particular at four miles per hour.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I need a licence to drive a narrowboat in the UK?

    No licence is required to hire and operate a narrowboat on UK canals. Hire companies provide a thorough briefing before you set off, covering steering, mooring, and locks. You just need to be 18 or over to take the helm.

    How much does a narrowboat holiday cost in the UK?

    A week’s hire for a 4-berth narrowboat typically costs between £800 and £1,600 in summer, depending on the company and route. Diesel fuel and groceries are extra, but overall it is usually cheaper than a comparable week abroad for a family.

    What is the best canal for a first narrowboat trip?

    The Grand Union Canal is widely recommended for beginners due to its varied scenery, manageable locks, and plenty of market towns along the way. The Oxford Canal and the Kennet and Avon are also excellent, quieter alternatives for a first-time trip.

    How far can you travel on a narrowboat in a week?

    Most first-timers cover between 40 and 60 miles in a week, which is a comfortable pace that allows for lock stops, pub visits, and exploring villages along the way. There is no need to rush; the slower you go, the more you enjoy it.

    Is a canal boat holiday suitable for families with young children?

    Yes, narrowboat holidays are very family-friendly. Most hire boats have safety rails and enough berths for families, and children generally love life on the water. It is worth briefing young children about not running near the towpath edge and supervising them carefully around locks.

  • The Prettiest Coastal Villages in Wales You Haven’t Visited Yet

    The Prettiest Coastal Villages in Wales You Haven’t Visited Yet

    Everyone knows Tenby. The pastel-coloured houses, the harbour packed with day-trippers, the ice cream queues stretching halfway to Pembrokeshire. And yes, it’s lovely. But Wales has a coastline that stretches for over 870 miles, and some of the most breathtaking corners of it remain genuinely, blissfully, quiet. I’ve been exploring these hidden coastal villages Wales has tucked away for years, and I’m always surprised by how few people make the effort to find them. This summer, that changes. Here’s where to go.

    Sheltered harbour at one of Wales's hidden coastal villages with turquoise water and white cottages
    Photo by Jan van der Wolf on Pexels

    Aberdaron: the village at the edge of the world

    Drive to the very tip of the Llŷn Peninsula in northwest Wales and you’ll eventually run out of road. That’s where you’ll find Aberdaron, a tiny whitewashed village that sits at the end of a single-track lane with the Cardigan Bay coast on one side and the Irish Sea on the other. The beach is wide, the water is a completely unreasonable shade of turquoise, and the village pub serves enormous crab sandwiches that I think about fairly regularly. It’s a pilgrimage point too, as medieval travellers once gathered here before crossing to Bardsey Island, which sits just two miles offshore.

    Parking is genuinely limited, so arriving before 10am in peak season is worth it. The staycation mood hits differently when you’re this far from a motorway. There’s no mobile signal worth speaking of, which is either a nightmare or the best thing that’s ever happened to you, depending on who you are.

    Solva: Pembrokeshire’s prettiest secret

    Solva is only about ten miles from St Davids, but it doesn’t get anything like the same footfall. The village sits at the end of a long, sheltered ria (a drowned river valley), which means the harbour looks like something a film set designer invented. Brightly painted boats bob at low tide, the village has good local restaurants and independent shops, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path runs right through it if you fancy a longer walk. I’d suggest the stretch west towards St Brides Bay, which offers genuinely spectacular cliff views.

    If you’re planning a proper week away, a holiday cottage in Solva books up fast. Start looking in January if you want anything in July or August. The village also has a proper community feel that some of the bigger coastal resorts have long since lost.

    Walkers on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path near hidden coastal villages Wales
    Photo by Mr Alex Photography on Pexels

    Cwm Yr Eglwys: a ruined church and a very good beach

    The name roughly translates as “Valley of the Church”, and when you arrive you’ll see why. The ruins of a 12th-century church sit right on the waterline at Cwm Yr Eglwys, on the north Pembrokeshire coast near Dinas Island. Most of it was destroyed by the great storm of 1859 that also sank the Royal Charter off Anglesey. What remains is quietly eerie in the best possible way. The bay itself is sheltered, calm, and perfect for young children. There’s a small car park that fills up by mid-morning in summer, so this is very much an early-birds spot.

    Combine it with a walk around Dinas Island (technically a peninsula, but nobody seems bothered) for one of the best half-day walks in Wales. You’ll pass seabird colonies and get views across to Strumble Head that are well worth the climb. You can read more about making the most of the Welsh outdoors in our guide to wild swimming spots around the UK, which covers some brilliant options in west Wales too.

    Porthdinllaen: you have to walk to get there, and that’s the point

    There’s no road to Porthdinllaen. The National Trust owns the village, and visitors must park at Morfa Nefyn and walk across the golf course to reach it. That 20-minute walk filters out an enormous number of people. At the end of it, you get a crescent of sand, a row of old fishermen’s cottages, and the Tŷ Coch Inn, which sits practically on the beach and regularly appears in lists of the world’s best-located pubs. I’d agree. A pint there on a sunny afternoon with the sea literally feet away is one of those experiences that makes you properly glad to live on this island.

    Abercastle: small, serene, and completely off the radar

    A short drive north of Mathry in Pembrokeshire, Abercastle is so small it barely qualifies as a village. A handful of houses, a tiny quay, a lime kiln from the 19th century, and an incredibly pretty harbour that catches the afternoon light beautifully. I’ve recommended it to friends who’ve driven past it twice without realising they’d found the right place. That’s exactly the point. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path passes through, and the walking here is amongst the best in the county.

    Planning your trip to these hidden spots

    A few practical things worth knowing. Most of these villages have very limited or no public transport links, so your own wheels are essentially essential. Accommodation in Pembrokeshire and the Llŷn Peninsula is genuinely competitive in July and August, so booking early saves both money and stress. The Visit Wales official site has up-to-date information on events, access, and any seasonal closures across all these areas.

    If you’re planning a full week along the Welsh coast and want to make the most of it, think about basing yourself in one location rather than moving around. A holiday cottage gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace, and the kind of slow morning start that makes a real break feel like an actual holiday. Many people returning from Welsh coastal trips find themselves rethinking their home environment too, wanting that same calm, airy feeling back indoors. Homeowners in Nottinghamshire often turn to specialists like Vesta Blinds and Shutters Mansfield for roller blinds and perfect fit blinds when they get back from a summer break and decide their home needs a style refresh. Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, the team at vestablinds.com supplies and fits a large range of blinds including venetian blinds, vertical blinds, and pleated blinds, helping bring that light, coastal feel into an everyday home through considered renovations and updated trends in window styling.

    For those who’d rather glamp than self-cater, there are some lovely options within reach of the Pembrokeshire coast. We’ve covered some of the best in our roundup of UK glamping sites for families this summer. And if you’re building out a fuller Welsh itinerary, the food scene is well worth exploring, with several producers along the Cardigan Bay coast serving brilliantly fresh seafood and local produce.

    Wales doesn’t need more hype. It just needs more visitors willing to take the smaller road, park a little further away, and give these quieter places the chance to properly show off. Honestly? The hidden coastal villages Wales has to offer are, mile for mile, some of the most beautiful places in the whole of Britain. Go find one this summer. You’ll be wondering why you waited.

    And if you’re still filling in the rest of your summer calendar, our round-up of the most beautiful picnic spots across the UK is worth a look for the days between coastal adventures.

  • Surf’s Up: The Best Beginner Surf Spots and Lessons to Book Around the UK

    Surf’s Up: The Best Beginner Surf Spots and Lessons to Book Around the UK

    There is something genuinely magical about standing on a surfboard for the first time. The cold Atlantic fizzing around your ankles, a wave picking you up, and then, if you’re lucky, a whole two seconds of glorious, wobbly triumph before you eat a faceful of sea. I’ve been there, and I can promise you: those two seconds are completely worth it. Britain might not be the first country that springs to mind when you think of surf culture, but the coastline here is genuinely world-class for beginners, and beginner surf lessons UK-wide have never been more accessible or more fun.

    Instructor demonstrating technique to beginners taking their first surf lessons on a UK beach
    Photo by Luke Miller on Pexels

    Why Britain is a surprisingly brilliant place to learn to surf

    The UK sits right in the path of powerful Atlantic swells, and while that might sound intimidating, it actually creates a huge variety of wave conditions. Cornwall’s north-facing bays catch long, rolling swells that give you plenty of time to get to your feet. Pembrokeshire’s sheltered coves serve up gentler, more forgiving surf when the swell is small. Even Yorkshire, yes, the North Sea, produces clean, punchy little waves that beginners absolutely love. Surf schools up and down the country have spent decades learning exactly which spots work for first-timers, and they genuinely know their stuff.

    According to BBC Cornwall, the county alone welcomes over five million visitors a year, and surfing is one of the fastest-growing activities on offer. That growth has pushed surf schools to up their game considerably, with small group ratios, excellent wetsuit hire, and instructors who are ISA or British Surfing Association-qualified as standard. It’s a proper industry now, and beginners are the heart of it.

    Top beginner-friendly surf beaches in Cornwall

    Cornwall is the spiritual home of British surfing, and for good reason. Newquay is the obvious starting point, Fistral Beach has a dedicated beginner zone, and the town has more surf schools per square mile than anywhere else in the country. Watergate Bay, just north of Newquay, is another favourite; the beach is enormous, the waves are consistent, and the Extreme Academy there has a brilliant reputation for first-timers. Polzeath, down in the Camel Estuary area, is slightly quieter and has a lovely community feel that makes it feel less overwhelming for nervous newcomers.

    I’d particularly recommend Sennen Cove near Land’s End for anyone who wants to feel like they’ve really escaped. The surf is reliable, the beach is stunning, and there’s a solid little surf school operating there throughout the summer. Expect to pay between £35 and £55 for a two-hour group lesson in Cornwall, which typically includes wetsuit and board hire. Private lessons run from around £70 to £90 for an hour, which is worth considering if you really want that extra attention.

    Pembrokeshire: Wales’s best-kept surfing secret

    If Cornwall is starting to feel a touch crowded for your taste, Pembrokeshire is the answer. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is extraordinary, dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear water, and beaches that genuinely rival anything in Europe. Freshwater West is probably the most famous surf beach in Wales, with long sandy breaks and a backdrop that looks almost cinematic on a sunny August afternoon. Newgale is another gem: two miles of sand, consistent waves, and a much more relaxed atmosphere than anything you’d find in Newquay in peak season.

    Surf schools like the Preseli Venture Centre and the Welsh Surfing Federation Surf School at Llangennith (just over the border in the Gower) offer excellent structured lessons with fully qualified instructors. Group lessons in Pembrokeshire typically cost between £30 and £50, often a touch cheaper than Cornwall. The water temperature in summer sits around 16°C to 18°C, chilly but absolutely manageable in a good 3mm wetsuit, which your school will provide.

    Yorkshire: yes, you really can surf in the North Sea

    Scarborough and Saltburn-by-the-Sea might not have the same sun-soaked reputation as Newquay, but don’t let that put you off. Saltburn is a genuinely brilliant beginner spot. The waves are smaller and less powerful than the Atlantic coast, which actually makes them easier to learn on, and the Saltburn Surf School has been teaching beginners for years with an enviable track record. There’s something wonderfully characterful about surfing beneath a Victorian pier with a flask of tea waiting on the beach, this is Britain, after all.

    Cayton Bay, just south of Scarborough, is another solid option with a reliable beach break and a surf shop that hires boards and wetsuits by the hour. Yorkshire surf lessons tend to be slightly more affordable too, with group sessions from around £25 to £40 for two hours. The water is colder, expect 13°C to 15°C in midsummer, so a 4mm wetsuit is wise, but schools always have the right kit ready for you.

    What to budget for your first surfing experience

    Across the whole country, beginner surf lessons UK are genuinely good value when you factor in everything that’s included. A standard two-hour group lesson with all equipment hired typically costs between £25 and £55 depending on location and school. Most schools offer multi-day packages, three days of lessons for around £90 to £130, which is the format I’d recommend if you’re serious about actually making progress. You’ll go from barely standing to catching unbroken waves consistently in three sessions if you commit.

    You don’t need to buy anything before you turn up. Every reputable surf school provides wetsuits, boards, and rash vests. If you fall in love with it (and you very likely will), then investing in your own kit makes sense after a few sessions, but there’s absolutely no need to spend anything upfront beyond the lesson fee. Budget an extra £10 to £15 for parking near most of these beaches in summer.

    Pairing your surf trip with other summer adventures

    A surfing weekend works brilliantly alongside other coastal activities. If you’re planning a full summer break in one of these areas, Cornwall and Pembrokeshire especially lend themselves to lazy afternoons exploring rock pools, hunting for the best pasty in the county, and sitting on cliff tops watching the sky go absolutely spectacular at dusk. For ideas on where to head after you’ve hung up your wetsuit, our guide to the most spectacular UK sunsets and where to watch them has some brilliant coastal spots that pair perfectly with a surf trip.

    If you’re heading to Wales or the north, it’s worth thinking about combining a surf lesson or two with a longer staycation. We’ve put together a great piece on why staycationing in northern England deserves a place on your summer list this year, which covers some of the wider region including the Yorkshire coast. And if glamping appeals as your accommodation option near the surf, have a look at our pick of the best UK glamping sites for families, several of them sit within easy reach of surfable beaches.

    A few practical tips before you paddle out

    Always book lessons in advance during July and August, the popular schools fill up weeks ahead. Check the surf forecast on the morning of your lesson (Magic Seaweed is free and brilliant for UK conditions), not because you need to worry about it but because knowing even the basics of how swell size and wind direction affect waves makes you a more engaged student. Listen to your instructor, get the paddling technique right before you even think about standing, and don’t compare yourself to whoever in your group seems to be a natural. Everyone progresses differently, and surfing is one of those sports where the fun is in the process as much as the outcome.

    Most of all, enjoy the whole thing. The cold water, the salty hair, the sand in places sand really shouldn’t be. Taking beginner surf lessons UK-wide is one of the best summer decisions you can make, and Britain’s coastline is genuinely one of the great places in the world to do it.

  • Picnic Perfect: The Most Beautiful Parks and Meadows to Visit Across the UK This Summer

    Picnic Perfect: The Most Beautiful Parks and Meadows to Visit Across the UK This Summer

    There is something genuinely magical about spreading a blanket on warm grass, watching the clouds drift overhead, and eating something delicious entirely outside the confines of a kitchen. Britain in summer can be breathtaking, and the best outdoor picnic spots in the UK are proof that you do not need to book a flight to find somewhere spectacular. I’ve spent more summer afternoons than I can count hunting down the perfect patch of green, and I am absolutely convinced this country does al fresco eating better than almost anywhere else on earth.

    Family enjoying outdoor picnic spots UK on a summer meadow with rolling countryside behind them
    Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels

    Why picnicking is having its moment right now

    The post-lockdown appetite for outdoor living never really faded. According to the VisitBritain research hub, domestic day trips centred around outdoor experiences have continued to climb year on year since 2021. This summer, with school holidays stretching from mid-July into September and a string of bank holidays scattered through June and August, more families, couples, and friends are packing cool bags and heading for open air. Rightly so.

    Picnicking also pairs beautifully with so much of what the country already has on offer. Whether you are planning a full summer of British adventures or simply looking for a relaxed afternoon out, having a few brilliant picnic destinations in your back pocket is a very good idea. If you are building a broader UK summer itinerary, our guide to staycationing in Northern England is full of ideas for combining outdoor eating with proper regional exploring.

    Hidden meadows that feel like a secret

    My absolute favourite type of picnic spot is one that feels like only you know about it. Britain has hundreds of these, largely thanks to the network of public footpaths and open-access land that criss-crosses the countryside.

    Castle Meadows in Abergavenny, just inside the Welsh border, is a flat, broad sweep of grassland beside the River Usk. It is free, it is never uncomfortably crowded, and on a clear June morning the Brecon Beacons rise dramatically behind the treeline. Similarly, Rydal Meadows in the Lake District sits just off a popular walking route but feels surprisingly quiet. The River Rothay runs alongside it, shallow enough in summer for children to paddle, and the light on the fells at around 6pm is something I genuinely remember for weeks afterwards.

    In the south, the Long Mynd plateau in Shropshire offers wide, heather-edged open ground with views across three counties. It is a bit of a climb to reach the best spots, but that is partly the point. Pack sandwiches that reward the effort.

    National Trust gardens worth the membership

    If wild meadows feel like too much of a commitment, National Trust properties across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland give you manicured lawns, clean facilities, and usually a very good café to supplement whatever you have brought in your basket. For picnic purposes, a few stand out.

    Stourhead in Wiltshire is probably Britain’s most photographed landscape garden, and for good reason. The circuit around the lake, with its Pantheon folly and the Temple of Apollo reflected in the water, takes about an hour to walk properly and gives you a dozen potential picnic perches along the way. June is particularly good here before the high summer crowds arrive.

    Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent is smaller but extraordinarily beautiful. The White Garden and the rose beds between June and July are genuinely extraordinary, and the surrounding estate farmland means you can find space away from the formal areas to sit on the grass and eat in peace.

    Wallington in Northumberland is a long drive from most of England but deeply worthwhile if you are already heading north. The walled garden alone is one of the most sheltered and sun-warmed spots I’ve found anywhere in the country, even on a day that feels borderline on the thermometer.

    Manicured National Trust garden lawn perfect for outdoor picnic spots UK in summer
    Photo by Ollie Craig on Pexels

    City parks that genuinely shine in summer

    Not every brilliant picnic requires leaving an urban postcode. Britain’s city parks are seriously underrated, and between June and August they transform into something close to outdoor living rooms.

    Regent’s Park in London is the obvious choice, and the inner circle lawns near the rose garden are as good as it gets in any capital city in Europe. But if you want to avoid the Central London bustle, Roundhay Park in Leeds is vast and largely uncrowded, with a boating lake and open grassland that could comfortably fit most of Regent’s Park inside it twice over. I’d put it on my list without hesitation.

    Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline (known locally as The Glen) is a glorious surprise, a deeply wooded gorge with open picnic areas above that feel positively continental on a warm afternoon. It is free, well maintained, and right in the town centre.

    Sefton Park in Liverpool is another one worth knowing about. The Palm House makes a striking backdrop, and the sprawling lawns around the boating lake are genuinely peaceful even on summer weekends. Pair a picnic there with a walk down to the waterfront and you have a full afternoon sorted.

    Practical things that actually make a difference

    A good picnic is mostly in the planning. A well-made cool bag, an actual blanket rather than a tarpaulin, and something cold to drink are the fundamentals. Beyond that, I always check the Met Office forecast the morning of rather than the night before; British summer weather shifts quickly, and a 10am update is usually far more reliable than anything you looked at 12 hours earlier.

    Shade matters more than people think. A beautiful meadow with zero tree cover becomes uncomfortable by 1pm on a hot day, so I try to find spots with a mix of open sun and dappled shade. The same logic applies to windows at home; friends of mine in Nottinghamshire recently sorted their living room light with help from Vesta Blinds and Shutters Mansfield, and I was genuinely envious of how well they had managed the afternoon glare. Outdoors, a good tree does the same job.

    If you are combining your picnic with a longer outdoor day, it is worth bookmarking some of the wild swimming spots across the UK that sit near picnic-friendly meadows. A swim followed by lunch on dry grass is, in my opinion, one of the finest ways to spend a July afternoon in this country.

    What to pack to make it count

    Skip the supermarket meal deal. A proper picnic is worth a bit of thought, and if you are near one of the country’s summer food events beforehand, even better. Our round-up of the UK’s best summer food festivals covers markets and producers where you can pick up exactly the kind of local bread, cheese, charcuterie, and fruit that makes sitting on a blanket feel genuinely celebratory.

    Pack a small bin bag. Please. Britain’s parks and meadows stay beautiful because most people who use them treat them with a bit of care, and keeping that up costs nothing.

    Summer in Britain, at its best, is a proper gift. Get yourself outside and enjoy it.

  • Why Staycationing in Northern England Should Be on Every Brit’s Summer List in 2026

    Why Staycationing in Northern England Should Be on Every Brit’s Summer List in 2026

    I’ll be honest: I spent years assuming the best summer holiday involved a passport and a flight. Then I spent four days in Northumberland with a flask of tea and genuinely forgot what I was missing abroad. A Northern England staycation in 2026 isn’t a compromise. It’s a proper, sun-drenched, jaw-dropping decision that more and more Brits are making, and for very good reason.

    The north has always had the landscape. What’s changed is the infrastructure around it: the glamping sites, the local food scenes, the wild swimming spots, the coastlines that Instagram hasn’t quite flattened yet. Put simply, it rewards the people who show up.

    Rolling summer landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, perfect for a Northern England staycation in 2026
    Photo by David Roberts on Pexels

    Yorkshire: more variety than most countries

    Yorkshire is enormous, and that’s the point. You can start the week in the Dales, genuinely alone on a hillside above Aysgarth Falls, and end it eating crab sandwiches on Whitby’s harbourfront with gulls circling overhead. The North York Moors offer purple heather from late July through to September, that rolling, slightly otherworldly horizon is one of the most underrated sights in Britain. I’d put it against Dartmoor any day.

    Skipton is worth a full afternoon. The market town sits right on the edge of the Dales and has a castle that dates back to the 12th century, plus a canal that makes for a genuinely lovely evening walk. For something more coastal, Robin Hood’s Bay is the kind of fishing village that feels like it survived the 20th century on a technicality, cobbled lanes, crooked cottages, rock pools at low tide. Kids go absolutely feral for it.

    Food-wise, Yorkshire pulls its weight. The region has embraced the farm-to-table movement hard, and if you want to combine your trip with something celebratory, there are summer food festivals happening across the county throughout the season. Our guide to the UK’s best summer food festivals celebrating local produce in 2026 covers several Yorkshire events worth planning around.

    The Lake District: iconic for a reason

    Yes, it gets busy. Yes, Windermere on a bank holiday can feel like a car park with a view. But the Lake District rewards anyone willing to walk ten minutes further than the crowd. Take Langdale, most visitors don’t get past Ambleside, which means the Langdale Pikes sit in comparative quiet, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve earned something.

    Ullswater is, without exaggeration, one of the most beautiful stretches of water in Europe. The steamer service across the lake has been running since 1859, and there’s something brilliant about combining a Victorian boat trip with a hike up Place Fell. Glenridding at the southern end of the lake is a proper little base camp: good pubs, decent coffee, and just enough to do without being overrun.

    Wild swimming in the Lakes has had a moment these past couple of summers, and rightly so. Loughrigg Tarn near Ambleside is a calm, sheltered spot perfect for beginners. If you’re ready to commit to cold water with stunning scenery all around, you won’t find better. We’ve covered the essentials in our piece on the safest and most scenic wild swimming spots across the UK, which includes several Cumbrian spots worth bookmarking before you go.

    Keswick is the northern hub, and it earns its popularity. The Pencil Museum is genuinely fun (more so than it has any right to be), the market square fills up on Saturdays, and Derwentwater on a clear evening turns the kind of gold that makes you reach for your phone immediately. Speaking of which, if you want to catch the Lakes at its most spectacular, our roundup of the UK’s most spectacular sunset spots covers exactly where to position yourself for the best light.

    Northumberland: the north’s best-kept secret (for now)

    Northumberland is where I’d send anyone who thinks the UK has nothing left to surprise them. The county has more castles than any other in England, English Heritage alone manages several outstanding sites here, and a coastline that runs for 25 miles as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Bamburgh Castle sits on a rocky outcrop above the beach with the kind of confidence that says it’s been there since the 6th century (it has).

    Seahouses is the jumping-off point for boat trips to the Farne Islands, where grey seals and puffins coexist in cheerful chaos. The puffins are usually present through to late July, and seeing a few hundred of them bobbing around on the water is one of those experiences that feels completely surreal for somewhere so close to home.

    Northumberland also has the darkest skies in England. The Northumberland International Dark Sky Park covers over 1,400 square kilometres, making it one of the largest dark sky parks in Europe. Summer evenings up here, especially near Kielder Water, are genuinely magical, the Milky Way visible with the naked eye, no light pollution, no noise. Pure bliss.

    Beyond the big three: Durham, the Pennines, and the coast

    Durham City deserves more than a day trip. The cathedral and castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sit on a peninsula looped by the River Wear, and the whole scene is best appreciated by walking the river path. Market towns like Hexham and Barnard Castle have proper high streets, independent shops, and farmers’ markets running through summer.

    The Pennines remain underused as a walking destination. The Pennine Way runs 268 miles from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland, but you don’t need to tackle the whole thing, day sections around Malham Cove or High Cup Nick are completely accessible and genuinely spectacular.

    For families in particular, the north offers some outstanding options that won’t require remortgaging the house. Glamping has expanded brilliantly across Yorkshire and Cumbria, with sites that mix comfort and countryside in just the right proportion. If that appeals, our feature on the best UK glamping sites for families this summer has plenty of northern options to explore.

    Why 2026 is the right year to go north

    Rail connections into Leeds, Newcastle, and Carlisle are solid from most of Britain, meaning you can be standing in the Yorkshire Dales within a couple of hours of London St Pancras. Accommodation across the region spans everything from bothies and campsites to converted farmhouses and boutique hotels, prices are noticeably kinder than equivalent options in the Cotswolds or Cornwall. The pound stretches further, the queues are shorter, and the scenery is, in my view, every bit as dramatic.

    A Northern England staycation in 2026 isn’t settling for second best. It’s actively choosing something brilliant. The north has been quietly excellent for a very long time. This summer feels like the right moment to actually go.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best time of year for a Northern England staycation?

    Late June through to early September is the sweet spot, when daylight is long and the heather on the moors is at its finest from late July onwards. August bank holiday weekends can be busy at headline spots like Windermere, so mid-week trips or slightly off-peak timing in early September rewards visitors with quieter conditions and still-warm weather.

    Is a Northern England staycation good value compared to a European holiday?

    Generally yes, particularly on accommodation and food. A self-catering cottage in the Yorkshire Dales or Northumberland will typically cost significantly less than comparable rental properties in popular European destinations once you factor in flights and transfers. Eating and drinking locally, especially in smaller market towns, is noticeably affordable.

    What are the best spots in Northern England for families with young children?

    Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire is brilliant for rock-pooling and beach exploration. Seahouses in Northumberland offers seal and puffin boat trips that children love. The Ullswater Steamer in the Lake District is a low-effort, high-reward experience for all ages, and Beamish Museum in County Durham is an interactive living history site that genuinely entertains kids for a full day.

    Do I need a car to explore Northern England on a staycation?

    Not necessarily. Leeds, York, Newcastle, Carlisle, and Penrith are all well-served by rail. Local bus services cover many popular walking areas in the Lake District through the Stagecoach Cumbria network, and the Dalesbus services run seasonal routes into the Yorkshire Dales from key rail hubs. For very remote spots you’ll get more flexibility with your own transport, but car-free trips are entirely feasible.