10 Cheap Summer Activities for Adults
Updated August 10, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Affordable summer activities don't have to feel like a compromise. Many of the best experiences cost £15 or less per person, with several completely free.
- The highest costs often come from food, travel and impulse purchases, not the activity itself. Planning ahead can make a noticeable difference.
- Choosing experiences that offer more value for your time can be a smarter way to spend your summer budget than relying on expensive nights out.
- Making time for yourself is just as important as saving money. The best activities are the ones that help you reconnect with friends, try something new and make your free time count.
When the evenings are long, the weather is warm, and the sun is shining, most of us feel like getting out of the house. But if every plan turns into a trip to the pub, summer can get expensive fast.
It’s no wonder. In many parts of the UK, the average pint now costs over £5, and some cities charge even more. Cocktails and wine can quickly turn a simple night out into a £50 or more expense. According to the British Beer and Pub Association, beer prices keep rising because pubs are facing higher energy, staffing, and supplier costs.
Now that I’m in my late thirties with a young family, I’ve realised that my best summer memories aren’t from pricey nights out. Finding a new walking route, having a picnic, or enjoying free local events have all made summer special without draining my bank account.
If you want affordable summer activities for adults that are actually enjoyable, I will be exploring some of the best budget-friendly ideas to help you enjoy the warmer months without overspending.
What’s in Savoo’s Guide to Cheap Summer Activities for Adults
- What does a cheap summer activity really cost?
- What could you save on activities?
- 10 budget-friendly summer activities for adults
- How to make every summer activity cost less
- Still fancy the Pub? Here's how to spend less
- A final word on making summer activities count
- Summer activities FAQs
What does a cheap summer activity really cost?
People have different ideas about what "cheap" means. Some look for things they can do for free, while others are happy to spend a small amount on something they feel is really worthwhile.
As leisure activities get more expensive, it helps to set a realistic budget before planning your summer. The Office for National Statistics says UK households spend about £37.70 a week on recreation and culture, which includes attractions, entertainment, hobbies, and sports. This amount often increases in the summer, when people have more opportunities to go out.
What could you save on activities?
Cheap summer activities aren't just about spending less; they're about getting more value from your free time. This comparison shows how much you could save by making a few simple swaps.
| Instead of... | Typical spend | Budget alternative | Typical spend | Potential saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks at the pub (3 pints) | £16.50 | Sunset picnic | £5-£10 | Up to £11.50 |
| Pub meal and two drinks | £30-£40 | Outdoor cinema at home | £8-£15 | Up to £32 |
| Cocktail bar | £40-£60 | Evening bike ride followed by an ice cream | £5-£8 | Up to £55 |
Estimated UK costs for 2026. Prices are based on average admission fees, travel costs and refreshments where applicable. Individual costs may vary.
One easy way to figure out if something is good value is to look at how much it costs per hour. For example, spending £10 on an activity that entertains you all afternoon is usually a better deal than paying the same amount for something that only lasts half an hour.
Parents will find our guide on How to Save on Childcare Costs During the School Holidays an interesting read.
10 budget-friendly summer activities for adults
The summer activities below have all been chosen because they're enjoyable ways to make the most of the warmer months without putting unnecessary pressure on your budget. Better still, several are completely free, requiring little more than some planning and good weather.
To keep this guide practical, every activity can be enjoyed for around £15 per person or less, is easy to organise without specialist equipment and offers good value for the time you'll spend doing it. Whether you're looking for a relaxing afternoon, something active or the chance to try a new hobby, there's an idea to suit almost every budget.
1 Sunset picnic with games
Why it’s fun: Golden hour lighting, tanning potential and homemade food!
Why it’s cheaper: Ask everyone to contribute tupperware and their favourite game. That's one small food receipt per head, free entertainment, and no entry fees.
Extra tips: Craft a comfy sitting surface from home (like a yoga mat, cushion, or thrifted palettes like in the example pic below) because the grass gets uncomfortable after a while! Having a stable surface also means you have a surface on which to play board games. If you're low on outdoor game ideas, Argos lawn games start from just £6.
You might be able to save money with a discount code for Argos too
2 Outdoor cinema night
Why it’s fun: All the best films have a drive-in movie scene (whether you’re there with your T-Birds, your Pink Ladies, or your Danny Zuko). Outdoor film screenings are romantic and a great way to enjoy the warm-but-not-boiling weather the UK summer provides once the sun goes down.
Why it’s cheaper: Pop-up outdoor cinemas can be pricey, but if you are lucky you’ll find options that charge entry on a donation basis. Alternatively, the DIY version is totally free if you have a projector, sheet and a garden or balcony!
Extra tips:
- Overall, you'll only need to host one movie night for two people to break even on your outdoor cinema experience (based on an average cinema ticket cost of £10).
- Microwave-at-home popcorn was by far the cheapest popcorn I found; £2.15 for a box of three (just under 72p per popcorn bag, as opposed to pre-popped which is £1-£2.20).
- The cheapest non-fitted white double sheet we found was at Dunelm for £14 (browse Dunelm discounts to see if you can get an extra % off), or a slightly smaller but much cheaper white tablecloth from Sainsbury's for £2.50 (extra savings using Sainsbury's codes can be found here).
- Portable smart phone projectors at Amazon start at £7, which was the lowest price I found.
3 Cold water swim
Why it’s fun: Primarily the adrenaline! Secondly, bragging rights, and thirdly, it's likely the only reason you’ll want a cuppa in 30-degree weather.
Why it’s cheaper: Lidos and paid pools are often under £10. Wild swimming locations that are maintained will likely charge a small fee to help them keep up the maintenance. And anywhere else is a free game (literally).
Extra tips: Take a look at the Wild Swim UK website to find your closest outdoor swimming spot!
Your essential outdoor swimming checklist:
- Microfibre towel (the cheapest I found were £3 at Tesco and £3.99 at Decathlon.)
- Portable speaker (make more savings on a quality JBL speaker when you use a JBL code.
- Drinks flask (prices at Go Outdoors start from £30, not including any savings from a Go Outdoors discount code) as you'll want a warm drink to help you warm up afterwards!
4 Scenic bike ride
Why it’s fun: the lovely breeze on a stifling day really can’t be beat! Your route can be customised to suit your group size, skill level and scenic requirements.
Why it’s cheaper: even if you have to rent a bike, the rest of the day has no price tag (if you pack a lunch).
Extra tips: Research your route first.If you need to get a train to reach your starting point, check that the service allows bicycles on peak and off-peak trains.
5 Beachcombing or foraging walk
Why it’s fun: you’ll get to explore your local area in detail you may not have before, and it’s surprisingly calming. Download a free local guide to listen to on your way, or listen to the guide beforehand and then host a foraging tour for your friends!
Why it’s cheaper: not only is it free to do, if you find something edible (with caution) you’ve gained a free ingredient or two for the night’s dinner!
Extra tips: Look up the foraging rules for your local area: you may not be able to take shells from a beach or flowers from a nature reserve, for example.
A forager's checklist:
- Foraging book guide (find cheap secondhand guides on World of Books)
- Plastic tubs
- Large capacity backpack (to fit all the plastic tubs!)
Spending time in the garden can be just as rewarding, especially with our Cheap Budget-Friendly Garden Ideas.
Foraging for petals to make natural fabric dye
My colleague Ruby Lizon-Walker shares her experience of creating natural dye:
“I collect petals once the flowers are dead but still have their colour. Then, I use them in combination with water and white vinegar to create a natural dye for fabric! It's environmentally friendly and a great way to upcycle old clothing. You can use bleach to print flowers and leaves onto clothing, too.
There are plenty more ways to get creative in nature like this. Keep an eye out for crafting opportunities while you're out walking: like pine cones for a natural bird feeder, leaves for a flower press, or taking a digital cam and later turning the photos into a collage.
Click the inspiring TikTok video below for a step-by-step guide on how to print flowers on a plain tote bag.
6 Take a free online creative class
Why it’s fun: pick a class with your friends and learn together. Get some of the bits in beforehand (air dry clay, needle and thread and a t-shirt, or the like). You’ve got a day’s worth of entertainment and a skill for life!
Why it’s cheaper: there are hundreds of free and easy-to-follow tutorials online: we recommend checking Youtube and TikTok for yours. Dress up your space nicely to heighten the experience, you can do this for free simply by doing a deep clean, clearing away clutter, and laying out some glasses and a jug of iced water.
Extra tips: choose a creative skill you can utilise to save yourself money in the future. Some examples are propagation, dish making, brewing cordial, or darning.
7 Outdoor yoga or exercise session
Why it’s fun: it's one of the most main character things you can do in the park! Plus, you’ll feel great after thanks to the endorphins.
Why it’s cheaper: these can be low-cost or totally free, especially if you take a yoga mat and host it yourself. Ask everyone joining to send five songs they listen to to get pumped up and create a shared playlist. You can play it on a speaker and give everyone the link so they can listen again and again!
Extra tips: If hosting the event yourself, find a spot with low foot traffic in case you have any wallflowers joining you! Try a shaded area away from paths or local attractions. On a really hot day, host the event outside the key UV and temperature hours: before 10am or after 4pm.
Your outdoor workout checklist:
- Affordable yoga mat
- Cute workout clothes (Gym Shark runs a fantastic creator programme: if you log on to Instagram and find their sponsors you'll usually be able to get a Gym Shark influencer code. If not, Sports Direct and JD Sports are two favourites of mine for basics, and we have codes for both retailers on Savoo UK)
- Large capacity water bottle (starting from just £3.99 at Mountain Warehouse, £6.99 at TK Maxx, and £7.99 at Bulk for a gigantic 2.2L capacity bottle).
Learn more about Getting Fit on a Budget with our free guide.
8 See the art at an Open Studios
Why it’s fun: With hundreds of artists under one roof, you'll get to see a larger variety of uncurated art. There is often the chance to speak with the artist themselves and you get to see the entire studio set up including the materials used (instead of finished pieces and plain gallery walls).
Why it’s cheaper: Open Studios are an annual event where artists allow people in to see where the art is made, with an open doors policy. There is no pressure to purchase art (although you often can) and there'll likely be a place to spend just a few pounds on a tea or coffee, or make a donation if you feel inclined! Find out when your local artists' studios are hosting theirs.
Extra tips: Look out for pop-up galleries in your area and free open air exhibitions (like the one on Tottenham Court Road in London).
9 Host a summer skill swap
Why it’s fun: You’ll be entertained by the chaos and will likely be surprised by your friends' hidden talents! I've heard of people running this as both a talent show and a tutorial.
Why it’s cheaper: since everyone will bring items they already own, no one needs to spend any extra!
Extra tips: turn it into a talent show with a little fanfare! Use a lamp as a spotlight, create a stage area, and give everyone a ballot sheet for scoring at the end (all you need is a Canva account and a printer). An example my colleague gave me below: ask your friend who's good at drawing to bring some extra paper and graphite pencils, and get the group to copy pre-drawn sketches by your expert. Hilarity is sure to ensue!
Attending a Skill Swap event to develop new skills
10 Volunteering
Why it’s fun: if you're stuck for things to do, helping others is a great and rewarding way to fill your time.
Why it’s cheaper: you don’t get charged for volunteering (of course): it’s completely free!
Extra tips: here at Savoo we love working with charities as fundraising is one of the pillars of what we do. We have a huge catalogue of charities that welcome volunteers, applications are usually placed by filling out a form provided on the charity's website.
Here are some charities Savoo works with and the sort of volunteers they accept:
Marie Curie: collection buckets
Make-A-Wish: being a wish collector
Marine Conservation Society: beach clean
Trussell Trust: foodbank volunteer
Age UK: "befriending activities" including coffee mornings
We stood on the street with collection buckets. It rained, naturally, since this is the UK, but that made it all the more fun! People stopped to chat to us about the (slightly ridiculous) volunteering hats, and we had a lot of very funny conversations. We probably raised even more because people felt sorry for us, and finding out the total raised for Marie Curie nurses at the end of the day made it all worth it.
How to make every summer activity cost less
The activity itself is often the cheapest part of the day. It's the extras, such as travel, food and last-minute purchases, that quietly increase the cost. A little planning beforehand can help you enjoy summer activities without spending any more than you need to.
Make your journey part of the experience
To keep costs down, start your day closer to home, or combine public transport with strolling or cycling. If you take the train, booking early or travelling during quieter times can save money.
Some routes offer GroupSave tickets for groups of three to nine adults. If you drive, splitting fuel and parking costs with friends can help you save too.
Pack for the weather, not the forecast
British summers can be unpredictable. If you pack a light waterproof, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and an extra layer, you’re less likely to pay high prices at tourist spots or shops if the weather changes.
Taking a couple of minutes to pack at home usually costs less than buying something new while you’re out.
Turn one activity into a full day out
Instead of planning a different trip every weekend, look for activities that go well together.
For example, you could finish a bike ride with a picnic, or pair an Open Studios visit with a stop at a local market or a riverside walk. This way, you get more out of your travel costs and enjoy more for the same amount.
Use loyalty rewards for the extras
Even free activities can lead to extra spending, like buying lunch, coffee, or ice cream. If you plan to buy these anyway, see if you have supermarket loyalty points, cashback rewards, or gift card credit to help pay for them.
Saving a few pounds here and there might not seem like much, but over the summer, those small savings add up.
Borrow before you buy
If you want to try something new, avoid buying equipment straight away.
Ask friends or family if you can borrow what you need, or check if your area has a Library of Things or a community lending program. Whether it’s a picnic blanket, yoga mat, or bike pump, borrowing first helps you decide if you’ll use it again before spending your money.
Still fancy the Pub? Here's how to spend less
Some of my favourite summer days have still ended in the pub. The difference is that it's become the finishing touch rather than the whole plan. Spending the afternoon cycling, having a picnic or exploring somewhere new means I'm happy with one or two drinks instead of turning it into an expensive evening.
The good news is that a few simple habits can help keep the bill under control on your next pub visit.
- Eat before you arrive. If you've already enjoyed a picnic or barbecue, you're less likely to spend another £15 to £20 on a meal.
- Check the pub's app first. Chains including Greene King, Marston's, Stonegate and Mitchells & Butlers regularly offer app-only vouchers, happy hours or loyalty rewards.
- Choose one drink you really enjoy. Slowing down naturally means you're communicating more than drinking, especially if you've already spent the day doing something together.
- Walk or cycle if it's safe to do so. You'll save on parking, fuel or taxi fares, while making the most of the lighter evenings.
- Set a budget before you order. Deciding what you're happy to spend before the first round makes it much easier to avoid those expensive "just one more" moments.
Consider a board game pub instead
Over the past few years, I’ve really enjoyed discovering board game cafés and pubs. There’s one near me, and it’s become a regular alternative to a typical night out.
Since the main focus is playing games and catching up with friends, the evening tends to move at a slower pace. Instead of getting a new drink every half hour, one pint or soft drink can last through a whole game while everyone’s focused on winning.
Many venues charge a small table fee or ask you to buy a drink. But compared to a usual night out moving between bars, they can be surprisingly good value. You still get the social side of going out, but the fun comes from the games on the shelves rather than what's in your glass.
A final word on making summer activities count
Since becoming a father, I appreciate my free time much more than I did a decade ago. When the grandparents babysit, or I have a free Saturday afternoon, I want to come home feeling like I used that time well, not worrying about how much I spent.
That's why I think affordable activities like these are worth seeking out. They give you the chance to catch up with friends, try something different or simply enjoy a few hours away from the usual routine, without feeling guilty about the cost afterwards. For me, that's what spending money well really looks like, and it's something I'll happily make time for every summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UK rules on picnicking on private land?
Across most of the UK, you need the landowner’s permission to have a picnic on private land. In England and Wales, public footpaths and rights of way let you walk through private land, but they usually don’t let you stop for a long picnic. The "right to roam" applies only to certain mapped open-access areas and sets out rules for what you can do there.
If you want to have a picnic, it’s best to go to public parks, beaches, picnic areas, or places where the landowner welcomes visitors. Wherever you go, follow the Countryside Code: take your litter home, avoid harming crops or wildlife, and watch for any signs or temporary restrictions.
What Open Studios events take place in 2026?
Open Studios events take place all year across the UK. They let you meet artists, see their workspaces, and often buy art straight from them. Most events are free, but some may require advance booking.
Here are some of the upcoming 2026 events:
- Tannery Arts Open Studios (London) - 12 September 2026, featuring artist studios at Winchester House in Oval.
- North East Open Studios (Scotland) - 12-20 September 2026, with artists opening their studios across Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus.
- V&A South Kensington Open Studio (London) - 19 September 2026, offering the chance to meet resident contemporary artists.
- ACAVA Hetley Road Open Studios (London) - 26 September 2026, celebrating 50 years of the artists' studios in Shepherd's Bush.
- Berwick Open Studios (Northumberland) - 26 to 27 September and 3 to 4 October 2026, a town-wide trail of artists' studios, galleries and creative spaces.
- Cockpit Winter Open Studios (London) - 26 to 29 November (Bloomsbury) and 4 to 6 December (Deptford), showcasing more than 175 contemporary makers across a range of craft disciplines.
If there isn’t an event near you, check with local arts organisations or visit Open Studios websites. Many areas host annual events, and some artists welcome visitors to their studios by appointment year-round.
What's a good activity for couples?
If you're looking to spend quality time together without spending a fortune, a sunset picnic, a scenic bike ride, or a DIY outdoor cinema night are all great options. They're inexpensive to organise, give you plenty of time to chat, and can be easily tailored to your interests by choosing a favourite location, bringing homemade food, or creating your own playlist.
Often, the best plans are the ones that let you relax and really enjoy each other's company, rather than hurrying around. If you want to try something new, you could visit an Open Studios event or take a free creative class together. Both are fun ways to make memories without spending too much.