After a sports-shaped hole in our lives last year, outdoor activities and big sporting events are back with a bang this summer, with a great line-up of international events no matter your ball of choice. From the Euros, Wimbledon, The Lions Tour, the Tour de France AND the Olympics to top it all off, we’ve got the ways to celebrate our summer of sport at home in Kent - and ways to get active and outdoors again in your local areas! Grab the balls, pick up your bats and make sure to pack the sun cream – this could be quite the sweaty summer…
Please always check an event’s website before travelling as plans may be subject to change in line with events guidelines. Be sure to follow the latest government guidance regarding Covid-19, and take a look at our #RespectProtectEnjoy advice to help keep yourself and others safe.
The 149th Open at Royal St George's
We’re going to be honest, the sporting event we’re most eagerly awaiting this summer has to be The 149th Open. We are biased as the iconic sporting event is coming back to Kent, but we’re so excited to host the tee-rific Royal St George's course and see the charming town of Sandwich on our TV screens. We’ve got a whole host of ways you can celebrate the historic event with us - feeling inspired to bag a birdie yourself? Head to one of Kent’s top golf courses and try your hand. More of a rookie than a Rory McIlroy? Why not explore Mecure Maidstone Hotel’s Pitch and Putt for all the putting and none of the pressure!
If you're coming to us to watch The Championship, why not check out our guide to what's on in White Cliffs Country 11th July - 18th July 2021?
Sports galore at Folkestone Harbour ArmÂ
Maybe the sporty season makes you want to lace up your boots and get on out there... Us? We know we'd rather be enjoying the sports with a drink in hand surrounded by the sparkling sea down at Folkestone Harbour Arm! They’ll be showing all the sports of the season including the Tour de France and The 149th Open, so we can cheer on our favourites while indulging at their delectable food outlets like The Big Greek Bus, Sole Kitchen and Harbour Hotdogs… and maybe enjoying a glassy of bubbly from The Lighthouse Champagne Bar for the finales!
The Tour de France
Cycling fans will be gearing up as we start the cycling season with the Tour de France now in full swing! Substitute the Champs-Élysées for equally picturesque cycling routes through Betteshanger Park, take a ride round North Kent with views of Rochester Cathedral and many more by checking out our favourite cycling routes. Want to get involved but not ready to invest just yet? Renting bikes in Kent couldn’t be easier, and you could be riding round Bewl Water or cycling seaside with Click2Cycle in no time.
Cricket season
There’s a whole host of cracking cricket events lined up this summer including the inaugural Hundred tournament and the first World Test Championship final at Lord's, and we’re ready to support our local Kent County Cricket Club again. Both the men's and women's teams have their matches lined up, and we’re ready to head down and support.
The Olympics
Tokyo will stage the opening ceremony of the 32nd Olympic Games in July and that’s when the sports fever really kicks in. Enjoy having the season of sports back by watching it on the big screen as part of Dreamland’s Summer Social - sipping ice cold drinks and enjoying the sea air of Margate is the perfect way to watch the athletics... and the swimming, and cycling, and...
Unusual sports
We do find ourselves getting invested in the more unusual sports when the Olympics hit - be it trampolining, or pole-voulting, or dressage! This year will be focusing on the sports of a bygone area, attempting some archery lessons at Hever Castle and throwing it back to the middle ages and enjoying their jousting tournaments. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat, the valiant knights will then compete for points to find this season’s ultimate champion.
Running
We've been saying we'll pick up running since Mo Farah and the Super Saturday of 2012, but now we've had a year without watching the marathon and Olympic athletics, we're ready to get that runners high ourselves. Look to your local 5k, 10k or half marathon events coming up this summer and into the autumn, or lace up your shoes and head straight out to one of our stunning running routes.Â
Water sports
Summer means a swim, whether it's on your holidays or taking a brave dip in English Channel! A lack of jetsetting this summer doesn't have to compromise the new swim suit purchase. Take a dip in Mecure Great Dane Maidstone, chillout poolside at Hythe Imperial Hotel's spa - or maybe go more 'Total Wipeout' at Bewl Water's Aqua Park!
It's all going swimmingly
British Kite Surfing Championships
Now maybe you knew we're hosting The Open this year, but we bet you didn’t now that we’ll be hosting the British Kitesurfing Championships too! Taking place on 21st-22nd August in Ramsgate, the two day event will include kitesurfing, windsurfing and foiling, and we have a feeling seeing these incredible athletes is going to make us want to get out on the waves! We'll be looking to Active Ramsgate for lessons, and who knows? Maybe we'll be competing on the waves next year...
