Active holidays in the UK to take you back to nature

Nothing invigorates the soul quite like immersing yourself in nature’s elements. Swim in an outdoor lake, cycle through a beautiful forest, SUP along the coastline or surf the perfect wave. Here are 5 active holidays in the UK to take you back to nature…

Swim in a lake

You might have tried wild swimming in London’s Hampstead Heath ponds but for something a bit more special, hop on a flight to Belfast and drive to luxury hideaway Finn Lough. Book a nature-inspired forest spa trail experience, where a spell in a Finnish-style sauna is complimented with an invigorating lake plunge. Other highlights include a hydrotherapy pool, aromatherapy sauna, floatarium and fireside relaxation – all nestled amongst the trees on the water’s edge. Pure bliss. Read DOSE editor Hettie Holmes’s review of Finn Lough.

Cycle in a forest

Looking for a romantic, active break for two? Treat yourself to a spa getaway at Chewton Glen in The New Forest and explore the serenely beautiful countryside on a mountain bike. Or if you’re bringing the family along, head to Center Parcs – the award winning family UK holiday destination within 400 acres of stunning forest. With a car-light environment, cycling through the villages is the best way to explore the glorious woodland and get to your next activity. For a more cycling focussed trip, Forest Holidays have rounded up some of the best forest cycle trails across the UK.

SUP by the coast

Head down to the breathtaking beaches of North Devon for a coastal SUP experience. Stand Up Paddling is an increasingly popular activity for those wanting to explore not just the ocean, but also inland lakes, rivers and harbours. Surf South West are ideally situated to be able to take advantage of the many beautiful waterways that the North Devon Coastline has to offer. All their SUP instructors are qualified through the International Surfing Association to teach you the foundation techniques.

Wakeboarding in the City

WakeUp Docklands is London’s only cable wakeboard park within the central transport network, offering a variety of water based activities in an inner city environment. Take the “Blue” cable if you’re a beginner or the Gold cable if you are intermediate to advanced. Located in the Royal Victoria Dock, it’s a great place to ride, rest and reconnect. Take advantage of the two onsite bars Byrney’s Beach Bar and The Oiler Bar for a sundowner. Read DOSE writer Chloe’s review of WakeUp Docklands.

Ride The Wave in Bristol

Looking for perfect surf all year round? The Wave is an inland surf destination where everyone can surf on consistent, safe waves all year long. Now the park has opened again, experience a fantastic variety of waves to suit all levels of surfer, from beginner to expert, from 7am to 9pm most days. Read DOSE writer Sophie Everard’s review of The Wave.

Main image: Finn Lough

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