Welcome To Iceni Magazine,
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees… I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Summer has finally arrived, and with it comes that unmistakable lift in mood - longer evenings, lighter routines, and the sense that everything is suddenly bursting into life. June always feels like a fresh beginning, and this month’s issue celebrates that feeling in full colour.
In Essential Jobs To Do In the Garden (pp. 14–15), we dive into the busiest and most rewarding month of the gardening year, from staking tall perennials to harvesting those first early crops. If you’re looking for ways to keep cool and glowing through the warmer days, our Cooling Mists & Summer Must-Haves feature (pp. 16–17) rounds up the beauty products that actually stand up to heat, humidity and long days out.
Our readers have once again captured the magic of the season in Best of Norfolk – Through the Lens of Our Readers (pp. 18–19), showcasing everything from sunrise coastlines to peaceful countryside moments.
Whether you’re tending your garden, planning summer adventures, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in the shade, we hope this issue brings you inspiration, ease and a little spark of seasonal joy. Here’s to warm breezes, long evenings, and the simple pleasures that make summer the best time of the year. See you in Issue 159!
www.icenimagazine.co.uk Follow our social channels search: Iceni Magazine
Charlie, Iceni Home And Garden, Nova Silver, Susan Leigh, Tim Barnes-Clay, Trevor Langley, Vicki Jeffery.
Copyright © Iceni Magazine Limited. All rights reserved. No articles, adverts, content or design in this magazine may be used or reproduced either in whole or part, online or in print. The views and advice from contributors are not necessarily those of Iceni Magazine Limited. Every effort is made to ensure the contents are accurate, however Iceni Magazine Limited can not assume responsibility for errors, omissions or incorrect information. Iceni Magazine Limited accepts no liability for loss, damage or difficulties resulting from contracts between The Client and their customer. Inclusion within the magazine does not imply a recommendation.
Nova Silver
Jewellery Trends This Summer
Jewellery trends in June, at the start of summer, are typically bold, expressive, and closely tied to warm weather fashion.
Recent trends show that jewellery is no longer just an accessory but a key part of personal style, with a strong focus on individuality and statement pieces.
One of the most noticeable June trends is the rise of statement jewellery. Oversized earrings, chunky bangles, and sculptural designs are especially popular, often becoming the focal point of an outfit. In fact, bold earrings such as hoops and chandelier styles are dominating summer looks where they are paired with simpler clothing to create contrast.
Another important trend is the use of colour and unique materials. Bright, vibrant tones inspired by summer such as citrus shades and ocean blues are widely seen in rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Natural elements like abalone shells, pearls and blue stones also reflect a coastal aesthetic that is strongly associated with June and holiday fashion. Which is perfect for gift giving this month as pearls are the birthstone for June and are a classic staple for jewellery, adding that touch of summer to any outfit!
Layering and mixing styles is also a key feature of June jewellery trends. Mixing metals like gold and silver, stacking necklaces, and wearing multiple bracelets together create a relaxed but stylish look. This trend allows for creativity and personal expression, as there are no strict rules about matching pieces.
In Nova we have a whole new range of jewellery in stainless steel, creating the mixed metal look without the huge price tag.
Additionally, vintage-inspired pieces are making a comeback. Brooches, designs are being reintroduced in fresh, contemporary ways. At the same time, playful items such as beaded jewellery and charm necklaces add a fun, youthful touch to summer outfits.
Online and in-store we have a range of silver and amber brooches with animal and floral designs.
Children, Long Weekends And School Holidays
When you’re a parent, long holiday periods often require special, in advance consideration.
There are decisions that need to be made to ensure that Bank Holiday weekends, school holidays and time off from work are carefully planned ahead. For hard-pressed parents there’s the additional pressure of arranging childcare anf including flexible plans which accommodate variable weather as well as finding financially viable ways to occupy the children. Then there’s the unexpected challenge of unscheduled school closures, teacher’s training days and children being unwell or of them having varied holidays breaks. All of
these can bring further pressure to already stressed-out parents.
Family, friends or grandparents may sometimes be able to step in and help, or separated parents may be in a position to share the time and financial responsibility, so negotiating the best way to make the time spent together a pleasurable experience.
It’s a good decision to plan as much as possible in advance, so minimising the risk of overwhelm during the long weekends and school holidays. Aim to manage the stress of these times by delegating tasks, setting firm boundaries and prioritising self-care rather than aiming for picture-perfect outcomes.
Plan simple activities and investigate free activities, maybe at the local park, children’s clubs, or source special deals for family groups. Children are often happy with simple activities. Outside games, like rounders or football. Treasure hunts or indoor board games and crafts are often enjoyable and inexpensive ways to have fun whilst being time-consuming. They may even be enjoyed so much that they become a regular part of your life throughout the year. It’s often not necessary to plan extravagant or complicated amusements.
Avoid using devices and gaming as electronic babysitters for your children. Holidays are a time to strengthen your relationships, spend quality time together and build memories. Also limit your time spent on devices and social media so that you’re not tempted to compare yourself to others and measure how ‘well’ you’re doing. These times are gone all too quickly, so relax and ensure that you’ll look back on them with affection in years to come.
Treats are all well and good but balance an excess of fast food or sugary pit-stops with healthy food and physical activity. Sugar highs and lows can play havoc with a child’s mood and are best kept to a minimum as the healthiest way to support them. And don’t forget to schedule time for relaxation for yourself, ensuring that you’re able to enjoy the benefits of a balanced break.
Some bullet points to minimise stress over the holidays, for both you and your children:
• Decide in advance how you’d like to spend the time: Plan what you’d like to include in your days. Relax and be receptive to other suggestions, knowing that you’ve always got ideas in mind to fall back on, if required.
• It’s okay to say “no” if you’re feeling overwhelmed with plans. Focus on what truly matters and prioritise a relaxed atmosphere rather than trying to meet unrealistic expectations.
• Don’t overcomplicate your days: Avoid overloading the schedule by trying to include everything. Opt for simple, enjoyable activities like nature walks, ball games or watching movies and crafting when the weather’s unsuitable to play outdoors. Children pick up on your mood, so if you’re stressed and tense it becomes less enjoyable for all.
• Let others help: Share the load, perhaps with other parents or family members. Encourage children to share some tasks. They often enjoy being given responsibility. It enables them to develop their skills, take pride in their achievements, and benefits their confidence. Older children may enjoy being given a budget with which to plan a picnic or meal, so including education and fun.
• Prioritise Self-Care: Schedule regular time for yourself to relax and recharge. This may include activities like reading, walking, a leisurely bath or meditation.
• Avoid overindulging in treats and fast food: Balance chocolate and snacks with nutritious meals and physical activities to minimise energy fluctuations.
• Reduce time spent online and on social media, thus avoiding comparing your holiday to others. And ration children’s time on their devices; resist using tech as a way to keep them occupied.
• Take time out: Remember the old, 15 minute ‘cigarette break’! If you feel stressed,
go outside for 10-15 minutes and detach. Take a brief walk round the car park, breathe and clear a little head space.
• Prepare ahead: Batch cooking and preparing treats and meals in advance can remove last-minute chaos and ensure that you stay calm and feel more in control.
• Stay connected to nature: Get outside and sit in your garden or park, or enjoy a regular walk or activity, so boosting your mood with the colours and sounds of nature, enjoying bird song and fresh air.
Remember, a little forethought and forward planning can go a long way towards ensuring a pleasant time for all over long weekends and school holidays.
Article By Susan Leigh
Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support. For more articles, information or to make contact please visit: https://www.lifestyletherapy.net
Bentley Bentayga Speed: Power, Poise, And A Playful Edge
The Bentley Bentayga Speed has never struggled for attention, writes motoring journalist Tim Barnes-Clay.
At the heart of the Bentayga Speed sits a twinturbocharged 4.0-litre V8 producing 650PS and 850Nm of torque. On paper, it’s a formidable set of figures, enough to propel this substantial SUV from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 193mph.
Inside, the Bentayga Speed doesn’t disappoint in terms of its attention to detail. Its cabin is beautifully designed with premium materials, like wood, and Precision Diamond quiltingexuding a robustness and classiness difficult to replicate.
In Comfort mode, the Bentayga Speed behaves exactly as you would expect from a Bentley - quiet, gracious, and supremely capable of covering long distances with minimal effort.
Switch into Bentley mode, and the balance between comfort and performance is well
judged. It was the setting for me - and it’s likely to be the default setting for other drivers, offering a mixture of responsiveness and refinement that suits a wide range of conditions.
However, it’s Sport mode where the real transformation takes place. Select it, and the Bentayga Speed feels noticeably more alert. Body control improves, the car feels more planted, and there’s a greater sense of connection between you and the luxury machine.
All-wheel steering is one of the most important qualities of the latest Bentayga Speed. The system encourages the vehicle to be more manoeuvrable at slower speeds, making it far more responsive than expected for such a large car. When driving through tight corners, particularly on a rural road, you notice how well it reacts to steering inputs.
The real revelation, though, lies in the Bentayga Speed’s willingness to engage. With the optional carbon ceramic brakes fitted, Sport mode unlocks ESC Dynamic - a setting that relaxes the
electronic safety systems and allows a degree of slip.
Acceleration is, unsurprisingly, very strong. Engage launch control, and the zero to 60mph sprint feels every bit as brisk as the figures mentioned earlier in this piece suggest. The V8 lump delivers its might smoothly and linearly, making it easy to access performance without feeling overwhelmed.
Fast Facts: Bentley Bentayga Speed
• Max speed: 193mph
• 0-60 mph: 3.4 secs
• MPG: 21.6
• Powerplant: 3,996cc, twin-turbocharged V8
• Power (PS): 650
• CO2: 298 g/km
• Price: £219,000 as tested
By Tim Barnes-Clay. Insta: @tbarnesclay & TikTok:
DINING OUT AT SKEIN
The city of Nottingham needs little introduction. True, to say, that Nottingham is renowned around the world, for its history, ancient and modern architecture, customs, plus world-class entertainments, sports and more.
Shopping opportunities in Nottingham offer everyday requirements and needs, plus many productions of a bespoke nature, including from designer outlets. High-street stores, supermarkets, independent retailers and
numerous businesses satisfy all needs. With the city providing many accommodations for visitors, if a short break or longer is required, Nottingham is very popular as a ‘base’ - so that the surrounding area can be ‘explored’. Dining venues satisfy all dietary requirements.
I located award-winning Skein restaurant in Nottingham. This ‘Fine-ish’ dining, two AA Rosettes contemporary restaurant (opened February 2025) received a lot of interest from the outset. Skein’s menu is predominately modern British cuisine, utilising seasonal, locally-sourced produce.
For my starter, Sage & Pumpkin Pasta made a very good impression, giving confidence for the following courses.
For main I chose Butter-Poached Cod (Romesco, Leeks, Matchstick Fries). This dish arrived in style, with enticing aromas. The complementing ingredients certainly gave thoughts that the kitchen personnel are highlyskilled, in their knowledge and presentations‘Compliments to Chef’ and the kitchen brigade. Head Chef is Rory Calladine. Rory works very closely with Sous Chef Louie Garofalo, combining their knowledge and experiences to provide diners with most memorable dining occasions. Other main course dishes included very popular Chicken, Rump and Vegetable options.
Dessert time and I selected Paris-Brest. This classic French delectation, which is a favourite of mine and not to be found on many menus, brought the dining time towards a (my) perfect end.
Quality wines and drinks offer beverages for all. Parties/celebrations/corporate events are accommodated, downstairs and upstairs.
Gift vouchers are available - perhaps to give a ‘surprise’ to someone special. The venue can be hired for private events, too.
Outside catering is a further option, if requests arise. I found Skein to offer a premium dining experience, with a relaxed, Scandinavian-style feeling and a most enjoyable ambience.
Thank you to Nikita for exemplary service throughout. Highly recommended.
Skein, 27 Goose Gate, Nottingham NG1 1FE. Tel: 0115 795 6736.
E-mail: zeusbarsltd@gmail.com
Web: www.skeinnotts.com
Essential Jobs To Do In The Garden For June
June is one of the busiest and most rewarding months in the gardening calendar.
Borders are filling out, vegetables are putting on rapid growth and the first real harvests of summer begin to arrive. With longer days and warmer temperatures, everything in the garden seems to surge ahead at once. That makes June the ideal time to keep on top of the essential jobs that help plants stay healthy, productive and attractive through the rest of the season.
In flower borders, deadheading should become a regular routine. Removing faded blooms from roses, hardy geraniums, bedding plants and other early summer performers encourages more flowers and keeps displays looking fresh. Tall perennials such as delphiniums, dahlias and hollyhocks may need staking before wind or heavy rain flattens them. June is also a good
month to fill any gaps in beds and containers with summer bedding, tender perennials and foliage plants. Keep newly planted specimens well watered while they establish, especially during dry spells.
Pruning and training are important jobs now too. Spring-flowering shrubs that have finished blooming can be lightly pruned to shape them and encourage strong growth for next year. Climbing and rambling roses should be tied in as they grow, and side shoots on can be shortened as part of its summer trim. Soft fruit also benefits from attention in June. Summer prune gooseberries, redcurrants and whitecurrants if growth is becoming crowded, and tie in the new canes of raspberries and blackberries to keep them tidy and productive.
The vegetable garden is especially active in June. It is usually the last chance to plant out tender crops such as tomatoes, courgettes,
squash, sweetcorn and runner beans once the risk of frost has passed. Direct sowing can still continue with quick crops such as lettuce, radish, beetroot and turnips, as well as French beans and peas in suitable conditions. Successional sowing every couple of weeks is a sensible way to avoid gluts and keep crops coming steadily through summer. Earth up potatoes, thin out root vegetables and pinch out the tops of broad beans if blackfly becomes a problem.
Watering becomes increasingly important in June, particularly for containers, hanging baskets, greenhouse plants and anything recently planted. A thorough soak is far better than frequent light sprinkling, as it encourages roots to travel deeper into the soil. If the weather turns warm and dry, a layer of mulch around flowers, shrubs and vegetables will help conserve moisture and suppress weeds at the same time. Feeding should also begin in earnest for hungry plants. Tomatoes, baskets, patio pots and flowering annuals all benefit from regular liquid feeds to support strong growth and a long display.
The lawn will usually be growing strongly now, so mow regularly and avoid letting it become long and uneven. In dry weather, raising the cutting height slightly can help prevent scorching. Edging the lawn gives the whole garden a neater appearance and makes borders stand out more clearly. Weed control is another ongoing task in June. Hoeing on dry days is quick and effective, and removing weeds before they set seed saves work later. All the soft green growth produced at this time of year is useful for the compost heap, provided it is mixed with tougher material to keep the balance right.
June is also the month to be vigilant for pests and disease. Aphids, slugs, snails and caterpillars can all multiply quickly in mild weather, so inspect plants often and deal with problems early. Good airflow in greenhouses and around crowded plants can reduce the risk of fungal trouble. At the same time, rewards begin to appear. Strawberries, salad leaves, early potatoes, herbs and broad beans may all be ready to harvest, depending on what you have grown. Picking crops promptly often encourages plants to carry on producing.
Above all, June is about consistency. A few minutes spent each day watering, tying in shoots, deadheading flowers, checking for pests and harvesting ripe produce can make a tremendous difference.
The garden is full of energy at this time of year, and with steady attention it will repay the effort with colour, scent and abundance well into the summer months.
Cooling Mists & Summer Must-Haves
The Five Setting Sprays Keeping Makeup Locked In
Finally, temperatures have started to rise and summer has officially landed, but getting your makeup to fix in place can be a bit of a headache.
Battling with heat, humidity and longer days can quickly turn your flawless morning look into smeared foundation, blurred blush and, if you have oily skin like myself, then a lot of extra unwanted shine too! Thankfully, cooling mists and setting sprays have become beauty essentials. They’re designed to lock everything in place whilst delivering a refreshing spritz throughout the day.
Here are some of my favourite products -
First up, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting
Spray. I absolutely love this product. It’s been a highly talked about product for many years. One of the all-time favourites within the beauty world, it has gained a reputation for keeping makeup intact through long days, warmer temperatures and busy schedules. This product is a must have for anyone wanting reliable hold, it remains one of the most recognised names in long-lasting beauty.
Another one of my favourites and highly talked about product is Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray. It has a beautiful lightweight feel and helps to create a soft finish whilst keeping your makeup nice and fresh throughout the day. Described by beauty enthusiasts as a staple for special occasions, which makes it a popular choice for summer events and holidays.
If you’re looking for affordable alternatives, L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Makeup Setting Spray still delivers high performance but doesn’t come with a luxury price tag. It has a lightweight texture and is easy to apply. It’s become increasingly popular for helping makeup stay fixed in place without feeling too heavy on the skin.
I also love cooling mists - these are becoming a major summer trend. Makeup Revolution Superfix Hydra Cool Spray Fixador provides refreshing hydration alongside the makeup setting element, which is just perfect for warmer weather when your skin needs a little refresh.
Finally, the TIRTIR Mask Fit Make up Cool Fixer, a light cooling mist designed to help maintain that fresh makeup look while offering a lighter feel during the hotter days.
This summer think about less heavy layers and more about smart products that work harder. Cooling mists are no longer simply the final step in a makeup routine, they are becoming one of the beauty must haves, helping beauty lovers stay fresh, comfortable and glowing throughout the whole day.
Hi, I am Charlie, a former make-up artist originally based in Norwich. I have always been passionate about art and channelling it through creative makeup. I trained at Norwich City College in Fashion and SFX makeup. My work has been published both nationally and internationally.
Want to see more? Check out my Instagram - @ThePoutyLip
Best Of Norfolk - Through The Lens Of Our Readers
Thanks to the wonderful photographs shared by our followers on Facebook, have a look at these May images of our stunning region.
Victoria Jeffery - Horses at Gressenhall Farm
Dawn Mountain - Sunrise At Mundesley
Dawn Mountain - Stody Lodge Gardens
Helen Chapman - Shotesham
Dawn Mountain - Poppies, Wiveton
Dawn Mountain - Blakeney Sunrise
To be in with a chance of having your own photographs featured in the future, look out for our regular Facebook posts where you can add your images. Alternatively, send an email with your image and caption to: submissions@icenimagazine.co.uk
Shani Woracker - Pensthorpe park
Victoria Jeffery - Shepherd’s Hut At Gressenhall Farm
Helen Chapman - St Michael’s Church, Broome
Helen Chapman - Medieval Weekend At The Norfolk Tank Museum, Forncett St Peter
Focus On:
Summer Time
Beat The Heat At Home
When the temperature climbs, comfort becomes a craft. From clever curtain tactics to cooler suppers and sleepfriendly swaps, here is how to turn your home into a calm, breezy retreat during a British hot spell.
Make Summer Styling Practical
There is something wonderfully optimistic about a sunny forecast, right up until your sitting room starts to feel like a conservatory and your bedroom becomes impossible at bedtime. British homes are famously good at keeping warmth in, which is lovely in January and far less charming in July. The secret to staying comfortable is not to fight the heat once it has taken over, but to get ahead of it. Think of your home as a little sanctuary that needs styling for the season: lighter, airier and far more shadeconscious than usual.
Block the Sun, Then Welcome the Breeze
Start with the windows. It sounds counterintuitive, but on very hot days it is often best to keep windows closed while the sun is strongest, especially on the side of the house getting direct light. Close curtains or blinds too, because stopping the sun before it fills a room with heat makes a real difference. Then, later in the evening or early in the morning, when the outdoor air is cooler, open windows to create a through-breeze. Official UK advice also recommends using fans when the air temperature is below 35C, so a well-placed fan can still be your summer hero.
Cooler Habits for Hot Days
Next, edit your daily routine as thoughtfully as you would edit an outfit. Ovens, hobs, lamps and electronics all throw extra heat into a space, so now is the time for strategic simplicity. Swap
roast dinners for salads, cold platters or nocook lunches. Run appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers later in the day if you can. Turn off lights and chargers when they are not needed. A cooler home is often the result of lots of tiny decisions, and together they help the atmosphere feel fresher, calmer and far less stuffy.
Lighten the Look and Feel
Soft furnishings can help more than you might expect. Heavy throws, velvet cushions and dense bedding may look luxurious, but in a heatwave they can make a room feel warmer just by association. Pack away anything overly wintry and bring in breathable cotton or linen instead. Choose loose, light sleepwear and keep a glass or bottle of water nearby through the night. The NHS advises drinking enough fluids and watching for signs of dehydration, so make hydration part of the aesthetic: a chilled jug of water with mint, citrus or cucumber can look as good as it feels.
Create a Bedroom That Actually Promotes Sleep
When evening arrives, focus your efforts on the bedroom. Sleep is usually the first casualty of a heatwave, so make the room as strippedback as possible. Keep blinds closed during the day, open windows when the air outside drops, and consider spending time in the coolest room in the house before bed rather than lingering upstairs where heat rises. If your home has more than one floor, the lower level may feel noticeably cooler. A quick lukewarm shower before bed can also help your body unwind without leaving you overheated.
A Cooler Home, with Less Fuss
Most of all, remember that beating the heat at home is about comfort, not perfection. A few deliberate changes can make everyday life feel significantly easier, whether that means dimmer rooms, cooler meals or an earlier bedtime with the windows open. Keep an eye on babies, older relatives and anyone with health conditions, as hot homes can affect some people more seriously than others. With a little planning and a few elegant summer swaps, your home can feel less like a greenhouse and more like the chic retreat you actually want to spend time in.
How To Stop Your Kids Being Bored This Summer
Six weeks can feel like a very long time when the cries of “I’m bored” start before breakfast.
The good news? A brilliant summer does not need to be expensive, over-scheduled or worthy of a social media highlight reel. With a little planning and a shift in mindset, the holidays can feel lighter, lovelier and far more fun for everyone.
Start with a Simple Rhythm
The first trick is to stop thinking like an events manager. Children do not need constant entertainment; they need rhythm. Create a loose weekly shape with a mix of outdoor time, quiet time, one outing day and one at-home project day. Suddenly the holidays feel less endless and far more manageable. A Monday park picnic,
a Wednesday library visit and a Friday baking session can become the sort of simple traditions children genuinely look forward to. In fact, many families find that the sweetest summer memories come from the ordinary bits repeated often enough to feel special.
Make the Most of Good Weather
When the weather behaves, lean hard into the outdoors. You do not need a grand day out every time the sun appears. A local park with a football, a scavenger hunt in the woods, a buggy-friendly nature trail or a beach afternoon with a packed lunch can fill hours. Across the UK, families also have plenty of budget-friendly options, from free museum entry and splash parks to forest walks, library events and open green spaces that cost nothing at all. The key is presentation: call it an adventure, pack snacks, bring a blanket
and the children will usually meet the moment with far more enthusiasm than if you simply announce, “We’re going for a walk.”
Have a Rainy-Day Plan Ready
Of course, this is Britain, so a back-up plan for wet days is essential. Instead of letting the television become the default, set up easy stations at home: a craft table with paper, tape and recycling bits; a reading corner with library books; a simple baking project; or a challenge jar filled with prompts such as “build a den”, “make a comic” or “invent a new game”. Screen-free play does not have to look worthy or perfectly curated. In fact, the slightly chaotic, make-it-up-as-you-go spirit is often what keeps children engaged for longest. A cardboard box, a pile of cushions and a bit of freedom can still work wonders.
Let a Little Boredom Do Its Job
It is also worth making peace with a little boredom. Not every idle moment needs to be solved within thirty seconds. Children often complain first and create second. If you resist the urge to swoop in immediately, they may begin drawing, dressing up, kicking a ball about or making up elaborate games with very little input from you. That pause matters. Unstructured time helps children build imagination, problemsolving skills and confidence in entertaining themselves, which is arguably one of the most useful summer skills of all.
Keep It Local and Affordable
If your budget is tight, think local and think shared. Swap playdates with other parents, look up council listings, check your library noticeboard and see whether nearby museums, farms or community centres are running holiday sessions. Many areas offer free or lowcost activities over summer, and even one or two anchor plans each week can make a huge
difference. It can also help to keep a running list on the fridge of go-to ideas for different moods: energetic, creative, messy, calm or rainy. When boredom strikes, you are not scrambling from scratch.
A Gentler Way to Do Summer
Ultimately, the goal is not to engineer a perfect summer but to make room for connection, curiosity and a bit of ease. A child who has baked fairy cakes, paddled in a stream, made a wonky den and eaten a picnic on a Tuesday afternoon is not missing out on anything. Keep it simple, stay flexible and remember: the best antidote to summer boredom is rarely spending more, but noticing how much fun can be made from what is already close at hand.
Summer Fitness Tips That Actually Work
Longer days and brighter mornings can make summer feel like the perfect season to get fit.
But warmer weather also exposes the difference between training smart and simply sweating more. If you want results that last, focus on habits that improve performance, protect recovery and keep you consistent when the temperature climbs.
First, rethink the idea that harder is always better. In hot weather, your body is already working overtime to cool itself, so the same session can feel tougher and push your heart rate higher. That means summer is the ideal time to
train with more intention. If you usually go flat out on every run or circuit, scale the intensity slightly and aim for quality. You are far more likely to complete four solid workouts in a week than two brutal ones followed by exhaustion, poor sleep and sore legs.
Timing matters more than most people realise. Current UK hot weather guidance recommends planning physical activity for cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening, rather than the hottest window around late morning to mid-afternoon. That simple switch can make your sessions feel smoother, safer and more enjoyable. If you have ever dragged yourself through a lunchtime workout in direct sun and wondered why it felt impossible, the answer
is not lack of willpower; it is poor conditions. Train when your environment supports you, not when it fights back.
Hydration is another non-negotiable, but it does not need to become complicated. The most effective approach is to drink regularly through the day, not just gulp water five minutes before a workout. If you are exercising for longer periods or sweating heavily, replacing fluids afterwards matters just as much as what you drink before. A refillable bottle, a quick check on whether your urine is pale straw in colour, and a habit of drinking with meals will do more for performance than any flashy supplement stack.
One of the biggest mistakes people make in summer is changing too much at once. They start running outdoors, add extra classes, slash calories and decide every session must be intense because they want fast results for a holiday. In reality, your body needs time to
adapt to training in the heat. Build gradually for a week or two. Shorter sessions, slightly longer rest periods and realistic expectations are not signs of weakness; they are what allow progress to happen without burnout.
Clothing can also make or break a session. Lightweight, breathable kit helps sweat evaporate more easily, which is one of the body’s main cooling tools. If you are outdoors, sunscreen matters too, especially when UV levels are high. Protecting your skin is not separate from fitness; it is part of being able to train well and recover properly. Add sunglasses, choose shaded routes where possible and stop pretending that frying through a boot camp in full sun is some sort of badge of honour.
Summer fitness works best when your goal is consistency, not punishment. Use the season to walk more, cycle to the shops, swim, play tennis, try a park workout or add a short mobility routine before breakfast. According to NHS exercise guidance, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week, plus strength work on two days. That target becomes much more achievable when you stop viewing exercise as a single heroic session and start treating movement as something you can build into everyday life.
The smartest summer plan is simple: train earlier or later, drink enough, dial back the ego, dress for the conditions and build steadily. If you feel dizzy, unusually weak, headachy or sick, stop and cool down; no workout is worth pushing towards heat exhaustion.
The truth is that the fitness tips that actually work are rarely dramatic. They are practical, repeatable and realistic enough to carry you through the whole season.
Master those, and by the time autumn arrives, you will not just look fitter... you will genuinely be fitter!
Why Summer Is The Best Season
Every season has its admirers, and each one brings its own pleasures.
Autumn offers rich colours and crisp mornings, winter has its festive charm, and spring carries a feeling of renewal. Yet if one season stands above the rest, it is surely summer. Summer has a special ability to make life feel lighter, brighter and more full of possibility. From the longer days and warmer weather to holidays, social events and time spent outdoors, it creates a sense of freedom that no other season can quite match. For many people, summer is not simply another part of the year; it is the season that makes everyday life feel at its best.
One of the strongest arguments in favour of summer is the gift of long, bright days. Early sunrises and late sunsets make the world feel more open and generous. There is more time to enjoy the day after work or school, and ordinary
routines suddenly seem less tiring when they are not carried out in darkness or cold rain. A simple evening walk can feel like a small holiday when the sky is still blue and the air is warm. Sunlight can also lift people’s spirits, helping them feel more energetic and positive. Even daily chores can feel easier in summer, which says a great deal about the influence the season has on mood.
Summer also encourages people to step outside and make the most of the world around them. Parks, beaches, gardens and countryside paths all become more inviting when the weather is pleasant. It is easier to be active in summer, whether that means swimming, cycling, playing sport or simply spending more time walking. This extra movement often improves both physical and mental wellbeing. Being outdoors more regularly can reduce stress and make people feel calmer and healthier. In a season when nature is at its most colourful and alive, summer reminds
us that enjoyment does not always have to come from expensive entertainment; often it can be found in fresh air, green spaces and a patch of sunshine.
Another reason summer feels superior is that it brings people together. Barbecues, picnics, festivals, fairs and garden gatherings all become far more common during the warmer months. Friends and families are more willing to make plans when the weather is pleasant and the evenings are long. Children play outside for longer, neighbours talk over fences, and towns often seem more lively and welcoming. Summer has a social quality that other seasons often lack. In winter, people hurry indoors; in summer, they linger. That change in behaviour helps create a stronger sense of connection, making the season feel not only warmer in temperature but warmer in spirit as well.
Summer is also closely linked with holidays, and that association gives it an undeniable advantage. For many people, it is the time of year when routines loosen and the pace of life softens. Schools break up, workplaces often become a little quieter, and many families plan trips away. Whether it is a seaside holiday in Cornwall, a city break abroad or simply a few days spent at home in the garden, summer offers a welcome change from the usual pattern of life. That sense of escape matters. It gives people time to rest, reflect and enjoy themselves. Even those who do not travel far often feel a greater sense
of freedom, because summer turns ordinary places into destinations worth savouring.
There are also countless small pleasures that belong especially to summer. Meals are lighter and fresher, from strawberries and salads to ice creams on hot afternoons. Clothes are more comfortable, windows stay open, and homes feel filled with air and movement. The sounds of summer, such as birdsong in the morning or laughter drifting through an evening garden, create an atmosphere that is difficult to rival. Even rain in summer can seem more dramatic than miserable, because warmth usually returns so quickly. These details may appear minor, but together they help explain why the season holds such affection for so many people. Summer improves not only special occasions but also the texture of everyday life.
In the end, summer is the best season because it combines comfort, beauty, energy and joy more successfully than any other time of year. It brightens moods, encourages activity, strengthens social bonds and gives people a break from routine. Most importantly, it makes life feel expansive, as though there is always more time, more light and more to enjoy. While the other seasons certainly have their merits, none captures the same sense of freedom and possibility. Summer does more than change the weather; it changes the way people live, and that is why it deserves to be called the finest season of all.
OPEN GARDENS June 2026
Gardens are hard to describe in June. They are simply joyous and an assault on our senses - full of colour, scent and sound.
Whichever direction you turn, you are likely to be greeted by the gentle hum of bees and butterflies visiting the floriferous flower beds around the county. Take time out this month to visit some of the many private gardens open for your personal enjoyment and don’t forget the selection of “By Arrangement” gardens available to you too.
When the hard work is done preparing their open gardens, you may ask why the owners do it? The answer is simple. In addition to fundraising, it is simply the joy their spaces bring to others so come along and spread a little joy this month.
MANNINGTON ESTATE, Mannington. Sat 6 June 10-4. Explore 20 acres of beautiful gardens, lakes and woodlands surrounding a Medieval moated manor. Wander through wildflower meadows and tree-lined trellis alive with birdsong. Mannington is a magical Norfolk gem for nature lovers. Adm £8, chd free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome.
THE RUDHAMS. (GROUP OPENING). Sun 7 June 11-5. The four gardens are very varied in history, design and planting. Georgian Wensum House with its winding stream, large herbaceous borders, rose arches and statuary. C18 Dragonfly Cottage with colourful borders, ponds, wildflower areas and small vegetable and cutting garden. Wensum Farmhouse with a small walled cottage style garden, adjoining wild meadows with ponds, meandering paths and restored shepherd’s hut. The White Cottage
is a naturalistic and pollinator friendly garden with colourful borders and courtyard. A local art exhibition will be held at Wensum Farmhouse. Adm £10, chd free. Partial wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Homemade refreshments, served at Wensum House, in aid of Tapping House.
BOLWICK HALL, Marsham. Sun 7 June 115. Landscaped gardens and park surrounding a late Georgian hall. The landscaping and borders have been rejuvenated, a gravel garden and formal area planted, and the walls clad in old roses. Enjoy a woodland walk around the lake abounding with wildlife and a stroll through the working vegetable and fruit garden with its double herbaceous border. Adm £6, chd free. Wheelchair access. Also open “By Arrangement” in July.
ELSING HALL GARDENS, Elsing Sun 7 June 10-4. Glorious C15 fortified manor house (not open) with working moat. 10 acre garden with significant collection of old roses, walled garden, formal garden, marginal planting, ginkgo avenue, viewing mound, moon gate, interesting pinetum and terraced garden. A further 10 acre parkland surrounding the house. Adm £8, chd free. Refreshments in aid of local church.
FERNDALE, Upper Stoke Holy Cross. Sun 7 June 11-4. 1/3 acre garden with a variety of areas to sit and admire the shrubs and borders. A pond area with water feature, a second area with kitchen garden and a further area with rose arbour and semi-circular wall. A plant stall, a craft stall and, if dry, french music played by an accordionist. Adm £4, chd free. Cash only. Wheelchair access. Also open Sun 26 July.
GREENACRE FARMHOUSE, Hockwold. Sun 7 June 11-4. A pretty traditional cottage garden. With mature trees, this garden, adjacent to C18 farmhouse is crammed with colour, roses, shrubs, flowers, pond and gravel dry garden with beehives. Free beekeeping talk/demonstration. Adm £5, chd free. Limited wheelchair access.
HIGH HOUSE GARDENS,
Shipdham. Sun 7 June 12-5. 3 acre plantsman’s garden developed and maintained by the current owners over the past 40 years. Colour themed borders with extensive range of perennials, box edged rose and shrub borders, woodland garden, pond and bog area, orchard and small arboretum. Adm £6, chd free. Cash only. Wheelchair access via gravel paths. Also open Sun 13 September.
OULTON HALL, Aylsham. Sun 7 June 1.30-5. C18 Manor House (not open) and clocktower set in 6 acre garden with lake and woodland walks. Chelsea designer’s own garden developed over 25 years - herbaceous, italian, bog, water, wild, verdant, sunken and parterre gardens all flowing from one tempting vista to another. Adm £6, chd free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Refreshments in aid of local church.
47 NORWICH ROAD, Stoke Holy Cross. Sat 13 & Sun 14 June 11-5. With views over Tas Valley and water meadows, wander beneath a rose and vine covered pergola, past gravel beds and raised terraces shaded by magnolias in this lovingly developed garden. Adm £6, chd free. In conjunction with 51 Norwich Road. Partial wheelchair access.
51 NORWICH ROAD, Stoke Holy Cross. Sat 13 & Sun 14 June 11-5. The garden has a variety of perennials, roses and annuals in meandering borders as well as vegetable and asparagus beds, cold frames and greenhouse. Adm £6, chd free. In conjunction with 47 Norwich Road. Partial wheelchair access.
SWAFIELD HALL, North Waltham. Sat 13 & Sun 14 June 10-4. 4 acre garden surrounding C16 manor house. Discover the parterre and various rooms including a summer garden, orchard, cutting garden pear tunnel and secret oriental garden with 9 flower beds based on a Persian carpet. There is also a duck pond, walks through the woodland and don’t forget the promenade of theatrical serpentine hedging. Adm £6 chd free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Refreshments in aid of local church.
BRACONDALE GARDENS
(GROUP OPENING), Sun 14 June 10-4. 3 attractive compact town gardens a short walk apart and each with a different character. 1 Woodside Cottages is a very pretty cottage garden packed with colourful plants both ornamental and edible and even the resident chickens are decorative. 14 Conesford Drive: Lush planting of shrubs, ferns and flowers greets and leads through to cottage garden of perennials and climbers. 72 Bracondale is NEW! A tranquil mature city garden with a grand copper beech and wildflower meadow. Sunken area with old walls reflecting its history and mixed borders along with patios hosting bay-filled pots. Adm £9, chd free. Partial wheelchair access. Homemade teas by Priscilla Bacon Trust.
TAPPING HOUSE Sun 14 June 10-2. Created and maintained by volunteers, the gardens are still being developed but many areas provide a peaceful and tranquil backdrop to patients, visitors and staff with a variety of cottage garden plants, perennials and shrubs. There is also a vegetable garden, the produce of which is used by the kitchen and wildlife area with pond. Adm £4.50 chd free. Wheelchair access. Dogs welcome.
MANOR
HOUSE FARM, Wellingham. Sun 21 June 11-5. Charming 4 acre country garden with traditional and relaxed planting. Grasses and gravel, formal quadrants, small arboretum,
pleached lim walk, vegetable parterre and rose tunnel. Unusual walled ‘Taj’ garden with oldfashioned roses, tree peonies, lilies and formal pond. Small herd of Sika deer. Featured in Gardens Illustrated, Country Life and Country Living. Adm £7, chd free. Cash only. Dogs welcome. Homemade refreshments in aid of Tapping House. Also open “By Arrangement” until 15 July.
WALCOTT HOUSE, Walcott. Sunday 21 June 11-5. A 12 acre site with over an acre of formal gardens based on model C19 Norfolk farm buildings. Within this, there are 3 walled gardens, herb, cut flower garden and a white garden. There is a box maze, a grass garden, formal orchard and croquet lawn. Beyond, there are damp gardens, woodland walks, an arboretum and vistas with tree lined avenues. Adm £6, chd free. Partial wheelchair access. Dogs welcome. Also open “By Arrangement” in July.
OLD MANOR FARMHOUSE, Stanton Abbott. Fri 26 1-5.30, Sat 27 & Sun 28 9-5.30. Originally a field surrounding the derelict C17 listed farmhouse winning the Graham Allen Conservation Award in 1991 the garden structure, sympathetic to the Dutch style of the house was laid down. Knot garden of box surrounded by pleached hornbeam, pollarded plane trees, beech and yew hedges flank herbaceous borders and lawns, clematis and rose walk to potager and spiral wildflower meadow. The English Garden Henchman Topiarist of the Year 2025, BBC Look East 2025, The Times 2025, Express 2025 and Norfolk Gardens Trust Garden 2025. Adm £6, chd free. Dogs welcome.
Before visiting a garden, it is advisable to check the website for up-to-date information at www.ngs.org.uk.
