20 food experiences you need to have this summer
If you’re looking for new summer activities to keep the kids occupied, we’ve got you covered with 10 foodie days out and 10 recipe ideas to try at home
Make the most of the British summer with our foodie guide to great family activities you can enjoy over the next few months. Take a day trip to the seaside or learn a new skill in a cookery class. And be sure not to miss out on some staple summer events like Notting Hill Carnival and Pride parades taking place across the country.
For those more chilled out days at home, we’ve curated a list of fun activities that the kids can get involved in, like throwing a pizza party. For a more grown-up affair, why not have a cocktail night in the garden and shake up some new concoctions?
A six-week break from school can seem like a long time, so make sure to have a look at our guide to summer activities for kids to help keep them entertained.
10 summer foodie days out
1. Attend a local Pride event
Pride month may officially be in June, but there are a number of Pride events taking place across the summer that you can make a day of. Brighton and Manchester Pride both take place in August and you can buy a family day pass for the Manchester event from their website. There are also plenty of local Pride events taking place across the country, so be sure to check out your local message boards and news sites for any events that might be happening near you. If you’re looking to celebrate Pride at home, take a look at our guide on how to throw a Pride party, and our favourite Pride recipes.
2. Visit the seaside
There’s nothing like some fresh sea air in the summer. Make the most of the glorious British sunshine and head down to your nearest beach. For an easy family day out, pack up a lunch using recipes from our best beach food collection to save the pennies and hassle when you get there. Not near a beach? Find your nearest lido or wild swimming spot to help cool down in the summer heat.
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3. Take part in Notting Hill Carnival
Since its debut in 1959, Notting Hill Carnival has grown to become one of the biggest annual events in London. Taking place over August bank holiday weekend every year, Carnival celebrates Caribbean and black British culture with music, dancing and, of course, food. Jamaican jerk chicken is king at Carnival, but you will find a whole range of Caribbean street food, including beef patties (and vegetarian versions), Trinidadian roti, and much more. To get into the Carnival spirit, why not make your own jerk chicken, curry goat or beef patties.
4. Visit a local food festival or market
No matter where you are in the country, food festivals and markets seem to be popping up everywhere. If you’re in the capital, it doesn’t get much more iconic than Borough Market, where you can find everything from Singapore street food from Mei Mei to a classic British dessert: apple crumble and custard from Humble Crumble.
5. Go on a food tasting tour or to a cookery class
If you’re looking to improve your own cookery skills, why not take part in a cooking class or experience? Places like Bread Ahead Bakery in London offer half, full and three-day workshops so that you can hone your baking craft. For chocolate lovers, York’s Chocolate Story offer 90-minute masterclasses that get you making your very own chocolate treats.
6. Have a picnic in a local park
Head down to your local green space with family and friends for a summer picnic. This is by far one of the easiest ways to get a large group of people together to enjoy the glorious weather. For the best family picnic recipes check out our guide, and if you’re in need of some new picnic kit, have a look at our picnic accessories roundup.
7. Visit a pick-your-own strawberry farm
Pick-your-own farms are a great family day out, plus you come home with delicious produce at the end of it. Strawberry farms are the most popular in the UK with the season kicking off in June. Not only is this a great summer activity, but it’s often more sustainable, too. Find the best strawberry farms in the UK with our helpful guide.
8. Take a family camping trip
Pack up the car or campervan and take the kids out for some fresh country air to sleep under the stars. It’s also a great opportunity to tuck into some delicious food cooked over an open fire. For less stress, there is also plenty of food you can make in advance to keep your hungry brood happy. Check out our top camping recipes and our guide on how to camp with kids for a perfect weekend outdoors.
9. Go on a mini getaway
If you’ve got a few days to kill, why not take the family away on a UK mini break? From gourmet camping to family cruises, there’s something for all families to enjoy. Be inspired by our UK family breaks guide and find your next adventure.
10. Go on a family cycle ride or visit a garden
We’re very lucky in the UK to have so many picturesque gardens and parks. They’re a great way to explore somewhere new this summer. Pack up some snacks and take a stroll around some of the nation’s best National Trust gardens, or take out your bikes and have a cycle around at your nearest national park. If you’re planning on doing a longer cycle, make sure you’re fuelled properly with our guide on what to eat before and after cycling. For you ramblers why not whip up a batch of our almond, popcorn & raisin trail mix.
10 summer recipe ideas to try at home
1. Host a BBQ party
Gather friends and family round yours and host a summer barbecue. Divvy up the duties and prepare some snacks ahead of time to help take off the pressure. If you’re looking to throw something new on the barbie, get some inspiration from our best ever barbecue recipes. Don’t forget dessert! Check out our best family barbecue desserts to satisfy your evening sweet tooth.
2. Recreate your favourite holiday recipes
If you find yourself dreaming of the Amalfi Coast or sunning yourself on a quaint Greek island, you can recreate some of those summer flavours at home with our best holiday-at-home recipes. Take a quick trip to France and make some fresh, pillowy croissants, or go long-haul to Japan for some authentic gyoza.
3. Throw a pizza party
Entertain the kids with their own pizza party at home. No matter your diet you can get involved, just have a look at our pizza party ideas and find the right base, sauce and toppings for you. If you’re looking to go all out with your pizzas, have a look at our pizza oven reviews, and best pizza cutters, scissors, and knives for those perfectly cut slices.
4. Cool down with a refreshing drink
Keep yourself cool and hydrated in style during the hotter months. Our summer mocktail recipes are full of fruity, fresh flavours and our best iced drinks will help you find the perfect alternative to your usual hot cup of coffee. For an adult tipple, try one of our favourite summer cocktail recipes.
5. Make your own ice cream
Cool down with some homemade ice cream or sorbet. From simple no-churn recipes to something a bit fancier, our ice cream ideas will keep you going for the whole of summer. To help entertain the kids, why not have an ice cream sundae bar, complete with sauces and toppings so that they can really make it their own.
6. Teach the kids some new cookery skills
Want your kids to be able to help in the kitchen, but not sure where to start? Have a look at our Kids' Kitchen video series to help get them started with some simple skills. Once they’re more confident we’ve got a great selection of recipes for them to have a go at so you can enjoy a fun family afternoon. They’ll love the taste of their handiwork!
7. Do some summer baking
We know the British weather can be unpredictable at times, so for those rainy summer days, enjoy a baking project with the kids to keep them entertained. Check out our top kids' summer baking recipes that will have them making blondies, cookies and cakes to enjoy as a sweet treat. And if you’re looking for a bit of a bigger bake for your next evening of entertaining in the garden, have a look at our best summer bakes, perfect for all ages.
8. Make a fresh summer salad
For some stress-free food to enjoy on a long summer’s evening, try one of our favourite summer salad recipes, proving that you can still be a creative cook with just a few ingredients. A colourful salad is a good way to make the most of seasonal ingredients and can be enjoyed as a refreshing barbecue side or as the main event.
9. Celebrate August bank holiday at home
If you’re not planning a trip out for the bank holiday, we’ve got plenty of ways to keep you going at home. Start your day with a delicious brunch, whether that’s sweet or savoury, we’ve got you covered with our bank holiday brunch recipes. If you’re looking to relax with a bit of baking, try one of our easy baking recipes to leisurely get through the afternoon. If you fancy something a bit different for dinner, or you're feeding a crowd, our bank holiday recipes and drinks ideas will keep you going until the sun sets.
10. Mix up some new drinks
Invite some friends over for a cocktail-making party or grab those empty glass bottles and make a batch of your own cordial. Find your new favourite tipple with our easy cocktails you can make at home. If you’re planning a BBQ or an afternoon tea in the garden, mix up some punch from our top summer punch recipes.
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