Happiful – August 2019

Writing | Kat Nicholls

When it comes to British summertime, we need to take advantage of every

sunny day we get. Here are some ideas to help you do just that

2 Go

stargazing

Summer nights

usually mean clearer

nights, making it

ideal for a spot of

stargazing. Find your

nearest ‘dark sky site’ and

take in the vast expanse of a

starry night sky. If you want to

learn more about what you’re

seeing, download the SkyView

Lite app, and point it towards

the sky to identify stars,

constellations, satellites and

more. To find a dark sky

site near you, or to attend a

stargazing event, take a look

at gostargazing.co.uk

5 Enjoy

some

movie magic

Cosying up on a

blanket and watching a film

under the stars is a perfect

way to enjoy a balmy summer

evening. There are plenty of

companies that run outdoor

screenings, so have a Google

to see where your nearest one

is, and get ready for some

serious summer vibes. Oh, and

remember to pack an umbrella...

just in case (this is British

summertime we’re talking about

after all). The Luna Cinema

have outdoor showings

across various

locations in the UK,

and offer accessible

facilities. Find out

what’s showing

at thelunacinema.

com/2019

4 Take your mindfulness

practice outdoors

Whether you love meditation,

yoga, or a mindful walk, if you

have a mindfulness practice,

1 Head out for a picnic

One of the easiest and most

wholesome summer activities,

who doesn’t love a picnic? Grab

yourself a blanket, some snacks

and sun cream, and get yourself

to your nearest green area (yes,

that includes your garden!).

Celebrate with some peace and

quiet solo, or rally up some

friends, kick back, and enjoy.

Looking to step up your picnic

game? We love the Beachcrest Home

4 Person Wicker

Picnic Basket,

£35.99,

available at

wayfair.

co.uk

3 Explore some Great British

Gardens

If there’s one thing the

UK is good at, it’s

gardening. While

away a summer

afternoon with

a trip to one,

and take in

the beautiful

views. We love

Kew Gardens in

London, which houses

rare plants, wildflower

meadows, and tropical

glasshouses. Alongside

standard guided tours,

Kew Gardens provide

monthly British Sign

Language (BSL) tours, and

bimonthly sensory

tours that allow

visitors the

chance to

explore smells

and textures.

If Kew Gardens

sounds up

your street, find

out more and plan

your visit at kew.org. To

explore other gardens, check out

greatbritishgardens.co.uk

Kew Gardens |

kew.org

taking it outside can add a

new dimension. Listen to the

birdsong, notice the warmth

of the sun on your skin,

and take in the glorious

scent of cut grass and

BBQs on a warm

summer breeze.

For inspiration, we

love mindful.org

who share new

meditations

to try.

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Squeeze the most out of summer