With the near arrival of summer, many of us will be looking forward to enjoying lighter and warmer days this June.
There are plenty of ways to make the most of the new month – and since many places and attractions tend to be less busy than during the school holidays in July and August, June can be the ideal time to explore.
To get you inspired, here are 11 things to do and places to visit in the UK in June.
1. Enjoy great food and entertainment at Taste of London Festival, London
Held every summer in the heart of Regent’s Park, Taste of London Festival is a highly popular food and drink festival.
Gathering 36 of London’s greatest restaurants, the festival attracts around 55,000 visitors each year, all hungry to taste some of the capital’s most delicious cuisines.
A number of new restaurants have been added to the festival line up this year, so even if you’ve been before, expect to taste some new flavour. There are also various bars, cooking classes, artisan producer markets, and live entertainment to enjoy.
So if you always struggle to decide on which restaurant to go to, are looking for a fun day out, or simply want to indulge in great food, Taste of London is one for your diary this June. It will run from 14th-18th June 2023.
2. Learn something new at Jane Austen Regency Week, Hampshire
Jane Austen Regency Week is a nine-day festival held each year in Alton and Chawton, Hampshire.
Run by a group of volunteers and organisations, Jane Austen Regency Week is a celebration of both an internationally-acclaimed writer and a very interesting period of history.
There are a range of events planned for Jane Austen Regency Week. This includes a Regency dancing workshop, teatime discussions of some of Austen’s most famous novels, guided walks of Chawton and Alton, and tours of the gardens at Chawton House.
Alton’s annual Regency Day will also take place on 17th June. There’ll be market stalls, musical entertainment, horse and carriage rides, soldier reenactors, and much more. Guests are encouraged to join in the fun and dorn their best Regency costume!
This year, Jane Austen Regency Week will take place from 17th-25th June.
Alternatively, if you’re not a Jane Austen fan, celebrations of another famous author, Charles Dickens, are also taking place from 16th-18th June at the Broadstairs Dickens Festival in Kent.
Now in its 86th year, the Broadstairs Dickens Festival is a three-day festival with everything from musical entertainment and gin tasting, to a Victorian summer fair and a Dickensian beach party.
You can find out more on the Broadstairs Dickens Festival website.
3. Experience a medieval battle while sipping some whisky, Stirling
Robert the Bruce, king of Scotland between 1306 and 1329, was a key figure in Scottish history. After his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Robert the Bruce achieved full Scottish independence from England after signing the 1328 Treaty of Northampton.
This year, to commemorate the 709th anniversary of this famous battle, The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre in Stirling is hosting a series of events.
This includes A Taste of Victory on 23rd June, which pairs an evening of whisky tasting with an immersive medieval battle experience of the Battle of Bannockburn..
As you sip on Scotland’s most famous drink and witness the sights and sounds of medieval battle first-hand, you’ll learn all about how Robert the Bruce’s battle tactics changed the course of the country’s history forever.
If you love whisky and history, this is one for you.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to skip the alcohol, simply book the regular Battle of Bannockburn Experience instead. Other events at the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre throughout June include a walking tour of Bannockburn Battlefield and a lecture series on Robert the Bruce.
4. Learn something new at York Festival of Ideas, York
If you’d like to learn something new this month, then you might like to take a trip to York Festival of Ideas.
This award-winning festival hosts over 150 in-person and online events that are designed to educate, entertain, and inspire. Leaning into the festival’s 2023 theme ‘Rediscover, Reimagine, Rebuild’, guests can enjoy talks from world-class speakers, as well as exhibitions, music, films, guided tours, and a range of family-friendly activities.
York Festival of Ideas covers topics from art and archaeology, to history, health, politics, and psychology, so hopefully there’ll be something to spark everyone’s interest.
For a full event guide, you can download the 2023 brochure from the official York Festival website here. York Festival of Ideas will run from 2nd-15th June 2023.
5. Watch the Trooping the Colour, London
If you’re looking for a traditional activity to enjoy this June, you might enjoy watching the Trooping of the Colour.
The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British monarch for over 260 years. In 2023, it’ll take place on Saturday 17th June and will be His Majesty King Charles III’s first Trooping of the Colour as Sovereign.
The parade will include over 1200 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians marching from Buckingham Palace, down The Mall, and to Horse Guards Parade. Members of the Royal Family will ride alongside on horseback and in carriages, and the display will close with an RAF fly-past.
Members of the public are welcomed to watch from the stands on Horse Guards Parade – though you’ll need to book tickets. Alternatively, you can get a limited view from 9am by standing on The Mall or on the edge of St. James’ Park overlooking Horse Guards.
6. Enjoy live music at Belsonic, Belfast
Belsonic is a huge outdoor music festival held annually in Ormeau Park, Belfast.
Belsonis is made up of several different concerts and invites a variety of world-class acts. This year’s lineup includes performances from Lionel Ritchie, Tom Jones, George Ezra, and Lizzo – as well as support performances from The Human League.
Since its humble beginnings in 2008, Belsonic continues to be a roaring success – so why not join in the fun this year? Events will run from 3rd-30th June 2023.
7. Step back in time at The Nostalgia Show, Hampshire
The Nostalgia Show at The Broadlands Estate in Romsey, Hampshire, is a festival like no other.
Mixing vintage, retro, and ‘good-ole-fashioned-fun’, The Nostalgia Show remains ever popular as a place to step back in time and celebrate the best of British culture.
Enjoy some vintage shopping, view an incredible selection of classic cars, and take part in some retro party games. There’s also live music, street performers, traditional fairground rides, and dance classes for all abilities; and each day will finish with fun DJs and headline vintage acts.
You can find a full line-up on The Nostalgia Show website.
This year, The Nostalgia Show will run from 16th-18th June. There are camping tickets available as well as day tickets if you’d just prefer a day trip.
8. Wander through some of the UK’s most beautiful private gardens, UK-wide
As the weather starts to warm up and the colours of summer start to appear, there’s nothing more idyllic than strolling through beautiful gardens.
To raise money for nursing and health charities, the National Garden Scheme gives visitors the unique opportunity to access over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands.
Whether you’re after a peaceful day out, seeking garden inspiration for your own home, or feel like exploring somewhere new, there’s a treasure trove of gardens to browse. This includes everything from town and cottage gardens, to historic gardens, family, and dog-friendly gardens.
The beauty of this experience is that all open gardens are different, so you’ll never know what you’ll find next. You can use this interactive map on the National Open Garden Scheme website to find open gardens near you.
If you’re unable to visit an open garden in person, there are also 190 gardens that can be explored virtually on the National Open Garden Scheme website.
9. Mark the beginning of summer at Stonehenge Solstice Festival, Wiltshire
Some of the best things about summer are the longer days and lighter evenings. And summer solstice (the longest day of the year), which marks the beginning of summer, falls on 21st June this year.
In celebration of the start of this new season, Stonehenge Solstice Festival is being held in Wiltshire between 18th-21st June 2023.
Expect craft stands, workshops, yoga, delicious food and drink, four amazing days of live music – including Celtic folk music honouring Stonehenge – as well as plenty of opportunity to wind down, relax, and enjoy nature.
Guests are also offered the unique opportunity to enjoy open access to the Stones for sunset and sunrise. For more information on what to expect, head over to the Solistice Festival website.
10. Enjoy a day out at The Royal Cheshire County Show, Cheshire
Celebrating its 185th year in 2023, The Royal Cheshire County Show is a feel-good celebration of Cheshire’s countryside, agriculture, food, and family fun.
Highlights of the show include the Horse Show, the Sheep Show, the Food Hall, and the 3,000 odd animals that are available to meet and greet.
There’s also the Cheshire Farmers Market and a Food Live Theatre featuring esteemed chef Jean Christophe, as well as plenty of opportunities for shopping and sampling tasty food.
And, for those attending the festival on Tuesday 20th June, a special concert featuring Odyssey, Brother Beyond, and Katrina is included in the ticket price.
The Royal Cheshire County Show will run from 20th-21st June 2023.
11. Uncover fascinating research at Glasgow Science Festival, Glasgow
If you’d like to learn more about the research that’s shaping our future, you might like to consider heading to Glasgow Science Festival this year.
Hosted in venues across the city, the festival has an exciting programme of over 100 events and activities that are suited for all ages.
Highlights include a six-metre-wide floating vision of the Earth, virtual reality tours of the human body, physics lessons held by trapeze artists, and a Dungeons and Dragons style show that’ll take you through futuristic Glasgow.
You can browse the full event programme on the Glasgow Science Festival website.
This year Glasgow Science Festival will run from 1st-11th June. You can also join in online with Science on the Sofa, which includes various activities, experiments, talks, and shows.
Final thoughts…
Many of us will be feeling excited by warmer days and the arrival of summer. No matter your interests, there’s plenty going on this June to make the most of this new season.
For further reading, head over to the art and culture or travel sections of our website. Here you’ll find everything from fun days out in the UK to staycation ideas.