Celebrate Summer at Your Beach Hut This August

August Bank Holiday Bliss & VJ Day Reflections

August is the ‘crown jewel of summer’ – the last golden stretch before September nudges us towards routine again. And if you’re lucky enough to own (or borrow!) a beach hut, you’ve got the perfect setting for two memorable dates this month: the August Bank Holiday weekend and VJ Day on 15 August. There are plenty of reasons to celebrate August at your beach hut.

Whether you’re welcoming a flurry of friends and family or enjoying a slower-paced day of seaside serenity, here are our top tips for turning your beach hut into a summer celebration hub.

Bank Holiday Beach Bash (Monday 25 August)

August Bank Holiday is made for long lazy afternoons, clinking glasses, and sandy toes. Turn your beach hut into your own mini celebration zone with these simple ideas:

The Perfect August Picnic Spread

Go for crowd-pleasers with a twist:

Mini sliders – beef, halloumi, or pulled jackfruit for the plant-based crowd
Pasta salad jars – layer pesto pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, rocket, and pine nuts in individual jars
Fresh fruit skewers – strawberries, melon, grapes, and mint
Frozen lemonade lollies – freeze lemon juice, elderflower cordial, and mint in lolly moulds

Celebration Drinks to Share

A chilled rosé spritz in a jug garnished with orange slices and rosemary
Beach hut mocktails for the kids – mix cranberry juice, fizzy water, lime, and ice
Thermoses of iced tea with peach or passionfruit for an all-day option

Activities to Keep Everyone Smiling

A rounders set or beach cricket for some friendly competition
Old-school fun with sandcastle competitions (bonus points for moat engineering!)
Mini treasure hunt – create a beach-themed scavenger list and prizes

End the evening with lanterns, fairy lights strung around the hut, and music drifting over the sand as the sun sets.

Commemorate & Celebrate: VJ Day (Thursday 15 August)

Victory over Japan Day, marking the end of WWII, is an important moment to pause, remember, and give thanks for peace. It’s also an opportunity to bring generations together and share stories in a setting filled with light, life, and laughter. Share your VJ stories with Brighton & Hove.

A Thoughtful Gathering

Begin with a short toast or moment of silence to honour those who served and sacrificed
Invite older family members to share any family memories or photos from the 1940s – children often listen better with their feet in the sand and an ice cream in hand!
Place a small bouquet of poppies and lavender in a jam jar on your beach hut table – a simple, beautiful tribute.

Beach Hut Afternoon Tea by the Sea

Give a seaside spin to a traditional cream tea:

Scones with jam & clotted cream (serve with little flags for fun)
Cucumber sandwiches, egg & cress, and pork pies in wax paper
A Victoria sponge or Battenberg as the centre piece
Serve everything on a gingham tablecloth or vintage tray for a nostalgic touch

Add cups of English Breakfast tea or pour glasses of chilled Pimm’s for the grown-ups, complete with mint, cucumber, and strawberries.

Music and Memories

Put together a playlist of 1940s classics – Glenn Miller, Vera Lynn, Nat King Cole – and watch the generations light up. You might even get a spontaneous dance or two on the promenade.

Make It Extra Special: Beach Hut Tips

Decorate: String up bunting, hang up a vintage ‘Holiday at Home’ sign, and pop a few cushions in red, white and blue
Welcome touches: A handwritten chalkboard sign outside the hut with a message like “Join us for sunshine, sandwiches and stories!”
Capture the day: Set up a photo corner with props (sun hats, sailor caps, windmills) and snap some memory-filled moments

August is for connection, for celebration, and for creating seaside stories you’ll remember for years to come. So dust off your deckchairs, pack your cool box, and open up that beach hut – this month, it’s the best seat in the house.

Get ready to celebrate August at your beach hut and be sure to Insta-post your photos on ilovebeachhuts