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100 Things to Do on a Hot Summer Day in the UK

BySarah Bailey

When the sun finally decides to make an appearance in the UK, it can feel like everyone rushes outside at once. No matter if you are enjoying a rare heatwave, making the most of the school holidays, or simply looking for ways to stay entertained in the sunshine, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a hot summer day.

From relaxing at home to exploring new places, this list is packed with ideas to help you make the most of warm weather. Some are completely free, some cost very little, and many can be adapted to suit your energy levels.

So grab a cold drink, find a shady spot, and discover 100 things to do on a hot summer day in the UK.

Things to Do at Home

A woman in a white vest pours red fruit juice into ice lolly moulds in a kitchen. Fresh fruit and a blackboard reading “Homemade Ice Lollies” are on the counter beside her.
  1. Make homemade ice lollies.
  2. Freeze grapes for a refreshing snack.
  3. Enjoy an iced coffee or iced tea.
  4. Read a book by an open window.
  5. Watch a summer-themed film.
  6. Try a new mocktail recipe.
  7. Make a fruit salad.
  8. Listen to an audiobook.
  9. Start a new jigsaw puzzle.
  10. Create a summer playlist.
  11. Write in a journal.
  12. Learn a simple card game.
  13. Have breakfast outside.
  14. Try a new craft project.
  15. Organise your photos.
  16. Bake a batch of cookies.
  17. Make your own lemonade.
  18. Start a scrapbook.
  19. Declutter one room.
  20. Write a bucket list for the season.
  21. Do some gentle stretching.
  22. Watch travel videos and plan a future trip.
  23. Learn a few phrases in a new language.
  24. Try a new board game.
  25. Have a picnic on the living room floor.

Things to Do in the Garden

  1. Eat lunch outdoors.
  2. Read in the shade.
  3. Set up a paddling pool.
  4. Have a water balloon fight.
  5. Blow bubbles.
  6. Watch butterflies and bees.
  7. Sketch flowers or plants.
  8. Plant something new.
  9. Have a BBQ.
  10. Play garden games.
  11. Try outdoor yoga.
  12. Listen to birdsong.
  13. Cloud watch.
  14. Take photos of your garden.
  15. Build a bug hotel.
  16. Sit with a cold drink and do absolutely nothing.
  17. Have afternoon tea outdoors.
  18. Grow herbs in pots.
  19. Paint plant pots.
  20. Try birdwatching.
  21. Watch the sunset from your garden.
  22. Have a family games afternoon.
  23. Enjoy a garden picnic.
  24. Read a magazine in a deckchair.
  25. Create a cosy outdoor reading corner.

Free Days Out and Local Adventures

A woman with a tote bag walks along a sunlit path in Riverside Park surrounded by green trees, flowers, and a pond with ducks and a small bridge in the background. Other people enjoy the park.
  1. Visit your local park.
  2. Explore a nearby nature reserve.
  3. Walk around a lake.
  4. Visit a free museum.
  5. Explore a local village you’ve never visited before.
  6. Browse a library.
  7. Visit a garden centre.
  8. Walk along a canal.
  9. Take a scenic countryside drive.
  10. Visit a farmers’ market.
  11. Explore a woodland trail.
  12. Go geocaching.
  13. Visit a beach.
  14. Paddle in the sea.
  15. Explore a harbour or marina.
  16. Feed ducks at a local pond.
  17. Walk along a river.
  18. Visit a historic church.
  19. Take photos of local landmarks.
  20. Explore a nearby town.
  21. Visit a local open-air event.
  22. Find a new picnic spot.
  23. Explore a public garden.
  24. Watch boats on a canal.
  25. Take a self-guided walking tour of your area.

Low-Energy Summer Activities

  1. Sit in the shade with a good book.
  2. Listen to your favourite podcast.
  3. Watch clouds drift by.
  4. Enjoy a cold drink outside.
  5. Spend time people-watching.
  6. Colour in an adult colouring book.
  7. Write letters to friends.
  8. Listen to relaxing music.
  9. Have a slow afternoon nap.
  10. Watch wildlife from a window.
  11. Try a simple mindfulness exercise.
  12. Browse old photo albums.
  13. Sit under a tree and relax.
  14. Do a crossword puzzle.
  15. Enjoy a peaceful moment in a local park.

Summer Evenings

A person with their hair in a bun sits on a blanket atop a coastal cliff, gazing at a vibrant sunset over the sea, with golden sunlight reflecting on the water and clouds scattered across the sky.
  1. Watch the sunset.
  2. Go for an evening walk.
  3. Enjoy an ice cream after dinner.
  4. Photograph the golden hour.
  5. Watch bats emerge at dusk.
  6. Have a late picnic.
  7. Sit around a fire pit.
  8. Look for constellations.
  9. Watch the stars on a clear night.
  10. Reflect on your favourite summer memories so far.

Final Thoughts

A hot summer day doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money or travelling far from home. Sometimes the best memories come from simple pleasures like eating ice cream in the garden, watching the sunset, or discovering a new local beauty spot.

Hopefully, this list has given you plenty of inspiration for making the most of sunny weather in the UK. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or something in between, there’s always a way to enjoy a little summer sunshine.

Competition

Would you like to win yourself a LEGO set to sit with and build on a summer’s day? Now is your chance, all you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is follow the options on the Gleam widget below.

Win a LEGO® Creator 3-in-1 Red Dragon playset.

There is no mandatory entry option on this giveaway; however, the more options you enter, the more entries you will have in the final draw.

The competition is open to the UK only and has a closing date of 02/07. Good Luck!

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41 Comments

  13. I do as little as possible when it’s really hot, but I do enjoy a swim in the Bude sea pool

    Reply

  27. We are lucky enough on hot days to have a north facing lounge. I don’t cope well with the heat but look forward to sitting, relaxing and indulge in my passion for reading for hours on end as its too hot for chores! I have re-read Camille, Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre in the last week. Bliss!

    Reply