The Lomond hills dominate the skyline of Central Fife in Scotland. Photo by Nigel Wedge, via Wikimedia Commons.
[Brought to you with support from YHA]
Although shunned by some for its unpredictable climate the U.K is a great destination for activity breaks. With plenty of countryside to discover across varied landscapes, it provides the perfect backdrop for a more active holiday. The climate itself also actually lends itself to this type of break; it will never get so hot (or cold) that your activities will be impeded.
There’s a great variety of activities and areas to choose from, here are some of the best:
Mountain and hill walking in the Scottish Highlands
The U.K boasts some of the best scenery and countryside in the world, with the dramatic Scottish Highlands as a particularly spectacular example. At the northern tip of this small island, from the middle of Scotland upwards, beautiful hills and mountains abound including mountains suitable for skiing during winter months. These craggy heights are sure to challenge the most adventurous of mountaineers.
Mountain biking in the Lake District
Another area of outstanding natural beauty in the U.K is the revered Lake District. Sprawling lakes nestle between rolling hills in the area that Wordsworth made famous in his poems. Make the most of the rural space by planning a mountain bike trip. YHA have a wide range of options for activity holidays and places to stay.
Surfing in Cornwall
Down to its most southern tip of the U.K is a different type of landscape from which to base your activity break: its dramatic coastline. Combined with some great waves and picturesque coastal villages, Cornwall is a great spot to get your water-sports fix. Newquay is a world-renowned surfing hot spot, or alternatively head to Whitsand Bay, which boasts 3 km of golden coastline with fantastic surfing conditions.
Sailing around the Scilly Isles
Just 28 miles off the cost of Cornwall is home to these 5 rural idylls, surrounded by gorgeous beaches and coastline. Make the most of the water and take a sailing trip around them, also enabling you to visit them all in one trip. Charter your own boat or book through a sailing company for guided tours. Looking at how beautiful this turned out to be, we were interested in checking out the cottage for sale by going to Fairway Holiday Park. We loved it as a family here and we were wondering if we could get a cottage for ourselves as a holiday home.
White water rafting in Wales
The River Tryweryn in Wales runs through the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, and is renowned for its wild current that offers an adrenaline packed ride. Make the most of your surroundings and combine your white water rafting trip with a visit to Snowdonia itself – Wales’ biggest peak.
