Summer in the UK can feel like a blink-and-you-miss-it moment. One minute you’re unpacking your umbrella for the third time in a week, the next it’s a scorcher and everyone’s crowding the nearest beer garden. That’s why getting a jump on the season matters. Set the tone early, and you’re more likely to enjoy it before the drizzle returns. Here are 10 things to do at the start of the summer that’ll help you make the most of it, rain or shine.

1. Sort Out Your Space

Before you dive into plans, start by freshening up your home. Pack away the winter jumpers and heavy duvets, give the windows a good clean, and swap in lighter bedding and brighter colours. If you’ve got a garden, sweep the patio, trim things back, and bring out any furniture. A tidy, seasonal space makes a big difference in how summer feels.

2. Make a Summer Hit List

Grab a notebook or your phone and jot down what you want to do this summer. Think manageable: a weekend away, an afternoon at the lido, a picnic in the park, or just more pub gardens and fewer late nights in front of the telly. Having a list helps stop the season from slipping by in a blur of “maybe next weekend”.

3. Prep Your Garden or Balcony

It doesn’t have to be Chelsea Flower Show-ready, but make your outdoor space inviting. Add some potted herbs, clean up the BBQ, and hang a few lights. Even if it’s just a balcony or window ledge, a few plants and a decent chair can turn it into a mini retreat when the sun shows up.

4. Check Local Events and Festivals

From village fêtes and street food markets to open-air cinema and live music in the park, summer is when communities come alive. Search your council website, Eventbrite, or Time Out for what’s on near you. Early summer tends to have fewer crowds, so it’s a good time to explore without the crush.

5. Refresh Your Summer Wardrobe

Time to pull out your summer clothes and see what still fits or needs replacing. We’re not talking full shopping spree, just check that your sunglasses aren’t scratched to bits, your sandals aren’t falling apart, and you’ve got at least one outfit for a sunny day out. Layers are key in the UK, so think breathable, mix-and-match options.

6. Plan One Getaway

It doesn’t have to be far. A weekend in the Lake District, a day trip to Brighton, a night camping in Wales, it all counts. Book something now before everything gets reserved or overpriced. Even one short break can break up the season and give you something solid to look forward to.

7. Get Outside More Often

Start simple. Go for a walk in the early evening. Take your coffee outside in the morning. Sit in the park on your lunch break. Even on a cloudy day, the fresh air helps your mood and your sleep. The earlier you build this into your routine, the easier it is to keep doing it when life gets busy.

8. Eat Something That Feels Like Summer

Summer food is unbeatable when it hits right. Strawberries and cream. Cold Pimms with cucumber and mint. Grilled halloumi. Fresh peas. A decent burger off the barbecue. Even if the weather’s not playing ball, the food can still give you that seasonal lift. Hit your local market or plan a summery dinner.

9. Check Your Tech Habits

Summer is short. Don’t spend it endlessly scrolling while life happens around you. Try setting time limits on your apps, leaving your phone inside when you’re in the garden, or swapping one evening of screen time a week for something offline. The less time you lose to the feed, the more you gain in real life.

10. Say Yes a Bit More

Summer is unpredictable. So when the sun does make an appearance, say yes. Yes to a spontaneous BBQ, yes to drinks after work, yes to a last-minute hike or trip to the coast. The best moments often aren’t planned. Don’t wait for perfect weather, grab what you can, when you can.

You don’t need to cram every second with activity, but a bit of early-season effort pays off. Summer doesn’t need to be epic, it just needs to feel like yours. Clean your space. Get outside. Book something to look forward to. Be open to the random, the small, the surprisingly good.

Start now. Start simple. Just start and let the rest of the season build from there.