The news is in – it’s going to be a hot one this weekend!
While it’s tempting to just lie down in a cold, dark room, we’ve put together a guide of a few ideas of how to enjoy the heatwave in York and beyond.
Make sure if you go outside to wear plenty of suncream, drink lots of water, and regularly rest in the shade. And of course, enjoy the sun!
Relax in a beer garden
Thor’s Tipi is a summer staple in York! With locations at The Milner hotel gardens and on Parliament Street, this is the perfect place to relax in the sun with a glass of something cold. With tropical inspiration, DJ sets and street food as well as a stacked drinks menu – it’s a paradise in the middle of the city. Take a look at our beer gardens guide for over 20 more places in York to grab a cold one.
Find the perfect picnic spot
There are no shortage of fantastic picnic spots in York and Rowntree Park is one of the best! With 20-acres of park to explore, set up your picnic blanket and watch the ducks on the pond go by. There’s also an Explore Reading Cafe located in Rowntree Park if you wanted to add any more cold drinks or ice cream to your picnic feast! More picnic spots in York include the Museum Gardens, Dean’s Park, and Homestead Park.
Treat yourself to an ice cream
Of course, ice cream on a hot day is a must! Why not enjoy a stroll down the river and stop at the Full Moo Ice Cream Boat! Serving a variety of local dairy ice cream and sorbets, this one is perfect for those dreamy sunny days. There are so many great ice cream spots in the city, take a look at our ice cream guide for some more ideas.
Pick your own strawberries
If you’re looking for a fun activity to do in the sun, give PYO strawberries a go! Fill your punnets with the tasty sweet fruit at places like Spilmans Farm and Balloon Tree Farm. It’s fun for all the family, and take the strawberries home to eat as they are with cream or why not make a delicious dessert with them?
Go for a dip
Fancy a dip to cool off? Visit Pool Bridge Farm who have four beautiful lakes for safe, clean and accessible wild swimming. There’s also a cafe onsite for when you need to refuel, serving up ‘delicious homemade food, from brunches to traditional heartwarming meals, including locally sourced pies and wood-fired pizzas.’
Watch a film outside
The classic movie-musical Grease! is being shown at the outdoor cinema at Thirsk Racecourse this weekend! Grab your blankets, bring your friends and family, and sing along to your favourite tunes, like ‘Summer Nights’ and ‘You’re the One That I Want’. Book your tickets here.
Discover a hidden beach
If you’re travelling to the beach over the heatwave, discover one of North Yorkshire’s hidden beaches – Saltwick Bay! Located just over a mile from Whitby, it’s walkable from the popular seaside town, and it’ll lead down to a sandy beach that’s also the perfect place to look out for fossils.
Go wild at a waterpark
Have a water adventure at Alpamare in Scarborough! This waterpark boasts four slides, a wave pool, and a restaurant for when you need a breather from all the fun. There’s even a spa for you to rest and rejuvenate from the heat.