Britain’s National Parks offer a huge range of activities from high adrenaline adventures on water, mountains, moors and vales to gentle strolls, bike rides and paddles with an ever changing view. The Parks offer the opportunity to reconnect with nature off the beaten path in contrast to the bustle of the cities. You are never too far from a local pub or café to taste the best of local produce served up with a local welcome. This landscape of rolling hills, ancient woodland and picture perfect villages have inspired generations of writers, artists and storytellers. The Parks are open all year round and offer something for every season with food festivals and also dark sky festivals and stargazing in stunning dark sky reserves.

Here are a few examples of the activities in the lesser known parks within easy reach of the cities.

South Downs National Park 

South Downs National Park is known as the ‘gateway to England’ and has inspired artists including Jane Austen who lived in the picturesque village of Chawton, Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury set. There is an abundance of paths, cycle routes, bridleways and waterways which connect the villages, vineyards and waterways. An hour from Brighton by road or public transport.

• Paddle the South Downs is a kayaking adventure through flower-strewn, chalk grassland and wildlife. Paddle to the village of Alfriston or Sussex’s beautiful county town of Lewes past a white horse carved into the hill, llamas and alpacas. The Kayak Coach offers a number of guided trips along the Cuckmere estuary.
• Bait to Plate is a unique guided fishing session, an afternoon fish preparation masterclass in the Smokehouse kitchen and a Chef’s Table private dining experience.
• Hire a bike and explore the ups and downs of the South Downs National Park. Eroica Britanniais a celebration of cycling culture and lifestyle, set within the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit with rides, local food and award-winning wine, shopping and activities across the weekend.

Peak District

At the very heart of England, the Peak District brings together the finest of unmissable British architecture, wrapped in a contrast of classic landscapes from rolling green dales and moors. There is more than enough for keen hikers, cyclists, climbers and adrenaline-junkies. An hour from Manchester by road or public transport.

• Walking routes abound and there are guided options and even walking with Alpacatours. Take a leisurely guided option with On Top of the World to explore the very best viewpoints of the Peak District with a series of short walks and scenic drives.
• For cycling there are over 400 kilometres of traffic-free trails with bikes and electric bikes for hire at cycle hubs. Off the beaten track traffic free trails include the Monsal Trail, Tissington Trail, High Peak Trail and Manifold Track.
• Visit the Peaks to try your hand at water sports including kayaking, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing or take a speedboat out for a spin.
• Climbing is extremely popular in the area with one of the most iconic places for rock climbing or bouldering being Stanage Edge.
• There are a number of caves and caverns in Derbyshire and the Peak District, such as Speedwell, Treak Cliff, Poole’s and Peak Cavern (also known as the Devil’s Arse).  Another famous show cavern of the area is a cable car ride away, up at the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath
• The Blue John Stone Experience. Blue John Stone is a rare, semiprecious mineral found at only one location in the world – in the caves of Castleton. The experience includes mining gems and creating a bespoke piece of jewellery.
• Pudding & Ale Vintage Bike Ride explores the splendid scenery of the Peak District National Park and samples the local ale and produce along the way.
• Chatsworth House a magnificent stately home in the Peak District has plenty to offer and regular spectacular exhibitions which currently include the striking Art of Burning Man displayed over the grounds.

Yorkshire Dales

Spectacular limestone scenery and traditional farming landscapes meet expansive heather moorland and an international Dark Skies reserve. Just over an hour from York.

• The Wensleydale Farmer’s Experience offers the opportunity to try out aspects of farming life taking in feeding the animals, gathering sheep, dry stone walling and enjoying the local produce.
• The Dales are known for hiking with options from a short walk alongside a river to see a waterfall to the challenging and renowned Three Peaks challenge and fell running.
• Cycling routes and mountain bike trails include part of the Tour de Yorkshire which was included in the Tour de France.
• The Yorkshire Dales is the number one caving area in Britain with options to hire an instructor or visit a show cave.
• Other activities include a high tech treasure hunt, horseback riding, wild swimming and admiring the night sky in the dark sky reserve and annual dark sky festivals.

North York Moors 

A land of hills, wooded dales, crinkly coasts, ancient abbeys and babbling brooks through quaint villages. Activities on land and in the air include bushcraft skills, climbing a rock, geocaching, swing through the trees and a glide through the air,  and track down hidden caches! 40 minutes from York.

• Fossils, Forage and Feast leads a journey to discover Jurassic fossils, forage for seashore snacks, and cook on an open beach fire.
• Twilight Nature Sounds Safari have a mix of sensory exploration, discovery and adventure with a warming treat hosed by Adventures for the Soul. 
• Outdoor Yoga and Sensory Nature Walk run tours in mystical woodland, alongside babbling brooks and in harmonious company.   
• A magical meander on the Coast takes visitors to see stunning views including Ravenscar on the edge of the North York Moors, to breathe in the fresh sea air and stop along the way at hidden gems to meet the locals and enjoy the best of local fare.
• Dark Skies Festivals in October and February have a star-studded line up of events and activities. 

Northumberland National Park

The ‘land of far horizons’, Northumberland is the least populated National Park and includes the most iconic and best preserved section of Hadrian’s Wall and has England’s darkest skies, where you can see the Milky Way on a clear night. 40 minutes from Newcastle.

• Hadrian’s Wall Guided Tour. Immersed in the incredible landscapes and magical archaeology the tour brings 2000 years of history to life through award winning guided tours of Hadrian’s Wall.
• The Ingram Valley Farm Safari takes an off road trip through time and a post glacial tundra landscape with red deer, wild cattle and a journey through myths and legends and a picnic along the way.
• The Ranger Patrol of Hadrian’s Wall by Ebike explores the northern frontier of the Roman Empire on an E-Mountain Bike with a National Park Ranger along Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.

The New Forest 

The New Forest’s ancient woodland and wildlife-rich heathland have long been a draw for visitors. The forest is spread across parts of Hampshire, east Dorset and Wiltshire, with wild horses, beautiful scenery, easy hiking, a network of cycle trails, paddle  boarding and horseriding. 2 hours from London.

• Walk, stroll or take a long-distance hike or join guided walk companies such as Wild New Forest.
• Explore the forest on horseback on the bridleways that criss-cross the National Park, take lessons in riding skills or take a horse drawn carriage ride with Burley Wagon Rides.
• The park offers a 100 miles of off-road easy and well marked cycle trails with the option to hire bikes.
• Watersports include sea fishing, a cruise from Lymington harbour or a paddleboard from Milford on sea to Hurst Castle with the New Forest Paddle Sport Company. Take part in kayaking at the New Forest Water Park, New Forest Activities and Escape Yachting in Lymington.  
• Insight Activities have woodland archery, crossbow shooting and axe throwing in their beautiful, rural location based in Fordingbridge and Calshot Activities Centre have sailing and a low-ropes course.

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With twinkling city-scape views, late night dining and the undeniable energy of the cities after dark, the experience of visiting Britain does not stop at dusk. Across the region’s cities there are much loved and brand-new rooftop bars and experiences to be enjoyed come the end of the day, whilst outside of the urban areas there are dark sky festivals and unique events through the summer and into the winter.

Band on the Wall, Manchester

Since March 2022

Reopened in March after a £3.5m physical transformation, Band on the Wall has increased its capacity and redesigned the interior. The venue has a brand-new ambient bar space which has a new kitchen collaboration with ‘This Charming Naan’ for vegan naan goodness. The bar has been at the epicentre of Manchester’s music and cultural scene, seeing past performances from The Fall, Buzzcocks and Joy Division in the 70s to hosting a young Bjork, Nadine Shah and up and coming acts.

Rooftop Film Club, London

Until end of summer

City skylines, sunsets, starlit evenings, awesome drinks, delicious food, and great movies on the big screen is what Rooftop Film Club promises its visitors in Stratford and Peckham. Both venues show a hand-picked selection of cults, classics and new releases. The Rooftop Film Club offers more than just a screening, it has created a social cinema with great atmosphere and incredible views of the city of London.

Mumbai Masala, London

Launched 10 June 2022

Bollywood meets cabaret with Mumbai Masala launching at Proud City, making it the first major Bollywood immersive experience of its kind to be launched in London. Mumbai Masala offers an evening of escapism with all of the spice, exotic tastes, sights and sounds of a Bollywood romance. Alongside the show, guests will be served an exclusive Asian menu, curated by celebrity chef and MasterChef finalist Nisha Parmar. 

Stand-up paddling in the dark by South West SUP, Plymouth

17 & 18 August 2022

South West SUP has two epic night time offers this summer. On 13 July they are organising a Full Moon Paddle to experience the picturesque sunset and watch the rise of the full moon from a prime position on the water. On 17 and 18 August the British Firework Championships return to Plymouth. Visitors can admire the fireworks with an uninterrupted view from the water. Previous paddle boarding experience is required for both events. The centre offers paddle-boarding sessions also through the winter.

Adventure Cinema, Bute Park, Cardiff

29 – 31 July 2022

Bute Park, the green heart of Cardiff, is in walking distance from the city centre behind the castle – and is full of wildlife and a wide variety of plants. The park hosts many of Cardiff’s celebrations and events throughout the year. This summer, from the 29 to 31 of July the park will be hosting ‘Adventure Cinema’, the UK’s largest touring outdoor cinema where visitors can bring their own picnic and enjoy a movie performance surrounded by nature under the stars.

Night bus by London Kayak Company, London

Until end of August

Paddling from Battersea to Greenwich on the Thames at sunset is London Kayak Company’s unique offering to see London from a different angle. The tour goes through the centre of the city, past landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge and other bridges and landmarks brightly bathed in light. The tour takes around two hours and is suitable for all levels.

Black-Owned Hackney Night Market, Hackney, London 

12 August & 16 September

The Black-Owned Hackney Night Market has returned this summer in collaboration with Black Eats LDN. The market is located opposite Hackney Central station and features a variety of Black-owned businesses. From street food trucks which serve delicious vegan friendly treats to artisan traders selling sustainably made clothing, gifts and skincare – there is much to explore. The entry to the market is free and there are live DJ’s playing at Hackney Social.

The Night Market, Canary Wharf, London

28 July, 18 August & 22 September

Canary Wharf has launched a new monthly night market for this year’s summer season. Montgomery Square comes to life with street food, music and mini-golf. Food trucks serve a wide variety of dishes from burgers to ‘bibimbaps’ which can be enjoyed while listening to live music from upcoming artists. Visitors can try their hand at free late-night mini-golf on the brand-new course. This is a great way to spend a night out on a Thursday enjoying summer in the city.

103 Colmore Row, Birmingham

Opens in late summer

Birmingham’s tallest office building, 103 Colmore Row, will open later this summer and be home to a global luxury restaurant. The rooftop Lantern restaurant on the 24th floor is complete with a 360-view terrace and an outdoor space which is designed to be versatile to accommodate events and social at arguably is the most enviable evening spot in the city.

Green Space Dark Skies, across Britain

8 events throughout the summer until September

UNBOXED 2022 invites people to light up the British countryside and take part in a series of mass countryside gatherings, inviting up to 20,000 people to experience beautiful landscapes across the UK. The events at dusk will celebrate nature, highlight our responsibility to protect it and encourage more people to visit who would not usually experience the countryside. Using low impact lights, each participant will be part of creating magical moments outdoors at National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visitors can enjoy the spectacle and experience the beauty of these stunning locations under glittering night skies.

Dark Skies Festival Exmoor, Exmoor National Park

13 – 30 October 2022

British national parks have some of the darkest spaces in Britain, where the night skies are seen at their best and the night time is celebrated at these unique events. The festival on Exmoor has a range of events to discover, learn about and enjoy the starry skies. The low light pollution levels create the perfect conditions for stargazing, night time safaris, or astrophotography. Exmoor National Park will put on 50 events including owl experiences, wildlife safaris, talks with astronomers, and night hikes complete with a homely supper.

Dark Skies Fringe Festivals, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales

21 – 30 October 2022

The combined area of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales is the largest protected park area in Britain and one of the biggest in Europe. Since 2022 the area has had International Dark Sky Reserve Status. Following the popularity of the February dark skies celebrations, there will be another bumper week of events, stargazing, night walks and astrophotography held at the end of Autumn.

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Spanning thousands of miles, Britain’s coastline is packed with possibility. Enjoy a taste of the sea while tucking into a fresh catch, or explore the cobbled streets of picturesque villages and harbours. But look beyond the classic seaside trip, and visitors can find beaches bursting with adrenaline-fuelled activities.

Dive deep into the waters and get to know Britain’s aquatic residents, kayak alongside inquisitive dolphins, or hit up the waves of England’s north coast. Be at one with nature while exploring sections of the England or Wales Coast Path, which includes a number of Easy Access sections for those with mobility issues, or grab a snorkel for a closer look as crabs scurry along the seabed. No matter where the adventure takes visitors, Britain’s coastline is full of exhilarating experiences just waiting to be discovered. 

Paddle with Britain’s sea creatures

Uncover Exmoor’s glistening waters and soaring cliff faces as visitors can pick up a paddle and hit the water for a two-hour guided sea kayaking adventure. They can head into secret coves along Combe Martin Bay and out towards England’s highest sea cliff – Great Hangman. Or make friends with the local creatures, including seabirds, porpoises and seals, and look out for the water’s most intelligent inhabitants, as the area boasts regular dolphin sightings.

Deep into the caves

If visitors are hoping to escape into the wilderness, Scotland’s dramatic Fingal’s Cave could be just what they’re looking for. On the western Isle of Staffa, erosion coupled with volcanic activity millions of years ago has formed a cave-scape of geometric shapes and wave crashing harmonies. They can become an explorer as they head deeper into geographical history, and navigate their way across and through the rocky remote landscape. Visitors can discover Fingal’s Cave by boat from Oban, Iona and Mull.  

Hike into the sunset

Old Harry’s Rocks on Dorset’s coast are the place to be for jaw-dropping skyline colours and sea wide views. As a part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, visitors can expect chalky cliff sides, charming countryside walks and picture-postcard sunsets. Pick up Britain’s favourite seaside grub, fish and chips, or pack up a picnic to take to watch the cliffside glow bright in the evening light. The Rocks can be reached on foot from Swanage or Studland, or accessed via public transport. If a walk isn’t their thing, visitors can take to the water on a City Cruise for a unique journey along the Jurassic Coast, which provides a new perspective of Old Harry’s Rocks and the surrounding landscape.

Giddy-up along the coast

From the hustle and bustle of Cardiff city centre to its quiet sandy shorelines, Wales’ south coast is a traveller’s paradise. But for those dreaming of a cinematic-worthy moment trotting down the coastline, why not saddle up and hit the shores on horseback? Offering experiences for absolute beginners through to keen riders, Ogmore Farm Trekking Centre will lead visitors through some of Europe’s highest sand dunes and across the region’s dramatic scenery. Located a 45-minute drive or bus journey from Cardiff, discover a new way to see the rockpools and golden sands of Ogmore-by-Sea.

Rock on in North Wales

Scramble across rustic rocky cliff faces with Anglesey Adventures for a coastal adventure with a twist. The proud home of coasteering, Wales is brimming with adrenaline-fuelled coastline experiences, and where better to leap into action than the nation’s largest island? Visitors can feel the thrill of cliff jumping into fresh waters and of navigating their way through hidden coves and rockpools. If they don’t want to make a splash, try Sea Level Traversing for a way to clamber along rockfaces without taking a dip in the water.

Discover the seabed

Cornwall boasts beautifully picturesque beaches, but give some thought to about what’s lurking under its waters too. Now’s the time to grab a snorkel and plunge into the sea to uncover a world of colourful fish, tranquil bays and mischievous crabs. For a thrill-seeking sea exploration, Newquay’s Atlantic Diver offer Basking Shark Safaris. Equipped with a snorkel visitors will be accompanied out to sea to take a dip with the gentle giants. They should keep their eyes peeled for the dolphins and seals that call Newquay their home too as they make their way out into the water.

Spend time with the seals

Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel, lays the unspoilt landscape of Lundy Island. From snorkelling safaris to rockpool rambles and guided walks, the island is bursting with places to discover its varied wildlife and nature. But the biggest thrills are found in its waters. Visitors can sneak a peek at the island’s playful seals in their natural environment when they suit up for a guided Lundy Seal dive trip with Easy Divers. Suitable for divers with a PADI Open Water qualification (or an equivalent), this is a bucket list moment for any keen diver. As they swim through the unique bed formations and sea kelp, visitors can expect the curious characters to be floating alongside them and even nibbling on their fins!

Surfs up in northern England

Hit the waves on England’s northern coastline at the award-winning Sandhaven Beach in South Shields, ranked as Britain’s best beach by the Sunday Times. Think luscious golden sands, adrenaline-fuelled water sports and rippling waves as visitors take to the sea on a  surf board. First time surfers can discover their love for the great British ocean with a surfing lesson, or if they’re a regular, they can hire a board and hit up the waves for themselves. After all the exhilaration, tuck into classic fish and chips along the seafront for dinner with sunset views.

Reconnect with nature

Not all trips to the coastline need to be fast-paced, so if the lapping waves and sandy beaches have left visitors wanting to reconnect to nature, then look to a Marine Life Walk along the coastline near Chichester. Located west of Brighton, follow in the footsteps of marine ecologists as they guide visitors through the intertidal ecosystem that’s bursting with life. From lively rockpools, to spying barnacles and molluscs, this adventure will allow visitors to get up close and personal with Britain’s sea creatures, while finding out more about the importance of wildlife conservation.

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