Living in the UK: British summertime is here!
Now that schools have broken up for their summer holidays, the “British summer” is finally upon us! Many people will take time off work during the summer, either to have a “staycation” or a holiday elsewhere. Here are some things the British people do over summer holidays. Would you want to try some of them too?
Have a British-style “staycation”
British people also like “staycations”, but their “staycations” are a bit different from the Hong Kong ones: instead of staying at a local hotel to relax, British staycation is about going on day trips from home. How to plan a staycation? You can use the Ordnance Survey maps to find all the nice outdoor spaces, such as beaches, lakes or other countryside, where you can have a walk or a picnic in the nice weather. (Do remember to bring a coat though, British weather can change very quickly and you don’t want to be caught out in the rain!)
If you are a city-dweller at heart, there are also many festivals, events, and activities held in different cities throughout the summer. You can use websites like National Trust or Day Out with the Kids to find out about them and plan your perfect staycation.
Have a barbecue
You will have likely seen lots of barbecues (BBQs for short) available to buy in supermarkets and garden centres at this time of year. British people love a barbecue in good weather! It’s a great opportunity to invite friends around and have a garden party. Burgers and sausages are the most usual things to have on a barbecue - usually enjoyed in a bread roll with tomato ketchup. A sausage in a bread roll is called a ‘hot dog’ and is a favourite for children!
Or, if you miss the taste of home, you can also invite your friends and neighbours for a barbecue, fusion-style! While it might be hard to find long iron barbecue forks in the UK, you can easily introduce your friends to a taste of Hong Kong by marinating and coating the meat with lots of honey!
See what holiday clubs / children and youth camps are available
Sports clubs and local churches in particular have holiday clubs and camps available for children and teenagers during the school holidays. These usually last for a week and focus around one particular hobby, skill, or theme. Ask friends and churches to see if there is anything going on in your local area!
Buy a paddling pool and water pistols
When the weather is hot, British families may get their paddling pool out - small inflatable pools to put in your back garden and fill with water from the hosepipe. It is great fun for the children and often ends up in a water fight - especially if you have water pistols to squirt water at each other!
Image: “99 ice cream” by distillated, WikiCommons (2010)
Enjoy an ice cream!
No British summer is complete without ice cream! Especially the ‘99’ ice cream, which is an important part of British culture. While there is no conclusion on how this ice cream (in a wafer cone and a chocolate flake on top) got its name, people do agree that this is a national summer favourite. Also, many local cafes pride themselves on selling “good quality” ice cream from local farms. Ask your friends for recommendations, and you will be able to find out all about the neighbourhood favourites. Just remember to eat it quickly, so that you won’t end up with a handful of melted ice cream!
