Adrenalin sports
Relaxation’s for wimps. You want to be energised. You want to get the blood pumping. And in Britain you’ll be spoilt for choice. Try some of these for size:
Believe it or not you can you push your mind, body and nerve to the limits in Britain...
Surfing
The Gulf Stream brings warm water from the tropics and the Atlantic provides the swell, Britain’s huge tidal range often results in a completely different set of breaks at low and high tides. So what are you waiting for? Slip a wet-suit over those baggy shorts and hit the waves.
The best beaches for surfing and sunshine are in Cornwall and Devon. Newquay is known as the surf capital of Britain with shops, board hire, contests and all the trappings, from Kombis to bleached hair. In Wales ideal spots include Whitesands near St David’s, Porthcawl or the Gower Peninsula. Hardcore surfers should head for Scotland’s north coast: Thurso has world-class possibilities and a large and lively surf scene.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Classic rivers include the Thames, the lower Wye, the upper Severn, the Avon, the Trent, the Forth and the Spey. Lakes include Windermere, Coniston and Derwentwater in Cumbria, while in Scotland you can tour Loch Lomond. Loch Ness forms part of the Caledonian Canal, a great way to cross the country coast-to-coast.
If you want white water, head for Llangollen or Bala in Wales or the rivers Nith and Orchy in Scotland. In England one of the best spots is the purpose-built rapids at Holme Pierrepont near Nottingham.
For rock-hopping or sea touring, the island of Britain – naturally – has a fabulous coastline. Places to aim for in England include Devon and Cornwall, while in Wales you can’t beat dreamy Pembrokeshire.
In northwest Scotland the sky’s the limit – the islands of the Inner Hebrides are relatively sheltered, with hundreds of deserted lochs and wild campsites if you’ve got an adventurous spirit and the right gear.
Hang-Gliding & Paragliding
There’s a relatively small but thriving hang-gliding and (especially) paragliding scene in Britain with a good selection of varied flying sites. England’s favoured locations include the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and the Long Mynd, near Shrewsbury. In Wales the most popular flying area is around Abergavenny with access to the nearby Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons.
For experts the Scottish highlands offer spectacular flying opportunities with many unrestricted access sites. Glencoe and Aonach Mhor are also good and as both are ski areas there’s a handy cable car up to the launch site!
Rock-Climbing & Mountaineering
Rock climbing was pioneered in Britain over a century ago and today there are thousands of enthusiasts and numerous indoor walls, but the best buzz comes from climbing outdoors.
First class mountaineering areas are the mountains of Scotland (especially the northwest), favourite spots include Glen Coe, the Ben Nevis area and Skye. In Wales Snowdonia offers long and short routes. England’s main draw for long routes is the Lake District, while tops for single-pitch climbs is the Peak District’s world-famous gritstone ‘edges’.
Britain also offers the sheer exhilaration of sea-cliff climbing from Cornwall, through Pembrokeshire, to Scotland’s classic Old Man of Stor rock tower. Nothing makes you concentrate more on finding the next hold than crashing waves below!
Want More?
Not tired yet? Other activities in Britain include sailing, windsurfing, skiing, snowboarding, parachuting, bungee-jumping and white-water rafting.
Active Links
For information, locations, equipment hire, organised courses and activity holidays, click on these websites: