Outdoor Activities in the UK….
Here at Sheepskin we all love cosy fires, and beautiful cottages, and we all like different outdoor activities.
It is tempting to spend a week at a Sheepskin cottage relaxing on the sofa, but if you love adventure and a holiday packed with adrenaline and trying new, crazy activities then take a look at the following ideas.
Some are even close to our luxurious holiday properties, so you can come home, have a long soak in a roll-top bath and curl up in front of the fire.
In the air:
Firstly, aerobatic flying is one of my favourite daredevil activities. On a regular basis I head to a remote airport and climb into a small plane and enjoy the feeling of g-force holding me in the seat as we roll, loop and stall turn. I recommend this to anyone who needs something more than a huge rollercoaster to keep their adrenaline tank fuelled. However, I am obligated to warn you that is is highly likely you will be hooked! These two sites ’Johnjohn‘ and ‘Red Letters’ offer areobatic flying as gift vouchers, perfect for Christmas presents for the man who has everything.
If sitting inside a plane is too boring, perhaps jumping out of one at 10,000 ft would be more up your street. Just imagine free falling for 60 seconds at 120mph, then at 5,000 ft a parachute opens and lets you soar awkwardly back down to earth, all attached to a fully qualified instructor of course. If you are ever in south Wales and fancy giving it a try, visit Skydive Swansea. You need to allow all day for the jump, and (sorry little ones) this activity is for 16 years and above. If you want to stay nearby Swansea, our properties Great House, Manal and Lletty are all within an hour’s drive.
On the Water:
Even in winter, (as long as you wear a wetsuit) activities based on or in the water can be hugely enjoyable. Firstly, for those who love living in the fast lane, why not try Zap Cat boating. This sport is becoming more and more popular, with competitions held throughout the UK. Basically it is a very fast powerboat, racing over the waves off the coastline. Big Blue Kitesurfing is located in Newgale, Pembrokeshire, and offer hour taster sessions for £50 per person. Our properties Great House and Nantwen (available from December) are only 50 minutes from Newgale.
If all of the above are a little too daring for your taste why not try canyoning. It involves jumping off cliffs, waterfalls, and plummeting into a river from an aerial zip wire. Adrenaline antics offer a wide range of water based activities which let you experience the fun side of taking a plunge. Big Canyon adventure cost £45 per person and last for three hours.
Located at the north end of Llyn Trawsfyndd, near Bala and Betws Y Coed , and conveniently close to our properties Tailor’s Cottage (sleeps 4), Hilltop (sleeps 4), Old Farm (sleeps 6), Wayside (sleeps 6) and Gelli Graean (sleeps 6).
An activity which is a little more relaxing but sounds daring is wild swimming! It has becoming increasingly popular with recent books and television programs dedicated to finding the best spots. We have found some great spots so guests at Hafod Glan Gwy and Knightsfield have enjoyed swimming in the River Wye.
Just a few miles from Hilltop and Tailor’s Cottage you can swim in Fairy Glen, a beautiful gorge just outside of Betws y Coed.
Summer guests at Lletty can enjoy a secret, secluded beach on the Sawdde River, we’ll include directions in your tailor-made guide. It is a perfect place for a dip after a long walk in the Brecon Beacons in the summer.
Find out more about wild swimming spots in Wales
On the Land:
Adrenaline Antics also provide on land activities if air and water don’t do it for you. They have bridge abseiling and Rock climbing, along with Hill walking. Each activity costs £40, however the length of each vary from 2 hours to half a day.
Quad biking is another favourite of mine, riding around fields and getting muddy. This is a fun activity for any age, and especially for adults. The activity centre ‘Keypits‘ offer the experience in Devon to a wide range of ages, and isn’t too far from our property Shell House. They offer an hour session for £40. ‘Adventures‘ is another activity centre based between Swansea and Cardiff. This is much more adult friendly, perfect for stag and hen parties. Quad biking sessions start for £22.50 per person. The centre also offers a variety of activities from paintball to high ropes course.
If, like Helen and Adam, you prefer two wheels then you can try trail riding (off road motorcycle riding). Where you can ride is, for good reason, very restricted so you always need a guide. Trail Ride Wales is run by a very friendly couple who can adopt the day and routes to suit complete beginners or experienced off-road riders. The rides meet near Machynlleth or Aberystwyth making either Wayside and Gelli Graean the perfect base for your off-road adventure.
Wales Outdoors offer a long list of activities across Wales…Climbing , Coasteering, Mountain Boarding, Power Kites, Gorge Walking, Surfing, Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Caving, Archery, Hill Walking, Bushcraft, Body Boarding, Mountaineering…
and if you book Wales Outdoors activities whilst staying at a Sheepskin cottage you will get 20% off the listed price of any of their activities. Wales Outdoors operate near the following Sheepskin properties… Hilltop, Tailors Cottage, Cragside, Old Farm, Letty, Knightsfield, Hafod Glan Gwy, Cider House.
If organised activities are not for you perhaps set yourself a challenge, with a fantastic view as reward at the top. Snowdonia, situated on the west coast of Britain, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with a diverse range of mountain and coastal landscape and natural forest within its vast 838 square miles. Helen’s favourite place is Glyder Fawr whose rocky summit makes an unusual and dramatic foreground to an absolutely breathtaking view across to Snowdon.
Properties in or near Snowdonia include; Tailors Cottage, Cragside, Hilltop, Wayside, Old Farm.
I look forward to helping you plan your stay with Sheepskin and searching out more eccentric activities for you.
Emma
