Amazing things to do across the UK this summer

Missed out on Glasto tickets? Fear not – there are loads of amazing festival experiences still on offer this summer that will leave you thinking ‘Worthy what?’. For fans of after-dark dancing, Field Maneuvers promises three days of no-frills rave in a secret Norfolk location, while the Chiltern’s Above Below festival combines an eclectic mix of electronic producers and DJs alongside a packed schedule of wellness experiences, talks, and workshops. Prefer your music with a side of motors? The Malle Mile festival at the picturesque Grimsthorpe Castle guarantees an adrenaline-fuelled slice of motorcycle culture alongside world-class musicians and DJs late into the night. But if you just want a chilled afternoon in the heart of the capital, it’s tough to beat the iconic Lambeth Country Show, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this June.

Summer in the UK still comes with a risk of rain, but you don’t need to curtail your cultural fix just because the weather isn’t playing ball. Exploring an amazing exhibition is the ideal way to spend a drizzly day, and there is a whole host of alternative art shows that can rival the busy big hitters. ‘Soulscapes’ at Dulwich Picture Gallery brings together some of the best artists from the African diaspora and explores the enduring power of landscape art, while Manchester Art Gallery’s ‘Stories of Women, Work and Uncertain Futures’ powerfully highlights the inequalities faced by women aged over 50 from the city’s diverse communities. Finally, no visit to Brighton beach is complete without visiting Brighton Museum’s ‘Queer the Pier’ exhibition – a community-curated display that celebrates the city’s LGBTIQA+ community through film, photography, fashion, drag and oral histories.

It’s tough to beat a summer afternoon spent in a beer garden with good company and craft brews on tap. And my god, do we have some absolute belters across the country. If you’re in Birmingham, there’s the very aptly named Sun on the Hill, Bristol’s got the buzzing The Coronation Tap, and Brighton is home to the seaside-inspired Hope & Ruin. Meanwhile, larger cities offer slightly edgier vibes with Manchester’s Diecast, Liverpool’s The Merchant and London’s Brixton Brewery Taproom springing to mind. And if you’re in the capital seeking out something more ‘classic pub’, you’ve got The Alpaca, a charming neighbourhood joint. One way to take the experience to the next level is free beer. And no, this isn’t like one of those annoying A-frame pavement signs that say ‘tomorrow’ somewhere in the small print. On certain days this summer, Brixton Brewery will be surprising visitors in pubs mentioned here with delicious sampling sessions, maybe you’ll catch one if you’re lucky enough.

Beer festivals have become hot property in recent years. Instead of humid marquees full of blokes in anoraks sipping unappealing ales, the We Are Beer weekenders in Bristol, Manchester and London bring together some of the most exciting breweries from across the UK and overseas and are essentially two-day parties complete with amazing eats and live music. Plus, Brixton Brewery will be at all three, meaning you can always get your hands on some of your south London favourites.

Need even more inspiration for your summertime outdoor sessions? Here’s a playlist from Brixton Brewery. And to top it off, visit the website and sign up for the mailing list for 10 percent off your first order.