Summer Sorted: Our guide to your ultimate UK summer

Wondering how to make the most of your summer? Don’t worry - we’ve got summer sorted.

Staycationing in the UK has never been more appealing, with attractions to be found around every corner and friendly local communities who are eager to welcome holidaymakers.

Whether you’re looking for a day trip, a weekend getaway or a family holiday, you’re sure to find the perfect trip for you.

So dive in - and get this summer sorted.

Visit Clearwell Caves, an incredible natural cave system set in a beautiful valley on the edge of the Forest of Dean. Discover the thousands of years of history that created one of the most ancient and complex cave systems in Britain, and walk through ten caverns, descending to around 100 feet underground. The caves have been used to film iconic movies and television shows, including scenes from Doctor Who, Willow, and His Dark Materials.

The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail offers over four miles of sculptures at Beechenhurst, in the heart of England’s ancient woodland. For nearly 40 years, the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust (FODST) and Forestry England have provided a home to artworks by some of the world’s leading artists. On the trail, which is free to access and open daily (you will need to pay for parking), visitors will encounter iconic highlights from early phases of the trail, including Cathedral by Kevin Atherton and sculptures by Peter Randall-Page and Cornelia Parker, alongside more recent artworks by Natasha Rosling, Kristina Veasey and Julian Wild.

The Speech House Hotel is a former 17th-century hunting lodge set in the heart of the idyllic Royal Forest of Dean. Nestled in the centre of a tranquil forest environment, The Speech House Hotel is a family-run business, and offers the perfect combination of original charm, modern hotel, and wedding venue facilities. The hotel has 35 comfortable en-suite bedrooms, several with impressive antique master four-poster beds. For dining, there is a delicious brunch, a varied lunch menu with seasonal specials that change daily, afternoon tea and evening dinner. Outside, there is breathtaking scenery, ideal for exploring with the dog, finding a pretty picnic spot or challenging yourself to more adventurous activities.

With more than 90 acres of woods, scenic walks and beautiful lakes, the River Dart Country Park is the perfect setting for all kinds of outdoor activities. With more than 25 park attractions, children can rough-and-tumble over space nets, swing through trees on jungle ropes, or even capture a wooden pirate ship surrounded by water! Toddlers aren’t left out either with the Toddlers’ Beach and Playground (Lilliput), just perfect for tiny explorers. For the more adventurous, during select dates and at extra cost, “Dare Devils” offer instructor-supervised activities on-site, including mega zip wire, high ropes course, canoeing, and more.

Boringdon Hall is a five-star manor house spa hotel is like no other. It’s where Michelin Star dining, a relaxing wellness spa, and exquisite rooms and suites come together to create a charming place overlooking the Devon countryside. Set within Boringdon Hall's 16th-century country estate, Gaia Spa is a secluded sanctuary, hidden away from the outside world. Gaia Spa is an experience - one that leaves you feeling nourished, nurtured, and always the best version of yourself.

The Box is a social space for people, art, ideas and experiences. They preserve the city’s cultural collections and share extraordinary stories to explore the pressing issues of our age. The Box nurtures and supports individuals to be creative and curious about the world around them, exploring the past in order to imagine new futures. Explore the immersive exhibitions - for not only a fun and interesting day out, but to learn something new.

No trip to Devon is complete without visiting The Donkey Sanctuary - a tranquil corner of the Jurassic Coast where hundreds of donkeys are waiting to meet you. This free-to-visit, award-winning attraction has something special to offer, whether you’re looking for quality time with the kids, or somewhere calming to kick back with a coffee and cake. And there’s more than just the donkeys - explore award-winning gardens, scenic coastal path walks and engaging exhibits.

Step into a world of adventure at Watermouth Castle! Race down the Toboggan Run, splash through the Big River Ride, fly your own plane on the Junior Aviator, or explore the magical Fairy Museum. Enjoy mini golf, a traditional hedge maze, and the spooky Castle Dungeon - all set within 17 acres of beautiful, dog-friendly gardens with stunning coastal views over Watermouth Cove. Watermouth Castle offers a relaxed atmosphere, classic family rides and attractions for all ages - making it the perfect place to create lasting memories together.

Enjoy four days of fun at the 27th Exmouth Festival, one of the biggest free arts festivals in the South West! From rock, pop and blues to indie, folk, swing, ska and punk, from choirs and brass bands to ceilidh and sea shanties, there’s something for everyone. There are also lots of ways to get involved, with arts & craft activities and music and dance workshops, all for free. Daily theatre, circus shows, talks, films and all manner of entertainment will be happening across Exmouth, so get stuck in.

Quince Honey Farm is a working honey farm in North Devon offering a great day out for all the family, including your four-legged friends! From engaging guided tours & activities, to indoor soft play, beautiful gardens and stunning sculptures, there’s plenty to keep everyone happy. There are also exclusive beekeeping experiences: Beekeeping Introduction Course and An Hour with the Bees for those who want to dive deeper into the world of bees. And of course there are plenty of honey products for you to take home.

Dunster Show is the premier Agricultural Show in West Somerset and one of the major one day Shows of the West of England. Taking place on the lawns below Dunster Castle the dramatic backdrop is a perfect setting for a magical family day out.

The popular food and craft marquee, plentiful trade stands, selling everything from a new Land Rover to beautiful jewellery, along with captivating main ring entertainment make Dunster Show a permanent fixture in the diary of local people and a must visit for holiday makers. Dunster Show also boasts a competitive showing atmosphere with a wide range of classes for horses, cattle and sheep, attracting competitors from all over the country.

Tee It UP is a premier indoor golf facility featuring two state-of-the-art bays, fitted with Foresight Falcon laugh monitors. Perfect for golfers of all skill levels to practise and play in any weather and fun for all of the family. Complementing the golfing experience, the on-site kitchen serves delicious food throughout the day and evening. We also offer a wide range of beverages, including hot drinks and refreshing soft drinks, making Tee it up the ideal spot to not only enjoy great golf but also to come and have a coffee with a friend!

Dunster Country Fair is West Somerset’s biggest Country Fair, offering fun and entertainment for the whole family!

The fair is held in the picturesque setting of Dunster Castle Lawns, with main ring attractions throughout the entire day, including falconry, a vintage tractor parade, pony club games and a BMX display.

In addition to the main ring attractions, the Village Green also has lots of demonstrations and interactive displays, there’s a large number of trade stands, and there arer wonderful Craft Tents plus plenty of food and liquid refreshment on offer!

Dunster Country Fair is on Wednesday July 29 2026, gates open at 8am, (Show starts at 10am).

The Liskeard Show is one of the biggest in the South West, and has always had a wide selection of high quality entries in the large animal classes, and you can see smaller animals, companion dog show, donkeys, poultry, fruit and vegetables, and flowers, as well: or better still, come and compete!

As well as the dog show, there is a Country Home Crafts Marquee including competitions for cookery, handicraft, photography, flowers and vegetables, The Liskeard Show History Marquee celebrating 120 years of The Liskeard Show, a vintage tractor section and a classic car section, as well as a countryside area with farmyard animals.

Crealy Theme Park & Resort is a multi-award-winning family theme park in Devon. Just outside Exeter, the Park is home to more than 60 rides and attractions, with spectacular entertainment, live shows and animals galore. What's more, you can extend your Devon stay with award-winning family holiday accommodation!

Crealy isn’t just for those based in Devon – it’s less than an hour’s drive from parts of Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset too, making it the perfect choice for families right across the South West.

Exmoor Zoo offers an ideal family day out with activities throughout the day, tons of animals to see - and even the Exmoor Beast, the only black leopard that can be seen in the UK.

Activities include handling sessions, talks and displays, which happen at regular half hour intervals. In these sessions, you can stroke and feed wallabies, hold a snake or hairy spider, and see singing dogs, meerkats, cheetahs and the Exmoor Beast being fed.

Exmoor Zoo is a family-run attraction which supports worldwide conservation and houses endangered species.

It’s summer time! And even if the kids aren’t on school holidays yet or if you’re saving up vacation days, there’s no reason that you can’t make the most of the warmer months.

Planning your ideal family day out doesn’t have to be stressful - just follow our simple guide to make sure you get the most out of your day.

It might be tempting to just plug an address into the satnav, but you’ll save yourself a lot of delays and stress by having everything planned in advance. This means that if you’re going by car, you can decide where you’re parking and get the best prices and location for the places you want to visit, or if you’re going by public transport, you can get your tickets ahead of time for better prices. It also means you’ll spend less of your day trying to arrange these things and more time enjoying yourself.

While not as extensive as packing for a holiday, you should still have a checklist of things that you will need for your day out. Of course, your checklist will depend on where you’re going, but there are some essentials you’ll always be grateful for.

Regardless of the weather, you should always take suncream, sunglasses and hats - you never know when the sun may appear, especially in summer, and you don’t want to be caught unawares. On the other hand, it’s also worth taking an extra layer with you in case things get chilly.

Even if you know where you’re planning to eat, it’s a good idea to have some snacks to hand. An empty stomach is one of the quickest ways to ruin a day out! Make sure you also bring some water to stay hydrated throughout the day.

You’ll also be thankful for some wipes and/or tissues, particularly if you have small children. But even if you don’t, a rogue drip of ice cream can catch anyone unawares, and it’s much easier to whip a solution out of your bag than to scramble trying to find a paper towel.

On a sunny day, walking around exploring a new place is wonderful until shoes start to rub and blisters start to form - so plasters are also a must for a family day out!

While your instinct may be to squeeze as much fun into the day as you can, if you don’t take some downtime, you’ll wear yourself out and enjoy your time less. This is especially true with children - they will want to try everything, but carving out some time to sit down and have a meal or take in local views will greatly enhance the day for you all.

So get stuck in - you have an incredible variety of attractions to choose from, all set in some of the most beautiful places in the UK. From shows and fairs to theme parks and farms to forests and caves, there is something for every member of the family.