Experience Britain’s action and adventure scene

Grab your armour and learn how to joust with The Knights of Middle England in Warwick. This professional group of stunt riders and performers also offers tuition and courses, including jousting, horse archery and stunt-riding, so you can turn into Sir Lancelot. Alternatively, you can keep your feet on the ground and catch one of their regular performances at Warwick Castle. 

So, you’ve had a jab at jousting – now watch the pros in action. Spectacular shows and attractions, spellbinding storytelling and exhilarating experiences bring history alive. You can even stay over in a tower fit for kings and queens or rest up in lodges within the castle grounds. 

Book an adventurous day out and try your hand at everything from quad-biking to hover-crafting at Adventure Sports, Warwick. This action-packed centre has all kinds of experiences on offer, from shooting to paintballing and even a Segway slalom. You can pick one activity or combine them with day packages. Check the website for what’s on.

Shaken or stirred? If you’ve a taste for gin like Britain’s favourite secret agent, discover how gin and rum are made on a guided tour and tasting session of the Shakespeare Distillery. Enrol in Rum or Gin School and sign up for spirit making lessons, taking away your own special blend at the end of the session. Stratford-upon-Avon's only working distillery, the carbon-neutral Shakespeare Distillery also has a cafe and cocktail lounge on its award-winning premises. Martinis all round!  

Grab a wetsuit, and leap into watersports and activities at this outdoor adventure centre – with wakeboarding, waterskiing, kneeboarding and more! If you’re travelling with friends or family, why not challenge them to a race around the inflatable aqua park, with its super-splashy slides, trampolines and climbing frames? There is even a licensed bar and cafe overlooking the water, and a campsite for summertime breaks. 

For the most peaceful journey through the Peak District National Park, take the Monsal Trail, a flat route along a disused railway cut into limestone dales. Suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, wheelchairs and buggies, all can enjoy this traffic-free scenic route.

Want to see the Peak District from a new perspective? Buckle up for a half-day rock climbing session in the breathtaking Hope Valley. Join a group taster session or enjoy a private session for your family or friendship group, with guidance from the experts at award-winning Pure Outdoor.  

Follow in the footsteps of Tom Cruise and the Mission: Impossible team, who visited Stoney Middleton to film a heart-stopping train plunge for Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Follow the village trails to discover its heritage treasures, and explore the nearby limestone crags – bring binoculars to spot the abundant local wildlife. 

Upside down, inside out, round and round: hold on tight at this thrill-seeker’s paradise, on the edge of the Peak District. Whether you rush for the rollercoasters or prefer a gentler pace, there’s a ride to suit every sensibility. Little ones are well catered for at CBeebies Land, too.  

Up, up and away on a bird’s-eye tour of the Yorkshire countryside. Choose from a sunrise flight to see the city of York as it wakes up or treat yourself to a flight for two. Drifting where the winds take you, this is an exhilarating experience for even the most seasoned adventurer.  

Travel back in time on this steam-powered train, which runs between Pickering and Whitby. This 23-mile (37km) journey is renowned for its beautiful countryside and lush moorland, while on-board events include photography workshops and gourmet lunches. Recognise it from any Mission: Impossible or Indiana Jones outings? 

Unleash your inner adventurer! With its forest segway tracks, high ropes courses and multiple zip lines, Go Ape Dalby Forest has outdoor activities to suit every age group – all set in a glorious woodland. As well as the treetop challenges, it features 13 walking trails, four running trails and six cycling trails (with bike hire available too), plus plentiful wheelchair access. 

Don’t just admire the wild peaks of the North York Moors National Park – climb them! Offering rock climbing experiences for all abilities, Lost Earth Adventures runs private and small-group adventures to the likes of Scugdale and Ravenswick Quarry, with both half-day and full-day options. And that’s not all: other activities include caving, mountain hiking, gorge scrambling and abseiling – all hosted by expert guides.

Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild? On a bushcraft course with Rewilding Adventure you can learn how to light a fire by friction, build a weather-proof den, find safe food and water in the forest, and even camp overnight in a hammock. It also offers archery, axe throwing, navigation skills and air-rifle shooting – with courses and clubs for all ages.

Whether winter skiing or summertime strolls, this wildlife reserve has an adventure for every season. It is Britain’s largest national park, a feast of herculean mountains, roiling rivers, peaceful lochs and centuries-old forests. Fill your days with outdoor pursuits – whether climbing, cycling, hiking or snowshoeing – and your nights cosying up in the friendly local villages. Remember that epic car chase involving 007 in No Time to Die? That was filmed right here.  

You’ve followed in Bond’s footsteps – now it’s time to embrace some action hero antics yourself! Strap in for a 40-metre freefall, dangling you metres from the River Garry, at Highland Fling Bungie, the UK’s first static bungee jump experience.  

An unmissable Scottish spot for any keen kayaker, Glen Etive is a haven in the Highlands. Known as one of the most challenging white-water routes, adventurers can navigate their way round rushing pools and dramatic waterfalls, while TV and film fanatics will spot the landscape from James Bond’s Skyfall, Braveheart and more. Nearby Glencoe was the setting for Skyfall Lodge, 007’s ancestral home, in the spy’s 23rd screen outing.

Immerse yourself in Scottish heritage. Eilean Donan sits in an incredible setting: the castle’s stone turrets are surrounded by rugged peaks, and it sits at the meeting point of three west coast lochs – Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. Explore centuries of history from the actual cannonballs fired in the 1700s to its exquisite Chippendale furniture. The castle also offers accommodation in its grounds, with self-catering apartments and a cottage overlooking the fortress. Bond fans – you'll recognise this picturesque spot from The World Is Not Enough.  

Calling all explorers! See north Wales’ wild seashore from a whole new perspective on this exhilarating coasteering trip. You’ll leap, swim, climb and splash around Anglesey, exploring little-known caves and braving natural diving ledges, in the company of an expert local guide – with all gear provided too. Prefer dry land? Snowdonia Adventures offer scrambling, climbing and canyoning trips too, as well as guided hikes in the mountains.

Take an exhilarating ride through the Menai Strait on this cruise company’s 300hp RIB boats, spotting wild puffins, seals and glorious Welsh coastline along the way. There are three tours to choose from, all departing from Anglesey’s Menai Bridge – with the ‘Menai Adventure’ trip promising 60 minutes of action-packed sightseeing, and the ‘Puffin Adventure’ heading out to a wildlife-filled island. Great fun for all the family.

If you think north Wales is a peaceful, tranquil location – think again. Between those soaring mountains and wildlife-filled forests, you’ll find the epic adventures of Zip World: a name synonymous with thrilling high ropes courses, underground trampoline parks and the fastest zip line on the planet. It has locations throughout the region, including the Conwy Valley and Penrhyn Quarry, offering activities for every age group. 

Weaving between Caernarfon and Porthmadog, this heritage railway offers a glimpse of the past: a world of steam-powered locomotives, glorious countryside and – on selected trips – luxurious dining. This is a journey to be savoured, on a service lovingly restored to its 1920s heyday. Look out for special trips and events too, from Christmas-themed journeys to fancy dress parties. 

A caving experience like no other. You can bounce, leap and jump through this extraordinary subterranean playground, which features six huge trampoline nets and spiralling slides, in a space that’s twice the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. Zip World is famous for its quirky adrenaline thrills: don’t miss its Quarry Karts, underground via ferrata and zip-lining experiences too. Great fun, whatever the weather.

Take to the skies: the mighty peaks of the Black Mountains make it ideal for gliding, and the scenery looks even more magical from the air. With no engine noise, it’s just you and the pilot soaring and spiralling above the countryside, as the patchwork of fields and woodlands unfurls far below. Whether you just want to enjoy the view as a passenger, or fancy learning how to take the controls, check out this top-rated club’s flights and lessons. 

From horse riding and pony trekking to tractor rides and play areas, this activity centre is jam-packed with entertainment for the whole family. For more thrills, take a Segway safari through this wild landscape, or join an alpaca or two on a trek.

Whether for beginners’ pony trips, an afternoon’s trekking or a multi-day trip for experienced equestrians, this family-run riding centre has been offering horseback adventures since 1966. It is located in the Beacons village of Llangorse, surrounded by rolling peaks, wild woodlands and open moorland – with a wealth of bridleways and tracks to explore, and 20 horses and ponies to choose from.

This tranquil natural lake in Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park is a haven for kayaking, hiking and paddleboarding. Boats can be hired by the hour, so why not see how many you can try? Take your pick from pedalos, canoes and rowing boats too. Fishing trips are also available, while the Crannog Centre features traditional ‘roundhouses’ that were built on the lake thousands of years ago. Blending history and nature, this is a fantastic day out. 

For one of Britain’s best walks, trek the Beacons Way over hills and hollows in the Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog). This 99-mile (159km) route takes around eight days, or you can choose smaller sections.

Head off-road and tackle some challenging terrains behind the wheel of a trusty Land Rover at Eastnor Castle. Even young drivers can get in on the fun, thanks to the Eastnor Young Off-Roader Experience for 11-17-year-olds. You’ll recognise the castle from series one of HBO’s Succession. 

With the wind in your hair and the world at your feet, a wingwalking experience is something you’ll never forget. The wingwalkers at AeroSuperBatics have performed breathtaking stunts all over the world, and now they are offering exhilarating flights from their own private airfield in Cirencester. You’ll enjoy zoom climbs, flypasts and steep dives from the top of a 450hp engine biplane – plus a bird’s eye view of the glorious Cotswold countryside.

The tranquil waters of this huge water park are ideal for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) adventures – whether you’re a total beginner who’s finding their balance, or an experienced paddler looking for their next challenge. As well as board hire options, look out for themed tours and events too: such as paddleboarding yoga, sunset trips and wildlife-watching tours. Got a taste for adventure? Other local options include kayaking, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and more. 

Always wanted to get behind the wheel of a Porsche 911? A Ferrari 360? A Jaguar E-Type? Well, now’s your chance with Car Chase Heroes, which offers high-octane driving experiences in the supercar of your choice. It has outposts all over Britain, including Oxford’s Bicester Heritage – one of Britain’s foremost classic car race tracks. For young drivers, check out the specially designed Junior experiences too.