At its basic level, travel is all about adventure. And while the little adventures of travel – visiting a new museum, exploring quiet backstreets and sampling new cuisine – do serve to expand our horizons and refresh the mind, sometimes our inner adventurer wants to feel a rush of adrenaline more in keeping with a major physical or mental challenge.
Because of this thirst for excitement, adventure travel has been gaining steadily in popularity over the years. In its most simple and accessible form, this can involve taking part in an adventure sport or activity as part of a more conventional holiday – whether this be scuba diving, camel trekking, or learning to rock climb.
The good news is that if you want to inject a little adventure into this year’s travels, you don’t necessarily have to head for exotic destinations far away. There are plenty of places in the UK where you can indulge your thirst for daring exploits – just check out these examples to start your imagination…
Explore shipwrecks at Scapa Flow
What the UK may lack in colourful coral reefs, it more than makes up with historic diving. One of the best places to witness the nation’s rich maritime heritage underwater is at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys, off Scotland’s northern tip. At the end of the First World War, a fleet of more than a dozen German warships was scuttled in this stretch of water – the wrecks, as well as fascinating nearby caves and rock formations, can now be visited by divers of all abilities.
- shipwrecks at Scapa FlowDafydd Thomas / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
Drive a racecar at Silverstone
For speed demons who would like nothing better than a bit of open road and a dazzlingly fast machine, the sportscar driving experiences at the UK’s most famous motorsports course are a dream come true. With everything from Ferraris and Mercedes to Aston Martins on offer, travelling to Silverstone and racing your own personal Grand Prix is a must for motorsports fans or anyone who loves the lure of a classic car.
- travelling to Silverstone tommartinphotos / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Go on safari in Wiltshire
Longleat Safari Park was the first safari park to open outside of Africa, and for over 40 years it has let the British public get close to a variety of big game – including lions, rhinos, giraffes and gorillas – without leaving the country. This is a great one for families, with other highlights including a butterfly garden, a miniature railway, and boat trips to view a colony of seals. Bring your camera and pretend you’re on an expedition through the plains of Africa.
- Wiltshire safari Cyberslayer / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
Take to the trails at Glentress
This top-notch mountain biking facility in Scotland’s scenic Tweed Valley has quickly gained a reputation for the variety and excellence of its trails and facilities. Beginning bikers and families can enjoy a day out exploring the forest on the easy Green Route, whereas more experienced thrill-seekers will enjoy the challenging jumps and drops on the Red Route and the famous Glentress V Route, which has already been voted the top trail in Britain.
- trails at GlentressDecoByDesign / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
