Top 7 Outdoor Activities in the UK to Do This Year

written by local expert Anna Faustino

Anna is a co-founder of Adventure in You and has been traveling the world for the last 9 years. She has spent time living in Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain and is our local expert in these areas. Her expertise on travel, gear, and building businesses have been featured on Foundr, Business Insider, Yahoo Travel, and more.

Although the UK is known for its historical cities, unknown to many, it is also home to many fantastic outdoor adventures. From white water rafting, to river tubing, all the way to ice climbing, there are a multitude of activities to choose from.

Now to those of you that know us, we live and breathe adventure. We were naturally excited to see all these awesome activities and can’t wait to head back to the UK to get started on this list. So sit back, relax, and let me guide you to some of the best adventures that the UK has to offer.

Get Wet and Wild White Water Rafting in Fort William

Located in the recently crowned “Outdoor Capital of the UK”, Fort William is home to the River Garry and is the setting for some of the best white water rafting that you can do in the UK. Located in the Scottish Highlands, the river provides you with plenty of class III and IV rapids from April to October. If you’re really up for a challenge, you can take on the River Orchy which is meant to be challenging and very exciting. A portion of this river is claimed to give you one of the biggest rapids in the UK. Padas white water rafting

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Take a Leap and Go Coasteering in Pembrokeshire

Originally pioneered in Wales, coasteering is a mix of rock climbing, cave exploring, and cliff jumping and is slowly growing into the fastest adventure sport in the United Kingdom. Get your heart pumping as you traverse through steep rocks and caves as you navigate your way through the stunning coastline of Wales. Being that Tom is from Wales, this is definitely something that we will look into (it was the wrong season when we were last there!) doing when we are there. Although I do think that something as extreme as coasteering should be avoided by clumsy people like me! Because of this, we can’t wait to head back to the UK to begin planning our travels around there.

P.S. When we were in Wales, we checked out a site called GoEuro which allows you to compare the prices of trains, buses, and even flights to different areas. We once even scored bus tickets to London for as low as $7! Yeah, virtual high fives! One man takes a zip line across rocks above water

Zoom Past Cars as You Go Rally Driving in Castle Coombe

One of our Adventure Junkies, Jon did this experience and swore he had a blast. Imagine yourself racing down this dirt road track in a rally car, going as fast as you can while you dodge the obstacles in the track. Cue in some loud music and I swear it would seem like a scene for Fast and the Furious. For those people that like speed and adrenaline, this activity is just for you.

While in the area, make sure you check out all the best things to see and do in Bourton on the Water. You may also want to check out the best spots for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds. Alternatively, stop off at some of the region’s best pubs.

Read: Rally Driving in the UK Adventure Review

A rally car skidding around a mud track

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Take a Boat and Go Snorkelling in Scilly

No, I haven’t gone mad to recommend snorkelling in the UK. Located in the archipelago off the Southwestern tip of the Cornish peninsula of Great Britain are the Isles of Scilly where you can find a wide variety of wild life. For those that want to do a little bit more than just snorkelling, you can head on over to Lundy Island whose surrounding waters are composed of marine nature reserves. It is actually home to some of the best wreck dive sites as it has over 137 ships underneath.snorkeling gear equipment

Conquer your fear of Heights and Go Rock Climbing in Stanage

Located near Sheffield in the Peak District, this well-known spot in the climbing community is popularized by the quality of climbs that you can do. Now, I am no climber but this spot looks like it has a little bit of everything for everyone, although it seems to be a little bit more on the technical side. Its highest point is High Neb at 458 metres above sea level and is an impressive feat for anyone to do (or even attempt to do!) If you’re looking for something cooler (literally), there is also the option of going Ice Climbing in London.A man rockclimbing

Feel the Stoke as You Surf in Cornwall

Known to some as the surf capital of the UK, Cornwall is a great location to catch some swell. It has a host of great beaches, giving you various surf points and breaks to try out. One of the most popular spots to try is in Fistral Beach as on good days, you can have swells reach up to 8ft. However, it does get quite crowded so it may be worth checking out other spots such as Cribba or Perranporth Beach. Tom learned how to surf in the UK and despite having to suit up in wetsuits, according to him, the waves are decent and are awesome enough for a fun day out.

If you’re looking for the best places to stay while in Cornwall, we can highly recommend this reputable company – Stay In Cornwall. Not only do they provide you with beautiful accommodation and expert knowledge of the area, but they are also passionate about making sure that you make lasting memories.

Guy surfing in wetsuit in Morocco

Go Down Hill Mountain Biking in North East Wales

Close to the Berwyn Mountain Range, you can bike through 110 acres of privately owned woodland through Revolution Bike Park. Satisfy your need for speed as you bomb down these paths or go at any pace that you find enjoyable. Take in the beautiful scenery of the Snowdonia National Park as you find every type of terrain possible for bikers. The park looks well maintained with staff ready to assist you and point you to the right trail at any time.

mountain biking wales

So there you have it, folks! A taste of the finest adventures in the UK. If you’re looking for things to do in the city, check out our London City Break Guide: The Best of London in 48 hours. So whether you’re traversing through the awesome coastline or working your way down a bike trail, who says the UK isn’t full of adventures? What about you? What are your favorite adventures in the UK?

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