Beach Huts – Celebrate September by Heather Hilder on September 5, 2025 Celebrate September September at Your Beach Hut: Food, Books, Togetherness September is one of the best months to enjoy your beach hut. The summer crowds have thinned, the sunsets are spectacular, and there’s still enough warmth in the air to make a day by the sea feel special. This year, September brings two perfect opportunities to celebrate in style: International Literacy Day (8 September) and British Food Fortnight (26 September – 12 October). Both offer wonderful excuses to gather friends and family at your beach hut and mark the change of seasons with food, stories, and seaside cheer. International Literacy Day – 8 September What better setting than a beach hut to celebrate the joy of reading? The sound of waves, a blanket on the deck, and a pile of good books – it’s a recipe for calm and connection. Ideas to mark the day: Beach Reads with a Twist: Choose books with a coastal theme. Fiction favourites might include The Beach Hut by Veronica Henry, On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan, or Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier. For non-fiction, try The Salt Path by Raynor Winn or Remarkable Treks by the Sea. Reading Aloud: Invite friends or family to each bring a seaside poem or short story to share. Children especially love hearing tales read aloud against the backdrop of the waves. A Little Library: Create a “book swap box” at your hut. Everyone brings a book, leaves it on the shelf, and takes another away – a gentle way of keeping stories flowing. Drinks to Sip: Think cosy thermos flasks of hot chocolate or spiced chai to keep warm while you read as the evening air cools. British Food Fortnight – 26 September to 12 October This celebration of traditional British produce is perfectly timed for the change of season. A picnic at your beach hut gives you the chance to showcase comforting dishes made from local ingredients. Food & drink ideas: Picnic Pies and Pasties: Cornish pasties, pork pies, or a homemade cheese and onion slice – perfect finger food that travels well. Seasonal Produce: Pack apple cake, blackberry crumble bars, or warm sausage rolls made with regional sausages. Cheese Feast: A platter of Sussex Charmer or Cornish Yarg, with oatcakes and chutney, paired with a crisp English cider or sparkling wine. Hot Options: If your hut is equipped, a bubbling pot of soup (butternut squash or leek & potato) with crusty bread makes a hearty, autumnal treat. Making It Extra Special Set the Scene: Bunting, lanterns, and cosy blankets turn your hut into a welcoming retreat for both occasions. Combine the Themes: Why not host a “Literary Picnic”? Everyone brings a dish inspired by a British author or story (think Enid Blyton’s picnic spreads, Harry Potter’s pumpkin pasties, or a nod to Jane Austen’s delicate teas). Invite Company: A beach hut celebration is always better shared. Ask friends and family to join you for a day of simple pleasures: good food, great stories, and the sea air. Final Thought September’s slower pace invites us to enjoy life’s essentials – food, books, and time together. By weaving in International Literacy Day and British Food Fortnight, you’ll give your beach hut celebrations a meaningful touch, turning ordinary weekends into treasured memories!
