There are plenty of fun outdoor activities to do across the UK this summer (including wildlife safaris)
It looks as though our summer holidays this year will be firmly spent in the UK, not least because Boris Johnson has announced that hotels, B&Bs and campsites in this country can open from 4th July.
So, with domestic tourism restarting and the weather becoming decidedly hotter (seriously, the lockdown gods are spoiling us with this heatwave), many of us have started thinking about a staycation or two this summer.
And just because we may not be jetting off somewhere sun-drenched and exotic, doesn't mean we can't fill our diaries with fun activities guaranteed to put a post-lockdown smile on our faces. In fact, whether you're hanging out in the capital or heading up to the Highlands, there is plenty to keep you busy when it comes to the great British outdoors.
There's of course the obvious 'head to your local park for a drunken picnic/ game of kick about/ ill-informed family badminton battle', but let's be real: if there's anything lockdown has taught us, it's that we're kinda sick of the sight of our local park.
So, we thought we'd come up with some other ideas for fun outdoor activities you can do across the UK that you might not have considered. For example, have you ever hiked over the rolling hills of Dartmoor and spotted the iconic herds of Dartmoor ponies? Or strolled through a sea of purple at one of the UK's lavender farms (which open in the summer when the lavender's in bloom)? Or tried your hand at one of the many water sports available around the coastline? Yep, you don't need to jet off to the Med to learn how to paddle board or kayak.
So, here are some ideas for outdoor activities across the country, whether you're up for a chilled day at the beach or something a little more adventurous...
Take a boat down the Thames
We may think of London as a concrete jungle, but it's actually teeming with parks, wildlife, beautifully-designed gardens and tons of waterways. Take Go Boat, who offer you the chance to discover an unseen side of London by taking a picnic boat ride either from Paddington through Regent's Park, or Kingston through to Teddington Lock.
Ramble round Dartmoor
Take a staycation to Dartmoor National Park and spend some time ambling through Game of Thrones-style landscape – think wild, open moorland and deep river valleys. Dartmoor is the largest and highest upland in southern Britain, meaning it's home to a rich diversity of wildlife. The iconic Dartmoor ponies have lived in the park for centuries (some hoof prints were found to be 3,500 years old!) and there's now approximately 1500 dotted all across the moor.
Try sea kayaking
Companies up and down the coast offer sea kayaking lessons, some with particularly breathtaking views and even the chance to spot wildlife. Wilderness Scotland is one such company, who operate sea kayaking tours against the dramatic North West Highlands landscape. Book in a local boat ride as part of the package to spot dolphins and whales, too.
Take up surfing
Ever dreamt of being a surfer girl? This summer is your chance. Tie it in with your staycation or look up surf schools near your local beach. From Troggs Surf School in County Antrim to St. Vedas Surf Shop in Berwickshire, the UK is a prime surfing location. Bali, who?
Go cliff camping
Looking for something a tad more adventurous? Head to North Wales and give cliff camping a go. Yep, from May to September with Gaia Adventures you can camp overnight on a portaledge, suspended above the sea, with stunning views over the Irish Sea. Talk about living life on the edge (sorry).
Chill on a Cornish beach
'Beautiful beaches' may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the UK, but look beyond some of the more well-known pebbly attractions and you'll find unspoiled stretches of white sand and crystal clear blue waters. This is particularly true of South West England, where one of our favourites is Sennen Beach (pictured). Head to the mile-long Sennen Cove, a beautiful mile-long stretch where, at certain times of the year, you might spy dolphins. On a hot summer's day, it's hard to believe you're not actually abroad.
Go castle-hopping around Kent
Looking for something with a bit more culture and history? The UK is home to some of the finest castles in the world, and if you find yourself in the South East, Kent is home to heaps of them. There's Hever Castle whose most famous resident was Anne Boleyn; Rochester Castle, one of the best-preserved Norman castles; Dover Castle perched above the White Cliffs; Leeds Castle, often hailed as one the most magnificent medieval castles in England; and the often overlooked Scotney Castle (pictured), the picturesque ruins of a 14th century moated castle.
Use the interactive map at historic-uk.com to see castles in your area.
Frolic in Yorkshire's lavender fields
From June to August, Britain's lavender fields burst into a sea of bright purple blooms and fill the air with that heady, calming aroma we all love. A day trip to a lavender farm would make an adorable family day out, and you can find them up and down the country, from Yorkshire to Somerset.
Visit Britain have a list of some of the loveliest lavender fields in the country.
Go on a wildlife safari
You may not get the chance to spot the Big Five, but animal-lovers can still go on many a wildlife safari in this country. Wildlife Safaris UK offer four tours, from basking sharks and minke whales off the Isle of Mull to red squirrels and falcons in the Durham Dales; Yorkshire Coast run whale-watching trips; New Forest Deer Safari are very popular for seeing Red and sometimes Fallow Deer; Nature Trek do bird-watching tours up and down the country.
Learn to paddleboard
Is it just us or has paddleboarding become way more popular in recent years? It probably conjures up images of Instagram snaps in the Maldives, but you can get your paddleboard game on in tons of places in the UK – and you don't even need to head to the coast. Take Into The Blue, who offer paddleboarding lessons in Bedfordshire for just £20.
