1. Kitesurfing
Norfolk’s always been celebrated for its beautiful sandy beaches, but it is pretty good out on the water, too, especially at Hunstanton Beach, which has low tides and is perfect for a variety of sporting activities.
Hunstanton Watersports offers tuition and kit for paddleboarding, windsurfing and – for those who like a challenge – kitesurfing. Got what it takes to skim over the waves while flying a kite? Now’s your chance!
Where to stay Manor Park Holiday Park is just a 10-minute walk away from Hunstanton Beach.
2. Salmon fishing
Scotland is rightly famous for salmon fishing and its largest salmon river, running some 117 miles, is the River Tay. Guided fishing is available, with several methods on offer, including fly fishing, spinning and traditional boat fishing or harling.
Where to stay Milton of Fonab Caravan Park, near Pitlochry, offers fishing on the River Tummerl, a tributary of the River Tay.
3. Golfing
Where better to enjoy golf than Scotland? Carnoustie has hosted eight Open Championships, on fairways graced by the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. But if the £105 fee for the Championship Course is a bit pricey, you might prefer to play the Burnside and Buddon Links Courses.
Where to stay Woodlands Caravan Park is just a mile away.
4. Kayaking
The River Wye, on the border between England and Wales, has beautiful scenery and is excellent for kayaking (take expert advice to find the safest spots). There are lots of hire firms, offering everything from a try-out to a six-day 100-mile trip.
Where to stay Hollymount Caravan Club CL is near the river.
5. Cycling
You’ll need proper Yorkshire grit to cycle in the Dales. There’s a great choice of routes, but the Settle and Malham Cove loop gives a taste of the dales and hills the area is famous for.
Where to stay Family-run Knight Stainforth Hall Caravan and Camping Park is just two miles north of Settle.
6. Walking
The South Downs Way runs 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne – everything from a short hop to a full-on trek. High points include the Ditching and Firle beacons, and the Seven Sisters chalk hills near Eastbourne are hard to beat.
Where to stay Nearby Buckle Holiday Park provides private access to the Blue Flag beach at Seaford Bay.
7. Wild swimming
Pick your spot safely and ensure people know where you are, and you’ve got your very own free waterpark. And for a real adventure, consider Wastwater in the Lake District – Britain’s deepest lake, beneath its highest mountain, Scafell Pike.
Where to stay The Old Post Office campsite is bordered by the River Irt, where you can enjoy wild swimming or fishing.
8. Paddleboarding
You might think Richmond, on the outskirts of London, is a curious choice for socially distant adventures, but once you’re out on the water, you’re removed from the many day-trippers and walkers along the river bank.
This stretch of the Thames paints a quintessentially English scene, the river curving elegantly away from Richmond Hill and down towards Petersham and Ham House.
Where to stay Walton on Thames is a short drive away, near Hampton Court.
9. Forest bathing
First established in Japan in the 1980s, shinrin-yoku, the practice of ‘forest bathing’, is now growing in popularity here in the UK.
Based on the concept of spending time in, and being more aware of, nature, this combines mindfulness with the restorative powers of the natural world.
It’s amazing what being quiet, carrying out some simple breathing exercises and imbibing a good dose of Mother Nature can do for the soul.
The New Forest National Park has among the highest concentration of trees in Western Europe, making this beautiful part of the world a perfect spot to be at one with nature.
Where to stay Black Knowl Caravan Club Site is located within easy walking distance of Brockenhurst.
10. Surfing
When it comes to catching a wave, England’s south-west often grabs all the attention. But while Cornwall and Devon are undoubtedly great, they’re not the only player in town. Try the bracing waters of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, in Redcar & Cleveland – Saltburn Surf School is a good place to start.
Where to stay Margrove Park Holidays is ideally located, on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors.
11. Running
The Cotswold Way is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The 102-mile walking trail, which passes through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and extends from Chipping Campden to Bath, is much loved by runners who enjoy the beautiful views towards the River Severn and the Malvern Hills, and some not-too-challenging climbs.
Where to stay Apple Tree Caravan Park has panoramic vistas looking towards the Cotswold Edge.
12. Birdwatching
There are many fantastic birdwatching locations throughout the UK, but some are easier to get to than others, and the Forest of Dean is one of the more accessible.
This ancient woodland is great for spotting woodpeckers, flycatchers and warblers. On some parts of the river, you might also see the blue and orange flash of a kingfisher.
Where to stay Hawthorne Cottage Caravan Site, which is adults-only, borders the forest.
13. Mountain biking
There are so many cycling trails through Grizedale Forest, in the Lake District, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Routes are graded green, blue, red and black, indicating the level of difficulty. There are plenty of gentle rides for beginners, so you can build up to the more challenging descents.
Where to stay Park Cliffe Camping & Caravan Estate is well positioned for Windermere and Grizedale.
14. Painting
If you’ve been brushing up on your artistic technique during lockdown, now’s the time to put some of that activity to the test.
Take one of the greatest painters as your inspiration – John Constable painted The Hay Wain in 1821 on the River Stour, near Flatford Mill in Suffolk.
Secure your spot, set up your easel, and prepare to paint!
Where to stay Willowmere Camping & Caravan Park sits in the beautiful valley of the River Stour.
15. Fossil hunting
You will have to start early and leave before the crowds arrive, but you’ll find that Charmouth, in Dorset, is a great place to venture into the magical world of fossil hunting. This Jurassic coastline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fascinating insight into 185 million years of prehistoric Britain, spanning the Mesozoic Era.
Where to stay Wood Farm Caravan and Camping Park is perfectly located, less than a mile from Charmouth Beach.
If you liked this…READ THESE:
15 brilliant areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to visit
The Quirky Dozen – unusual places to visit
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