The British Summertime, at best, can be unpredictable. We are not guaranteed the same sunny and hot weather as more southern European destinations, say for example Spain or Greece, but there is one thing we do have, Traditions. There are some great British Summertime Traditions you just have to experience when visiting in the summer, whether that be watching a game of Tennis, a picnic on a cloudy day, or venturing to a muddy music festival – Britain is renowned for its summer traditions.

Food & Drink

There are plenty of seasonal British foods and drinks which only seem to come out during the summer months. Once the mayday bank holiday has passed, these traditional British summer foods and drinks are a staple of just about any social gathering. Whether it be a glass of Pimms, Strawberries and Cream, a barbecue, or traditional British deserts such as Eton Mess or Trifle.

Picnics are another British Summer Tradition which everybody loves. Dating back to at least the Middle Ages, a picnic was once a rather decadent affair. These days a simple sandwich, bag of crisps and drink, enjoyed outside, is a more accurate representation of a modern British picnic.

Sporting Events

Britain is home to many fantastic Summer Time Sporting Events. From Tennis championships such as Wimbledon’s Grand Slam event, and Eastbourne’s very own Eastbourne International, to Cricket Fixtures and Horse Racing events. The FA Cup final, which is set to be played later this month, is another great British sporting event which shouldn’t be missed!

Britain is also home to a selection of quirky and unusual summertime sports, such as Cheese Rolling, where a round of cheese is chased down a hill, the World Snail Racing Championships, and the World Egg Throwing Championships.

Festivals

As a nation, Britain has an undeniable love for festivals. Whether that be large music festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading or Leeds, or smaller local festivals, such as Eastbourne’s Beach Life or Hot Air Balloon Festivals – Britain truly loves a gathering.

Summer Fetes, Fairs and Street parties are another Great British tradition you just have to try while visiting during the summer months. Whether it be a local primary school’s Summer Fete or a Street Party to celebrate national holidays or simply to get the community together. Local festivals like these simply can’t be missed if you want to immerse yourself in British Culture.

Britain has many summertime traditions you simply have to try while visiting – the above list is far from complete but it gives you an Idea of what the British like to get up to during the summer months. Students enrolled on an English Course with LTC Eastbourne will, of course, get the chance to experience many of these traditions for themselves. Discover more about our English Courses in Eastbourne today and find out more about how the British enjoy their summer today…