With so much happening in the UK over the summer, there’s really no need to fly overseas for a change of scenery or a refreshing break.

And even if you are heading off for a couple of weeks abroad, that still gives you a couple of months to carve out a special summer at home.

Earlier sunrises and later sunsets give us precious extra hours of daylight to spend doing the things we love, and the UK is packed with beauty, culture and experiences.

There’s also plenty of inspiration behind your own front door, so in this week’s blog, we’re uncovering the delights of:

• Around the home
• Local secrets and hotspots
• Exploring the UK
• Mindful screen time
• New hobbies and learning

These tips are mainly for grown-ups, but if you’ve also got kids you need to entertain, our PG-friendly Summer at Home blog is packed with ideas to fill the school holidays with fun.

AROUND YOUR HOME

There’s always a catalogue of things to do at home, and the longer summer days provide the perfect opportunity to tick a few jobs off the list and enjoy your new surroundings.

• As well as being the title of Mari Kondo’s best-selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is real. Start small with a single drawer for a quick reward, and see what the hype’s about.
• There’s no better season to take up gardening, whether it’s flowers in pots for now, planting for winter, growing herbs and veg, or just getting that lawn into shape.
• Get a new look, or finish some improvements – put up those shelves, hang those pictures, or give one or more of your rooms a refreshing makeover and a new paint job.

Of course, at the other end of the scale is the joy of lounging around. From books to movie nights to the charms of a cold beer, indulge in the Italian art of “dolce far niente”: the sweetness of doing nothing.

LOCAL SECRETS AND HOTSPOTS

How well do you know your neighbourhood? Or the next town over? From regular hangouts to one-off events, there’s more to do in summer than any other season, and often on the doorstep.

• Head for the places you’ve always wanted to visit, from a local restaurant or beer garden to a posh cinema evening, a day at a lido, or a nearby stately home and garden.
• Check your local press and Facebook pages for outdoor summer calendars. From cultural festivals to outdoor screenings, food fairs to pop-up beaches – there’s always plenty happening.
• Swap online retail for the fun of the high street and rediscover old-school shopping with friends to support local shops, update your wardrobe, and grab a few drinks and snacks to boot.

Quick tip: If you’re stuck for ideas, type #daysout followed by the location of your choice into Instagram, TikTok or YouTube and watch the inspiration jump out of your screen.

EXPLORING THE UK

It might be small, but the UK is blessed with extraordinary landscapes, cities and heritage. From rugged coastlines and wild moors to historic ruins and cutting-edge architecture, we’re lucky to have so much.

• Build a city trip around a concert in a beautiful outdoor venue: The Piece Hall in Halifax, Somerset House in London, Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow, and many more besides.
• Visit outdoor gardens like The Eden Project, have a luxury overnight stay at a safari park in Kent, or hike and camp along ancient routes like the Pennine Way or Borders Abbey Walk.
• Take a scenic railway journey like Carlisle to Settle, ferry hop around the Scottish highlands, or hire a classic car for a weekend of cruising from village to village in vintage style.

There’s so much to explore on our little island, and while it’s often true that the country you see the least is the one you live in, it doesn’t have to be that way. Allow yourself to be a tourist at home.

MINDFUL SCREEN TIME

Taking a break from our screens is a valuable act of self-care, but the time spent on them can also be restorative and nurturing, so try these healthy options to break up the doom-scrolling loop.

• Boost your language skills with just 15 minutes a day with apps like Duolingo. Everyone can grab a quarter of an hour, and you’ll transform your experience in the next country you visit.
• Train your brain and keep that grey matter supple with mental agility games like sudoku and crosswords, or apps like Peak, Elevate and Luminosity for all sorts of exercises.
• Prioritise your well-being. There’s an app for everything from meditation to mindfulness, yoga to callisthenics, and drinking less to eating well. It’s all at your fingertips.

Whatever you choose, it’s all about taking a digital detox from the news, social media and anything stressful or draining. But don’t worry, they’ll all be waiting when you‘re done with your zen.

NEW HOBBIES & LEARNING

When we learn, we grow, but it doesn’t all have to be heavy academic work. The summer weather can be the motivation to finally try something you’ve thought about for ages.

• Make a meal of it. Almost everyone has a cookbook, even if it’s never been opened, and summer is an easy time to start with simple salads, barnstorming barbecues, and delicious ice cream.
• Use your hands. You’ll find courses on everything from photography to furniture restoration and clothes making to bookbinding: build your skills and meet like-minded creative souls.
• Move your body. Beyond jogging and five-a-side, there’s a world of ways to be active: kayaking, paddle boarding, tennis, pickleball, hot yoga, wall climbing… Your new obsession awaits!

Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do, but for some reason never got around to it? As Simon Sinek says: “The only way to find out if it will work out, is to do it.”

Are you spending the summer at home this year?

We’d love to hear what you’re up to for fun days out or at home – have you been inspired here, or found something even more exciting?

And if you’re considering home improvements, thinking of selling, or curious about what buyers want from a property in YOUR TOWN, why not get in touch for some expert advice?

Call us on 01843 262045 or message us at info@votta.co.uk for a chat with our team.