Walk through sunflowers in Gower

At the westernmost tip of the Gower peninsula, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Wales’s first, Rhossili Bay unfolds as a magnificent three-mile sweep of golden sand. Backed by undulating dunes and caressed by Atlantic waves, it’s a paradise for bodyboarders and surfers alike, often hailed as one of the UK’s best beaches. Wild ponies graze serenely on the southern headland, adding to the picturesque charm, while intrepid walkers can time their journey across the tidal causeway to the iconic, serpent-like Worm’s Head promontory – a natural landmark steeped in local folklore, accessible only at low tide.

In the peak of summer, Rhossili offers an extraordinary visual feast: a vibrant sea of 100,000 sunflowers. A pleasant 20-minute walk from the National Trust car park at Worm’s Head, these towering blooms typically reach their zenith from late July into August, painting the landscape in dazzling hues of yellow. Beyond the breathtaking photo opportunities, visitors can immerse themselves in the experience with pick-your-own fields, inviting them to take a piece of the Gower sunshine home. A whimsical trail winds through the fields, dotted with charming wooden animal structures and giant swings – perfect for both playful fun and capturing unforgettable holiday moments. This seasonal spectacle not only enhances the natural beauty of Rhossili but also represents a flourishing example of agricultural diversification, drawing thousands to witness its golden glory. Entry to the sunflower fields is £4 on weekdays and £4.50 on weekends, with further details available at rhossilisunflowers.co.uk.

Fabulous forest play in Dorset

Deep within the ancient woodlands of Moors Valley Country Park in Dorset, a world of imaginative adventure awaits. Here, Forestry England has crafted an award-winning play trail that winds for a mile through the trees, transforming the forest into a giant playground. Children and adults alike can discover colossal wooden sculptures of forest creatures – giant ant nests to clamber over, mysterious snake pits to explore, enormous hawks soaring overhead, and spiders lurking in the undergrowth. The trail is a dynamic journey of tunnels to crawl through, exhilarating slides to whiz down, and challenging crocodile-shaped balancing beams. Emphasizing inclusivity, the park features a double-width slide within an accessible beehive structure and designated quiet areas, ensuring a stimulating yet comfortable experience for all children, including those requiring less sensory input.

This year, Moors Valley introduces exciting new additions to its outdoor play repertoire. "Woodland Rhapsody" is a captivating musical play structure, inviting visitors to create harmonious sounds with gravel-filled rainmakers and robust drums, fostering a connection with nature through sound. Adjacent to this, the "Timber" area offers a hands-on exploration of a forester’s crucial role. Here, aspiring young foresters can operate pulleys to sort seeds, navigate intricate timber tangles, and even take the wheel of a large wooden harvester, complete with levers and controls, bringing the story of sustainable forestry to life. These innovative play zones blend physical activity with educational insights, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the forest ecosystem. Entry to the play trail is free, though car parking charges apply. Discover more at moors-valley.co.uk.

A wine (and wildlife) hike in the Surrey Hills

While often associated with sun-drenched European landscapes, the concept of a scenic wine hike has found a spectacular English alternative in the heart of the Surrey Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This unique experience ingeniously links two prominent vineyards via sections of the historic North Downs Way. Your journey begins at Albury Vineyard, easily accessible by the 32 bus from Guildford train station. Here, a self-guided wildlife walk invites exploration through organic vines, passing thoughtfully placed bat and barn owl boxes, thriving bug hotels, active beehives, and vibrant wildflower meadows that burst with colour. The walk culminates at a tranquil pond, showcasing Albury’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainable viticulture.

From Albury, embark on a picturesque seven-mile stomp along the North Downs Way, a historic route offering panoramic views of the rolling Surrey landscape. Your destination is Denbies Wine Estate, one of England’s largest and most celebrated vineyards. Upon arrival, unwind by boarding the charming vineyard "train," a series of carriages gently pulled by a Land Rover, offering a guided tour through the vast estate and its 265 acres of vines. Denbies also offers shorter walking loops that start and end at the estate, leading to artistic installations like James Tunnard’s wavy wooden seat, "Radius," and ascending Denbies Hillside. This chalk grassland is a haven for wildlife, alive with a dazzling array of butterflies and rare wild orchids, providing an idyllic, elevated picnic spot with breathtaking vistas. The Albury Vineyard wildlife walk is free, with a suggested donation of £10 per group to the Surrey Wildlife Trust (alburyvineyard.com). The Denbies vineyard train tour is priced at £12.50 for adults and £6.95 for children (denbies.co.uk).

Spot dolphins in the Moray Firth

The sheltered, nutrient-rich waters of the Moray Firth, stretching across Scotland’s northeastern coast, are home to approximately 200 bottlenose dolphins – the most northerly resident colony in the world. These incredibly hardy marine mammals thrive here year-round, but the summer months offer heightened chances of witnessing their spectacular displays of natural behaviour, from agile fish-throwing to breathtaking leaps from the water. The Moray Firth is recognized as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its significant population of bottlenose dolphins, highlighting its ecological importance.

The Scottish Dolphin Centre at Spey Bay serves as an ideal base for observation and education. Housed within a beautifully preserved 18th-century salmon fishing station, the centre is not only a fantastic spot to borrow binoculars and scan the waters for dolphins, but also for ospreys, seals, and otters. It acts as a vital hub for marine learning, managed by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). Visitors can take guided tours of the historic ice house, explore an interactive dolphin exhibition featuring live wildlife cameras, and participate in engaging river rambles. During the Scottish school summer holidays, nature-themed holiday clubs offer younger visitors an immersive and educational experience. The centre promotes responsible wildlife viewing, emphasizing the importance of protecting this unique marine environment. Entry to the centre is free, with holiday clubs priced at £1.50-£3 per child. For more information, visit dolphincentre.whales.org.

Celebrate David Hockney in West Yorkshire

The former textile powerhouse of Salts Mill, nestled within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire village in West Yorkshire, has been magnificently transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. A testament to this revitalization is the iconic oil painting "Salts Mill" by the celebrated British artist David Hockney, a gift to his friend Jonathan Silver, who spearheaded the mill’s transformation. This artwork, depicting the Victorian facade glowing orange against the emerald green Yorkshire hillsides, proudly hangs in the building’s entrance, setting the tone for the artistic treasures within.

Upstairs, visitors can delve deeper into Hockney’s prolific career with the ongoing exhibition "20 Flowers for 2025 and Some Bigger Pictures," which runs until January 2027. This free, inspiring space showcases his distinctive vibrant palette and innovative use of media, including his celebrated iPad drawings, offering a fresh perspective on his enduring connection to the Yorkshire landscape. After immersing oneself in art, the onsite shop provides an opportunity to pick up a sketchbook and paints, perhaps sparking one’s own creative journey. For lunch, Salts Diner offers a relaxed atmosphere with burgers and pizzas, while the unique Peace Museum, also housed within the mill, provides a thought-provoking counterpoint. A leisurely walk along the tranquil canal path to the nearby town of Bingley offers a picturesque conclusion to a day steeped in art, history, and local charm. Entry to the mill and many exhibitions is free; visit saltsmill.org.uk for details.

Visit the Quentin Blake centre in London

After two decades of dedicated campaigning by the beloved illustrator Sir Quentin Blake, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration triumphantly opened its doors in June, just weeks after his 93rd birthday. This permanent home for the art of illustration occupies a beautifully repurposed 18th-century waterworks in Clerkenwell, central London, blending historical architecture with contemporary artistic expression. While Sir Quentin is globally renowned for his distinctive, scribbly style that brought Roald Dahl’s fantastical stories to life, the centre celebrates the entire spectrum of illustration, from intricate comic art to expansive graphic murals.

Much of the centre is free to explore, including a captivating library nestled within the former Engine House, a welcoming cafe in the Boiler House, and charming gardens that offer a green oasis in the city. Paid exhibitions provide deeper dives into Sir Quentin Blake’s extensive archive, showcasing his creative process, and spotlight the innovative work of contemporary illustrators, such as Murugiah’s vibrant "Ever Feel Like…" exhibit featured in the image. For budding artists, the Creative Studio hosts engaging fabric painting and printmaking workshops during the summer holidays, held on Wednesdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, designed to inspire the next generation of visual storytellers. Exhibition tickets are £15 for adults, £6 for children, with under-5s enjoying free entry, and family tickets starting from £23 (1 adult + 3 children). Further information can be found at qbcentre.org.uk.

Count butterflies on the Hampshire Downs

The summer of 2024 is anticipated to be a truly spectacular one for butterflies, thanks in part to a predicted mass migration of painted lady butterflies from Africa, a phenomenon that adds vibrant splashes of orange and black to the British landscape. The wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation invites everyone to participate in its annual "Big Butterfly Count," the world’s largest butterfly survey, running until August 9. Last year, an impressive 125,000 citizen scientists dedicated 15 minutes each to observing and noting butterfly and moth species, contributing invaluable data to conservation efforts.

A prime location for this delightful activity is Magdalen Hill Down nature reserve, a breathtaking 46-hectare chalk hillside just outside Winchester. This biodiverse landscape, managed by Butterfly Conservation, comprises pristine chalk grassland, abundant wildflower meadows, and patches of woodland, creating an ideal habitat for a remarkable variety of butterfly species. Visitors can expect to spot the iridescent adonis blue, the delicate chalk hill blue, and the distinctive brown argus, among many others. This reserve serves as a crucial sanctuary for these pollinators, which are vital indicators of environmental health. Participating in the Big Butterfly Count at Magdalen Hill Down offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, contribute to scientific research, and witness the delicate beauty of these winged insects firsthand. Entry is free. Discover more at butterfly-conservation.org.

Monastic life on a Pembrokeshire island

Just a 20-minute boat ride from the bustling seaside town of Tenby lies Caldey Island (Ynys Bŷr), a serene sanctuary off Pembrokeshire’s south coast. Monks first established a presence here in the 6th century, and today, the Cistercian order continues its ancient monastic traditions, living a life of contemplation, community, and self-sufficiency. They are renowned not only for their vow of nightly silence and limited speech during the day but also for their exquisite handmade chocolate and lavender perfumes, which contribute to the island’s unique economy.

Visitors stepping onto this peaceful escape are greeted by a timeless landscape. Well-maintained paths wind through tranquil woodlands, along dramatic cliffs offering stunning coastal views, and lead to the working lighthouse that guides ships along the Pembrokeshire coast. The island boasts the soft sands of Priory Beach, perfect for quiet reflection, and a tempting chocolate and fudge kitchen where visitors can sample the monks’