10 amazing outdoor summer activities in Britain

Monday 24 February 2020
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Whether visitors are lovers of land or sea, Britain has a summer activity for everyone. From seaweed foraging in Dorset to a bikepacking adventure in the Lake District, gorge scrambling in Wales to a walking festival in the Chilterns, a trip to Britain offers a chance to reconnect with nature and adventure in abundance.

 

Land: woodlands, walking and wild camping

The Wood Life Festival in Yorkshire

To celebrate all things woodland and raise awareness of climate change, the North York Moors National Park have put together a year-long programme of events to promote the vital relationship between trees and how we live. Wood Life Festival is set to wow audiences with an immersive theatre production, The Lost Words: Told in Gold, an adaption of the award-winning book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris. Visitors can also enjoy a host of other events including bushcraft activities, wildlife safaris, woodland treasure hunts, and nature-themed exhibitions and workshops.

Price: Events vary in price.

 

The Chiltern Walking Festival in south-east England

Want to connect with Mother Nature through Britain’s rolling hills? Vista-hungry visitors can join the Chiltern Walking Festival, a selection of over 80 guided countryside walks across the Chilterns, an Official Area of Natural Beauty north-west of London. Taking place from 16 - 31 May, bookings will open from mid-March.

Price: Events vary in price.

 

Bikepacking in Dartmoor

Prefer to enjoy the great outdoors on two wheels? Why not go bikepacking, the ultimate bicycle and wild camping adventure. A minimalist’s dream, in Dartmoor visitors can spend their days exploring the British countryside by bike before bedding down at a local wild camping spot, for a night immersed in nature under the stars.

Price: Costs vary. For more information on wild camping please see the Dartmoor National Park website.

 

Glorious gardens in Manchester

In addition to London’s Royal Parks, Britain’s green city-centre spaces are about to get even better. 30 July will see the opening of RHS Garden Bridgewater, an awe-inspiring 154-acre garden set in the historic grounds of Worsley New Hall in Salford, Manchester. Boasting an impressive walled paradise and kitchen gardens, alongside a peaceful Chinese Streamside Garden, this is an exciting way to enjoy Britain’s fragrant flora and fauna when staying in Manchester.

Price: Prices to be confirmed - please check RHS Garden Bridgewater for futher details.

 

The Mayflower 400 National Trail in England

History buffs can combine their love of the past with the chance to discover scenic towns and the great outdoors, on the Mayflower 400 National Trail. Created to celebrate the Mayflower’s 400th anniversary, this range of free walking and driving trails are available to download in a handy app, giving visitors the chance to discover locations linked to the historic ship across England - from Devon to Essex and beyond.

Price: Walking and driving routes are free.

 

Sea: sailboats, surfing and scrumptious seaweed

Gorge scrambling in Wales

Those with a penchant for water-based adventure will relish the chance to plunge into natural pools, enjoy a spot of wild swimming and climb up waterfalls when gorge scrambling in Wales. Don a wetsuit and helmet for this refreshing summer activity, which gives visitors the chance to enjoy beautifully clear waters, stunning surrounding countryside and a heart-pumping adrenaline rush, all in one.

Price: Gorge walking with Adventures Wales costs £55 per person, with a mid-week deal costing £45.

 

Coasteering in Cornwall

If climbing waterfalls is not enough of a rush, visitors can test their mettle as they scramble across rocky coastal terrain, soak up mesmerising views and plunge into deep water on a coasteering adventure. Cornwall is a fantastic spot for this adrenaline-fuelled activity, with areas such as Mullion Cove or Rinsey Cove offering the ideal spot for guided sessions.

Price: Coasteering with Vertical Descents costs £45 per person for a two to three-hour session

 

Surfing in Devon

Fancy riding the waves of the English coast? Discover the swell in Devon, a great place to try a surf lesson and become one with the ocean. For those after something a little slower paced, the coasts of Devon and Cornwall are also hot spots for stand-up paddleboarding. Ideal for those new to water sports, this summer activity lets paddlers calmly glide through azure waters, making it a dreamy summer day activity.

Price: A beginner surf lesson costs £32 for 90 minutes or £40 for two hours. A fast-track surf course costs £120 for two days, made up of four 90-minute sessions. An advanced course costs £89 for 90 minutes, with one-to-one private lessons costing the same. A family surf lesson for four pupils starts from £100 for an hour. Stand-up paddleboarding costs from £20 for one hour.

 

Sailing in Norfolk and Suffolk

For a more relaxing way to take to Britain’s waters, why not take an elegant sailing trip? Visitors wanting to splash out on the sailboat lifestyle can rent a modern boat to explore the waterways of  The Broads. From luxurious yacht charters to modest wherries, there are a range of charming vessels to choose from. Alternatively, they can dip their toes into the world of sailing by hiring a sailboat in picturesque Ullswater, in the Lake District. 

Price: Costs for boat hire in Norfolk and Suffolk vary. Prices to hire a sailboat with Glenridding Sailing Centre is £45 for one hour and £100 for three.

 

Coastal foraging in Dorset

Beach lovers can go one step further by discovering the fresh taste of the British coast on a seaweed foraging course along the shores of Dorset this summer. The brand new Seaweed Foraging, Wild Cooking & Feasting Course is a great introduction to the art of seashore foraging, as the day involves a beach walk, tucking into a foraged snack, a seaweed cooking class, and the chance to enjoy the fruits of the day in a three-course meal served with wine.

Prices: The Seaweed Foraging, Wild Cooking & Feasting Course costs £110 per person, with the first summer session on 6 June.

For more information contact:

VisitBritain Media Team

pressandpr@visitbritain.org

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