8 Staycation Adventures To Try This Summer

Looking for something a little more action-packed to do on your next holiday? Thankfully, there are plenty of staycation adventures to be had close to home. Below, we list some of our favourites.

This article was originally featured in our Great British & Irish Hotels Guide 2024/25; you can buy your copy here.

The Best Staycation Adventures In The UK & Ireland

(c) Giorgio Trovato, Unsplash

Horse Riding, The Isle of Wight

What’s better than a beach holiday? A horse riding beach holiday. The Island Riding Centre on the Isle of Wight offers escapes and lessons for all ages and skill levels, and is located right by the beach – meaning you can trot along the coast and explore over 280 bridleways atop your trusty steed. islandriding.com

Coasteering, St Davids, Wales

Where better to try coasteering than in the place where it all began? The activity, which consists of adventure swimming, scrambling and jumping into deep water, was supposedly first brought to the attention of tourists by outdoor adventure company TYF back in the 1980s. Since then, TYF has taken over 200,000 people along the cliff coastline of St Davids for a chance to try their hand at it – resulting in plenty of grins, laughs and newly confirmed adventurers. tyf.com

(c) Christian Watson

Land Rover Rentals, Cairngorms, Scotland

Road-tripping through the Scottish Highlands takes on a luxury edge, thanks to WildTrax. The adventure specialists leave any on-foot scrambling to the local hikers, and instead rent out classic 4×4 Land Rover vehicles that are perfect for weathering the rugged terrain of the Cairngorms. And if you’re looking for a place to stay the night, even better; WildTrax’s network of partner lodges gives plenty of indoor options, while its rooftop tent service lets you continue the adventure long after the sun has gone down. wildtrax.co.uk 

(c) Mark Stuckey, Unsplash

Car Track Days, Silverstone

Another one for petrolheads. When Silverstone isn’t busy hosting Formula 1, it becomes a hub of racing activity for fans of the sport. Visitors are invited to pull up to one of three tracks (National, International or Grand Prix) and put their motor skills to the test. Guided by an instructor, you’ll be able to hop behind the wheel of a supercar (we like the look of the McLaren) and race around the circuit to your heart’s content. silverstone.co.uk

Scuba Diving, Isle of Portland, Devon

Fancy brushing up on your scuba diving skills? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to jet off to warmer waters to explore deep beneath the ocean’s surface; our coastline is home to plenty of marine life that’s ripe for discovery. The Isle of Portland sits on the very tip of the Jurassic Coast and is the perfect base for a spot of scuba diving. You can pick up classes with Dive Beyond, whose instructors will help you search wrecks, explore reefs and spot plenty of local wildlife during your time on the Isle. divebeyond.co.uk

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Surfing, Portrush, Northern Ireland

As far as beach breaks go, Portrush is pretty high up on our list – especially when it comes to hitting the waves with a surfboard. Portrush’s East Strand and West Strand might not have the quiet seclusion of other surfing beaches in the UK, but its ultra-friendly atmosphere makes it a prime spot for beginners and families getting to grips with the sport. Local surf schools like Troggs offer lessons for all levels, as well as special sunset experiences and parties for hen and stag dos. Whatever floats your boat (or surfboard). troggssurfschool.co.uk

Mountaineering, Lake District

The Lake District is something of a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. As England’s largest national park, the area is awash with rivers, mountains and forests – all of which can be explored on foot. If you’d like to set your sights high (quite literally) on your next holiday, then make sure to enrol on one of the guided adventures hosted by Graham Uney Mountaineering, where a team of well-versed instructors will guide you across Cumbria’s eastern fells. Good views are guaranteed. grahamuneymountaineering.co.uk

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Orca Spotting, Shetland Islands

Nature thrives on the Shetland Islands, making it the perfect spot for wildlife sightings whether on land, sea or in the air. But there’s one mammal in particular that’s known for setting off excitement among locals and tourists alike – orcas – and, luckily, they can be spotted throughout the year. Pods are best spotted from the sea itself, and you can book onto marine tours with a number of local companies (many of which will also whizz you around to see seabirds, seals and other wildlife, just in case the orcas don’t fancy making an appearance). shetland.org

Featured image: Unsplash