With the four walls of home far too familiar these days, we think it’s fair to say that the pandemic has got us looking for new ways to enjoy our weekends.
Travelling out of your local area is no longer actively illegal – rejoice! – and day trips are finally permitted once again. That said, government advice is still to stay local and minimise travel. They also advise that, if you do travel outside your local area, you should shop for food and before you embark on your journey, rather than stopping off along the way.
With those caveats dispensed with, let’s get to it; here are 6 awesome ways to spend Summer 2021 weekends.
HOST A GARDEN DINNER PARTY
Food, drink, friends, good conversation…
While we’re keen to get in and amongst other revellers, imbibing at our favourite restaurants and seeing friends, with limited outdoor seating, it’s pretty hard to get a table anywhere at the moment. So why not host a garden dinner party?
Throwing a dinner party can be a wonderful opportunity to show off those cooking skills you’ve learnt through lockdown. When it comes to designing your menu, strive for a certain sense of rhythm. If your starter is protein heavy, make sure that the main course is a little lighter. Should the dessert contain lashings of cream, the other courses should be less dependent on fat to carry flavour.
A well paired wine, perfectly suited to the grub you’re serving, can be the difference between a good and great dinner party. Don’t just throw your favourite drop at it and expect things to flourish. Instead, investigate which wine is best suited to each course, bringing out the flavours of the food more elegantly in the process. Go that extra mile by picking a better bottle, spending a little more and drinking a little less, for best results, we think.
If you’re hosting outside in the coming weeks, garden dinner parties are, of course, subject to the weather. Consider adding an awning to the side of your home to keep guests dry and don’t forget blankets to keep guests warm, too. Go the extra mile and invest in some garden heaters or a firepit if you’re feeling really flash.
Read: 7 tips for making a success of your Summer garden parties.
CAMPING WITH FRIENDS
Getting in and amongst nature with the people you love? A cleanse of the soul and the lungs? Sounds like heaven to us. And to many others, too, we think. No surprise, then, that camping is enduringly popular in Britain and for many, the ideal way to spend the weekend.
Campsites and caravan parks, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, have just reopened. Yes, we’re officially allowed to stay in a tent – but only with members of our own household.
That said, and as Time Out points out, “there isn’t anything in the rules to prevent friends or family from camping in the same campsite, as long as you only socialise outdoors in a group of fewer than six people and maintain social-distancing rules”.
From May the 17th, you can go camping with “a group of up to six people from six different households (or an unlimited number of people from only two households)”. And hopefully by June 21st, all restrictions on the number of households staying together will be lifted. We can’t wait!
Read: 5 IDEAL tips for camping with a group.
RENT A MOTORHOME
Not one for camping? Motorhomes provide a great compromise between outdoor living and indoor comfort, and we just love them.
Private motorhome hire, like this, is actually surprisingly affordable. That said, if you’re considering buying a motorhome, while it may seem like a large initial outlay, it can well turn out to be a wise investment in the long run. You’ll save on both car rental and accommodation as your wheels will serve as your vehicle and sleeping quarters.
If you’re keen to find some inspiration on where to head on your motorhome adventure, here are the UK’s most popular holiday destinations for motorhome owners, IDEAL for a staycation when the latest lockdown properly lets up.
Read: 5 IDEAL tips for your next UK campervan holiday.
A COUNTRY WALK
According to Walking for Health, a good walk can uplift your mental wellbeing, improving self-esteem, mood and sleep quality. But we didn’t need them to tell us that, did we?
As anyone who has strolled recently will attest, it’s a marvellous way to blow off some steam and gain a little perspective during a particularly trying time. Pair this with the physical benefits brought on by fresh air and exercise, and you should need no more encouragement to embrace the outdoors. There really is no reason not to (ignore the rain, guys).
Check out our guide to the UK’s IDEAL top ten walking destinations.
A TRIP TO THE COAST
The ping of penny machines on the pier, the squawk of seagulls, the nostalgic scent of fish and chips punctuating the fresh sea air; Britain is home to many a quintessential British seaside escape. There’s no denying that one of the best ways to spend the weekend is at the seaside. Down south, Swanage, Brighton and Bournemouth are just some of our favourite places in the UK for a weekend trip. Up north, we’re all about Whitby and Scarborough. Where’s your favourite place to spend time on the sand or pebbles?
Read: 7 weekend escapes from London for Summer
TRY A NEW OUTDOOR WATER SPORT
Whether off the Cornish coast or in one of London’s lidos, cold water swimming is becoming more and more popular. And for good reason; there are so many physical and mental benefits of taking an icy plunge. In fact, recent research has suggested that cold water swimming may be an effective treatment for depression and could boost your immune system, too.
Not into it? Here at IDEAL, we’re huge fans of stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), one of the most accessible water sports out there. Yep, all you need to find is a still body of water, access to a board and the enthusiasm for an adventure, and you’re good to go!
Moreover, there’s something magically meditative about being at one with nature and the water, standing tall and in control. What’s more, you get to enjoy the scenery from a whole new vantage point, bringing you closer to nature and far more in touch with the changing of the seasons and the movements of the great outdoors.
Other outdoor sports to consider include kayaking, surfing and even sailing. It’s important to note here that we now have the opportunity to embark on our new lives with a sustainable mindset. This is all about being mindful of minimising your impact on the planet and reducing your waste in everything that you do. With this in mind, check out our guide on how to make your favourite outdoor sports more environmentally friendly.
THE BOTTOM LINE
After spending the best part of a year stuck inside our homes, we want nothing more than a change of scenery and to be able to make the most out of our weekends again. That said, it’s vital that you do so responsibly and safely. Be sure to check the latest government guidelines to make sure everything you’re doing is above board and legal.