Fun Outdoor Activities And Events In The UK

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By lauren cole Lead Editor, DesignMyNight Our Lead Editor, Lauren, has written about the UK's best restaurants, bars and experiences on DesignMyNight since 2021. Bylines in What's On Media Group. Last updated on 4th August 2026

Ah, the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for ways to make the most of the glorious weather or are hoping to get your hearts pounding with a brisk walk, we're here to help. From food festivals to immersive experiences and topping up your tan while enjoying some rooftop dining, here are the very best outdoor events and activities in the UK.




London: AIM Escape

AIM is bringing us an Augmented Reality Outdoor City Experience, where you'll head on a quest to save the world. Working together as a team, you'll use high-tech gadgets and your puzzle-solving brains to complete fun challenges and explore the city across two hours, starting from just £20 per person.

Birmingham And London: The Big Bake

@ The Big Birmingham Bake on Various dates from Thursday 6th August 2026

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Think you've got what it takes to be named the best chef? The Big Bake will pit you up against other budding culinary talents as you attempt to make sweet treats, adding a little healthy competition to your days out this summer. Whether you're in Birmingham or their London venues in Tooting and Haggerston, these alfresco tents are the perfect place to create something tasty.

Lewes: Beer Tours of Lewes

@ Beer Tours Of Lewes on Saturday 12th September 2026 and 2 other Saturdays

Looking for an outdoor event that involves plenty of booze? Then check out the monthly Beer Tours of Lewes by That's The Beer Talking. These are gentle walking tours that suit all abilities, led by their founder Dan who is an Advanced Cicerone and International Beer Judge.

You'll get to learn a lot about beer and how it's made, while visiting Harvey's Brewery, Abyss Brewing Co and Beak Brewery. Plus, each stop promises delicious drinks for you to sample.

Henley-on-Thames: The Lockdown Lodge '26

@ Hambleden Lock on Thursday 6th August 2026 and 3 other dates

If you love combining great food with fun outdoor activities and events in the UK, The Lockdown Lodge '26 delivers on every front. Your journey to dinner can be an adventure in itself: choose between a scenic 45-minute countryside walk along the river from Henley Bridge, or elevate the evening by purchasing a River Taxi Ticket.

Available on Friday and Saturday nights, this experience lets you cruise down the world-famous Henley Regatta course before stepping directly off the boat and onto the lodge terrace.

Lewes: Harvey's Brewery & Lewes Beer Tour

@ Harvey's Brewery on Sun, 9th Aug 2026 @ 11:00 - 14:30

Beer fans, this Lewes adventure has your name all over it, serving up local history, proper pints and plenty of insider knowledge. Tickets start from £41.25 and include a 3.5-hour guided walking tour led by That's The Beer Talking, with drinks chosen to show off the town's brewing scene.

You'll visit Harvey's, sip cask ale at John Harvey, then make tracks to Beak and Abyss for fresh craft beers.

 

London, Bristol, Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester: Wing Fest 2026

Wing Fest is back for 2026, bringing its gloriously messy, wing-centric weekend to cities including London, Bristol, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. This three-day celebration of all things poultry sees top traders go head-to-head as you taste and vote your way through the contenders for Best Buffalo, Best BBQ and the anything-goes Wild Wing category.

Expect individual wings sold at £1.50 a pop so you can graze widely, plus crowd-pleasing chaos in the form of wing-eating competitions, the Lava Wing Challenge and a steady soundtrack of live bands, musicians and DJs. Your ticket also unlocks axe throwing, arcade games and competitions - along with a signature Wing Fest trucker hat to collect on arrival. 

Sandford: Thatchers Cider Tour

@ Thatchers Cider on Various dates from Thursday 6th August 2026

One of the best outdoor events in the UK for adults has got to be the Thatcher's Cider Tour, which takes place at their historic Myrtle Farm in Sandford. You'll find out how things have changed over more than 100 years of making cider, getting a thorough tour of the process and tasting plenty of delicious tipples along the way, all for just £15 each.

Birmingham: Luna Springs

Luna Springs in Birmingham has a wide selection of goings on to look forward to, from its iconic Discobomb Festival to a Sinister Circus, which will see you get lost in immersive venue production and witness jaw-dropping acrobats and freakshow performers shine on stage. If brunch is more your thing, then you'll love its Mamma Mia themed affair, with tickets starting from £29 each. 

London: Floating Hot Tub Tour of London's Docklands

@ Skuna Boats on Every Wednesday

Looking for a quirky new way to explore the capital? Then check out Skuna Boats, who are offering a Floating Hot Tub Tour of London's Docklands in the Canary Wharf region. For just £39 per person, you can relax in a spacious hot tub with your pals, heated to 38 degrees for the perfect temperature. You'll get to enjoy 75 minutes on the water, all while an experienced tour guide leads you round the area while sharing all kinds of fascinating facts.

London: Game of Stones Treasure Hunts

When searching for outdoor adventure activities for adults, examples can often be a bit pricey. But for £12.50 or less per person, you can get stuck into a quest with Game of Stones Treasure Hunts. You'll get to know the capital city on a whole new level by scouring the streets for clues, hints and riddles while taking whacky photos in central London, Richmond, Kingston and beyond.

UK-wide: The Great Game Treasure Hunts

The Great Game is without a doubt one of the very best outdoor activities in the UK for families, friends and more. Taking place in multiple cities, from Cambridge to Edinburgh, this adrenaline-fuelled experience will have everyone racing around with a map, compass and clues in an attempt to nab the treasure. And the best part? You'll finish up at a pub, where you'll receive 20% off your bill to celebrate.

Surrey: Pro Paintball UK

If you love thrill-seeking outdoor activities, Pro Paintball is the UK's most exciting battlefield experience. Whether you're dodging paintballs, discovering in-game loot crates, or going head-to-head with the unbeatable Juggernaut, every game is packed with surprises.

Plus, with high-quality gear, professional-grade markers, and game types you won't find anywhere else, it's the ultimate outdoor adventure for thrill-seekers of all levels.

Bedford: Brewpoint

Head to Brewpoint in Bedford for an array of activities this year, ranging from pints galore at its annual beer festival to a spot of karaoke with Barry from Eastenders. Tickets to the former start from only a tenner for a day packed with live entertainment and scrumptious food trucks whipping up tasty tacos, pizzas and more.

UK-Wide : See Your City

Discover the secrets of London, Edinburgh and beyond with an exciting cultural experience thanks to See Your City; offering pop-up and historical tours and events, there's everything from Jack The Ripper walks to a ghost and ghoul affair with a boat ride thrown in for good measure. Tickets start from a tenner, and there's even a Manchester Cheese Crawl to look forward to.

York: StreetHunt Games - The Case of Colombia's Finest

@ York City Centre on Various dates from Thursday 6th August 2026

On the hunt for outdoor team building activities in the UK? Head on down to York for StreetHunt Games - The Case of Colombia's Finest. This awesome event will have you working together on the stunning cobbled streets, in an effort to solve the riddles and complete the game. Even better? Tickets cost just £16.50 and you can get involved at any time of day.

London: Swoon-worthy gardens in the city

If you're looking to update the 'Gram feed or fancy a romantic walk with your beau, check out our guide to the best gardens. Grab your sunnies to venture your way through breathtaking spaces filled with tropical plants, stunning flowers and chic water features, from the beautiful Isabella Plantation to the rooftop Sky Garden. 

Hangloose Adventure Bluewater

Calling all thrill-seekers, England's longest zipwire can be found in Bluewater, Kent - less than an hour from London. Hangloose Adventure's zipwire is 720 metres long and 100 metres high, around the same height as a 30-storey skyscraper. It also reaches speeds of up to 60 mph.

Aside from this adrenaline-fuelled activity and the gorgeous views, you can expect an outdoor skydiving machine, a high ropes course, a giant swing, an inflatable water park and even a wild sauna - plus you can go cold water swimming.

Hull: Hull Adventure

Multi-activity centre Hull Adventure is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities with friends or family, complete with different booking options dependent on age. Things to do here include racing up to 40mph around the 700-metre all-weather karting circuit, playing 5-a-side bubble football, channelling your inner Robin Hood at archery tag, dodge ball and even an old-fashioned sports day.

London: Entertainment Golf @ Greenwich Peninsula Driving Range

If you're looking for fun activities in the UK for adults, check out what's on offer at Greenwich Peninsula Driving Range. The heated and covered outside space boasts views of the surrounding city, providing a picturesque backdrop for state-of-the-art golfing. After the game, take advantage of their delicious menu which features St Louis belly ribs, loaded nachos and halloumi burgers.

Manchester: The Most Beautiful Walks

If you're in Manchester and on the hunt for free outdoor activities, then check out our picks of the most gorgeous walks. Get your steps in and observe the city's finest landmarks, or get your dose of green with some of the best country trails. We've even recommended some top choices for drinks en route. Sign us up.