Adventure UK
E ver thought you’d lost a pair of sunglasses and then realised they were sitting on the top of your head? Sometimes, the thing you’re looking for is right in front of you. And if you’re looking to travel and discover something new, then why not explore more of the country outside your door?
The Lake District
It’s not surprising that people call it Britain’s Alps, because the stunning peaks, lakes and villages of the Lake District make it one of the most breathtaking spots on this island (or any other, for that matter). Its campsites and youth hostels make it possible to stay for a while on the cheap – and nothing compares to sleeping in the fresh, mountain air. From hiking to sailing and horseback riding to climbing, the outdoorsy options here are endless. Things can get crowded during the summer so try the quieter town of Keswick, famous for its hard-core outdoor activities, cafes and pubs. We’d need the whole magazine to list all the beautiful places within the Lakes, but some standout ones are Langdale Pikes and Aira Force, a waterfall in the Ullswater Valley. You can also climb Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at 978 metres. Hill Top Farm (near Sawrey) is where Beatrix Potter used to live – she was a great champion of the Lakes and bought several farms, which are now under the care of the National Trust.
The Lakes are one of the wettest parts of Britain, so pack your raincoat. And if it’s too wet to go outside, explore Penrith’s Rheged Centre, Europe’s largest grass-covered building(!), filled with exhibitions, films, food, shops and events (www.rheged.com). And if you like random exhibitions, Keswick has a car museum that features James Bond’s cars (www.carsofthestars.com) and a pencil museum, where you can see the longest pencil in the world. Finally.
Scottish Highlands
Why not step back in time as you explore the wild mountains, lochs, coasts and glens of the Scottish Highlands? Such unspoiled wilderness is becoming rare, and the remote atmosphere makes it easy to picture the clansmen, Vikings and Bronze Age warriors who once called this place home. There are thousands of things to see, but Cairngorms National Park is a good place to begin. As the UK’s largest national park, the Cairngorms have an impressive range of arctic mountains, moorlands, forests, rivers and wildlife. If you’re up for a challenge, you could try the Great Glen Way, a 73-mile footpath that runs from Fort William to Inverness. Or better yet, climb the UK’s largest mountain, Ben Nevis.
In the Highlands there are plenty of places to pitch a tent. We like the small fishing town of Ullapool (www.ullapool.co.uk), where you can camp right next to the sea (and where the seals come in and watch you eat breakfast). From here, you can explore the beaches or take a boat trip to the Outer Hebrides and Summer Isles. In fact, you could spend weeks playing island hopscotch on the ferries, jumping from island to island, all the way to Skye.
Snowdonia
For more than 5,000 years, people have lived and worked in the dramatic region of Snowdonia in Wales. At the centre of its mountains and coastline is Snowdonia National Park, the second largest national park in England and Wales. There are loads of walks around this area, including a hike to the top of the rugged Snowdon peak (the highest in England and Wales). And if you’re not up for the long haul, you could take a ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which has ferried people up the peak for over a hundred years.
There are several castles in Snowdonia, but the massive, commanding presence of Caernarfon is not to be missed. And if you like quaint villages, a good choice is Portmeirion, a colourful town that stands on a rugged clifftop on a private peninsula overlooking Cardigan Bay – it’s surrounded by sub-tropical woodlands and miles of sandy beaches.
Cornwall
When the sun shines, you can understand why people call it the English Riviera. Since 80% of Cornwall is surrounded by water, visitors are never further than 16 miles from the beach, which makes this a great place to go camping with your mates. If you’re feeling active, you could go surfing on the north coasts (bring a wetsuit) or hit the Coastal Path, a hiking trail that follows Cornwall’s dramatic coastline. Make sure to visit Land’s End, so you can say that you’ve been to the most westerly part of England.
Though natural beauty is everywhere, Cornwall is also famous for its manmade things. You’ve never seen anything like the groundbreaking Eden Project, where giant clusters of biomes (massive, bubble-like greenhouses) house tropical jungles and Mediterranean gardens. And if art’s your thing, don’t miss the Tate at St. Ives, which has loads of modern exhibitions. With so many things to do, you’ll be sure to burn some calories – so make up for it by eating a real pasty and some Cornish clotted cream ice cream.
The Yorkshire Dales
Rolling green hills, traditional villages, limestone cliffs and heather-covered moors are just a few things you’ll find in this beautiful part of the world. Hikers and cyclists will have hundreds of trails to choose from which go past rivers, tiny villages and ruins. One of the most striking areas is Malham Cove, which features a giant limestone cliff in the shape of an amphitheatre. If you rock climb, you can take the rather extreme, short route to the top – or you can hike around to the top and walk along the white rocks that form an otherworldly pavement (from up there, you’ll feel like the only person around for miles). Nearby, there’s great camping and a tarn and waterfall to explore.
Hundreds of years ago, monks made their home in this region, and you can see how they lived by visiting Bolton Abbey or Fountains Abbey, among others. Both have impressive remains, extensive grounds, gardens and rivers running through the place. You could spend an entire day here, so bring a picnic lunch.
And last, but definitely not least, the Dales are also the official home of Wensleydale Cheese, highly prized by Wallace and Gromit. You can take the ‘Cheese Experience’ tour at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes, where you’ll drool against the glass as the factory workers throw handfuls of tasty, creamy cheese into large vats. The best part is the end, where you end up in the cheese shop, which is rammed with loads of different cheeses…and free samples. We challenge you not to abuse it.
More info:
Lake District: www.lake-district.gov.uk
Scottish Highlands: www.visithighlands.com
Snowdonia National Park: www.eryri-npa.co.uk
Cornwall: www.visitcornwall.com
Eden Project: www.edenproject.com
Yorkshire Dales: www.yorkshiredales.org
Wensleydale Creamery: www.wensleydale.co.uk
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