Fun-filled ideas for great British days out this summer and beyond

Finally, the weather is warming up and summer is just around the corner. No plans yet? Look no further.

You don’t have to travel beyond these shores either. Discover a handful of new restaurants and experiences for foodies, travel through time at a host of immersive experiences or plan the perfect family-friendly day out. Whether your focus is on London or you fancy venturing further around the UK, here are 10 options to make your 2024 that bit more memorable.

Looking for the must-book activity of the summer? Luckily for you, The Lost Estate are back with a new unforgettable immersive experience, treating revellers to a transformational night of five-star dining, craft cocktails and world-class live performances.

The Great Murder Mystery, currently showing at their secret West London venue, is a gripping retelling of Sherlock Holmes’ darkest case: The Hound of the Baskervilles. This thrillingly decadent experience offers guests a taste of the Victorian high life, bringing together London’s top chefs, mixologists, actors and musicians for a one-of-a-kind experience brimming with fine dining and mesmerising storytelling.

This year, the event’s creators have raised the hospitality stakes with roving martini trolleys, curated wine pairings to accompany each course and an in-house sommelier on hand with personalised recommendations.

Due to popular demand and after two months of sell-out performances, their hit show is now extending its London run until the end of July. Book tickets at murdermystery.thelostestate.com or call 020 7129 7365.

If you’re a fan of a roast, you’re going to want to try this. Yorkshire Burrito is on a mission to take a British institution out of its comfort zone by taking the iconic Sunday roast and wrapping it in a fluffy Yorkshire pudding burrito.

It’s stuffed full of meats, cheese, veg, roasties and stuffing, and you won’t want to forget an extra drizzle of gravy before you dig in.

Choose from fillings including beef, chicken or cauliflower cheese alongside sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes, and greens, then enjoy it all tucked up into a no-fuss burrito.

Foodies won’t want to miss this. To view locations around London and plan your visit, go to yorkshireburrito.com. 

Enjoy some of the British coast’s best views at the Brighton i360 Viewing Tower. Situated right on the city’s buzzy beachfront, Brighton i360 is a reimagining of the traditional British seaside pier, in vertical form.

Step onboard the giant glass viewing pod and glide up to 138 metres and look out to the sea, the city, and the South Downs from the 360-degree view. If you fancy a glass of bubbles with the view, you’ll find a great selection of tipples and snacks at the Nyetimber Sky Bar inside the viewing pod. Celebrate with a chilled glass of Nyetimber – Sussex’s finest sparkling wine – a beer from Harvey’s Brewery or a Brighton Gin & Tonic.

For an extraordinary celebration, why not book the Sky Bar and Viewing Pod for a private journey? Get 10 per cent off Sky Bar tickets with code ESSKY10, valid until 31 July 2024. For tickets, head to brightoni360.co.uk.

The craziest golf club in the world, Junkyard Golf Club, has two insane London venues in Shoreditch and Camden. Get ready to take a walk on the weird side, through four mashed-up nine-hole courses of the craziest golf.

Navigate through a Basement Horror Rave, Circus FEAR-ground, Polluted Paradise, or 90s Garage Scrapyard, as you choose from Dirk, Bozo, Pablo or Gary and take a twisted journey through weird junk.

Bars are scattered around the venues, so you’re never far from an epic cocktail. Junkyard is famous for its over-the-top creations, so look out for a ‘disco is dead’ cocktail served in a disco ball cup. And don’t forget, loser buys the drinks.

Book your next epic night out now and get 20 per cent off a 9-hole round with code CrazyLondon20 at junkyardgolfclub.co.uk.

Looking to explore somewhere closer to home this year? Durham offers incredible experiences for all age groups.

Travel back in time at Beamish Museum to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of times gone by – don’t miss the 1950s cinema and Georgian-themed self-catering accommodation opening later this year.

Discover Raby Castle – one of England’s most impressive intact medieval castles – with an imposing exterior, superb collections and unique history, surrounded by acres of picturesque parklands where wild red and fallow deer roam.

Get up close to incredible feats of engineering at Locomotion railway museum, where New Hall is set to open later this spring, creating the largest collection of historic rail vehicles, under cover and on display, in Europe.

Auckland Castle, once home to some of the most powerful men in England, sits at the heart of The Auckland Project’s unique collection of attractions, including the Faith Museum, Spanish Gallery and Mining Art Gallery.

The incredible attractions don’t stop there. Explore iconic Durham Cathedral, discover incredible collections at The Bowes Museum and stroll through glorious grounds at Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens. Discover more of Durham and plan your perfect staycation at thisisdurham.com.

Did you know that pandas aren't graceful walkers? They climb well, but their short legs and round bodies mean they walk with a waddling gait.

The same can’t be said for Panda Coaches. Its school coaches travel swiftly through the streets on their daily runs, meaning you can rest assured that your pupils will promptly be transported from A to B.

Each coach is safe and trackable, fitted with CCTV and driven solely by DBS-checked drivers. Treat multiple classes to trips with efficient and economical 70-seater coaches.

Whether for daily school runs or day trips, travel with Panda for reliable and secure school transportation. To get in touch, visit pandacoaches.co.uk or call 020 3302 0110 to learn more.

There’s a myriad of options for Italian dining across the UK, but one stands out more than the rest: the San Carlo group.

Led by two generations of the Distefano family, the Italian restaurant group has grown into a £100m restaurant empire, boasting 24 sites across the UK, with a further nine international locations. Where does its success stem from? Innovation combined with Italian tradition, skilled chefs and a focus on quality ingredients, service and style.

Just in time for al fresco dining weather, San Carlo has crafted and enhanced its menu to offer guests an experience inspired by an Italian summer. Each dish has been crafted with a mix of pride and passion, highlighting the freshest seasonal ingredients sourced directly from Italy. The summer menu offers a wide array of choices, from fresh seafood and succulent meat to delightful vegetarian options, as well as a variety of pasta and pizza dishes.

Hungry yet? Visit sancarlo.co.uk to find out more and find a location near you.

Dukes Classic Comforts, a symphony of traditional dishes recreated for the discerning palate, is the centrepiece of the Great British Restaurant at Dukes London and is a testament to culinary excellence.

Begin your culinary adventure with the potted shrimp crumpet, which promises a taste explosion with each bite. It's a perfect combination of delicate shrimp, pickled cucumber, and sour seaweed butter on top of a fluffy crumpet.

Then you might consider embracing the British seaside tradition with the ‘fish and chips’, which is a delectable taste of beer-battered haddock fillet served with triple-cooked chips, minted peas, and the classic tartare sauce.

Alternatively, enjoy the shepherd's pie for a taste of home. It features delicious lamb cutlets as an added touch, and soft, braised shoulder of lamb tucked under a bed of creamy potatoes.

Finally, the treacle sponge will bring back fond memories of warm evenings spent by the fire. It’s an indulgent dessert that’s been upgraded with banana sherbet and exquisite sweet ginger custard.

Every item on the Dukes Classic Comforts menu pays homage to British culinary tradition, ensuring that every diner has a delightful and nostalgic experience. Book your table now at gbrrestaurantslondon.com or call 020 7491 4840.

It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas. If you’re looking for an extra-special way for the family to celebrate this year, look no further than The Polar Express™ Train Ride, an immersive theatrical experience staged by PNP Events.

Believers of all ages can hop on board The Polar Express and head towards the North Pole, where the story of The Polar Express™ will be read alongside the famous characters we all know and love.

On board, enjoy a hot chocolate and tasty cookie, and gear up for a visit from Santa himself, who will hand out the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell from his very own sleigh. In homage to the 2004 film, the wearing of pyjamas is encouraged.

Treat the family to a day out like no other and learn the magic of believing. For 2024 dates, tickets and information, visit pnpevents.co.uk. 

Discount London is a one-stop shop for discounted tickets at tourist attractions, sightseeing tours and Thames river cruises in London.

Customers can book stand-alone tickets for all the city’s top attractions, as well as package deals for Madame Tussauds, The London Eye, theme parks, The Tower of London, West End theatre shows, river cruises with dining, London Zoo, London’s famous royal palaces and a whole lot more.

Regular special offers are available, as well as seasonal events including school holiday ideas and river cruises to view London’s world-renowned New Year’s Eve fireworks display.

Book your trip with Discount London for special rates and discounted tickets on all kinds of exciting London excursions and activities. Use code 10WELCOME for an additional £10 off your booking fee, valid until 31 December 2024 at discount-london.com.

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