10 great things to do in the Sunshine-be quick

Top 10: Ways To Enjoy The British Sunshine

Just like Gordon Brown, the British sunshine could be a distant memory before "summertime" is up. Here's how men should enjoy it.

The sun has got its hat on…you know the rest. Sad as it may be, however, much like Gordon Brown at number 10, the sun isn’t likely to stick around for the duration of the British ‘summertime’, so you’ve got to make the most of it while it’s out.

Whether you’re supping ice-cold cider in a petunia-filled beer garden, sprawling across Britain’s best-loved beaches or simply grilling some steaks in your garden at home, we track down the top ten ways for men to make the most of british sunshin. Enjoy it while it lasts...

1: Bask in a beer garden

A pint amongst the petunias is one of Britain’s best-loved activities, particularly when the sun is out and pub-lovers can enjoy a smoke al fresco. If you’re in London, then head to The Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath, where highwayman Dick Turpin once hid. Other must-drink-in beer gardens include The Rose and Crown in Selling, Kent, The Farmer’s Arms in Combe Florey, Somerset, and The Three Horseshoes in Elsted, West Sussex. The beer garden has become something of an institution when the weather is good, and there’s nothing quite like it.

2: Hit the beach

British beaches may not be akin to those in the Maldives or Mauritius, but there’s a lot to be said for them when the sky is blue. Despite its stones, Brighton Beach is one of Britain’s best-loved, with hundreds descending on the seaside town for its red-and-white striped deckchairs, its legendary pier complete with funfair rides and its mods and rockers heritage. Grab a 99p Flake ice-cream, sit in one of its many beach-side bars or simply peel off your football shirt and bask in the sun.

If sand is more your thing, then Weston-super-Mare in Somerset or Bournemouth in Dorset are perfect for sprawling on. Men who are after surf should head to the sands of Cornwall (incidentally, this year’s most-favoured holiday hotspot by British tourists), while foodie-types will enjoy the Michelin-starred restaurants that dot the palm-lined promenades of Torquay in Devon. British beaches; overcrowded? Maybe. Underrated? Definitely.

3: Attend a festival

Music festivals are arguably one of the best ways to enjoy fine British weather, and are a perfect excuse to shed the clothes, drink copious amounts of alcohol and generally indulge in large amounts of merriment. Britain’s most iconic festival is, of course, Glastonbury. Despite its reputation for being something of a muddy washout, when the sun does shine down on its location in Somerset, it is by far the best with an eclectic line-up of musicians and an even more eclectic crowd of good-time gals and guys. If you can’t snag tickets to Glasto, then there are plenty of other festivals dotted around Britain where you can soak up the sun this summer. Take your pick from: V Festival in Chelmsford and South Staffordshire; Lovebox Weekender in London; Download in Leicestershire; Big Chill Festival in Herefordshire or Bestival in the Isle of Wight.

4: Charter a yacht

OK, so we’re not living in the French Riviera, but you can still make the most of the British sunshine by chartering a yacht P Diddy-style. Head down to Brighton Marina – a gorgeous, manmade space comprising designer shops, luxury apartments and some of the country’s sleekest megayachts – and check out Adventure Connections. These guys know how to charter, with 60-foot yachts available to take out and cruise the British coast. Sprawl on the deck, a glass of Champagne in-hand, and take in the picture-postcard scenery. Afterwards, moor up and dine in one of Brighton Marina’s fine-dining establishments. Roman Abramovich, eat yer heart out!

5: Barbecue it up

If Marks & Spencer’s summertime ads don’t make you want to dust off and the barbecue and get grilling, then we’re afraid nothing will. The British barbecue is a must-do when the sun is shining down on your garden, so pay a visit to your local supermarket and stock up on the essentials; steak, burgers, sausages, chicken, lamb chops and pork skewers. If you’re planning to invite sundress-clad women to your little soiree (and why wouldn’t you?), then you’ll also have to add a little woman-friendly salad to your caveman-like, carnivorous trolley. Next up, drink; stock up on quintessential British tipples, including Pimm’s, cider and gin and tonic. To add a little bit of South American flare to your barbecue, we also recommend making up a jug of mouthwatering mojito -- there’s nothing quite like it in the sun. Next, invite 10 of your closest friends and show off your male prowess by grilling beneath azure skies.

6: See South Bank

Stretching from Waterloo Station along the River Thames, South Bank offers plenty of breathing space, as well as premium people-watching opportunities, dozens of al fresco bars and restaurants and art galleries and design exhibits galore. It’s the eclectic heart of the city, and it’s best enjoyed with a healthy dose of sunshine; things to see here include the London Eye, the National Theatre, the Hayward Gallery, the Sea Life London Aquarium and BFI Southbank, to name but a few. The best bit, however, is the Riverside Walkway, a long promenade brimming with mime acts, musicians and other mad-hatters; bask in the sun, take it all in.

7: Daytime clubbing

Night time clubbing is so passé; this summer, it’s all about grinding to the beat in daylight hours, an ice-cold beer in-hand and the sun set firmly in the sky above. After all, they’ve been doing it in the rest of Europe for years, from Ibiza’s Space to Marbella’s Nikki Beach. But where to go on British soil? Daytime clubbing is more popular than you might think, and not just for hardcore, ecstasy-loving ravers pilled up to the eyeballs. As you’d expect, London is Britain’s best bet for partying by day, with venues such as Studio 33 on the embankment of the Thames hosting its glamorous DC Sunday club. Whether you’re after one last dance after a heavy night out on the tiles or simply fancy listening to some early-morning house, then this is the perfect way to spend a sun-drenched day.

8: Open-top bus tour

An open-top bus tour is the perfect way to see a city, but there’s nothing much fun about admiring age-old architecture in the damp and drizzle. Let’s face it, a little bit of sun on your skin goes a long way, and good weather can make or break an otherwise perfectly-planned bus tour. So when the sun does finally make an appearance, embrace the opportunity by hopping on that bus, listening to everything the guide has to tell you and soaking up more than just the UV rays. While our fair capital is the obvious choice for an open-top bus tour, other cities such as Bath, Brighton and Bristol also offer sights on-the-move.

9: Eat al fresco

While many restaurants are all about dazzling interiors, some rely on showstopping outside spaces to draw the crowds through their shiny glass doors. Obviously, these places rely on good weather, so we recommend supporting them when the sun does decide to make a rare appearance in this blasted grey sky of ours. When in London, we recommend paying a visit to the Richard Branson-owned Kensington Roof Gardens, where you can dine on Michelin-worthy fare at the Babylon Restaurant and then saunter outside into the themed gardens, G&T in-hand. No doubt Chelsea’s finest fashionistas will be sashaying in and out of the foliage, so make sure you’re properly attired in your smuttiest suit.

10: Go to the park

In the rain, British parks are soggy, downright unappealing places, and in the dark they’re plain scary, with knife-wielding maniacs and sexed-up doggers lurking in the bushes. In the sun, however, it’s an entirely different story; filled with most of the country’s inhabitants (many of them crawling from the dark holes they call home), Britain’s parks truly come to life with a bit of sun shining down on them. Hyde Park, Primrose Hill, Hampstead Heath, St James’s Park and Regent’s Park are some of the best places in London to be when it’s not bucketing it down. May we suggest a checked blanket, a bottle of rose wine, perhaps a hamper of delicious delicatessen goodies, and some good company? If not good, then at least half-naked.