We’ve tried more than 100 of the UK’s best outdoor activities and here are the five best adventures, from one of England’s ‘last bits of wilderness’ to Northern Ireland’s ‘best kept secret’
‘Adventure doesn’t have to be reserved for intrepid explorers, big budgets or far-flung lands.’
That’s according to photographers and founders of The Travel Project, Charlie Wild and Jessica Last, who have spent the past three years exploring the British Isles and compiling 52 outdoor activities into a book entitled Achievable Adventures.
The new guide, by Quadrille Publishersexplores affordable and budget-friendly activities in the UK that you can do without having to take a plane.
The duo hope to ‘change the way people see the UK by showcasing the opportunities for extraordinary experiences that are close to home’.
Here they’ve shared five of their favourite adventures with MailOnline Travel, from one of England’s ‘last bits of wilderness’ to Northern Ireland’s ‘best kept secret’. Which would you most like to try?
Staying at the Gearrannan Black Houses – Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Travel photographers Charlie Wild and Jessica Last shared five of their favourite outdoor adventures with MailOnline Travel. Pictured above are the Gearannan Black Houses in the Outer Hebrides, which they describe as ‘extraordinary’
‘When it comes to special places to stay in Britain, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another place like this,’ the couple claim.
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village is a traditional coastal village on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
According to the couple, a visit promises “an adventure like no other.” The book reads: “Sleeping in the original thatched stone homes, tucked away on a remote island steeped in history, you’ll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.”
For more information or to book a cottage stay, visit: www.gearrannan.com.
Fell pony trekking – Lake District, England
Charlie and Jessica describe pony riding in the Lake District as a ‘journey back in time’
“This meditative adventure will open your eyes to a simpler, older and altogether wilder version of Britain,” the couple claim.
The activity involves walking pack ponies, an ancient breed of horse, through the forests and mountains of the Lake District. According to the couple, walking on the ‘centuries-old tracks’ feels like a ‘journey back in time’.
It’s not a strenuous activity either, the couple say it’s “the definition of a slow adventure” as your pony adjusts to your pace.
For more information or to book the outdoor adventure, visit: fellpony.co.uk/adventures.
Surfing on the Causeway Coast – Northern Ireland
The couple recommend heading to the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland (above) for surfing. There’s ‘never a need to fight waves’, they claim
“It’s not the situation you first think of when you think of an adventure in Britain, but surfing may be Northern Ireland’s best-kept secret,” the pair write.
They recommend going to the Causeway Coast to enjoy the waves. They write: ‘Sitting on your board and looking back at the dramatic Northern Ireland coast while waiting for a wave is a really cool feeling.
‘On this coast alone you have a wide choice of places to choose from, and you never have to fight for the waves.’
If you don’t have a surfboard, there are plenty of places to rent equipment. Visit www.troggs.com/pages/surf-hire For more information.
Sailing through the salt marshes of Norfolk – England
During this adventure you will sail across a ‘pristine network of narrow waterways and hidden sandbanks’
The salt marshes lie off the north coast of Norfolk and are ‘one of England’s last true wilderness areas’.
According to the couple, the ‘untamed network of narrow waterways and hidden sandbanks was once the domain of smugglers’. The only way to get through this is with local expertise.
The Coastal Exploration Company provides this know-how and offers sailing trips along protected creeks.
The couple continue: ‘This adventure takes you across the waters in a lovingly restored classic working boat, guided by a skipper who knows this part of England like the back of his hand.’
To book the salt marsh exploration, go to coastalexplorationcompany.co.uk.
Coastal food foraging in Pembrokeshire, Wales
For an unusual adventure, the pair propose to gather ingredients for a meal along the Pembrokeshire coast
“If you’re a fan of outdoor cooking, fresh ingredients and rugged coastal landscapes, this might be the adventure for you,” the pair write.
The activity involves finding your own ingredients along the coasts of Pembrokeshire – from mussels to plants and crab – and preparing a feast on the spot.
According to the couple, it is an “afternoon full of surprises” that will teach you “skills that you can take with you to future adventures.” They write: “You will gain a whole new appreciation for the rich bounty of the natural world around us.”
For more information or to book a coastal food hunt, visit: www.coastalforaging.co.uk/.
Achievable Adventures, written by Charlie Wild and Jessica Last and published by Quadrille Publishing, is available to order on Amazon .
