Brilliant ways to have your best summer EVER
Stay in a double decker bus Spend the night on op deck with vrbo.com, who have ations to choose from in unusual s across the UK.
Fun at the farm June 27 is Farm Sunday, when farms across n open their doors for ublic to have a look nd. Visit sunday.org
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he beers and n and turn on V. From the Euros e Olympics, it really summer of sport.
Cheer on your team
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Date time “There has never been a better time to get back on the dating scene,” says relationship expert Neil Wilkie (relationshipparadigm.com). “Do something quirky like a boat trip, a cycle ride, or crazy golf.”
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Castle crazy Immerse yourself in history while visiting one of Britain’s many fortresses. Nottingham Castle has recently undergone a £30million restoration. Visit englishheritage.org.uk for great days out nearby.
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Carry on camping Whether you snuggle up in a tent, or sleep under the stars, camping is a great way to get back to nature.
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Forest bathing Great for mental health, Judy Dench and Kate Middleton are fans. Try it yourself by walking slowly and thoughtfully in wonderful woodland.
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Bag a beach hut Have a great day on the beach, or even stay overnight right on the seashore. Beachhuts. com have rentals on offer from £20 a day.
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Borrow a boat Fancy being a captain for the day? Dubbed the Airbnb of the water, borrowaboat.com has vessels all across the UK from £40 a day.
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And relax... If you need some R&R, try half an hour of meditation. You can do this anywhere, at home, in the garden, by a river – even on the beach.
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Be a tourist Think like a tourist in your own city and you’ll have endless fun. From food tours to football stadiums, visit getyourguide.com to find out what there is on offer near you.
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Vineyard visits Fancy a tipple?
The south of England has many vineyards to visit, with plenty of delicious wines to try.
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Foraging Pick your own herbs and create delicious dinners at home with them. Visit woodlandtrust.org. uk for a handy guide.
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Choose a new scent Summer is the perfect time to experiment with new scents. Did you know that orange notes encourage positivity, while jasmine is uplifting?
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Get gardening “The scent of roses in the air, birdsong, cutting herbs for a lazy al fresco lunch – summer is the perfect time to be out in the garden,” says horticulturist Anne Britt (annebrittdesign.com).
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Cycle along a disused railway line Up and down the country there are hundreds of old closed lines that are now cycle paths. And they’re beautiful. Visit getoutside.ordnancesurvey. co.uk to find one near you.
Visit the UK’s most haunted places Scare yourself silly and have a real giggle in the process. Bodmin Jail in Cornwall and Chillingham Castle in Northumberland are said to be particularly spooktacular – so ghost for it.
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Have a cuppa Have a proper brew at Kent coffee festival (Aug 27-28). Learn latte art and taste the best in the business. Visit kentcoffeefestival.co.uk
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Barbecue time What could be better than having friends and family over for a BBQ? Try chicken and veg skewers, and let the kids toast marshmallows for dessert.
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Parkrun The much-loved 5k social running events are back, and not a moment too soon. Visit parkrun.org. uk to find one near you.
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Ready to ride? Then visit a theme park and get your heart rate up. Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park and more are open now.
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Choose some beautiful blooms while out and about, and place them – making sure they’re not touching – inside a heavy book, with another on top. In a few weeks you’ll have gorgeous dried flowers to frame and keep.
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Surf the waves Surfing is good for mind and body, and the UK has some great beaches to catch a wave.
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Volunteer Give back to your local community and volunteer your time. Not only will you be helping out, but you’ll also get to meet people too.
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Nightclubs are sadly still closed, so why not put on your favourite tunes and dance anyway? “Dancing boosts mood and when done with friends produces the bonding hormone oxytocin,” says Dr Tang.
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Bird spotting Nest Friends (nestfriends.co.uk) teaches children about UK birds. What can you see in the garden or park?
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Send postcards Even if you don’t leave home, they’re fun to write, and fun to receive.
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Visit a botanical garden
Nature is good for the soul, and summer is the ideal time to explore. So visit nationaltrust.org.uk to find a gorgeous garden near you.
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Read a good book
Devour the latest page-turner while sunning yourself in the park, or in your back garden.
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Watch a sunset Grab a
blanket and head to a viewpoint to watch the sun go down over a glass of bubbles. Bliss.
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Sports day A good old-fashioned sports day is fun and costs next to nothing to organise. Try egg and spoon or wheelbarrow races, and hand out prizes for the winners.
Adrenaline rush Dry flowers Dance it out