Bank Holidays are all about friends, pub gardens and mini-breaks – or they were, until lockdown happened. Now we’re pretty much confined to where we live, bar some socially-distanced walking or exercise at the park. But while drinks with friends will have to wait until August’s Bank Holiday (we hope!), there’s no reason to draw the curtains and spend the long weekend cooped up indoors. For those of us lucky enough to have a garden, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy the warm weather – and nothing heralds the start of summer quite like the smell of a barbecue.
While sausages and burgers are all well and good, there’s so much more we can do when cooking over coals. Planning in advance works wonders, as you can marinate meats, prepare sauces and get some prep done in advance, meaning your full attention on the day can be on the grill (and whatever drink you happen to have in your hand too, of course). Below are our eight top picks for this Bank Holiday, but be sure to check out our full collection of barbecue recipes for more inspiration.