Ultimate Guide to Summer in the UK

Choosing to study English in the UK for the summer is one of the most enriching experiences one can have during their getaway. When you’re not studying, there are plenty of sights and activities you can enjoy with the friends you made from all over the world.

The question is, where to begin? Here’s our ultimate guide on how you can have the best summer in the UK!

Tours around popular cities in the UK

The UK consists of 4 countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Within these four countries are some of the world’s most famous cities for you to explore, like London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Oxford, and Cambridge. Exploring these cities will help you experience the local way of life, and their history, food, people, and culture. At the same time, it’s a perfect way to practice the skills you gained during your lessons. 

To help you get around and ensure you each city’s famous locations, we recommend booking city-wide tours to take you where you need to go.

Have fun at the festivals!

Whether you are a music lover or just want to experience something new, there are plenty of festivals for you to participate in for the day or over a couple of nights. Here are some of our favourite festivals you must attend:

• Isle of Wight Festival in June
• Taste of London in June
• Wireless Festival in July

A relaxing trip to the national parks

If you’re looking for a relaxing break from your studies, then a trip to the UK’s national parks like the Cairngorms, Lake District and Peak District is perfect. Whilst there, you can take part in various activities ranging from:

• Hiking – take amazing walks through the national parks and discover the unique views of each area.
• Birdwatching – look up at the sky and trees and try to spot the various bird species in their natural habitat.
• Stargazing – away from the big city lights, national parks have some of the darkest skies in the UK, making it perfect for stargazing.
• Water activities – whether you are looking to row or sail, there are plenty of water activities for you to participate in.
• Historic attractions – take a peek into historic areas dating back to the Romans and imagine what life may have been like. From Hadrian’s Wall in the Lake District, Peak District or Wales’s Brecon Beacon to see Bannau Brycheiniog.

Have fun at theme parks.

Part up your sunglasses, water bottles and suncream and head over to one of the popular themes in the UK! Whether you are looking to face your fears by riding on rollercoasters or having just general fun with your friends, there are plenty of options depending on what you’re looking for.

• Alton Towers – in Staffordshire, is the UK’s biggest theme park bolstering over 40 rides and attractions. Why not try out some of the popular rides such as Nemesis, The Smiler, The Wicker Man, and Oblivion?
• Thorpe Park – in Surrey, England, has the UK’s fastest rollercoaster in Stealth, which reaches the speed of 80mph alongside other popular rides such as The Swarm, SAW: The Ride, Colossus, and Nemesis Inferno, to name a few.
• Chessington World of Adventures – combining a zoo and theme park, perfect for thrill seekers and animal lovers. Enjoy rides like the Gruffalo River Ride, Tiger Rock, Dragon’s Fury, and Vampire.

Explore UK’s many historic castles.

Everyone is aware of Buckingham Palace, where British monarchs reside, but there are plenty of castles all over the UK for you to visit and learn about the history within its walls.

Here are some castles we recommend you visit whenever you have time:

• Cardiff Castle – located at the heart of Cardiff, was built in the 11^th Century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort.
• Alnwick Castle – dating back to the Norman era, this castle is a must-see for Harry Potter fans.
• Edinburgh Castle – one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, features the Stone of Destiny and is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels.
• Windsor Castle – the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite castle, the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle.

Bathe in the coastal sunshine!

The UK has plenty of beaches and coastal towns where you can simply sunbathe and relax or participate in popular beach activities such as swimming, building sandcastles, kayaking, sailing and more!

You can also go hiking to beautiful natural sites and views, such as the White Cliffs of Dover or Bournemouth’s Durdle Door.

Before you leave, try plenty of fresh seafood dishes like prawns, various fish, molluscs and, of course, the nation’s favourite fish and chips in stalls by the beach or nearby restaurants!

Studying English abroad for the summer is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will be improving your English language skills and enjoying the UK summer weather, good food, amazing destinations, entertainment, and fun activities!  

Are you excited yet? Feel free to contact our booking team for additional information. Ready to secure your place? Book your course for the summer in the UK here.