Late Summer Bucket List: 10 Things to do Before Autumn Arrives
Late summer feels special. The light is warm. The evenings are long. It is the perfect time to explore, practise English, and make memories with friends. Whether you are studying with us in Cambridge or London, this list will help you enjoy the last sunny weeks of the season.
Tip for learners: when you try an activity, write three new words you used that day. You will remember them better.
1) Catch golden hour by the water
Golden hour is the time just before sunset when everything looks soft and bright. It makes photos look gentle and magical, and it makes a normal walk feel special.
In Cambridge
Follow the River Cam from Magdalene Bridge towards Grantchester Meadows. You can walk through Jesus Green and along the Backs to see the famous colleges in evening light. If you want a classic Cambridge experience, try punting with friends. Bring a light jumper, because the air cools fast when the sun drops.
In London
Start at the London Eye and stroll along the South Bank towards Tower Bridge. Street performers, book stalls, and food trucks create a lively scene. Another lovely path follows the canals around Little Venice and through Regent’s Park to Camden.
Language focus
• golden hour, glow, reflection, gentle light
• verbs for movement: stroll, wander, drift, pause
• useful structure: I kept walking until the sky turned pink.
2) Picnic like a local
A picnic is simple and social. It is also perfect for practising small talk and food vocabulary.
In Cambridge
Jesus Green, Parker’s Piece, and the University Botanic Garden are calm places to spread a blanket. Mill Road has independent shops where you can buy fresh bread, olives, or samosas. The Market Square often has fruit that is ready to eat.
In London
Primrose Hill gives you a wide view of the city. Greenwich Park feels grand and peaceful near the Royal Observatory. Holland Park is quieter, with a lovely Kyoto Garden.
Language focus
• picnic, blanket, spread, share, bite, sip
• tasting words: crunchy, creamy, tangy, savoury, sweet
• polite offers: Would you like some, Please try one, Help yourself
3) Swim or splash in a classic pool
A swim clears your head and helps you sleep better. Late summer water feels refreshing rather than cold.
In Cambridge
Jesus Green Lido is long and beautiful. Early mornings are quiet. If you do not want to swim, sit by the river with your feet in the water and practise listening to English around you.
In London
Hampstead Heath swimming ponds offer a unique city experience. Brockwell Lido has a historic feel and a friendly café.
Language focus
• lido, lane swim, lifeguard, shallow, deep end
• instructions: please shower before you swim, follow the arrows, no diving
• health verbs: stretch, breathe, relax, cool down
Safety note
Always check opening times and rules. Open water can be dangerous. If you are unsure, choose a supervised pool.
4) Do a mini food tour
Pick one street or market and taste three small things. Share plates with friends, compare flavours, and collect new words.
In Cambridge
Explore the Market Square stalls for fresh pastries, cheese, or world snacks. Walk down Mill Road to find Ethiopian, Turkish, Indian, and Taiwanese favourites. Ask for a recommendation and try something you have never had before.
In London
Borough Market and Maltby Street offer global tastes in a compact area. Brick Lane is famous for bagels and curries. Portobello Road is lively on weekends.
Language focus
• recommend, portion, sample, stall, queue
• comparisons: spicier than, not as sweet as, richer than
• polite feedback: It is a bit salty for me, The texture is perfect
5) Art and culture with a twist
Museums and galleries are perfect for gentle practice in reading and conversation, and many are free to enter.
In Cambridge
The Fitzwilliam Museum mixes art and history in a quiet, elegant space. Kettle’s Yard is intimate and inspiring, with calm rooms that feel like a home filled with art. Choose one object or painting and spend five minutes looking closely before you read the label.
In London
Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and the British Museum have huge collections. Choose one room only, then find a café nearby and discuss what you noticed. In late summer there are often evening openings that feel relaxed.
Language focus
• exhibition, gallery, collection, canvas, sculpture, curator
• opinion phrases: What struck me was, I noticed that, It reminded me of
• past forms for stories: I was walking when I saw a painting that changed my mood
6) Watch a film under the sky or find smart ticket deals
Films create shared language in a group of friends. Outdoor screenings make it feel like a summer festival, and cinemas often have student prices or same day offers.
In Cambridge
Look for outdoor screenings connected to the university or city festivals. If you prefer indoors, the Arts Picturehouse is popular with students and often has discounts.
In London
Parks, rooftops, and even historic courtyards host summer films. The Prince Charles Cinema in Soho is famous for classic screenings and creative events. Some West End theatres and cinemas release rush tickets on the day, which can be much cheaper.
Language focus
• screening, subtitle, dubbed, plot, spoiler, review
• after film talk: The main theme is, My favourite scene was, The ending surprised me
• grammar spotlight: past continuous for background, past simple for main actions
7) Green escapes and garden days
Nature resets your mind after study and travel. You do not need a long hike to feel the benefits.
In Cambridge
The University Botanic Garden is peaceful and carefully designed. Wandlebury Country Park offers gentle woodland paths and open views of the Gog Magog Hills. Take a slow walk and practise naming what you can hear, see, and smell.
In London
Kew Gardens has glasshouses filled with surprising plants from around the world. Richmond Park gives you wide open space and the chance to see deer. Stay a respectful distance and follow the advice of park wardens.
Language focus
• meadow, woodland, fern, blossom, pond, gravel path
• senses: I can hear birdsong, I can smell cut grass, The air feels fresh
• wellbeing verbs: unwind, recharge, clear my head
8) Easy day trips by train
A short train ride can feel like a holiday and gives you real practice with tickets, timetables, and asking for help.
From Cambridge
Ely has a magnificent cathedral and a calm riverside walk. The fens offer big skies and quiet paths if you want stillness.
From London
Brighton is lively with a pebble beach, a pier, and strong coffee culture. Oxford has honey coloured colleges and pretty lanes. Margate mixes sea air with modern art at Turner Contemporary.
Language focus
• return ticket, platform, change at, connection, off peak
• travel phrases: Excuse me, is this the right platform, How many minutes until the next train
• pronunciation tip: the stress in station is on the first syllable
9) Find your summer sound
Music brings people together and adds rhythm to your learning.
In Cambridge
Look for open mic nights and small venues that welcome new performers. Record shops can be friendly places to start a conversation about styles and artists.
In London
Walk along the South Bank to hear buskers. Many pubs and community centres host live music that is low cost or free.
Language focus
• chorus, verse, rhythm, melody, lyrics, crowd
• social phrases: Do you know this song, Have you heard their new album, What did you think of the set
• diary language: Today I discovered a singer who makes me feel calm
10) Make a memory capsule
Save a small box or an envelope filled with the best parts of late summer. This turns your experiences into lasting practice materials.
How to do it
Print two photos from your phone. Keep one transport ticket or museum leaflet. Add a receipt from a café where you spoke English with confidence. Write ten new words you learned in August and one sentence for each. On the outside, write the date and the city.
Language focus
• souvenir, keepsake, reminder, collect, label
• future forms for plans: I am going to open this in winter, I will use these words again next term
Useful phrases for invitations and plans
• Do you want to join me for a picnic after class?
• Let’s meet at the bus stop at half past two.
• I can bring snacks, can you bring a blanket?
• Shall we go for the off peak train?
• I would love to see that exhibition.
• Let us check the weather before we set off.
Be a kind guest in Cambridge and London
Take your litter with you, speak quietly in residential streets at night, and follow local signs in parks and on public transport. If a space feels crowded, find a quieter corner. Cyclists and buses move quickly in both cities, so cross with care and avoid blocking pavements or cycle lanes. In green spaces, respect wildlife and keep a safe distance from animals.
Late summer will not last for ever, which is why it feels precious. With a simple plan, friendly company, and a notebook for your growing vocabulary, you can fill these weeks with light, learning, and confidence. When autumn arrives, you will step into the new term with strong memories, new words that truly belong to you, and a clearer sense of home in your city.