With many choosing a staycation instead of travelling abroad, you might feel as though your activity options are more limited than if you were to holiday in Europe or further afield. Yet there are many activities you would usually reserve for a trip abroad that you can do in the UK – find out more in this blog.
Vineyard tour
You might associate vineyards with scorching heat in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, but there are actually a considerable number of vineyards in the UK selling award-winning wines. Consider a trip down to Kent to sample Chaple Down’s selection of sparkling and still wines. Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer and offers:
- Guided tours of the winery and vineyard
- Cheese and wine tasting
- The ability to lease your own vines and create custom labelled wine
And if you won’t be staying near Kent? There are plenty of other vineyards across the UK, including:
- Langham Wine in Dorset
- Giffords Hall in Suffolk
- Kingscote in West Sussex
- Sharpham Wine in Devon
- Camel Valley in Cornwall
- Denbies in Surrey
- Llanerch near Cardiff in Wales
Hang gliding and paragliding
Both hang gliding and paragliding are massive sports in the UK, and many places offer tandem “flights” with an instructor for an hour or two. From Derbyshire to Seaford, there are a number of local schools that offer hang gliding experiences, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro!
Wild swimming
Wild swimming (i.e. swimming outdoor in natural rivers, lakes and the sea) is a popular pastime for many travelling in Europe, but did you know that there are plenty of gorgeous spots in the UK that offer the same thing?
Most lakes and rivers in England and Wales are open to swimmers under the ‘right to roam’ law in the UK, but make sure that you check that the body of water is fair game before diving in. It might also be a good idea to read up on safety tips beforehand too as wild swimming can get dangerous without the right precautions.
You can search local wild swimming areas using Wild Swimming. Popular spots include:
- Sgwd Gwladys (also known as Lady Falls), near Pontneddfechan in the Brecon Beacons, Wales: cold, fairly shallow water, but a stunning spot with a waterfall
- Most lakes in the Lake District, such as:
- Buttermere
- Crummock Water
- Derwentwater
- Grasmere
- Windermere
- Grantchester Meadows in Cambridgeshire: some great spots for diving and plenty of wildlife to see in the area
Beach days
Classic UK seaside resorts aren’t all that the country has to offer. The UK is also home to a number of beaches. Whether you want to while away the hours on the warm sand, you’d prefer some pebbles underfoot, or you’re looking for a quiet cove, there’s a diverse range of beaches you can visit in the UK. This includes the following.
Pentle Bay in the Scilly Isles
Journey just off the coast of Cornwall and you’ll reach the Scilly Isles, a number of islands bursting with natural beauty. Pentle Bay has gorgeous white sandy beaches overlooking clear blue sea. Slightly warmer than the rest of the UK, swimming in the sea is a great idea – or you could lounge around on the sand and have plenty of fun.
Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast in Dorset
If you’re travelling to Dorset and you haven’t got a visit to Durdle Door on your itinerary, you’re missing out. This iconic landmark is a popular beauty spot, and you can even lounge around on the beach just next to the Durdle Door. Unfortunately you can’t safely swim in the sea here, but there are plenty of other swimming spots in Dorset that you can explore.
Southwold in Suffolk
You’ll be able to see the iconic beach huts at Southwold in Suffolk, and there are also plenty of typical seaside resort activities you can do here. The beach is sandy, perfect for making sandcastles with your kids or finding seashells.
Stargazing
If you live in a UK city, chances are you don’t see many stars, but travel out a little and you can see the Milky Way, meteors, and even the Northern Lights in some cases. If you’re staying near a sizeable National Park, chances are you’ll be able to see plenty of stars if you spend the evening or a night in the park.
Some areas of note include:
- Exmoor National Park
- South Downs National Park
- Snowdonia National Park
- Yorkshire Dales National Park
- Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
- Isle of Wight
Bungee jumping
Many people travel to chase the thrill of bungee jumping, but did you know that there are a number of places in the UK where you can do this too? Although New Zealand and areas of Asia are known for their bungee jumping, you can also bungee at the O2 Arena in London. The location offers a stunning view of the city too!
There are a number of other bungee spots in the UK, including the picturesque Wyboston bungee jump, which is over Wyboston Lakes. You can find dozens of UK bungee jumping options on UK Bungee Club.
Make sure you take out short-term insurance
Travelling by car? At Adrian Flux, we offer affordable short term insurance to cover your trip, whether you’re travelling via car, campervan or motorhome. Call us on 0800 369 8590 for a free, no-obligation quote.