Best UK Getaways For Adventure Seekers

Some choose to go on holiday to relax, others to see the sights, but then there are those who choose their holidays because of the adrenaline-filled activities on offer.

Luckily these people need not travel far to get their fix of thrills as the UK has a varied selection on offer. From the Highlands, all the way down to Cornwall, here are four UK getaways perfect for adventure seekers.

Snowdonia, Wales

Snowdonia’s diverse landscape is made up of coastline, mountains and forests, making it a perfect location for a range of activities. Those that feel a need for speed and heights can experience the world’s fastest zip wire at Zip World, where adventurers can reach speeds of 100mph while 500ft in the air, on their wire aptly named ‘Velocity’.

For people who wish to stay more grounded, or below ground, they can try the underground trampoline experience at Bounce Below. Set in a former slate mine this subterranean playground is the only one of its kind in the UK. Bounce Below features industrial slides that are the size of two double-decker buses. It is suitable for those aged seven and up so even mini thrill-seekers can get a kick out of this unique experience.

Of course, not all adventurers are looking to fly through the air or bounce underground, some are quite happy just to walk, however, a real adventure seeker would only be satisfied with a walk as challenging as the Welsh 3000s. Described as only suitable for the very fit, this walk involves ascending all 15 of the mountains over 3000ft in Wales within the space of 24 hours, without using any transport, not even a bike, to get you to them. The walk equates to between 24 and 30 miles, some of the exceptionally fit have managed to conquer the challenge in a mere 12 hours.

It is important that after ticking these activities off an adventurer’s bucket list, people have somewhere to retire to, allowing them to recuperate for the next activity. There are plenty of B&Bs and an Away Resorts holiday park located in beautiful Barmouth Bay, Wales to suit all kinds of party sizes, from singles to couples to families.

Newquay, Cornwall

Cornwall is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful counties in the UK, full of picturesque beaches and quaint towns, the county mainly attracts those wishing to experience a quiet break away. But an exception to this is the town of Newquay. Voted one of the nation’s favourite seaside towns, Newquay is the hub of activity in Cornwall.

Nothing quite says adventure like coming face to face with a creature that terrifies many, a shark. In Newquay those over the age of 16 can book a day trip out to go shark cage diving, putting you in the water with these feared predators. The trip is a total of eight hours and no diving experience is required. It is quite an exclusive trip, however, as it only takes place on a few select dates throughout the year, so is an activity that should be booked well in advance.

If sharks don’t float a person’s boat then they can always opt for a different kind of water-based activity. Cornwall is a hub for surfing and other water sports. The Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay offers lessons in an assortment of sports, including surfing, wave skiing, kite surfing and more. They even offer a pick and mix option called an Extreme Day, allowing adrenaline junkies to try out more than one sport.

Perthshire, Scotland

Irn Bru, Whisky, Haggis…..and adrenaline-fuelled activities? Although not typically associated with Scotland, there are plenty of activities for adventurers heading north of the border, it isn’t called ‘the land of the brave’ for nothing!

Some will call it the ultimate thrill and some will simply call it crazy, but the bungee jump is something a lot of people want to tick off their bucket list. The Highland Fling Bungee Jump takes place in Killiecrankie and was the UK’s first static bungee jump, the jumpers will experience a free fall of 40 metres towards water, reaching approximately 50mph before springing back. The jump takes place from a specially constructed platform over the beautiful River Garry near Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire, Scotland.

Those who want to have control over their activity, more so than in a free fall, may wish to look into off-road quad-biking. The adventure starts on an assault course to help riders get used to the vehicles and the terrain: the course includes camel-back humps, steep hillsides and cobbles. Once this has been tackled, the group set off on a trek through 280 acres of wild highland estate, giving access to some incredible views as well as an unforgettable experience.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Although it seems like a destination to attract more cheese lovers than thrill-seekers, Cheddar Gorge is full of exciting activities.

Not one for the claustrophobics, adventure caving in Cheddar Gorge lets people explore the Gorge from a whole new perspective. Participants will climb up to the Mushroom Chamber, crawl through the Sand Chamber and descend over 40ft into the heart of the cave system. The route out is just as, if not more, exhilarating; crawling across the terrifyingly named Bottomless Pit and slipping headfirst through the Letterbox. Once the course is completed all that take part are given a certificate, which could become a great conversation piece.

A new attraction of the Gorge is the Black Cat Free Fall, which is located in the cave systems under the Gorge. This sees people climbing a 30ft ladder and jumping off, attached to a safety wire, granted, but still a heart-pounding experience for those involved.

Those wishing to participate in a classic thrill-seeking activity can sign up for some good old-fashioned rock climbing. There are seven ascent routes you can choose from at Cheddar Gorge, ranging from very easy to quite difficult. Expert climbers are there every step of the way, turning novices into savvy climbers in no time, all whilst being safely rigged with four climbing ropes.

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