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Adventure and sport

From world-class tournaments to quirky contests, Britain adores its sports. Rugby, football, bog-snorkelling, cheese rolling: we embrace it all, hosting epic events year-round. But don’t just watch from the sidelines: get stuck in! Take your pick from water sports, outdoor adventures and active things to do: how will you discover Britain’s sporty side?

An adventure and sport showcase

Why Britain's best for adventure and sport

Britain’s sporting calendar is the envy of the world. From Premier League football matches in cutting-edge stadiums and mighty tennis on Wimbledon’s hallowed courts, to the Royal Ascot horse races, Six Nations rugby and Championship golf – there’s always an epic match or contest to enjoy. For legendary boating, head to Henley’s famous Regatta; for top-notch cricket, look to London’s Lord’s.

While catching a match or tournament is always a thrill, why not venture behind the scenes on a guided stadium tour? They’re full of surprises: from fine dining at Emirates Stadium’s Woolwich restaurant, to Tottenham Hotspur’s white-knuckle ‘Dare Skywalk’ – which offers a bird’s-eye view of the capital.

Some of our most hotly-contested trophies are unique to Britain: maybe you’ll head to Gloucestershire for Cooper’s Chase Cheese Rolling, or brave the murky waters of Wales’s World Bog Snorkelling Championships? Meanwhile, our coastlines, countryside and waterways are catnip for adventurous souls, with options for every ability. Wild swimming in the Lake District, moonlit kayaking through London, coasteering in Pembrokeshire, surfing at The Wave in Bristol: it’s all here for the taking.

Whether you’re cheering from the crowds or embracing a new challenge, here’s how to explore Britain like a champion.

Where to find the best sports and adventure experiences

Calling all sports lovers! Head to the ‘home of Welsh rugby’ to watch sporting spectacles, live concerts and more.

Catch a match at Principality Stadium

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales
Principality Stadium

Manchester is the world-famous home of football – so why not go behind-the-scenes at its iconic stadiums?

Book a tour of Old Trafford

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

A man and boy in stadium tunnel looking out to pitch
Football in Manchester

Feel the adrenaline rush as you take flight and freefall through the air at this indoor skydiving experience.

Reach new heights at iFLY

iFLY London

A person riding the iFLY Indoor Skydiving experience with a crowd of people watching behind
iFLY at The O2

Even if Liverpool FC isn’t your team, the club’s mighty stadium is super impressive – and yours to discover on a behind-the-scenes tour.

Book your tour of Anfield

officialsyviaajayi

Liverpool

A woman posing while on a stadium tour of Anfield, Liverpool.
Anfield, Liverpool

Ascot famously hosts some of Britain’s top horse races, but look out for live music, festivals and Christmas parties too.

Live the high life at Ascot Racecourse

VisitBritain

Big group of spectators watching race. Racehorses galloping
Ascot Racecourse

Competitors chase a giant cheese downhill in Gloucestershire.

Cheese Rolling

iconicheroshq/abby_lampe

Cheese rolling in Gloucestershire
Cheese Rolling

Enter the forest of family fun – with treehouses, wobbly wires, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks and more.

Go wild for BeWILDerwood

journeyof_maisonmorgan

Person in raincoat pushing buggy along trail in woodland
BeWILDerwood

England’s oldest and most-loved tennis championship.

The Championships, Wimbledon

rakshet

Wimbledon Tennis championships
The Championships, Wimbledon

Conquer the three hills of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside - a 24-mile circular challenge for walkers.

Find out more about the routes

Welcome to Yorkshire

Hawnby Peak Scar Three Riders Pan Shot
Yorkshire Three Peaks

The Grand National

11th - 13th April 2024

A race meeting featuring Europe’s most exhilarating and challenging equine steeplechase.

The Grand National

@picturemerollinng

Crowd watching Grand National at Aintree Racecourse
The Grand National

High octane F1 motor racing at the home of British motorsport.

Get tickets for F1 racing at Silverstone

drewgibsonphotography

Celebrating a victory at Silverstone Circuit
British Grand Prix

From snorkelling and incredible marine life to a fleet of wrecked wartime ships, diving at Scapa Flow in Orkney should be on every diver’s bucket list.

Find out more about diving at Scapa Flow

@krakendivingorkney

Scuba diving at the WW1 wreck at Churchill Barrier no.3
Scapa Flow Scuba Diving

Welcome to the highest mountain in Scotland. Sheer catnip for hikers, the summit has spectacular views of the Grampian range.

Find your Ben Nevis adventure

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Two mountain bikers cycling downhill down a mountain
Ben Nevis

Calling all sports lovers! Head to the ‘home of Welsh rugby’ to watch sporting spectacles, live concerts and more.

Catch a match at Principality Stadium

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales
Principality Stadium

Manchester is the world-famous home of football – so why not go behind-the-scenes at its iconic stadiums?

Book a tour of Old Trafford

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

A man and boy in stadium tunnel looking out to pitch
Football in Manchester

Feel the adrenaline rush as you take flight and freefall through the air at this indoor skydiving experience.

Reach new heights at iFLY

iFLY London

A person riding the iFLY Indoor Skydiving experience with a crowd of people watching behind
iFLY at The O2

Even if Liverpool FC isn’t your team, the club’s mighty stadium is super impressive – and yours to discover on a behind-the-scenes tour.

Book your tour of Anfield

officialsyviaajayi

Liverpool

A woman posing while on a stadium tour of Anfield, Liverpool.
Anfield, Liverpool

Ascot famously hosts some of Britain’s top horse races, but look out for live music, festivals and Christmas parties too.

Live the high life at Ascot Racecourse

VisitBritain

Big group of spectators watching race. Racehorses galloping
Ascot Racecourse

Competitors chase a giant cheese downhill in Gloucestershire.

Cheese Rolling

iconicheroshq/abby_lampe

Cheese rolling in Gloucestershire
Cheese Rolling

Enter the forest of family fun – with treehouses, wobbly wires, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks and more.

Go wild for BeWILDerwood

journeyof_maisonmorgan

Person in raincoat pushing buggy along trail in woodland
BeWILDerwood

England’s oldest and most-loved tennis championship.

The Championships, Wimbledon

rakshet

Wimbledon Tennis championships
The Championships, Wimbledon

Conquer the three hills of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside - a 24-mile circular challenge for walkers.

Find out more about the routes

Welcome to Yorkshire

Hawnby Peak Scar Three Riders Pan Shot
Yorkshire Three Peaks

The Grand National

11th - 13th April 2024

A race meeting featuring Europe’s most exhilarating and challenging equine steeplechase.

The Grand National

@picturemerollinng

Crowd watching Grand National at Aintree Racecourse
The Grand National

High octane F1 motor racing at the home of British motorsport.

Get tickets for F1 racing at Silverstone

drewgibsonphotography

Celebrating a victory at Silverstone Circuit
British Grand Prix

From snorkelling and incredible marine life to a fleet of wrecked wartime ships, diving at Scapa Flow in Orkney should be on every diver’s bucket list.

Find out more about diving at Scapa Flow

@krakendivingorkney

Scuba diving at the WW1 wreck at Churchill Barrier no.3
Scapa Flow Scuba Diving

Welcome to the highest mountain in Scotland. Sheer catnip for hikers, the summit has spectacular views of the Grampian range.

Find your Ben Nevis adventure

VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

Two mountain bikers cycling downhill down a mountain
Ben Nevis

Top sporting experiences

Watch woolsack racing, gravy wrestling or other hilarious sporting spectacles.

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

A competitor neck deep in a water-filled trench.

Pump up the adrenaline for thrilling sporting spectacles in Britain this year.

VisitWales

Cardiff, Wales

Two bikers racing on Cardiff Speedway

Where to surf, sea kayak, white water raft and other adrenaline-fuelled activities.

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Man and woman, in wetsuits, surfing a small wave

Catch a game or book a tour at some of the stunning stadia around Britain.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

A man and boy in stadium tunnel looking out to pitch

The annual British sporting calendar is rammed with events all through the year. Some have their own ceremonies, dress-codes and etiquette.

VisitBritain

Big group of spectators watching race. Racehorses galloping

Top sporting destinations