What to do in London and the UK in summer 2024
With warmer weather, a break from rain and fog, and vacations in full swing, early summer is the best time to visit the United Kingdom. Whether your Great Britain itinerary is focused solely on London or you want to get out of the capital too, here are Daytrip's recommendations for some of the best events throughout the UK this summer season and how to get there.
Taylor Swift Eras Tour: June 7-June 23, August 15-20
We've already covered some of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour locations on the European mainland, but she's not skipping Blighty. Not by a longshot: with 10 shows throughout Britain in just over two weeks, Taylor Mania will be kicking into high gear in June. Swifties lucky enough to have a ticket can see her in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff, and London itself. Daytrip's private car service can make you feel like the rockstar, as one Taylor Swift megafan recently found out.
Won't be able to make it in June? Taylor and company will be wrapping up their European leg with five more London gigs in August.
Royal Ascot: June 18-June 22
According to its website, the Royal Ascot horse race is "reserved for the best; the best in racing, the best in hospitality—-and, of course, the best in style." With the racecourse just outside of London, why not book the best in transportation too—book a custom door-to-door trip from wherever you're staying in London directly to Ascot. You won't even need to take off your hat.
Summer solstice at Stonehenge: June 20-June 21
A large crowd greets the sunrise as seen through one of Stonehenge's arches. By English Heritage.
Less into the world of high fashion and more into the spirit realm? Stonehenge’s unique alignment with the cosmos has been astonishing visitors for millenia, and it's at its best on the first official day of summer. Head west from London toward Salisbury at nightfall, then get ready to watch the sunrise with druids, hippies, stargazers, and the just plain curious.
Jane Austen Regency Week: June 21-June 30
Literature lovers will have a ball—literally—with a visit to the villages of Chawton and Alton. This is where Jane Austen lived and penned some of her most well-known novels; appropriately, they celebrate their most famous resident with a yearly festival. Jane Austen Regency Week includes tours of Jane's house, residents in period costumes, and light teas fit for any debutantes (or even Mr. Darcies) in your traveling party.
Glastonbury Festival: June 26-June 30
If this shot from the 2023 festival is anything to go by, Glastonbury 2024 will be an event you can’t pass up. By Anna Barclay via Glastonbury Festivals.
If you're into gig tripping, you're not out of luck if you couldn't make it to Taylor Swift. The Glastonbury Festival is routinely one of the summer's biggest events, and this year is no different: with over 3,000 performances at over 40 stages, the full lineup includes much, much more than just headliners Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA. Best of all, booking a driver from London to Glastonbury means no car to worry about throughout the five-day odyssey—you know how crazy festivals can be.
Pride in London: June 29
All of June is Pride Month, but no one day is expected to be bigger than the last Saturday of the month. That's when Britain's biggest and best Pride parade takes to the streets from Buckingham Palace to the Thames. There will also be stages and plenty of activities throughout Soho—no werewolves are expected, but more than a few bears are.
For anyone not headed to the UK but still eager to experience Pride international style, we’ve also prepared a list of the hottest gay destinations with events throughout the summer.
The Championships, Wimbledon: July 1-July 14
Anyone with tennis fever from a recent viewing of Challengers simply must make Wimbledon part of their to-do list. No need to head out of town, as the courts are in London proper, though if you're flying in and want to get straight to The Championships, Daytrip can take you from Heathrow, Gatwick, or any of London's airports directly to the heart of the city.
None of these particularly scratch your itch for summer activities in Britain? Check out why the UK is one of the best locations for set jetting, or share the sights you want to check out in the comments below!
