UK gap years

Off somewhere? You don’t need to hurl cash into an Australia-shaped hole. Lonely Planet’s Tom Hall looks at the hidden treasures of Great Britain

Britain is one of the world’s greatest holiday destinations. There, I’ve said it. We’ve got everything: beautiful countryside, thriving cities and spectacular coastline. There’s so much here it’ll take a lifetime to explore, so if you’re wavering about travelling on a gap year or staying put then why not compromise and explore his incredibly varied land we call home? Here’s Lonely Planet’s suggestion for ten things you never thought of doing in Britain…

Visit Britain’s only Coastal National Park
Rocky, sandy, sparkling and remote, the wonders of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park are unmissable. This stunning coastline is made up of soaring cliffs and vast swathes of golden beach, set against a backdrop of boiling surf and migrating dolphins. If you fancy a spot of rock climbing, gully scrambling, wave riding and cliff jumping all rolled into one, then try the local adventure sport of coasteering. The area also has some of Britain’s finest sea kayaking.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – www.pcnpa.org.uk

Hit the waves in Devon & Cornwall
England’s south-west is a surfer’s paradise, with dozens of great breaks and some the country’s warmest waters. There’s a great surf scene at coastal towns and villages in both
counties, with lessons and board and wetsuit hire available cheaply wherever there are waves. Popular spots include Braunton and Croyde in Devon and St Agnes and the daddy of them all, Newquay in Cornwall. What better way to pick up a skill you can put to use on beaches around the world?
West Country Tourism – www.westcountrynow.com

Explore Britain’s north coast & the Orkneys
Few Brits or tourists make it up to the far north of the island – it’s worth the trip. The north coast is an eerie place – isolated communities, the occasional mountain rising dramatically out of boggy plains and some spectacular beaches and rocky stretches of coast. Beyond even that are the Orkneys, a collection of North Atlantic islands dotted with Bronze Age sites like Skara Brae, an astonishingly well-preserved fishing
village older than both Stonehenge and the Pyramids. Cool. The island’s capital, Kirkwall, also has a surprisingly lively clubbing scene – perfect for those long, light summer nights.
Visit Scotland – www.visitscotland.com

Volunteer!
Concerned about the cost, challenge and commitment of volunteering overseas? Then do it here! Though gapers are generally happy to commit time abroad, not enough of us do it here. Those who do can get involved in everything from conservation to social work and give something back to communities on our doorstep. And unlike expensive overseas trips, volunteering at home is something that everyone can afford.
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers – www.btcv.org
Community Service Volunteers – www.csv.org.uk

Stroll some stone circles
Many of us have been to Stonehenge and, let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a letdown. A ring-fenced stone circle hemmed in by busy roads. There’s a far more intriguing site a few miles away at Avebury [see our Hallowe’en feature for more on Avebury’s general spookiness – etc.]. This stone circle is bigger – the biggest in the world, in fact – older and much quieter than Stonehenge. You can’t miss the stones – the village is surrounded by them.
Avebury Tourism – www.visitkennet.co.uk

Take to two wheels
The ever-expanding National Cycle Network makes getting around on two wheels a doddle. The network uses a mixture of quiet roads, purpose-built tracks and off-road trails to ensure noisy, smelly cars don’t spoil your day. The best-known long distance route is the C2C (Coast to Coast) path snaking across the ‘roof of England’ from Whitehaven in the Lake District to Sunderland or Tynemouth in Newcastle. If you’re really up for a challenge, there’s always Land’s End to John O’Groats. This 1,000 mile plus route is best tackled over 10-14 days. Pack spare buttocks.
National Cycle Network – www.sustrans.org.uk

Lose the crowds in the Cambrian Mountains
The Lake District, the Highlands and Snowdonia are rightly famed mountain areas for hiking and biking. Mid-Wales, however, has hills and valleys to tramp all over with a fraction of the crowds elsewhere. The Cambrian Mountains, found around Machynlleth, and the hills and valleys further south are the best place to start exploring.
Visit Wales – www.visitwales.co.uk

Revisit reborn Liverpool
Britain’s cities are glowing, basking in regional pride, vibrant multicultural influences and redeveloped city centres. Nowhere is this more the case than Liverpool, which has bounced back from years of decline to become European Capital of Culture for 2008. The city is hosting major exhibitions, concerts and sporting events – the cycling Tour of Britain and Tall Ships Race are just two. When combined with Scousers’ famous love of a good time and musical and footballing heritage Liverpool is a great place to visit for a
weekend, or a base from which to explore surrounding areas.
Visit Liverpool – www.visitliverpool.com

Escape to the Isle of Man
75 miles into the North Sea lies the perfect escape from the familiar. The Isle of Man is little known to most mainlanders who’ve never seen the lush valleys, barren hills and rugged coastlines of what is a truly beautiful place. It’s a great place to explore by motor or pushbike, and is best-known as the setting for May and June’s TT Races, a heaven for motorcycling loons going terrifyingly fast down little lanes. The rest of the year, it’s a getaway offering a slice of life that you won’t find on the mainland.
Isle of Man Tourism – www.gov.im/tourism

Pitch a tent: camping’s cool again
Whether you choose a tipi in Cornwall or Wales, an organic campsite in the Peak District or a Scottish luxury camping experience, camping is officially cool again. There’s always been something clean and green about camping, but in this eco-conscious age the idea of getting back to nature – with a chic twist – brings out the eternal hippy in all of us.
www.coolcamping.co.uk

The Bible
Lonely Planet is team etc.’s guidebook of choice – we never travel without one. The guide to Great Britain (7th edition) is out now. More? www.lonelyplanet.com

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