What Makes a Summer Afternoon Truly Special? Senior-Friendly Outdoor Activities in East Herts

As June brings warmer weather and longer daylight hours, it’s the perfect season for older adults in East Herts to enjoy the outdoors, especially those receiving home care or living with mobility needs. Whether it’s a relaxed picnic in a local park, an outdoor BBQ with family, or an afternoon spent painting in nature, East Herts offers a variety of senior-friendly locations that are both accessible and enjoyable. Spending time outside can bring a sense of calm, enhance wellbeing, and create cherished moments for those supported by family members or the Home Instead East Herts team.

At Home Instead East Herts, we understand that the right environment makes all the difference. Whether it’s sitting on a bench in the shade, sketching a summer scene, or sharing a sandwich with loved ones, these moments matter. That’s why we’ve put together this thoughtful overview of senior-friendly outdoor activities in East Hertfordshire, ideal for clients and carers alike.

This blog highlights outdoor activities that are ideal for the summer months, helping older adults and their loved ones find inspiration for meaningful time together.

A Space for Your Stories: Outdoor Highlights from Home Instead East Herts Clients

We’ve been hearing from our clients about their favourite ways to enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s enjoying lunch at Hartham Common, attending local art classes held in open-air venues, or visiting sensory gardens with loved ones. We’re inviting more stories and suggestions to highlight accessible spots for picnics, painting, or simply relaxing in nature. If you have a favourite local place or event that brings you joy, please share it with us so we can celebrate the experiences that matter most to our community.

Nature can be incredibly inspiring, particularly during the summer months when gardens are in bloom and the countryside glows in golden sunlight.

For older adults who enjoy expressing themselves creatively, landscape painting or sketching outdoors can be a peaceful way to pass the time. It’s also something carers can enjoy alongside clients, creating shared memories with each brushstroke.

Ashridge Estate, with its woodland paths and far-reaching views, offers plenty of inspiration. Nearby Heartwood Forest is also a wonderful option, especially during July when wildflowers are in full display.

If painting in a formal garden is preferred, Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield (a short drive away) offers both structured beauty and hidden corners where easels can be set up in peace.

✎ Hatfield Forest which is a short drive to Bishop’s Stortford has a great Cafe  beside a lake and views and also undercover seating area also great if you need to push a wheelchair as well 

Staying active doesn’t always mean intense workouts. Movement can be gentle and joyful, especially when combined with music or nature.

Hertfordshire Health Walks are a wonderful way to join others in a guided setting. These low-impact walks are designed for all fitness levels, including older adults. Many local carers join in to support their clients and enjoy the experience together.

If walking’s not ideal, garden yoga or music-based activities can offer similar benefits. Programmes such as Herts Musical Memories regularly organise dementia-friendly singing groups which, when weather allows, take place outdoors in local venues. Singing outdoors under a tree canopy can be as therapeutic as it is enjoyable.

Older adults who enjoy history, art and culture will find Hertfordshire full of meaningful options. Best of all, many are low-cost or free.

St Albans Cathedral offers a reflective place to sit, listen, or quietly absorb over 1,700 years of history. Entry is free, and the grounds are wheelchair accessible.

For those who love crafts and baking, Redbournbury Watermill and Bakery is a working watermill that not only produces flour but also sells organic loaves and baked goods. Watching the mill turn and the loaves being made is a simple joy in the company of a caregiver.

For families planning a shared outing that grandparents and grandchildren can enjoy, Paradise Wildlife Park, Hitchin Lavender, and Rickmansworth Aquadrome are all accessible and senior-friendly with plenty of rest areas and scenic viewpoints.

July is the perfect time to enjoy warm weather, community events and relaxed afternoons in the open air.

At Home Instead East Herts, we encourage families and caregivers to make the most of the summer season by building gentle outdoor activities into their routines.

You don’t need a packed calendar or a pricey ticket to enjoy summer in East Hertfordshire. Whether it’s sipping tea at a community café, sketching the trees in Heartwood Forest, or enjoying strawberries at a local picnic, these moments bring people together and support wellbeing in a simple, powerful way.

If you’d like help planning or attending local outdoor events, our team is here to support you. Contact Home Instead East Herts to learn more about our companionship-led care and how we can make every summer day feel that bit more enjoyable.