Summer is Coming…Outdoor Activities to Try

With summer on the way, many Britons flock outside to spend as much time in the good weather before it quickly disappears again. So why not take full advantage of the short-lived sunshine and try something a little different this summer? We have put together a list of outdoor activities to try, some more challenging than others, but all offering something to throw yourself into(family and friends too) now that summer is coming…

Rock Climbing and Abseiling

Climbing by Alex Indigo / CC BY

Try something a little more daring this summer and give rock climbing and abseiling a go! Whether you are keen to get stuck in or want to overcome a fear of heights, rock climbing is a fantastic challenge and a great outdoor activity. With a plethora of companies and locations to help you on your way, you can enjoy this activity locally or on your next holiday. We recommend Lost Earth Adventures who offer a great selection of climbs/abseils in Yorkshire¸ the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak district, all of which are close to a range of major cities (including Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield).

Go Ape

GoApe2 by Kelly Last / CC BY

Similar to rock climbing and abseiling, Go Ape offers a forest adventure for all. Work as a team and encourage each other as you tackle this tree top obstacle course, offering a challenging and rewarding experience whether you love heights or hate them! With 29 Go Ape locations across the UK (some near big cities such as Birmingham, Exeter, Nottingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh), there are plenty of opportunities to give this activity a go, whether on a staycation or day out.

Hula Hoop

Whether hitting a local park or enjoying the great outdoors on holiday, a hula hoop offers hours of fun for those of all ages. Try some tricks or compete on who can last the longest, either way this popular activity is best enjoyed in the sun! Here is a beginner tutorial for those trying for the first time!

You can pick up a cheap hoop from Argos or Amazon, or if you want to something fancier for a dance/tricks approach, firetoys.co.uk offer some good value hoops, especially if you need one that compacts.

Geocaching

Geocaching Container by cachemania / CC BY

Geocaching is ‘the real-world treasure hunt’ which uses GPS-enabled devices to find ‘treasure’. Participants register for a basic membership, visit their ‘Hide & Seek a Cache’ page, find and choose a geocache near to you or your desired destination, enter the coordinates into your GPS device, find the hidden treasure, sign the log book and replace. A modern twist on the traditional treasure hunt, Geocache offers a fun adventure for all and it can be played all over the world!

Kayaking

Kayaks at Magnuson Park by Eric Frommer / CC BY

With countless places to kayak and various adventure companies offering Kayaking sessions/days out, grabbing a paddle is an obvious option this summer. Whether you tackle a canal, lake, river, or the sea, Kayaking is great fun for all groups and families! The South Coast is particularly good for beginners to try a splash with Brighton and Bournemouth as popular destinations. Devon and Cornwall are also kayaking hot spots for all levels.

Rollerblade

Zooming along by Edward Simpson / CC BY

Getting out and about with outdoor activities is not always feasible with costs, rollerblading, on the other hand, is a great cheaper way to enjoy the summer outdoors! It is a fantastic activity to do as a family or with friends, and once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s a great way to get from A to B.

Quad Biking

Photo by Janet Ramsden / CC BY

This is a great activity for those wanting an outdoor adventure that they can just go for! Dirty, powerful and full of excitement, quad biking is a fantastic day out that pushes you out your comfort zone and into an exhilarating adventure. There are various quad biking centres across the UK, Quad Nation is a particularly good company with venues in many popular cities such as Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham, London, Brighton and Birmingham.