Photo Credit: Stefano Trucco
Summer is here, but the holidays needn’t leave folks wondering what to do. The freedom of summer can be enjoyed with many outdoor activities. There are holidays by the water, hiking and biking in the hills, holidays in the forests and holidays enjoying the freedom of the air. Music, food and fun accompany many activities, making them fun for the entire family. Choose among these ideas for a great family summer experience.
Water
Summer holidays on the water can be fun for the whole family, informative and instructive:
- Learn to sail, working the ropes and the sails as you cruise off Portsmouth
- Learn to scuba dive, instructors will teach you all you need to know before taking you on a dive
- Check out Scotland’s waterways in a kayak
- Let the professionals cruise England’s waterways while you lounge on the boat being pampered by the crew
Knowledgeable guides will tell exciting stories about the coastline, it’s pirate days, famous battles and other fun and interesting facts.
Air
Do you feel like enjoying the summer holidays from the air? Get a new perspective on life by:
- Seeing the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, where day and night shows are accompanied by music, food and fun
- Also in Bristol is the International Kite Festival, where kites are flown by kite lovers from all over Europe, with aerial displays and kite battles
Earth
For a summer adventure on terra firma, perhaps a track day experience would be just the thing. Imagine driving the track with tuition from a driving professional. The adventurer would begin by choosing a car, they would then be let loose to drive laps around the track with the seasoned guidance of a professional. For car enthusiasts, teens dreaming of racing or even women who need the freedom of the track to let off some steam, this type of experience would be perfect.
For an outdoor activity a little less adrenaline fueled, look to activities such as hiking and biking. There are hundreds of trails spread across the country for the whole family to explore, particular favourites can be found in the hills of Wales or on the Sussex downs.
Perhaps you’d like to speed the pace up? Doing battle with a paintball gun would appeal to the adventuresome side of the family, this popular choice can be enjoyed from a range of ages, in particular the you can be sure the teens would enjoy it.
Music, Arts and Food
Summer celebrations are open to all and located in almost every town in England. Featuring arts and museum displays, music and plays, food and fun, these celebrations are fun for the whole family:
- Sheffield’s Graves Park is host to a celebration featuring characters from popular children’s TV shows, fair rides, inflatables, food and music
- Attend the open-air theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and see As You Like It, Hamlet or another of the Bard’s masterpieces
- The National Trust sponsors activities that take you crabbing, bird-watching, seeing Castlerigg Stone Circle or going rock-pooling in Robin Hood’s Bay. The National Trust operates events and activities all over the UK and is usually free for all.
As this article explores, there are dozens of top summertime outdoor activities which can be enjoyed by all ages. If you find relatives or even friends who are struggling during the summer months, always remember that for every outdoor activity there is are plenty of gift experiences which could be purchased and redeemed at a later date. Don’t let those you love miss out this summer!
Ursula jones is a travel writer and adventure lover who writes for Well Wicked Stuff.
