Things to do in the UK this summer 2023
Get ready to embrace the great British summer with our handpicked selection of the finest social events. From world-famous spectacles like Wimbledon and the Henley Royal Regatta, to a wide variety of festivals not just for music but also for literature and gastronomy, there's no shortage of exciting activities to indulge in this summer. With options for every interest, budget, and family size, our comprehensive guide to the top things to do this summer in the UK is the ultimate resource for planning your next adventure.
Glyndebourne Festival 2023
Image: Glyndebourne Festival. Photot by James Bellorini Photography
#FLODown: Glyndebourne, hailed as the British home of opera, is an iconic venue located in the stunning grounds of a historic stately home near Lewes, Sussex. This prestigious festival combines the best of music, drama, art, food, and nature, whilst also presenting six operas each year in a state-of-the-art opera house. The festival is known for its exceptional Mozart operas and for being the summer home of the renowned London Philharmonic Orchestra. But more than that, guests can bask in the beauty of the surroundings, explore the delightful gardens which are set against the iconic landscape of the South Downs, and take in the various exhibitions of contemporary art and sculpture. The Glyndebourne experience isn't complete without indulging in all of the tasty cuisines on offer. Guests can tuck into the luxurious, leisurely picnics during the 90-minute dinner intervals. The upcoming 2023 festival promises to delight with a new production of Don Giovanni by Mozart, alongside other beloved and long-running productions. For those who cannot attend in person, the festival's new streaming platform, Glyndebourne Encore, provides the opportunity to experience extraordinary opera from the comfort of your home.
Date: 19 May – 27 August 2023. Location: Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex, United Kingdom,BN8 5UU. Website: glyndebourne.com
Wilderness Festival
Image: Main Stage at Wilderness Festival, 2019. Photo by Andrew Whitton
#FLODown: Wilderness is the ultimate summer festival that takes place in a nature reserve in Oxfordshire. Beyond the performances of famous bands and DJs, there's an array of activities to enjoy, including wild swimming, muggle quidditch, disco dodgeball, and yoga. The festival also boasts swirling trapeze artists, seriously good food, and an abundance of other surprises, all wrapped up in an unforgettable experience that celebrates the intersection of art, music, fine food, and nature.
Date: 3 – 6 August 2023. Location: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire. Website: wildernessfestival.com
Blenheim Palace Food Festival
Image: Chef royalty, Raymond Blanc to be at Blenheim Palace Food Festival. Photo by Peter Seaward.
#FLODown: Get ready to indulge in a food lovers paradise at the Blenheim Palace Food Festival. This extraordinary weekend-long event, headlined by renowned chef Raymond Blanc OBE, is dedicated to gastronomic delights. As one of the UK's largest outdoor food festivals, it promises a fantastic experience for food enthusiasts, families, and friends. Set against the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace, the festival line up features a Q&A session with Raymond Blanc, celebrity masterclasses, a tasting tent for sampling various treats, and entertainment for children. There will also be a wide array of high-quality local and national vendors offering delicious delights, accompanied by exciting cocktail demonstrations from Blacklion Vodka and wine tasting sessions by Laithwaites, this festival is sure to satisfy your cravings for culinary excellence.
Date: 27 – 29 May 2023. Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP. Website: blenheimpalace.com
Cheltenham Music Festival
Image: Cheltenham Music Festival, Photo by Still Moving Media
#FLODown: The highly anticipated Cheltenham Music Festival in July will showcase an extraordinary lineup of acclaimed artists and rising talents. With performances at prestigious venues including, Cheltenham Town Hall and Pittville Pump Room, this festival guarantees an unforgettable musical experience. Featuring works by 40 living composers, including exclusive commissions from Cheltenham Festivals, attendees can look forward to world premieres and fresh compositions. The festival will include a morning series, interactive tours, and mixtape events, immersing audiences in the beauty and diversity of music.
Date: 8 - 15 July 2023. Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Website: cheltenhamfestivals.com
Daylesford Organic’s Summer Festival
Image: Daylesford Organic’s Summer Festival
#FLODown: Daylesford, the renowned organic farm nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds, is celebrating its 20th anniversary festival, and it promises to be their grandest event yet. The two-day festival promises a fantastic lineup of activities for families, friends, and food and nature enthusiasts, including live music, cooking demonstrations with top chefs, creative workshops, and, of course, mouth-watering organic food and drink. From sheepdog demonstrations to vintage sports cars, fairground rides, tent talks, and children's entertainment, the festival boasts a myriad of activites to explore. Special guests, including Richard E Grant, Ruth Rogers, and Clodagh McKenna, will also be in attendance. Indulge in a delightful array of food and drinks from Daylesford's own bakery, patisserie, and creamery, as well as guest artisan producers, food trucks, and drinks carts. The festival will also feature local artist installations, making it a true celebration of all things organic, sustainable, and creative.
Date: 17 - 18 June 2023. Location: Daylesford Farm, Moreton-In-Marsh Kingham GL560YG. Website: daylesford.com
The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival
Image: Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival. Image courtesy of The Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival.
#FLODown: Get ready for the ultimate foodie adventure at the Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival, the UK's largest food and drink festival, taking place at Funkirk Farm in July. With culinary superstars Gino D’Acampo, Si King, and James Martin leading the way, the festival offers a huge array of activities across various kitchen stages, cookery schools, and workshops. Children will also be catered for with a wide range of activities, from sandcastle building and petting farms to kids' cookery school and crafting tents. As the sun sets, the party heats up with an amazing lineup of live music performances, including tribute acts, DJ Gok Wan, Pat Sharp, Brutus Gold’s Love Train, and The Zoots sounds of the 80s. You can also make it a weekend to remember by opting to stay for the full three nights in a caravan, motorhome, or even camping.
Date: 21-23 July 2023. Location: Funkirk Farm, Carleton, Skipton, BD23 3AB. Website: yorkshiredalesfoodanddrinkfestival.com
Henley Royal Regatta
Image: © Henley Royal Regatta
#FLODown: Henley-on-Thames is home to the annual Henley Royal Regatta, a beloved summer tradition that traces its roots back to a charming town fair established in 1839. This extraordinary five-day event seamlessly combines 200 thrilling amateur rowing races with all the trappings of an elegant social gathering.As the regatta unfolds along the scenic banks of the River Thames, spectators can bask in the sun's warmth, sip on champagne and recline on the many deckchairs, both on the riverbanks and the lawns. The dress code is an integral part of the experience, with gentlemen donning dapper lounge suits and proudly displaying the vibrant colours of their rowing clubs, while ladies grace the occasion with dresses that elegantly fall below the knee. Henley Royal Regatta is as much a social gathering as it is a celebration of sporting excellence.
Date: 27 June - 2 July 2023. Location: Henley, Oxfordshire. Website: hrr.co.uk
End of the Road Festival 2023
Image: End of the Road Festival, Photo by Parri Thomas
#FLODown: The End of the Road Festival is renowned for its intimate atmosphere, offering festival-goers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the bands and their music. This unique event features roaming peacocks and parrots, adding a touch of charm and enchantment. You can stumble upon impromptu sets from musicians in the tranquil woods or witness memorable collaborations. The festival also offers a variety of activities, including circus skills workshops, an arts and crafts grotto, a comedy tent, and high-quality organic food. This year's lineup is packed with incredible talent, featuring The Murder Capital, Fatouma Diawara, Panda Bear & Sonic Boom, Charlotte Adigér, Bolis Pupul, Deerhoof, Samia, and many more. Expect an unforgettable experience where music, nature, and creativity come together to create a truly magical atmosphere.
Date: 21 August - 3 September 2023. Location: Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire. Website: endoftheroadfestival.com
Penzance Literary Festival
Image: Author Raynor Winn. © Stuart Simpson
#FLODown: The Penzance Literary Festival is a community-run event that takes place in various venues around the Cornish town. The festival offers a relaxed atmosphere which is absolutely perfect for book lovers. With an emphasis on local talent and affordability, the line up will include discussions with guest speakers who have specialist knowledge of West Cornwall. Although there are some well-known, award-winning authors on the programme, the festival is more focused on a passion for words and stories than big names, providing a unique and intriguing experience.
Date: 5 -8 July 2023. Location: Penzance, Cornwall. Website: pzlitfest.co.uk
Leicester's Caribbean Carnival
Image: Leicester Caribbean Carnival
#FLODown: The Leicester Caribbean Carnival is a vibrant and lively celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage that takes place in August. It is one of the largest Caribbean Carnivals in the UK, attracting over 80,000 visitors annually who come to immerse themselves in the music, food, dance, arts, and crafts of the Caribbean. The carnival features a parade filled with floats, troupes, dancers, and performers, followed by live performances and street vendors selling arts, crafts, and food from around the world. At the centre of the festivities is the carnival village, where local artists showcase their musical talents. Visitors can indulge in delicious Caribbean cuisine, and enjoy the stunning parade featuring flamboyant dance troupes, floats, and extravagant costumes. Date: date are yet to be confirmed, but the carnival will generally take place on the first Saturday in August. Location: Victoria Park, Leicester, LE1 7RY. Website: leicestercarnival.com
Keswick Mountain Festival
Image: Keswick, Lake District. © Benjamin Elliott
#FLODown: The Keswick Mountain Festival is a thrilling outdoor extravaganza nestled in the heart of the Lake District. This remarkable event seamlessly blends live music, captivating talks by world-class speakers, sporting competitions, camping experiences, and an array of guided outdoor activities. Prepare to be challenged and inspired by a sensational lineup of sporting events, including triathlons, trail races, invigorating open water swims, as well as experiencing the beauty of nature through navigation training, ghyll scrambling, windsurfing, hikes, and a delightful selection of taster activities.
Date:19 - 21 May 2023. Location: Keswick, Cumbria, Lake District. Website: keswickmountainfestival.co.uk
At Home Farm
Image: https:@athomefarmlive
#FLODown: Experience the magic of At Home Farm's third summer season, where a lineup of musicians, esteemed chefs, and hilarious comedians awaits. Experience dining under trees amidst swaying long grass, and then wander through the illuminated woods to uncover a hidden woodland stage. Throughout the summer, a series of unique events will unfold, featuring the UK’s finest chefs, acclaimed musicians, comedy, and circus. The wood-fired feasts have been co-designed and will be prepared by celebrated live fire chef Ben Quinn and his Woodfired Canteen team, with a stellar line up of chefs. Conveniently accessible by tube (Jubilee, Northern lines, and Thameslink), Uber, and offering ample car parking space, At Home Farm invites you to join them for an unforgettable summer filled with music, laughter, and culinary delights.
Date: June - September 2023. Location: Elstree, Hertfordshire. Website: athomefarm.live
Durham Brass Festival 2023
Image: Durham Brass Festival
#FLODown: The Durham Brass Festival breathes new life into traditional brass music, giving it a contemporary twist. This vibrant event will provide not only musical performances from acclaimed groups like the Always Drinking Marching Band and the Hackney Colliery Band, but will also feature street installations crafted by talented local artists, all with a brass theme. At the heart of the festival lies the celebrated Durham Miners' Gala, a magnificent parade that pays homage to the city's rich coal mining heritage, featuring awe-inspiring brass bands, and striking banners. Witness the fusion of history, artistry, and the soul-stirring sounds of brass at the Durham Brass Festival.
Date: 9-16 July 2023. Location: Durham Website: brassfestival.co.uk
Edinburgh Fringe
Image: Edinburgh Fringe. © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society
#FLODown: The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a beacon of cultural excellence held annually in Scotland's captivating capital every August. With over 300 diverse venues, it showcases a mesmerising tapestry of global artistic performances. From traditional theatres to unconventional settings, the Fringe embraces boundless creativity. Fringe will span across the 4th – 28th August, and will feature theatre, comedy, music, dance, circus, musicals, variety, cabaret, and captivating children's performances. On 8th June the festival will unveil the official program, if you want to hold out to pick your dates till then. Don't miss out on this extraordinary cultural experience that is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Date: 4 – 28 August 2023. Location: Edinburgh, Scotland. Website: edfringe.com
British Grand Prix
Image: Silverstone. © Jeff Cooper
#FLODown: The Formula 1 British Grand Prix is one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in the UK. Every July, racing enthusiasts and fans of high-speed action flock to Silverstone to witness some of the world's top drivers and cars take to the track. The atmosphere at Silverstone is electric, with a fantastic buzz in the air as fans cheer on their favourite drivers. The British Grand Prix promises an action-packed weekend full of excitement and drama, making it a must-see event for anyone who loves speed and adrenaline.
Date: 7 – 9 July 2023. Location: Silverstone, Northamptonshire, East Midlands. Website: silverstone.co.uk
Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2023
Image: Wimbledon Championships, July 2019. © MTotoe
#FLODown: Experience the world's oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament, the Wimbledon Championships. This iconic event, spanning two weeks, captures the essence of British summertime in all its glory. For players, winning Wimbledon is a pinnacle achievement. Don't worry if you don't have tickets; you can still be a part of the excitement by joining the queue. Whether you're hoping for a seat in the show courts or just ground admission, the queue offers a chance to be a part of this historic event. With Wimbledon currently sold out, camping in the queue is often the way people gain entry, and it can be as fun as the tournament itself.
Date: 3-16 July 2023. Location: All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, Surrey. Website: wimbledon.com
Reading & Leeds Festival
Image: Reading & Leeds Festival, @officialrandl
#FLODown: Reading and Leeds Festival 2023, a twin music festival held simultaneously at different locations over the August bank holiday weekend, is an extraordinary celebration of music and community. Both festival sites offer convenient camping facilities, allowing you to fully embrace the vibrant atmosphere. For those just looking for a day out there are also day tickets available. The highly anticipated 2023 line-up features an impressive roster of musical talents, including Sam Fender, The Killers, Foals, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, and Lewis Capaldi.
Date: 25-27 August 2023. Location: Little John's Farm on Richfield Avenue, & Bramham Park Leeds. Website: readingfestival.com
Click here for festivals in London to go to this summer.
Thames Valley Food & Drink Festival
Image: Brightwell Vineyard
#FLODown: The Thames Valley Food & Drink Festival is returning to Brightwell Vineyard in Oxfordshire in June. The festival features over 30 independent food and drink producers from the Thames Valley region, including six English wine producers. Attendees can enjoy wine and food tastings, self-guided walks through the vine rows, artisan food stalls, live music, and stunning countryside views. Brightwell Vineyard will showcase their award-winning wines, and visitors can also sample wines from other local vineyards. The festival will offer a wide selection of spirits to choose from. Additionally, visitors can indulge in a diverse range of food options, including mouth-watering sweet and savoury crepes, delicious burgers, pizzas, tempting vegan cakes, and doughnuts. The festival doors open from 11 am to 5 pm on both days, and free parking is available on-site.
Date: 17-18 June 2023. Location: Brightwell Vineyard, Wallingford Oxford. Website: thamesvalleyfestival.co.uk
SPRINGFEST at LEGOLAND®
Image: LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
#FLODown: Embrace the vibrant spirit of spring at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort's thrilling new SPRINGFEST. From the 13th of May, families can fully immerse themselves in a 'bricktastic' celebration, infused with the beloved LEGO® magic. The theme park will burst into life with a kaleidoscope of colourful flowers, captivating live music performances, delicious food, and thrilling LEGO build experiences. The festival will culminate in a sensational weekend extravaganza, featuring a live performance by Kidz Pop on the Miniland Stage during the May Bank Holiday Weekend (30th May - 2nd June). There will be over 55 rides and attractions awaiting exploration, so what better place to create unforgettable family moments than at SPRINGFEST.
Date: 13 May – 5 June 2023. Location: Windsor, Berkshire. Website: legoland.co.uk
