From the buzzing streets of London to the sweeping hills of Yorkshire, the UK has got a lot to offer the culturally curious. As we set off into summer, we’re feeling excited to get out and see some new sights. To spark some inspiration, we’ve drawn together a few of our favourite attractions across the country. We hope you’ll join us in exploring all that’s on offer through these sunny months!
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club / Playhouse Theatre in London
You would be hard-pressed to compare Cabaret to any other production. The creativity, energy, and originality of this reinvigorated classic are truly unparalleled. Spring for the bistro-style tables for two and you can take it all in over a Champagne dinner, true to the raucous Berlin character of the show. To keep from spoiling Cabaret’s spirit of spontaneity, we’ll leave it at that…
Festival of the Garden at Charleston Farmhouse in Sussex
For a slightly more tranquil outing, Charleston Farmhouse’s Festival of the Garden promises to be weekend of horticultural wonder. From the 14th to 17th of July, you can catch conversations, demonstrations, and performances from the likes of plantsman, Piet Oudolf and singer-songwriter, Sam Lee. This former Bloomsbury Group haunt really is the perfect place to take in the soft and slow feel of the Sussex countryside, considering our relationship with the land we live on.
Blackwell House in Cumbria
If you needed another reason to get out to the Lake District this summer, Blackwell is a pretty fantastic place to start. After a morning out on the lake, pop into this marvel of the Arts and Crafts movement designed by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott. Explore the inspiring ingenuity of the architecture alongside rare hessian wall-hangings and ceramics as you look out over the spectacular Coniston Fells.
Henry Moore: Sharing Forms at Hauser & Wirth Somerset
Hauser & Wirth Somerset really has conjured up the perfect recipe for the country art gallery. With grand sculpture installations set amidst stunning gardens and a striking combination of rustic and modern architecture, it’s truly an inspiring spot. Until the 4th of September, you can catch their current exhibition, Henry Moore: Sharing Forms, which brings together the amorphous creations of this icon of British sculpture. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by their farm shop on your way out!
ABBA Voyage at ABBA Arena in London
How could we possibly leave this one out? Really, who doesn’t like ABBA! Forty years in the making, their much-anticipated holographic spectacle is now on until the 2nd of October. You can truly tell how much dedication went into this cutting-edge performance, doing absolute justice to those beloved Swedes and the music we adore so much.
Cotehele House in Cornwall
If your travels take you to Cornwall this summer, we hope you’ll enjoy a break from the beach to wander through this Tudor beauty. Sitting on the banks of the River Tamar you’ll find Cotehele, a beautifully preserved vestige of the past. You’ll be taken by the many objects that have found a home there over the manor’s five centuries, like armour, tapestries, and oaken furniture of a bygone era. Unexpected details of pewter and brass bring a lively energy to this historic place, drawing you in and inspiring you to explore every nook and cranny.
Surrealism Beyond Borders at the Tate Modern in London
For a trip down the rabbit hole, stop into London’s Tate Modern for a spectacular spread of Surrealist artworks from across the globe. Discover the depth and breadth of this delightfully offbeat undercurrent as it comes to light across cultures. You can catch this traveling exhibition until the 28th of August, before it moves on to its next frontier in New York.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
The drama of the dales provides the perfect backdrop for the world-class sculptures on display at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Stroll around the expansive grounds of the 18th century Bretton Hall estate, peppered with over 100 artworks. You’ll notice distinctive pieces from greats like Anthony Caro, Damien Hirst, and Ai Weiwei, enfolded by the summer foliage of northern England.
Text by Annabel Colterjohn