UK summer season

Summer in the UK starts in June and runs until the end of August.

Summer transforms the UK into one giant outdoor playground. It's the very best time of year to get out and about, making the most of the longest and, in theory, warmest days of the year across the British Isles.

Summer skies over beach in Cornwall, UK
Summer skies over beach in Cornwall, UK © Albert Pegor - Adobe Stock Image

The season is synonymous with holidays, whether you stay in the UK or go overseas and, for parents, it also marks the arrival of the school summer holidays. The pairing of the best season for good weather in the UK with the availability of numerous activities, attractions and theme parks ensures there's plenty to do.

Whether hiking in the Scottish highlands, national park hopping in the north of England, sea swimming in the south, surfing in the west or paddleboarding off the Welsh coast, summer offers the perfect platform for a host of fun-filled outdoor activities for all ages and abilities.

It's also the ideal time to go camping or glamping (the latter if you prefer added comfort and style), anywhere from ancient woodland and beachside sites to pre-assembled family-friendly parks and rustic campsites with basic facilities.

June also witnesses the summer solstice, which marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. In terms of the weather, in London, the average number of daylight hours at this time maxes out at 17, while in northern cities, such as Edinburgh there's an average of 18 hours of daylight per day.

Temperature-wise, the average daytime maximum between June and August in London rises from 20°C to 22°C, while Edinburgh is a touch cooler between 17°C to 18°C on average during the same period. Wherever you're planning to go in the UK during summer, be sure to check out our UK weather guide so you know what conditions to expect.

Summer months in the UK

Top 20 UK places to go in summer

Summer is such an exciting time to take a holiday in the UK. Days are long and bright and there's a good chance you'll encounter some warm and sunny weather, which is why campsites and holiday parks are always brimming from June to August.

After much consideration, we've handpicked the top places to go in the UK throughout summer that offer a little bit of everything from good seasonal average temperatures and plenty of daylight to myriad things to see and do all the way from the Isle of Wight to Edinburgh.

Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight
Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight © Alexey Fedorenko - Adobe Stock Image

There's no denying that conditions are typically warmer the further south you go but no one plans a UK holiday to chase the temperature. With this in mind, be sure to book a UK holiday according to what suits you best be that a glamping pod, self-catering cottage, hotel or family-friendly resort - just remember to pack a sunny attitude along with layers for the evening and waterproofs, just in case.

Looking for more information about the seasons? Find out what creates our seasons, including details of solstices and equinoxes, in our complete guide to the UK seasons.

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