Things To Do In The UK This Summer

Need summer plans? Now you got 'em with YO!'s awesome sushi school events, where they'll teach you knife skills, rolling techniques and a little bit about the history of these dishes. Learn how to make delicious Japanese treats, including everything from salmon and avocado hand rolls to cucumber maki from some of the best in the biz. To top it off, you also get a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival and lots of tasty snacks throughout, such as edamame, gyozas and more, all for £34.95 per person.

Nothing says summer like sitting back, soaking up the rays and enjoying an ice-cold pint in your favourite local's beer garden. Up and down the country there are many plush, green spaces tooting benches, parasols and cosy nooks to enjoy a cocktail or two, and we've rounded up some of the best. You're welcome. 

Want to make the most out of the sunshine? Join in on a Brighton Guided Bar Crawl, ideal for stag and hen nights, birthdays or just an extra special night out. Walk through the cobbled streets and take in the glorious seafront as you explore the town's best bars, with the vibe of the night totally up to you. On top of that, your hilarious host will guarantee non-stop laughter throughout the evening. 

If the sound of enjoying a tipple or two on water floats your boat,  then hop on board one of the many boat bars across the UK for an afternoon spritz, pint or soft drink. From Bristol's iconic Thekla (imagine having drinks on a former cargo ship), to East London's Barge East, there's plenty to choose from. Some even have live music or offer fine dining. 

For things to do this weekend in the UK, Factory Floor in Stoke-On-Trent has got you covered. Think themed nights out from Peaky Blinders to Mamma Mia, alongside quirky afternoon teas, live jazz performances and more on various dates across the summer months, all at a reasonable price with tickets starting from as little as £5 per person.

Don't worry, your summer plans won't be hampered by any rain when you book into TeamSport in Basildon, Manchester, Newcastle and more. These once-in-a-lifetime things to do in the UK are fronting over 500m of indoor track, letting you race your nearest and dearest to the flag for the victory. Prices start from just £15 per person, with all sorts of package deals available, and there's even a bar for unwinding after the race.

All across the UK, from London to Nottingham and beyond, you can take part in the UK's largest event of its kind: UKG Bingo. With tickets starting from £16 each, you can enjoy an evening of heavy basslines and some of the top garage tracks spun by legendary DJs. There'll be an array of games to take part in to win some big prizes, dance competitions and more.

These walking disco parties take you on a totally unique tour across London or Edinburgh, getting an opportunity to soak up all the sights while you wear headphones and dance to tunes from the 80s, 90s or 00s. You can expect plenty of flash mobs and hilarious commentary on the side too, with tickets starting from as little as £23 per person.

The Squirrel's Lair is an 18-hole woodland-themed adventure golf course in Rossendale that boasts gorgeous views of the countryside. Soak them up while attempting the creative courses, designed to increase in levels of difficulty as you go. As the day turns to night, spotlights ultimate the grounds so the fun doesn't have to end, and tickets start from only £4.50 each. 

To get involved in high-tech golf on an outdoor driving range, mosey over to Entertainment Golf at Riverside Golf Centre, where their Inrange-powered technology provides cutting-edge ball tracking and touchscreen monitors in every bay. Whether you want to come in swinging and beat all your mates on a group night out, or take on your other half in a head-to-head battle, this is the place to do it. Prices here start from just £6.75 each for 30 minutes, with a minimum of 60 balls provided in the price.

If you've been inspired by this quintessentially British pastime, then The Big Bakes are the events for you. In these 90-minute sessions, you will be provided with all the ingredients and equipment you need to create some tasty treats across cooking stations in a marquee. This competitive activity sees you go head-to-head with other pairs, making it onto our list of fun things to do in the UK for couples throughout summer.

Cocktail lovers, this is the summer event you need on your radar. Birmingham Cocktail Weekend is back, turning the city into a haven for mixology fans from Thursday the 10th of July to Sunday the 13th of July. With over 40 incredible venues serving exclusive £6 signature cocktails, this four-day festival is the perfect way to sip, stroll, and soak up the best of Birmingham's vibrant bar scene.

Your journey starts at The Jack Daniel's Honey Hub at Hotel du Vin, where you'll swap your e-ticket for a wristband and guidebook - and enjoy a complimentary sip of Jack Daniel's Honey to kick off the weekend in style. Expect everything from rooftop bars to hidden speakeasies, plus access to exclusive events, delicious food deals, £5 mocktails, and even hotel discounts.

From boozy quiz nights every Wednesday to disco bingo with 90 minutes of bottomless drinks taking place every second Friday, GRUB is packing in a whole loads of summer events. They're also hosting a few Sour Sesh beer tastings throughout the season, with a tasting flight included in your £7 ticket. To top it off, you can dig into street food or sip cocktails at all times here as well.

Catch 22 Jams is a vibrant and dynamic live music venue located across the UK, offering a unique space where up-and-coming artists and established musicians come together to perform.

With a focus on jazz, soul, and funk, Catch 22 Jams is known for its eclectic music nights, showcasing a variety of genres and sounds. It's a place where the music never stops, and the atmosphere is always electric, perfect for those who love discovering new talent and enjoying top-tier live performances.

Seeking fun things to do in England for young adults? Don't forget to stop off at the Thatchers Cider Tour on sunny Myrtle Farm in Sandford for a cracking day out. Learn how they craft their bottles, sample a couple of their favourite drinks and hear plenty of stories from the brand's history over their 100 years of making cider. Even better? Tickets are just £15 per person.

This summer, get the gang together and dive into one of the UK's most exciting paintball experiences at Pro Paintball. Packed with high-stakes battles, thrilling game modes, and the chance to win cash prizes, it's the perfect outdoor adventure for the season.

With budget-friendly packages, premium equipment, and a whole arsenal of surprises, it's time to lock, load, and dominate the battlefield.

Gather the gang together and head to your nearest Flight Club for its famous Brunch Social. Across Shoreditch, Manchester Birmingham and beyond and from £30 per person, you'll be able to delight in a two-hour session complete with a whole bottle of prosecco per guest and complimentary orange juice carafes to make your own mimosas. There'll be some delicious pizza paddles to much on too, after battling it out with their social darts sampler. 

The Brunch Club are famous for throwing incredible themed bashes all over the country, from Spice Girls extravaganzas to Taylor Swift-themed afternoons. You can expect performances from stunning drag queens, over three hours of all your favourite hits and 60 minutes of free-flowing bubbles. Look forward to a menu featuring the likes of pizzas, wagyu burgers and French tacos. And if you're keen to get your yee-haw on, there's a Country Superstars Boozy Brunch for that, promising a mid-morning hoedown. 

Wycombe Jazz Festival 2025,  sponsored by Chiltern Railways and Focusrite, returns to Wycombe Arts Centre for its fourth edition, offering a stellar mix of live music performances and hands-on workshops. This festival is a must-see for anyone passionate about jazz, featuring a range of talented artists from Bucks and beyond (like one of the headliners, David Kofi), blending fresh, innovative sounds with classic jazz influences.

Whether you're a seasoned jazz fan or simply looking for a fun way to explore new music, this event is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the vibrant local scene. Created in partnership between Catch 22 Jams, Wycombe Arts Centre, and Itchy Silk Creates, this festival celebrates the power of community and the universal appeal of jazz.

For those after unusual things to do in the UK, The Great Game Treasure Hunts are a great way to get your brain in gear, go on a unique tour and win a cool prize. Crack clues and solve puzzles until 'X' marks the spot, which is a pub where you'll get 20% off your bill. This is a great way to explore British cities like Birmingham, Cardiff, Durham and so many more, all for as little as £19.99 per group.

Bringing together the finest chicken wing traders to battle it out across three categories, Wing Fest wings cost £1.50 each across their fun summer festivals, so you can try as many as possible to vote for your favourites. But that's not all that's on offer, as you can get involved in further poultry-eating action via wing-eating contests and hot wing challenges too.

For further entertainment, expect everything from water splash zones to live music, DJs, BBQ cooking demos and more.

Taking place across multiple venues on the iconic Brighton beachfront, Vivid People's Brighton weekender promises to be an unforgettable one this June. There'll be multiple talented DJs playing the very best of 80s and 90s tunes - we're talking Jaguar Skills, Ronnie Herel and Master Magri, to name a few.

Grab your feather boa and get ready to ruffle some with tickets starting from £156 each to Buff Bingo Bottomless Drag Brunch. Bringing the sexy and the sassy straight to your seat, you can expect an afternoon packed full of rippling muscles and stunning queens. Enjoy 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco and mimosas, a burger of your choice and a complimentary dessert if its your birthday or you're visiting for a hen or stag. 

Embark on a self-guided mystery around some of the most historical streets in the city with StreetHunt Games. In The Case of Colombia's Finest, you'll be introduced to Jim Robusta who needs your help to solve a crime among caffeine, and as for its Will Breaker game? Expect to solve a series of brain teasers which will grant you access to your uncle's estate. The former puzzle also takes place in York, and tickets start from £16.50 per person. 

If you're searching for fun bottomless brunches, London Bridge Rooftop has a fabulous one. It comes complete with free-flowing beer cans, prosecco, mimosas and other booze bevvies for 90 minutes, as well as delish burgers and live DJs. That's not all that's on offer here though, as they also boast dartboards and fantastic views of the city alongside their all-day menu and refreshing cocktails.

Up and down the country you can bet on finding some of the best festivals in the world, from Glastonbury to chicken eating competitions, we've got it all. Make your summer one filled with fields, parties and pals by snapping up tickets to some of these fun events. Think beer-tasting experiences, an entire weekend dedicated to chill and gin, plus a Brixton extravaganza.

From the Pembrokeshire Coast to Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons, Wales has some pretty stunning national parks waiting to be explored. Whether adventurous activities or gentle coastal strolls are your thing, there's something to satisify you here. Even better? We've recommended all sorts of places to stay and where to eat and drink nearby.

Searching for things to do in the summer with friends in the UK? Then head to Cornwall, a seaside paradise fronting turquoise waters and secret coves, from the dreamy Fistral beach to historic Port Isaac or leafy Lantic Bay. If you're undecided, then check out our guide to the top stretches of sand in the area.

This summer, Guy Ritchie's Wiltshire estate reopens its gates for an unforgettable luxury getaway. In collaboration with Carousel, the WildKitchen summer series is back, offering an exclusive escape for just sixteen guests at a time. Running from May to September, the experience features a star-studded lineup of guest chefs cooking up spectacular, live-fire feasts at Guy's lakeside WildKitchen. Guests will enjoy a two-night stay in one of eight beautifully appointed bedrooms, including two new suites with breathtaking views of Cranbourne Chase's stunning natural beauty.

The weekend is all about indulgence and adventure, with intimate chef's tables, where culinary heavyweights like Alex Nietosvuori, Charlie Tayler, and Masaki Sugisaki will serve one-off tasting menus under the stars. After sunset, guests can unwind with a nightcap back at the farmhouse. Activities range from wild swimming and yoga to culinary workshops and scenic walks, all paired with a seasonal bar menu featuring delicious bites like kimchi toasties and wood-fired flatbreads.