When we asked for your underwhelming UK holiday pictures, we were inundated. The images poured in like rain on a crazy golf course. It seems everyone has been on an average holiday, taken a photo swaddled in layers of irony and disappointment, and shared it on the internet.
As the person who has seen every single one of those sent in to the Guardian, I’ve learned a thing or two about underwhelming British holidays. Enough, in fact, to present the ultimate guide to a soggy British holiday, presented as two typically glorious days. But you never know: it might brighten up later.
1) It’s starting to rain
Starting to rain.
Pebbles on the beach as the rain started.
2) It’s raining
a soaking in Sidmouth
Summer rain stops play
3) It’s still raining
Views for yards and yards
There are views over meadows and the Atlantic out the window of our holiday cottage at Boscastle: just behind the fog.
4) The dog blames you for the fact it’s raining
Waiting in the car for the rain to stop so we could pitch up
After getting rained off the Isle of Harris we tried our luck with Skye instead, even the dog was unimpressed with the persistent rain...
5) You’re optimistic that it’ll stop raining soon
6) It’s just stopped raining. Yay! Time to hit the beach...
Sunny Broadstairs
Our daughter's first ever visit to the seaside in 2009.. great views!
7) ... for a spot of sunbathing
Sunbathing in Bournemouth
A typically cold summer's day on the beach.
My husband Jay, sunbathing on the beach at Llantwit Major.
It was so warm he nearly took his fleece and hat off. I was in danger of heatstroke so loosened my scarf a little.
8) Uh-oh, it’s raining again. Reward the kids with an ice cream
Taking shelter under the ice cream parlour.
Beach goers dash to avoid the rain on a wet and windy afternoon in Troon.
9) Pretty sure it’s brightening up. Why not have a round of crazy golf
'Puddle-put'
Bryn & Jennie attempting a weekend holiday in Brighton, July 12.
Does it count as a hole-in-one if the ball floats?
10) Back to the camp site to get warm. Tomorrow’s another day
Huddled around the camp fire
Returned from the pub on 24th July (or early hours on 25th) to a wet and windy camp site on Exmoor. It was pretty bleak! Full length waterproofs helped a little.
11) Up bright and early the next morning to see if the weather’s changed
Nope.
The Great British Camping Holiday...
Picked a perfect plot to pitch our tent in the New Forest, however there was a 'little' rain overnight!
12) Never mind, it’ll clear up later. Let’s climb a hill and witness the spectacular views, giving our children memories they’ll never forget
Harriet completing her first Munro is the beautiful Scottish summer...
My seven year old niece just coming up to the summit of Ben Vorlich in thick cloud and mist.
13) Or look at a river in the rain. Your choice, really
Looking at a river in the rain
This dad decided to wake up his sleeping child, remove him from his car seat and carry him down to a picturesque pebbly beach to admire the river in the absolute chucking rain. Might as well keep busy while camping in Scotland.
14) Lunchtime! Eating a sausage roll in the car? Achievement unlocked
Dundas Aqueduct car park
Eating a sausage roll in the car park by the Dundas Aqueduct. Not much more to say.
15) Suitably refreshed, and with half an eye on the sky, you take a trip to one of Britain’s many exciting theme parks
Flamingoland - when the monorail broke. This is the cavalry
Went to Flamingoland, the monorail broke, high up, over concrete. These guys with ladders came to rescue us... there was literally no way I was going down a ladder... eventually, after a while, they fixed it with us still stuck in the carriage.
16) Disappointed by the broken monorail, you take a boat trip instead
August
The rest of the country seems to be having great weather, so we chose to go to the west coast of Scotland to benefit from the torrential rain and sub 15 degree temperatures. Here we are 'enjoying' a wildlife spotting boat trip off the coast of Mallaig.
Norfolk Broads beautiful weather
A joyful wet weekend on a boat on the Norfolk Broads followed by a week of showers. Sun finally came out about an hour before taking boat back
17) And a day trip to a historic town
The Shambles, York. Weather: truly a Shambles...
My daughter brightening up the street in Pink. We left home in the rain on Sunday. It hasn't stopped since. Although we see it's sunny where we live. Grrr.
18) Hunger is setting in. Still raining? You said you were going to have a barbecue, therefore you are going to have a barbecue
Rain can't stop our barbecue!
There's been about 5 sunny days in Northern Ireland this summer. We bought the barbecues optimistically so decided the rain wouldn't stop us having our sausages!
19) Finally, it’s stopped raining! Time for a swim! Oh.
Anyone for a swim?
Summer in Devon
20) The weather’s reign of terror is over! Time to pack up and go home
Taking the tent down in the rain
Everyone was soaking wet, six families, all the children sodden, Alex trying to take his family's tent down while they huddled in the car and the baby screamed. In late July, at lunchtime.
