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4 months ago
The ultimate C&TH guide to summer up and down the country
Wondering where you can escape to for a summer staycation this year? Or maybe you’re just looking for the top spots to visit across the nation? Look no further than this comprehensive guide to the best places to visit in the UK this summer – and every summer for that matter.
If you’re looking for our cultural calendar, find our guide to the British summer social season here, and our guide to events and pop ups across the British Isles here.
MORE: The Summer School Holidays Activities Guide 2025
29 June–16 July 2023
Manchester International Festival, a cultural event like no other that showcases artists from a spectrum of art forms and has previously exhibited the likes of The XX and Marina Abramović. mif.co.uk
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Malvern, 16–18 June 2023
One of the UK’s largest celebrations of our glorious countryside and rural life, the Royal Three Counties Show will return to Three Counties Showground in Malvern this summer, with a fantastic line-up of experiences, special guests, family fun, exciting entertainment and outstanding food and drink.
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Hurlingham Park, Fulham, 9–11 June 2023
The world’s largest three-day polo festival, Chestertons Polo in the Park, is back for another year. Visit to see teams from across the globe, an impressive food market with an array of new food and drink partners, VIP hospitality, and fun for all the family.
17 June 2023
Glenagles’ annual summer garden party is back for its second year, with an afternoon centred on a star-studded tennis doubles match, umpired by Judy Murray OBE. Taking place in the heart of the picturesque estate, expect fruit-packed Pimm’s, plenty of Moët & Chandon, and afternoon tea celebrating the bounties of Scotland’s natural larder.
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28–30 July 2023; Ragley Hall, Alcester B49 5NJ
Celebrate The Game Fair’s 65th anniversary this summer, across a three day showcase at the end of July. Hosted at 28 country estates in its long history (the fair has been running since 1958), this year it’s to Warwickshire’s Ragley Hall for the utmost in green-wellied country life. The largest game fair in Britain, over 120,000 people are expected to attend, with events ranging from falconry to ferreting, gundogs to game cookery. Family friendly at its heart, there’s plenty for younger folk to enjoy, too.
BOOK IT: Adult day tickets from £29. thegamefair.org
Chichester Festival Theatre, 3–24 June 2023
Be catapulted into the world of American music, politics and folklore for the first major production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical ASSASSINS since the legendary composer’s death in 2021 this summer, starring Strictly Come Dancing finalist Danny Mac. cft.org.uk
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Don’t miss one of the Cotswolds’ loveliest attractions, Giffords Circus, a proper, old-fashioned, village green affair that travels from site to site. There’s not a gimmick in sight.
Wax lyrical at Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire, the ancestral home of Lord Byron. The grounds of this historic house make for a perfect picnic spot in the summer – just mind the peacocks.
Find it: Newstead Village NG15 8NA
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It’s a year of Royal occasion: admire the Queen’s former yacht, The Royal Yacht Britannia, berthed in Edinburgh. Book in for a private tour to enjoy a glass of champagne on deck and avoid the crowds.
Find it: Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JH
The Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland were placed there in the Neolithic era where it was a site for Bronze Age rituals. In folklore, the stones were petrified giants who resisted converting to Christianity.
Find It: 12m west of Stornoway off the A859, Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY
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Inspired by David Attenborough’s Wild Isles? Go birdwatching at Bempton Cliffs while the seabird breeding season is underway. Visit between April and July to spot the famous puffins.
Make for Margate and gaze out across the same beach, sea and skies that inspired more than 100 of JMW Turner’s works – admire them in the seafront gallery sharing the painter’s name.
Or grab an ice cream and wander round the harbour and quaint coastal village of Staithes, North Yorkshire, which used to be one of the largest fishing ports in the North East of England.
You can’t beat a soft baguette crammed with crab caught fresh that morning off the very same shore you are eating it from. The Crab Hut at Brancaster Staithe Harbour in Norfolk will certainly satisfy on that front.
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When Stourhead Garden opened in the 1740s it was regarded as ‘a living work of art’. Amble down paths that lead to classical temples, over a Palladian bridge and around the glorious lake.
Find it: 6 High Street, Stourton, Warminster BA12 6QF
Tower over Bekonscot in Beaconsfield, the oldest original model village in the world and a riot of colour during the summer.
Find it: Warwick Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2PL
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Take a trip to the Foraging Vintners Craft Winery on the Isle of Man, which creates sparkling wines, ciders and ginger beer using homegrown produce. This summer, the winery is hosting a pop-up at the Cosy Nook Beach Bar & Café, where you can enjoy coffee, baked goods and Foraging Vintners’ fizz – all while enjoying spectacular sunset views. foragingvintners.com
At the most southerly point of the isle, you can hop on a boat to a small islet called the Calf of Man, a Manx National Heritage site which is no longer permanently inhabited by people. Along the way you’ll see plenty of sights – the infamous Drinking Dragon, the Chasms, and lots of wildlife including seals, puffins and, if you’re lucky, basking sharks and dolphins. visitisleofman.com
If you’re scared of getting so up close and personal with the icy water, try paddleboarding. Check out our handy how-to guide to get started, before venturing to one of London’s best paddleboarding spots, or reading up on how paddleboarding can help alleviate plastic pollution.
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Cold water swimming is most tolerable in the summer months, with the beating sun evaporating some of the icy chill. Rising in popularity in recent years, the UK is home to a plethora of pretty outdoor swimming spots to test the waters (with plenty of swimming pool options if you’re seeking a safety net). Venture to the west for tidal sea pools dotted around the coastline, from Bude’s 91m sea pool to the lido-sized rock pool at Treyarnon. Most impressive is Penzance’s restored Art Deco Jubilee pool.
Check out our guide to cold water swimming before you head out.
Explore 70 acres of mostly-grazed lands containing Henry Moore’s huge metalcast sculptures that practically cut through the treeline.
Details: All summer long at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens (Dane Tree House, Perry Green, Much Hadham SG10 6EE). henry-moore.org
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Wales’ beautiful beaches are a must-visit. Start at the long sandy Rhossili beach in South Wales before heading further around the coast for long beautiful walks in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
In Sutherland, Scotland, a four-mile walk through unruly heather takes you to Sandwood Bay and a mile-long stretch of remote beach. Bring a cricket bat and ball – or your swimsuit if you’re feeling brave.
Camp Bestival, the family-friendly sister of Bestival, likes to call itself a ‘festi-holiday’. There is entertainment from DJs and a whole host of fun activities for all ages, held at Lulworth Castle in Dorset (31 July–3 August 2025).
Don’t let appearances be deceiving: while the quaint village of Snape might be small, it packs a mighty cultural punch. Thanks mostly to Snape Maltings, the creative arts campus that is home to the internationally renowned Aldeburgh Music programme and one of the most unique concert halls in the country. It’s at its best in June, during Aldeburgh Festival (13–29 June 2025).
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Flower lovers should head to Holkham this summer, where the elegant Walled Garden awaits. A truly special place, Holkham is full of beautiful blooms, joyous birdsong, fascinating buildings to pop into and stunning vistas. It is open to visit every day, and a fun line-up of events – think walking tours, after hours evenings with wine and music, an oil painting workshop and plenty more – making a trip all the more worth it.
Details: Holkham is open all summer at Holkham Hall (Holkham Rd, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1AB). See all of the upcoming events at holkham.co.uk
Book a vineyard tour and picnic at the picturesque Gusbourne Estate. Soak up the views across Romney Marsh and out to sea as you taste English wine made on site and feast on locally produced cheeses, charcuterie and bread. gusbourne.com
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Kew’s wild Sussex botanic garden, Wakehurst celebrates botanicals in all of their glory. Expect more than 500 acres of diverse landscapes and plants from all four corners of the globe.
Find It: Selsfield Road, Haywards Heath RH17 6TN
Heading to Cornwall this summer? Pay a visit to Prawn on the Lawn in Padstow – the buzziest seafood joint every summer. prawnonthelawn.com
Nothing says summer like an ice-cold scoop of creamy goodness. For the best in the business, shop local: an ice cream from Roskilly’s near Helston is made using Jersey milk from the farm’s 125 cows. They make everything from wild cherry with chocolate flakes to own-made toffee flavours, but the vanilla is still the best.
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The ever-inspiring Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s summer programme includes Curiosity & Wonder, a series of events themed around the importance of creativity and play. Plus, there’s the hundreds of outdoor artworks set amid the 500 acre rolling park for nature and art lovers to enjoy alike.
Find it: Wakefield WF4 4JX
The summer months see parts of the Cotswolds turn lilac with the advent of lavender season, making it a particularly aromatic time to visit. Head to Cotswold Lavender Farm in Broadway before the autumn harvest, or just spot the purple fields as you take countryside rambles.
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Embrace the essence of summer with your lungs full of fresh Welsh air at idyllic country house hotel, Grove of Narberth. Think picturesque Pembrokeshire countryside, with luxurious country comforts in your bedroom, and plenty to explore beyond your doorstep.
Details: Stays at Grove of Narberth start from £390. For more information or to book, please visit grovenarberth.co.uk
