Are you loving the hot weather? We've waited long enough for it, we thought it was never coming, but now it's here and it's time to make the most of it! With the school holidays coming up, no doubt you'll be taking the opportunity to get out and about. Perhaps you've booked tickets to a festival, or you're planning a trip to the beach or a romantic outdoor concert with your loved one?
Music lovers may be visiting Glastonbury, Download or Cropredy festivals or perhaps attending a Proms in the Park event. There are so many great outdoor events in the UK, there really is something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet family trip out, or a wild and muddy camping trip, there's something on this summer to suit your needs.
Let's take a look at some of the most popular outdoor events that take place over the summer months...
Glastonbury Festival (June) – No list of outdoor events would be complete without mentioning Glastonbury. The most famous festival in the UK, this five day event has been running since 1970 and has featured many top artists. Famed for it's notorious mud, and quirkiness, you'll find music of many genres here, from rock and pop to folk and world music. Glastonbury is so huge, with around 175,000 people attending each year, it attracts people from all walks of life giving it a truly eclectic feel.
3Foot People (late June / early July ) - A lot of festivals cater for kids to a certain extent, with special events and play areas for them, but the 3Foot People festival in Chelmsford is dedicated entirely to younger children making it the ideal family festival. There's a massive range of activities from baby massage and story telling to ballet, crafts and sports.
Latitude Festival (late July) – Latitude is a festival in the European style held annually in Suffolk. As well as a wide range of musical acts, Latitude also focuses on the arts; with comedy, poetry, dance and literature. The festival is set in beautiful surroundings, there's even a lake you can swim in!
Fairport's Cropredy Festival (Second week in August) - Founded in 1976 by folk band Fairport Convention, Cropredy is an important festival for any folk music lover. Around 20,000 people attend each year to listen to the music and enjoy the atmosphere. The festival spills out into the village with live acts in the village pubs and street entertainment such as Morris Dancers.
Proms in the Park (September) – If classical music is more your thing, you'll love Proms in the Park. There are events in the UK, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A truly enjoyable evening, classical music features heavily in the line up, but there are some other treats thrown in too. The acts are live on stage, but there are also huge video screens, so you don't have to worry that you won't have a good view.
Loopallu (September) – Ever heard of Loopallu? Any idea where it is held? Well it's held in Ullapool ( Loopallu backwards! ) Still none the wiser? Well it's in the Highlands of Scotland, a tiny fishing village overlooking Loch Broom. Despite being a small and intimate festival, somehow they manage to secure some major acts in the music business to play here. If the crazy crowds of Glastonbury are not your scene, or you're just looking for something totally different, this could well be one worth looking into.
Whatever your plans are, there's no need to let the threat of a rainy spell ruin your day. When you're at any outdoor event there are some things you really need with you to enjoy the event in comfort. We're not talking about sandwiches or even a chilled bottle of wine, no, we're talking about rugs and cushions!
Sitting outside can seem like a great idea, but in reality it can be dirty and uncomfortable. Picnic rugs have been around forever, everyone seems to have a tartan rug in their car for such occasions, and the best planners remember to take along a few cushions to lounge on too. When the weather is pleasant this can be highly luxurious, but you can't depend on the British weather! A small shower of rain will soon pass, and you can get on with enjoying your day, but even though you soon dry off, your rug and cushions will stay damp for days. If you're at a festival and you're camping, you can't just pop them in the tumble dryer. Outdoor events can ruin your cushions, leaving you sat uncomfortably for the rest of the time you're there.
However, don't worry, you don't ever need to throw away your sodden cushions and favourite rug again. Instead, leave the fabric accessories at home and treat yourself to one of our beautiful all-weather rugs and a set of co-ordinating cushions! They are made from recycled plastic straws, which might not sound very comfortable, but once you try them you'll know how great they really are. They are as luxurious as any cushion you'd have on your sofa at home, and just as soft. They even reflect the sun giving them a beautiful shine, you'll be the envy of everyone around.
The best thing is though, if they get damp, they won't be ruined. The rain will simply roll off the waterproof material. Give them a quick wipe over with a towel and they're as good as new. They're easy to clean too, so you can send them off with the kids to a muddy Glastonbury and no matter how messy they get, they'll just wipe clean, or you can give them a quick blast with the garden hose (the rug and cushions that is, not the kids, although it might be tempting!).
With a range of bright colourful designs, and some more subdued options there's the perfect rug for any occasion. Pick contrasting cushions or have a whole matching set. The choice is yours!
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