Summer is one of the most engaging times of year for heritage venues. Your grounds are looking their best, visitor numbers are on the rise, and people are actively seeking meaningful experiences. But if your online content isn’t reflecting what’s happening onsite, you could be missing valuable opportunities to inspire, inform, and invite new audiences through your gates.

1. Behind-the-Scenes in Bloom

Take your audience beyond the public view with snapshots of your gardens at their peak, early morning light across the estate, or quiet prep work before opening. These glimpses create a sense of intimacy and help tell the full story of your space.

2. Staff and Volunteer Spotlights

Introduce the people who bring your site to life. A short profile on your garden team, curators, or long-time volunteers adds a personal layer to your content and helps visitors feel more connected before they even arrive.

3. Family-Friendly Features

Showcase any workshops, outdoor trails, storytelling sessions, or activity packs available over the holidays. Use engaging visuals and clear details to help families picture their visit and know exactly what to expect.

4. Then and Now Comparisons

Use historic archive photos alongside current images to highlight how your buildings, gardens, or interiors have changed over time. These are perfect for Instagram carousels or reels and help tell the broader story of your site’s evolution.

5. Golden Hour Moments

Capture your venue in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon. These kinds of images are not only beautiful for your feed but also work well to promote weddings, photography sessions, or special evening events.

6. Visitor-Generated Content

Encourage your audience to tag you in their photos and reshare your favourites. Whether it’s a family enjoying ice cream in the courtyard or someone sketching the architecture, it’s a great way to build community and trust.

7. Historic Curiosities

Pick out interesting or lesser-known objects and stories from your collection and share them in bite-sized posts. These often spark curiosity and engagement while showcasing the depth of your heritage offering.

8. Summer Sounds or Sights

Create simple, sensory-led posts — the buzz of bees in the lavender, birdsong from the trees, or the click of old floorboards in the cool shade indoors. These small moments invite your audience to slow down and connect.

9. Event Countdown or Highlights

If you’re running summer events, share countdowns, behind-the-scenes prep, or highlight reels from past years. It builds anticipation and gives new visitors a flavour of what’s to come.

10. Seasonal Additions or Pop-Ups

Shout about anything unique to the season — think temporary exhibitions, garden openings, pop-up cafés, summer menus, or limited-time tours. These are perfect for encouraging repeat visits and creating a sense of urgency and excitement among your followers.

As you capture attention this summer, it’s the perfect time to start thinking ahead to autumn. Use your content to tease what’s coming next: from harvest-themed weekends and cosy café menus to Halloween trails, winter workshops, and Christmas markets. Entice your new followers to stay engaged by showing them that there’s even more to look forward to in the seasons ahead. A well-timed post or newsletter now could be the reason they come back later.

If you’d like support creating a content plan that works across social, email, and beyond, I Do Social can help you do just that.

Summer Content Ideas for Heritage Attractions