The nation's collective heartache is slowly healing, but the pain of that late World Cup semi-final defeat still lingers. Yet, as we bid farewell to the beautiful game for now, a summer of unbridled joy, colour, and entertainment awaits across these fair isles. From cuddly cheetah cubs to majestic pelicans, and from immersive art installations to comfort food nostalgia – there's something for every fan to get excited about.
For those who can't get enough of the animal kingdom, Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire has stolen our hearts with its latest additions: seven adorable cheetah cubs born in two separate litters. Four mischievous cubs, now eight weeks old, are making waves with their playful antics, courtesy of first-time mother Amira on 18 May, while her sibling Zara welcomed three more little bundles of joy just five days later. Meanwhile, St James's Park in London has witnessed a rare miracle: pelicans breeding for the first time in an astonishing 360 years – a true spectacle for nature lovers.
Culture vultures will be spoiled for choice as the summer unfolds. Beat the crowds and experience a Victorian replica of the iconic Bayeux Tapestry at Reading Museum, offering an equally immersive experience without the queues that await the real deal's display at the British Museum from September. Or, why not get your Kate Bush on in Folkestone, where 'Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever' will be unleashing its inner goth on 26 July? Alternatively, Tate Modern is opening Lina Lapelytė's mind-bending installation, 'Serendipity Island', on 25 July – a true masterpiece of interactive art.
For those seeking comfort in the familiar, British animation has got you covered. The original Wallace and Gromit features are now streaming on iPlayer, with classics like 'The Wrong Trousers' providing endless entertainment for young and old alike – not to mention its unforgettable chase sequence involving Feathers McGraw. To get your fix of nostalgia, don't miss 'Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! – 50 Years of Aardman' at M Shed in Bristol until September, celebrating the legacy of this animation institution.
But the summer sporting calendar still promises plenty of patriotic fervour to keep us on our toes. The Commonwealth Games kick off in Glasgow on 23 July, featuring ten sports and six para sports – a scaled-back yet electrifying spectacle that will leave you on the edge of your seat. This will build anticipation for the European Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in Birmingham from 10 August to 16 August. And cricket fans, don't worry – The Hundred competition begins on 21 July, providing another chance for national pride and sporting excitement.