England bursts into life when summer rolls around. The air feels lighter, flowers bloom, and the country shows off its warmer side. From buzzing city parks to peaceful beaches, June, July, and August shine as the warmest months across towns and countryside. Here’s how England embraces every bright, sunny day.
June, July, August: The Hottest Months
Temperatures often rise above 20°C from June right through to August. Some days may even push close to 30°C in the southeast. These months headline England’s short but sweet summer, marking the best time for outdoor plans.
The country rarely feels stifling, which makes the heat welcome after a long, grey winter. Rain could appear here and there, but warm spells tend to prevail.
Long Days and Light Evenings
England’s daylight stretches well into late evening during the height of summer. In the north, sunset comes as late as 10pm. City streets fill with people after work who soak up every spare ray of sunlight.
Early dawns encourage runners, cyclists, and dog walkers to start their days earlier. Locals and visitors often plan meals and outings around these extended light hours.
Summer Flowers and Blooming Gardens
The smell of roses, lavender, and honeysuckle drifts through towns and villages. Country gardens and city parks fill with peonies, poppies, and wildflowers. National Trust sites, like Sissinghurst and Kew Gardens, draw crowds who want to see their borders in full colour.
Even roadside verges and small patches of green burst with summer life. Flowers attract bees and butterflies, which hum from morning till night.
If planting green spaces, read about pet-friendly gardens and wildlife-friendly gardens. And trees to avoid near horses (including yew, oak and sycamore).
Seaside Escapes
Coastal towns shine in summer sun. Places like Cornwall, Devon, and Norfolk welcome families, surfers, and walkers. The sand warms up, perfect for barefoot walks and castle-building. Beach huts and rolling waves feel just right on a clear day.
Even pebble beaches along the south coast fill up with deck chairs. English seas stay cool, but brave swimmers don’t mind.
Read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
A Recipe for Homemade Summer Pudding
This homemade summer pudding (Doves Farm) is a wonderfully simple traditional pudding, which is ideal to use up seasonal produce (or frozen fruit if you went overboard at the PYO farm) along with leftover bread.
People with sensitivity to pollen may wish to avoid raspberries (and people whose seeds get stuck in their teeth!) Keep fruit seeds/pips away from pets. Read more on food safety for people & pets.
Don’t give leftover stale bread to garden birds or wildfowl as it could choke (nor mouldy or crusty bread).
This is a great ‘food waste prevention’ recipe as you can sub the berry ingredients with whatever you have left – raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrants etc). Served with vegan custard, cream or ice-cream, your only real investment if you don’t have one, is a pudding bowl!
This recipe uses bread with the crusts (makes your hair curl, just like your mother said!) and real sugar, and is decorated with leftover berries, for a stunning dish that costs hardly anything to make.
If using frozen fruits, thaw them on a plate overnight in the fridge first, then it’s just a case of cooking the fruits with sugar, dipping bread, overlapping bread in the pudding bowl, and filling with fruits, before weighing the pudding down with tins, and leaving overnight in the fridge.
Raspberries are one of England’s favourite fruits, but they do go off quickly, so use them up soon after purchasing (or visiting the PYO farm) or freeze to use later on.
To do this, wash and dry the berries, then freeze in a single layer on a baking tray, then transfer to a silicone freezer bag.
Picnics in Parks and Countryside
This pretty woven placemats are handmade from recycled newspaper, and roll up for easy storage after dinner at home, or stick a few in your picnic bag for summer.
Crafted from junk into something beautiful, designs (including the thread) may vary, but loveliness comes as standard! The price shown is for one placemat only.
- Use a personal ashtray to safely stub out butts, to prevent wildfires.
- Boycott beer brands that wrap in plastic rings (invisible in water, so harm wildlife).
- For party picnics, don’t release balloons.
- Keep dogs away from cooked bones, salt, crusty bread, chocolate, beer, salt fizzy drinks etc.
- Don’t give nearby wildfowl leftover crusty bread (can choke) nor salty leftovers like sandwiches (fat smears on feathers, affecting waterproofing/insulation).
Karten picnic tables (also for children) are made from sturdy cardboard and biodegrade after use (they also make cardboard tents and chairs!) These tables are strong enough for four people (as long as you don’t jump on them!)
This vegan tomato quiche (Rainbow Nourishments) is super-simple to make, with everyday affordable ingredients. Ideal for a summer lunch or picnic, once mastered, it’s sure to become a staple recipe in your kitchen.
Make with organic Tofoo (made in Yorkshire) and kala namak or ‘black salt’ for eggy flavour). To make a ‘vegan Quiche Lorraine’, simply add some cooked vegan bacon slices to the quiche mixture. La Vie is a good brand, made from pea protein (a best-seller in France and found in shops everywhere).
Items made from recycled bottles are not always that great for clothing (release microplastics in the machine). But wipe-clean items like this insulated cool bag are a great idea. This bag is made by the company Thermos (that makes the flasks) so you know that this is quality.
This bag uses up 18 PET plastic bottles in manufacture, to stop them going to landfill. The bag features a PVA-free PEVA heat-sealed lining, and a branded stainless steel zipper pull. There are also durable stainless steel fastenings, and an adjustable padded carry strap.
Tennis and Cricket Matches
Wimbledon fortnight puts tennis right at the heart of summer. Strawberries set the scene as fans keep up with the matches, rain or shine. Local courts fill up with hopefuls trying their luck.
Cricket thrives on village greens, where white-clad players chase runs and wickets. Matches often stretch into the evening under pink skies. Pub gardens buzz with talk of standout plays.
Natural Sun Protection
With the sun brighter and higher, many add hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen as daily essentials. Light cotton shirts and dresses keep skin safe without feeling warm. Always wash off sunscreen before pets kiss you, due to zinc oxide.
Public parks often have shady tree patches which offer relief during the midday sun. Farmers’ markets and local chemists highlight products with SPF, suggesting ways to enjoy every picnic or outing safely.
Keeping Safe in Hot Weather
British homes and towns are built for cooler weather, so long stretches of heat can catch some out. Drink plenty of water, and if the sun feels too strong, step inside during peak hours. In cities, stone and tarmac trap warmth, making central areas feel hotter than the countryside.
Green rooftops and city parks help cut this effect. Sheltered spots and old, leafy streets make for pleasant escapes during a hot spell.
Books to Read in Summer!
Summer’s Hum is a beautifully illustrated pocket hardback guide to the season of summer. This really is something else, a delightful gift for someone you love, or for yourself as bedtime reading.
The author reflects on this season of new life, as it transforms around her. She takes in landscapes across the land.
From her home garden studio in England’s smallest county of Rutland to the low-lying Suffolk marshlands and the windswept hills of Yorkshire. And even to the wildness of Scotland, over the border.
The inspiring prose, make this the perfect read:
The wildflower bank outside my window hums and buzzes. At midday, the summer sun spreads the perfect of roses and honeysuckle to every corner.
Angela Harding is a professional printmaker, whose unique style has become immensely popular in England. She works from a studio in her garden in a Rutland village.
You may recognise her work from illustrating books for several authors including Miranda Krestovnikoff, Isabella Tree and Simon Armitage.
A Field Guide to Summer asks children to:
- Look out for bugs (leave them alone)
- Build a sun dial
- Identify different trees
- Make a flower crown
- Learn how caterpillars become butterflies
- Learn why bees are busy in summer!
