How to make the most of Summer Solstice in Swindon

Can you believe that the Longest Day has rolled around already?! Believe it or not, but summer is officially almost here! There will be 16 hours and 30 mins of daylight on Summer Solstice, a dramatic comparison to the 6 hrs 48 minutes of daylight we have on Winter Solstice.

So how will you be making the most of the Longest Day in Swindon this year? Have a read below as we give our recommendations!

Go for a stroll around your favourite park

The sun won’t be setting until 21:28 in Swindon on 21st June, why not make the most of the longest evening of the year by taking a stroll around one of your favourite parks or open spaces? One of our favourites is definitely Lydiard Park. It’s the perfect place to take the kids for a play in their huge playground, the dogs can have a swim in the lake and the whole family can enjoy exploring the woodland and open fields. It’s also an amazing location to watch the sunset over the lake!

Find out more about Lydiard Park here.

Have a BBQ

When you’re in the UK, you have to get used to the odd rainy day (even during the summer!) so if it happens to rain on the Longest Day… go ahead with a BBQ anyway! Invite friends or family round and enjoy an evening relaxing in the garden until the sun goes down. There’s no better way to chill out and enjoy the lovely, long evening. MBROS Superstore have a brilliant range of BBQ and summer equipment, so be sure to pick up your bits and bobs before organising your BBQ!

Find out more about MBROS Superstore here.

Watch the sunrise at Stonehenge or Avebury

We’re incredibly lucky here in Swindon to have both Stonehenge and Avebury virtually on our doorstep. People travel from all over the country to witness and be a part of the celebrations that take place on Summer Solstice at these historical sites, so it’s got to be done! It might seem like a bind to get up so early, but the atmosphere is incredible. It’s definitely on our bucket list!

Find out more about the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge here and Avebury here.

Drink or Dine Al Fresco

If a BBQ sounds like too much hard work, why not go out and enjoy a meal or drink on one of your favourite outdoor terraces or beer gardens? Here in Swindon, we have lots of family (and dog!) friendly pubs and restaurants nearby and it’s a great way to catch up with friends and family. 

Find out more about al fresco dining in Swindon here.

Go for an early morning or late evening run

Even if you'll be working on the day of Summer Solstice, the day is long enough to either go for a run at sunrise or sunset! There are plenty of running routes around Swindon such as Coate Water, Lydiard Park, Mouldon Hill, Shaw Forest and many more. It's important to get yourself some fresh air (especially if you're working all day!), so get your running shoes on, put the dog on a lead and enjoy a relaxing, leisurely run in the summer sunshine (hopefully!)

Find out more about running in Swindon here!