Amy McPherson rounds up the very best things to do on the UK coast and what to see close to the coastline in July 2025
1. Enjoy flavours of Ireland
Cork, County Cork – 13-17 August
Feast on the best of Cork’s food culture at the five-day Cork on a Fork Festival – expect top chefs, food traditions, local produce and dining experiences through a programme of events, talks and cooking demonstrations (corkcity.ie/en/cork-on-a-fork-fest).
2. Be at one with the Sea
Isles of Scilly – 23-31 August
From kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding and coasteering to swimming with seals, the second Ocean Scilly Festival offers activities that will appeal to any sea lover. The event, taking place around the Isles of Scilly, celebrates everything above and below the water (visitislesofscilly.com).
3. Celebrate Bangor’s culture and heritage
Bangor, County Down – Throughout August
This month, the coastal city of Bangor hosts its annual Open House Festival, a celebration of Northern Irish music and arts. You can also enjoy a swim in the sea and even more festive fun while exploring Bangor’s heritage as a resort at the integrated Seaside Revival Vintage Festival (openhousefestival.com).
4. To market on the causeway coast!
Ballycastle, County Antrim – 23-26 August
Ould Lammas Fair – Ireland’s oldest traditional fair – returns to Ballycastle for another year, with hundreds of stalls lining the streets and live entertainment. The event pays homage to the hustle and bustle of this horse-trading village, perched on Northern Ireland’s beautiful Causeway Coast – now renowned for its deliciously fresh local produce, quirky handmade crafts and fine art (visitcausewaycoastandglens.com/whats-on/ould-lammas-fair).
5. Eat up a good Deal
Deal, Kent – 27-31 August
Held each year in the grounds of Deal Castle on the Kent coast, the Deal Food and Drink Festival is a celebration of the county’s best produce. From farm-fresh crops to small-production baked or brewed goods, this is the summer festival where you’ll eat, drink and be merry (zoomevents.co.uk/events/deal-food-and-drink-festival).
6. Set sail in Falmouth
Falmouth, Cornwall – 8-17 August
With its origins as a local regatta dating back as far as 1837, Falmouth Week has since evolved into one of the major sailing competitions in the south-west of Britain. It’s also a great opportunity for sailors and landlubbers alike to enjoy the family-friendly activities, daytime attractions, and evening entertainment taking place all over the town throughout the week (falmouthweek.co.uk).
7. Say ‘Cheers’ to Alderney
Alderney, Channel Islands – 2-10 August
Alderney Week is the island’s biggest carnival and community festival, with street parades and lively markets. The Sand Castle Building Competition is a highlight, and expect ingenuity – and silliness – at the Man-Powered Flight and Daft Raft Race contests. An enchanting Torch Light Procession will bring the week to a close (alderneyweek.com).
8. Laugh out loud by the seaside
North Berwick, East Lothian – 1-10 August
Celebrated for its music, comedy, conversation and family programmes, Fringe by the Sea is back for another year of fun and laughter, with a stellar line-up of musicians, comedians and entertainers over the 10-day festival (fringebythesea.com).
9. Appreciate the words
Llangwm, Pembrokeshire – 8-10 August
Enjoy literary words on the shores of Llangwm, a beautiful former fishing village nestled in the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park. You can also find inspiration at talks and workshops with leading authors at the Llangwm Literary Festival (llangwmlitfest.co.uk).
10. Learn about traditional music
Shetland Islands – 4-8 August
From classes to concerts, come and celebrate the hundreds of years of fiddle tradition at Shetland Fiddle Week. This offers a fantastic chance to learn about and absorb the musical culture and heritage of the Scottish archipelago, and to meet members of the thriving local musical community (shetlandfiddleweek.com).
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