Outdoor activities in United Kingdom holidays, courses & experiences

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London rafting adventure at Lee Valley rafting centre

Even the most pessimistic and unenthusiastic Brit would have been pleasantly surprised and moved by the success of last summer’s Olympics. Yet a year later discussions about the Olympic legacy abound. However, there’s one facility that is very much earning its keep. If you’re looking for a London rafting or…

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Guide to London rafting holidays

OK so a London white water rafting trip may not be up there with the likes of the Zambezi or Grand Canyon. However since the London Olympics in 2012 the Lee Valley white water centre has been opened for the public to enjoy all sorts of white water activities including…

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Best places to learn to kitesurf in Europe

If you want to learn to kitesurf in Europe, there are some important factors to consider. Firstly, you’ll want somewhere where there is a calm, shallow teaching area, such as a sheltered bay, ocean lagoon or estuary. Waves and deep water are not friends of the novice kitesurfer. You’ll also…

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Africa overland holidays from London to Cape Town

Travelling the world has never been easier. However, this does mean that everywhere you go there are tourists. And where there are tourists, true cultural experiences are harder to find. Which is why Africa overland holidays remain as one of the few genuine journeys of exploration. The sheer scale of…

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Top 10 Europe surf destinations

Writing a top 10 Europe surf destinations can be a tricky businesses there are many factors that have to be taken into account. Firstly I have to assume I am talking to a mixed bag of surfers, not all beginners are going to want to know where the best 18ft…

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Coast to Coast Kayak Challenge in Scotland – RNLI Fundraiser

The coast to coast kayak challenge in Scotland is not a trip for the unfit or those unfamiliar with a kayak. It follows the stunning 60 mile route of the Caledonian Canal from Fort William on the North Atlantic coast to Inverness on the North Sea. The Caledonian Canal is…

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The Ultimate Journey: Overland from London to Sydney

One of the few remaining great adventures on the planet, the overland route from London to Sydney is a momentous undertaking but equally rewarding. Full of adventures there are as many activities to tray as there are miles to cover. From Transylvania to Uluru, Budapest to Bali and so much…

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Fort William MTB Race Report: British Downhill Series Round 2

Supporting the Crank Cycles/Kona Grassroots team exploco blogger Sam Bowell gets himself up to the second round of the British Downhill Series – the epic Fort William MTB Race. Upfront is Thomas, a young talent taking the knocks and getting a taste of the top – with Sam getting in…

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Kayaking with kids: Activity holidays for all the family

Summer vacation is just around the corner, so parents everywhere looking to keep your children entertained why not try kayaking with your kids? It’s fun, healthy, engaging and just a little bit challenging. Kayaking is a great way to enjoy a beautiful day on the river, lake, ocean or bay….

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Guide to Crantock kiteboarding holidays

Crantock is a beach in Cornwall just to the west of Newquay. It is a relatively small beach and certainly not the best for kitesurfing in the area. During the summer while lifeguards are on duty from 10-5 Crantock kitesurfing is forbidden. The best beaches for kitesurfing in the area…

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Skiplex promises endless skiing. But, is it the real deal?

It was the first time I had actually seen myself ski but I didn’t look as good as I’d imagined, despite having notched up almost endless skiing holidays during my ten years on the slopes. Watching myself sliding and flexing in front of the huge mirror, I could see that…

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The Outdoors Show 2013: New Year, New Gear

Now that Christmas is over and 2013 is underway, it’s the perfect time to start planning all of the adrenaline packed adventure sports you’ll be undertaking in the New Year. First on your list should be the Outdoors Show 2013. Whether you’ll be throwing yourself out of a plane, hurtling down…

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Taking a Toddler on a Snowboarding Holiday: 5 Things to Consider

At first glance, the words ‘toddler’ and ‘snowboarding’ don’t seem to go together but taking a toddler on a snowboarding holiday can be a great family experience. However companies like Esprit Ski offer a variety of childcare options meaning kids are kept warm, fed and entertained. Toddlers (classified as from…

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National Watersports Festival at Hayling Island this weekend

The National Watersports Festival at Hayling Island, Hampshire is this weekend and the birthplace of windsurfing will be the place to be! This annual get together kicks off on Friday 7 September and runs all the way until the evening of Sunday 9 September ensuring a full weekend of fun and…

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UK vs US: Who has the greatest national parks?

Between the UK and the US there are a whopping 69 national parks – plenty to see, plenty to do. Some attractions are common to both countries, others are uniquely different. Whoever emerges victorious from the UK vs US debate, there’s no denying the strengths of both landscapes, whether we’re…

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Caravan Clubs and Wakeboarding in the UK

Ever since joining the World Games in 2005, wakeboarding has been enjoying a popularity surge in the UK. Whether it’s the sheer sensation of speed, the thrill of grabbing some pop or catching all those lovely vistas or a combo of all three – 2.3 million people around the world…

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Climbing in the UK: Caravan sites that make base camps

Access, affordability, autonomy – the ‘three As’ – are just some of the reasons why rock climbers decide to stay the night in a caravan after climbing in the UK up the steepest approaches and scaling the highest peaks. In the UK especially there’s a convenient synergy between caravan sites…

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Want to surf great waves in remote UK locations? Get a caravan!

Some of the best surf available is located in remote places: in hidden coves, on the shores of mountain ranges, amid the ruins of ancient castles and on the fringes of dense forests. If you travel to one of these destinations in a caravan then you’ll be truly self-sufficient; you won’t be held back by lack of catering or accommodation options. You can throw your Firewire Dominator shortboard in the back and go pretty much anywhere for the big surf. It’s a fun and adventurous way to practise your favourite sport.

So which are the best surf spots in the UK for caravan owners?

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MTB Challenge: Land’s End to John o’Groats

Land’s End to John o’Groats is popular for road cyclists. But it’s an MTB challenge to far for most riders…At more than 1,000 miles (‘,600 km) it will test your endurance and dogged determination to face the changeable British weather. Now try it off-road…. As part of the Explore! Bipolar…

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New Bikes: Buying a Mountain Bike

Back in May, I decided to replace my barely road worthy ‘mountain’ bike with a bike that can handle proper off-road riding. I hadn’t ridden off-road since I was a kid, which was well before mountain bikes had disk brakes or suspension so I went into buying a mountain bike…

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Snowboarding and skiing in Scotland in June?!

Snowboarding and skiing in Scotland has now firmly established itself on the list of European ski destinations, thanks in part to a fantastic 09/10 winter season. But surely skiing in Scotland in June is not possible? Surprisingly midsummer Scottish skiing is something that happens almost every year. When the sun rises…