Thinking of booking a mid-week break in the UK somewhere with plenty of activities on offer?  Let us inspire you with our top 10 list of some of Britain’s best places for activity breaks.  From cycling to walking and wildlife watching, there is an array of wonderful activities to enjoy in the great outdoors in Britain.  Favourite destinations range from Cornwall to the Highlands in Scotland.  Read on to discover our top 10.
 

1. Lake District, Cumbria

Whether you want to enjoy boating, cycling, hiking or wildlife watching, the Lake District is one of England’s best loved areas.  Enjoy hiking the iconic peaks like Scafell Pike, take a leisurely stroll around one of the many lakes, cycle around Coniston Water or enjoy a bit of kayaking, the choice is yours!  Book a mid-week break outside of the school holidays to enjoy the Lake District at its most peaceful!

2. Cornwall

Cornwall is one of Britain’s best loved holiday destinations and with good reason.  Enjoy walking along the South West Coastal Path or for something more adventurous, try surfing at Newquay, or book a boat trip to see seals and dolphins out at sea. Vibrant seaside towns, like St Ives and Falmouth, also offer art galleries for something more cultural, and delicious seafood.

3. Snowdonia, Wales

Hike up Mount Snowdon at Snowdonia National Park and rise to new heights at the highest peak in Wales. Whether you choose to hike to the top or take the scenic train ride, the views are well worth the journey.  If a bit of an adrenaline rush is more your thing, then don’t miss activities like zip-lining at Zip World or the thrill of white-water rafting in Betws-y-Coed or near Dolgellau.

4. Peak District, Derbyshire

Derbyshire’s Peak District with its White Peak and Dark Peak, is a fascinating place to enjoy a great choice of outdoor pursuits.  Go hiking along trails, or for something more adventurous, activities like caving through limestone caves, and rock climbing are on offer in Derbyshire’s Peak District.  Or enjoy some gentle cycling along the traffic free Monsal Trail, or mountain biking along the Tissington Trail for a bit more adventure.

5. Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales National Park are one of England’s most beautiful areas, with stunning rolling hills and limestone cliffs.  Whether you want to enjoy cycling through the countryside of the Dales or want to enjoy walking, hiking or something more adventurous, the Yorkshire Dales is a truly beautiful place to get outside and explore.  If hiking is your thing, the hike up Malham Cove is well worth doing, as you are rewarded with truly stunning views at the top, along with the chance to walk along the amazing limestone pavement.

6. Scottish Highlands

For outdoor pursuits galore, few places compare to the Scottish Highlands.  This dramatic landscape with its mountains, glens and countryside is largely a vast wilderness.  Hiking, cycling and wildlife watching are just some of the pursuits on offer.  You may be lucky enough to see deer and eagles when exploring this part of Scotland.  The Scottish wildcat inhabits these parts but is seldom seen!  You may even be able to enjoy skiing in the Scottish Highlands in winter time, in the Cairngorms near Aviemore!

7. Norfolk Broads

If you live in East Anglia or London, a mid-week break in the Norfolk Broads could be the perfect choice.  This area is renowned for its water ways and is a great place to do some boating or kayaking.  Enjoy relaxing meanders or walks whilst exploring historic windmills too!  This area is also a hot spot for birdwatching.

8. Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

For mid-week breaks within an hour’s drive and within two hours of Edinburgh, a break in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park could be idea.  Escape the city and discover the tranquil waterside scenery of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.  Walking, cycling, fishing and boating can all be enjoyed in this stunning part of Scotland.

9. New Forest

The New Forest is one of England’s most fascinating places to explore the great outdoors.  See giant redwoods in the forests, cycle along forest paths and invigorating walks with the promise of a slice of cake in a local tea shop at the end.  Wild ponies meandering around, guarantees wildlife spotting too!  The New Forest can be convenient for short breaks as it’s only a couple of hours drive from areas like Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and parts of the West Country.

10. Cotswolds

For some of England’s most beautiful and traditionally English countryside, towns, villages and gardens, the Cotswolds is a must.  3 or 4 can be perfect for enjoying a taste of the Cotswolds.  Hike along the Cotswolds Way and see some of the Cotswolds countryside, or enjoy cycling through pretty villages and towns.  Also, for those in search of more adventure and the chance to enjoy some watersports, the Cotswolds Water Park awaits.

Where you choose to take a mid week break in the UK can often depend on geography and which areas you have accessible within a 3 hour drive.  From options in Scotland, to Wales and England, we hope we’ve inspired you on some of the best of Britain with our top 10 destinations for short  breaks in the UK.