Given the situation across the world, many of us have had our big summer plans turned on their heads. However, as the UK lockdown begins to ease, we’re planning to make the most of summer here on our shores.
Thankfully, the UK is a more diverse and exciting place to explore than many of us realise. Our varying natural landscapes ensure that there’s almost no end to the exciting outdoor activities we can enjoy. So, if you’re planning the ultimate active staycation this year, you might want to consider the following exciting activities.
BIKE RIDING
Nowadays, many of us associate bike riding with the morning commute to work—not exactly holiday material. While cycling to work is excellent for us and the environment, it’s easy to forget about those lazy summers we used to spend riding bikes with our friends.
Capture the feeling of summer by taking your bikes on an adventure across the UK countryside. Many places across the UK offer incredible cycling opportunities, allowing you to explore vast natural lands while feeling the pleasant summer breeze in your face. Take a picnic to enjoy with your family for the ultimate day out.
CANOEING
Canoeing is an activity that has become increasingly popular over the past few years, particularly in coastal areas. Unlike kayaking, which is often associated with travel across water, many people simply enjoy being in canoes and paddling about on the oceans and lakes of the UK, enjoying the feeling of the water underneath.
One of the great things about canoeing as an outdoor activity is its ease. You don’t have to be particularly active to excel at canoeing; you can just relax and enjoy the water around you.
PADDLEBOARDING
If you want to try something a little more adventurous than canoeing, why not give stand up paddleboarding a go? Otherwise known as SUP, paddleboarding is quickly becoming a fan favourite, and is something that can be enjoyed leisurely on lakes and rivers, or sportingly on ocean waves.
Simply put, SUP involves standing on a specially designed board and using a long paddle to push through the water. Think of the gondolas of Venice but more like a thin surfboard and you have the picture! There’s an element of skill to paddleboarding. Many will fall in the water a few times on the first go, but once the technique is mastered, this can be a fantastic leisure activity you’ll want to continue doing all summer.
SURFING
One of the most popular outdoor pursuits, and a skill that has been admired for generations, is surfing, and the British coastline is always speckled with surfers tearing through the waves. This summer could be the perfect excuse to give it a go and experience the thrill for yourself.
Surfing is arguably one of the UK’s most accessible watersports, given the sheer number of schools designed for beginners. Most of these will supply everything you need, including surfboards and wetsuits, making this the perfect summer activity for those wanting to experience something new.
TREKKING
One of the most under-appreciated outdoor pursuits—the simple act of walking—has come back into fashion this year. Lacing up our boots and spending some quality time outside has become a national pastime, and you can take your newfound love even further this summer with a UK trekking trip.
The British outdoors are incredibly diverse and exciting, so why not visit new parts of the UK this summer and enjoy a walking trip with your family, whether that’s up a mountain, across the coast or simply a day spent exploring your local area?
If your summer plans have been left up in the air, do not fear! The UK is full of exciting activities to enjoy in the open outdoors, so why not use this opportunity to try something new?
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