Walk, climb and explore Britain’s natural wonders
Britain’s natural landscape is dramatic as it is diverse. From mountains to meadows, cliffs to caves, waterfalls to lochs, wild moors to wetland, you won’t have to travel far to find it. If it’s a challenging hill hike, a sedate amble, or even a train ride - come armed with plenty of curiosity, and we’ll supply the rest.
New perspectives of Britain’s natural wonders
Go Jurassic coasteering
The Jurassic Coast, which runs from East Devon to Dorset, on England’s south coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s so named, because its 95 miles (153 km) of coast are a geological walk through time, covering the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. It’s a fossil-collector’s paradise with claim to being an incredibly beautiful stretch of coast. One of the highlights is the spectacular Durdle Door, the much-photographed limestone arch near the pretty cove Lulworth. And what better way to get up close than a spot of coasteering? Jump, swim and rock climb your way along the coast for a fully immersive and unforgettable experience.
Slow down in Snowdonia
Stunning Snowdonia National Park, in Wales, is, deservedly, one of the most famous of Britain’s 15 National Parks. And Snowdon – England and Wales’ highest mountain – is one of its most popular to climb. While you’ll certainly get your steps in climbing the 1,085-metre mountain, there’s another, slower option, which is just as good for your mental health. Enjoy a guided mindful walk, with stops for meditation or an outdoor yoga session in some of Snowdonia’s most tranquil spots.
Take a Syke safari to the old Man of Storr
The Isle of Skye, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides, is a nature-lover’s dream, with its Fairy Glen and Fairy Pools, mountains, beautiful beaches, and wonderful wildlife. You can expect to see whales, dolphins, puffins, eagles, otters, seals and red deer. One of its most famous landmarks is the Old Man of Storr – a large pinnacle of rock that stands tall like a natural statue. See it on a Skye Wilderness Safari, which takes in all of the island’s top spots, or save your legs and scale the heights with a rented Skye EBike. It’s not cheating, honest…
See The Needles from the sky
They are one of the most photographed rock formations in Britain – The Needles, on the Isle of Wight, are three chalk stacks that jut out from the coast of the popular holiday island, with a lighthouse perched on the end.
While they can be snapped from the Victorian fort, The Needles Old Battery, you can also view them from above, on the Needles Chairlift, which takes you from the Alum Bay cliffs to the beach, where you also can hop on a boat tour to make sure you’ve seen the geological wonders from every angle.
Traverse the bottomless pit of Cheddar Gorge
Britain’s largest gorge was formed by meltwater floods in Somerset, around 1 million years ago. This spectacular ravine in the Mendip Hills is both an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It’s a lure for rock climbers and cavers, who come to explore its underground caves with their soaring cathedral-like interiors and stalactite displays. After enjoying the views from up high, head deep underground on a caving adventure, where you descend 40ft (12 metres) below into the heart of the cave system, across the Bottomless Pit and slide through the Letterbox.
Cycle the Seven Sisters
While the White Cliffs of Dover are immortalised in song, the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, along the coast in East Sussex, are some of Britain’s most dramatic. Part of the South Downs National Park, the Seven Sisters are between Brighton and Eastbourne and make for a beautiful walk between the two resorts, as part of the South Downs Way National Trail.
Next to the Seven Sisters cliffs, is the Seven Sisters Country Park, perfect for cycling. Cycle tracks run right down to the beach, from where you can gaze up at the majestic cliffs.
Stargaze at High Force waterfall
High Force waterfall in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is one of the country’s most impressive waterfalls. Immortalised by artist J.M.W. Turner, the 21-metre fall of the River Tees is an exhilarating sight. You can take the pretty woodland walk to the falls, or for something memorable, a Stargazing Supper, walking to the waterfall at night and checking out the constellations above in the area’s renowned Dark Skies.
Discover Britain’s natural wonders in a different way
From the cliff tops of Seven Sisters, to the caves of Cheddar Gorge, Britain is packed with natural marvels – and great new ways to see them. View the Isle of Wight’s The Needles from on high on a chair lift, experience the splendour of Snowdonia with a mindfulness tour, or get right up close to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site with a spot of coasteering. Whether you fancy a hearty hike up some of Scotland’s most spectacular heights, or a gentle bike ride along England’s south coast, you can tailor your next outdoor adventure to your taste. It might be a small island, but it’s a green one, jam-packed with 15 National Parks and more than three million hectares of woodland.
Double-take – discover Britain’s other wonders
Like the look of Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast? You’ll love The Green Bridge of Wales limestone arch on the Pembrokeshire Coast. While some of Britain’s natural wonders can get all the headlines, there are many more spectacular sights around the nation. Click through for our pick of the best double-takes to add to your bucket list…
Like Durdle Door… Love The Green Bridge of Wales
The photogenic Durdle Door, a spectacular limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England, gets all the attention. But Wales has its own wonder – The Green Bridge of Wales. This limestone arch, in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, is just as impressive.
Like The Needles… Love Duncansby Stacks
If you like the look of the chalk stacks The Needles on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, wait till you see the Duncansby Stacks at the very other end of Britain, on Scotland’s north coast.
Like Giant’s Causeway… Love Malham Cove
Legend has it a giant’s footsteps created the rock formation of black basalt columns known as the Giant’s Causeway on the coast of Northern Ireland. Malham Cove in England’s North Yorkshire also has a mysterious limestone pavement on top of a cliff.
Like Winnats Pass… Love Glencoe
Driving, walking or cycling through the deep limestone valley of Winnats Pass, in the Peak District, is like travelling through a fairy tale. The same thing applies to the beautiful valley and towering mountains of Glencoe in the Lochaber Geopark in the Scottish Highlands.
Like Fingal’s Cave… Love Gaping Gill
The mysterious sea cave Fingal’s Cave on the island of Staffa in the Scottish Inner Hebrides and has been enchanting visitors for centuries, because of its melodious echoes. If you like the sound of that, you’ll love the clamour of Gaping Gill – as Fell Beck thunders into a cave system below the Yorkshire Dales.
Like the Old Man of Storr… Love Brimham Rocks
The Old Man of Storr makes a dramatic sight, as the rock pinnacle stands proud over Scotland’s Isle of Skye. For more fascinating rock formations, head to Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire and see if you can spot the Dancing Bear, Gorilla, Eagle and Turtle.
Like High Force… Love Devil’s Bridge Falls, Ceredigion
High Force waterfall is one of England’s most popular waterfalls. The thundering River Tees plunging into a rock pool in a pretty woodland is only matched by the majesty that is Devil’s Bridge Falls, Ceredigion, Wales. Follow the Nature Trail walk to discover the three bridges, an ancient woodlands and unique perspectives of the 300ft Mynach waterfalls.
