Top Summer Holiday Borrowing Tips
Make the Most of Summer
Without Buying More Stuff!
Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors, spend time with friends and family, and make memories that last. But it can also be a season where we buy Things we'll only use once or twice.
Whether you're planning a camping trip, hosting a garden party, tackling outdoor jobs or exploring your local neighbourhood, borrowing instead of buying can save you money, reduce waste and free up space at home.
Here are our top tips for making the most of summer with Share Bristol...
1. Borrow your camping kit
Planning a camping adventure this summer?
Instead of buying equipment that might only see a weekend or two of use each year, borrow the essentials from Share Bristol. We have everything from tents and camping chairs to sleeping mats, cool boxes and picnic equipment.
Whether you're heading to the Mendips, Wales or camping closer to home, borrowing means you can enjoy the adventure without the cost – or the clutter afterwards.
Top tip: Camping equipment is especially popular during the school holidays, so reserve early to avoid missing out.
2. Host the ultimate garden gathering
Long evenings and warm weather make summer the perfect season for getting people together.
Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting a barbecue or organising a street party, you can borrow Things like gazebos, folding tables, extra chairs, giant garden games, projectors and kitchen equipment to help make your event a success.
It's everything you need for a memorable gathering, without filling your garage or shed once the party is over.
3. Make the most of your garden
Summer is also a great time to tackle those outdoor jobs you've been putting off.
From hedge trimmers and strimmers to pressure washers, lawn care equipment and wheelbarrows, borrowing garden tools gives you access to quality tools when you need them – without the expense of buying equipment you'll only use occasionally.
4. Get creative in the kitchen
Summer celebrations often revolve around food.
Whether you're making homemade ice cream, hosting a pizza night, baking for a party or trying a new recipe, our collection of kitchen gadgets lets you experiment without committing to buying specialist appliances.
5. Discover summer in your neighbourhood
There are plenty of fantastic places to explore close to each Share Bristol Library of Things, and borrowing can help you make even more of your day. Whether you're packing a picnic, heading to a local event or looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while you finally tackle those lingering DIY jobs, we've got plenty of ideas to help.
Bedminster
Spend a Saturday exploring Windmill Hill Market and Windmill Hill City Farm. Borrow a cool box, picnic set or camping chairs from Share Bristol and turn your visit into a relaxed summer picnic in Victoria Park or Greville Smyth Park. It's a great way to enjoy local food, support independent makers and make a day of it without buying extra gear.
Need to get the kids out of the house while you paint the spare room, finally put up those shelves or give the garden a much-needed makeover? This summer is an extra special time to visit Windmill Hill City Farm, which is celebrating 50 years of growing with the community. Throughout the school holidays, families can enjoy a packed programme of nature-inspired activities, crafts and outdoor adventures that encourage creativity and confidence. Find out more about their Screen Free Summer programme here.
If you've got children aged 8+, Young Bristol's free Holiday Youth Clubs at Ashton Vale and The Grove are another brilliant option, giving them a fun couple of hours with friends while you get stuck into those jobs that are so much easier without little helpers under your feet. Find out more via the Young Bristol website.
Kingswood
Fancy a screen-free afternoon? Head to Kingswood Park with borrowed giant garden games, a picnic blanket and refreshments in a cool box. It's an easy, affordable way to keep children entertained during the school holidays while making the most of the sunshine.
If you're looking for something a little more social, the Friends of Kingswood Park host free weekly social walks throughout the summer – a lovely way to meet new people and enjoy the park. Find upcoming walks here.
Every second Sunday throughout the summer, the park also comes alive with Music in the Park, featuring free live performances in beautiful surroundings. See upcoming dates here.
Meanwhile, if you've got secondary school-aged children, Creative Youth Network runs a range of free activities in Kingswood over the summer holidays, giving teenagers somewhere welcoming to spend time while you finally get round to building that flat-pack furniture, pressure washing the patio or tackling those DIY projects that have been waiting all year. Find out what's on via the Creative Youth Network website here.
Frenchay
The beautiful grounds around Frenchay Common and the River Frome make the perfect setting for a summer walk or picnic. Borrow a picnic set, camping chairs or a cool box and enjoy a relaxing afternoon outdoors before exploring one of the area's independent cafés or local green spaces.
Towards the end of August, Open Canvas comes to Frenchay Common, with artists painting live throughout the day and exhibiting their work in one of Bristol's most picturesque village settings.
There'll also be a dedicated children's creative area, making it a lovely family day out. Pack a borrowed picnic, bring along your camping chairs and settle in for an afternoon of art, creativity and community. Event details can be found via Facebook here.
Winterbourne
If you've got young readers at home, don't miss the Summer Reading Challenge at Winterbourne Library. Children aged four and over can collect stickers, rewards, a medal and certificate simply by reading throughout the holidays.
Make the most of one trip! Arrive at Winterbourne Library before 5pm on Wednesdays or 12.30pm on Saturdays to pick up a free Summer Reading Challenge activity bag during the library's staffed opening hours. Then stay a little longer to collect your next borrowed Thing from Share Bristol when our Library of Things opens at 5pm on Wednesdays and 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Why not turn reading into a whole-day adventure? Borrow a gazebo to create a shady reading den in the garden, or a churro maker to create a special story-themed snack, an ice cream maker for a family film afternoon after finishing a favourite book, or a blender to whip up colourful fruit smoothies inspired by Children’s classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
If you're looking for another day out, Winterbourne Medieval Barn has a fantastic programme of family events throughout the summer, including Knight School and an outdoor performance of The Wizard of Oz. Borrow camping chairs, picnic equipment or outdoor games and make a full day of it while travelling a little lighter. See what's coming up here.
6. Borrow before your next day out
Whether you're heading to the beach, a festival, an outdoor cinema, or simply meeting friends in the park, borrowing can make your day more comfortable without buying more stuff.
Think camping chairs, cool boxes, picnic equipment, gazebos and outdoor games – all ready to borrow when you need them.
Borrow more. Buy less.
The best summer memories aren't made by buying more Things – they're made by spending time together.
From camping adventures and garden parties to local days out and DIY projects, Share Bristol helps you access the Things you need, exactly when you need them.
Browse our collection online, reserve your Things and collect them from your nearest Share Bristol Library of Things in Bedminster, Kingswood, Frenchay or Winterbourne.
Here's to a summer full of adventures, not clutter!
