Cheap Adventure Holidays in the UK

Dion Wick    ash     adventure holidays, Adventure Sports, cheap adventure holidays, holidays in the UK, kayaking holidays, Kayaking Ireland, Lake District, Mountain Biking in the UK, trekking, UK

No one is more bored or disinterested in hearing about the financial climate than me. But the truth is there are cheap adventure holidays in the UK available all-year round. We may have to tighten our belts for months if not years to come, but it doesn’t mean we have to give up on our adventurous pleasures.

Great waves in Wales. Photo: Flickr/ guff vaughan

Watching the cash doesn’t have to leave us bereft of fun and adventure though – it just means we have to be a little more creative. And having your dose of action doesn’t have to mean digging deep or even travelling far.

Here’s our guide to cheap adventure holidays in the UK

Trekking in the Lake District

Abandon the urban jungle and scale England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike in the Lake District. At 978m it’s hardly Everest, but battling the somewhat unpredictable Cumbrian weather and steep pathways is undoubtedly exhilarating, while the views from the summit have inspired writers from Wordsworth to Wainwright.

On a clear day, it’s also possible to see the five kingdoms of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man and England. Trekking in the UK all you need is a decent map, the right walking gear, and a nose for adventure.


Wild swimming in lakes and along the coast, 100% free! Photo: Flickr/nicksarebi

Wild Swimming


You might want to sit this one out until the wintry weather perks up and water temperatures are not so icy, but wild swimming is something of a new craze for those in search of secret beaches, sandy coves and smuggler’s caves along our coastlines.

Armed with just a bikini or pair of shorts, what could be cheaper yet more invigorating than plunging into a hidden waterfall or a languid lake? And your aquatic journey can start almost anywhere in the UK, just ensure you’re aware of the depth of water and currents – purchasing a guide to the sport is a good place to start.

Night Kayaking in Cork, Ireland


With just the moon and stars to guide you, paddling across Lough Hyne – an unusual, partially enclosed lake – after dusk will have you spotting all manner of nocturnal creatures, three miles west of the town of Skibbereen. As the sun melts into the horizon, lucky kayakers can also glimpse phosphorescence (glowing plankton)- something you’d only expect while wallowing in the exotica of Thailand’s islands.


Mountain Biking in Fort William

The UK isn’t short of some of Europe’s finest mountain bike routes. Set your adrenalin pumping and get on your bike while negotiating the rugged highlands encircling the Scottish town of Fort William.

If the mountain biking in Scotland is good enough for competitors of the Mountain Bike World Cup, it’s got to be good enough for everyone else! From cross-country trails to white knuckle downhills and gentle forest rides, it’s breathless, brawny and beautiful.


Surfing at Hell’s Mouth, Wales


Who needs Costa Rica when you’ve got great swells for surfing in the UK? This popular surf spot in North Wales is well known for good reason: impressive peaks span along its length, and at four miles, there’s plenty of room for anyone with a board.

About the author

Dion Wick wrote 13 articles on this blog.

I'm a travel journalist by trade, and have spent many years travelling the world researching and writing. I love the spirit of travel and the intricacies of other cultures.

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